American Handgunner articles from May 2009

American Handgunner archives from May 2009

Moses didn't.(SPEAK OUT: YOUR FORUM TO PONTIFICATE, PONDER AND PROBE)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I was extremely glad to see John Taffin's article on Alan Harton's gun smithing prowess (The Sixgunner, March/April 2009). Alan is a personal friend and all around good guy, who happens to have barrels full of...

Hell yes ... we got it!(SPEAK OUT: YOUR FORUM TO PONTIFICATE, PONDER AND PROBE)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2009... Because we got a gazillion letters from readers like these gents (and ladies), Bernie Ness at ATK got his arm twisted far enough so the Speer Gold Dot .30 Carbine ammo we mentioned (Insider, March/April 2009) is for real. It should be shipping...

Vets appreciate us.(SPEAK OUT: YOUR FORUM TO PONTIFICATE, PONDER AND PROBE)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2009... I've got to tell you your magazine is the best. My father, who is a WWII vet, also shot for the Navy after the war. He's now 85 and has macular degeneration, which effects his second favorite activity--the first being shooting and the second...

Hates politics.(SPEAK OUT)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2009... I enjoy reading every issue of your magazine and I consider your writers to be a most knowledgeable group on the subject of handguns and related topics. I don't, however, consider your staff to have anything in the way of expertise on subjects...

Colt happiness.(SPEAK OUT)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2009... I recently sent in the slide from my Colt New Agent .45 because of a fine scratch on one of the polished surfaces. I enclosed a note explaining the scratch was due to my carelessness and I would be happy to pay the going rate for the services...

Don't label me.(SPEAK OUT)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2009... As a staunch, actual card-carrying liberal and proud member of the ACLU, I was appalled by the way you treated several of your readers who complained about your wall-like stand regarding gun rights. A friend of mine showed me your magazines....

The Internet loophole.(SPEAK OUT)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2009... Got to thinking the other day the gun-grabbers should look at the Internet. Let's call it "the WiFi Loophole--why the gun control logic isn't logical." It says somewhere important that "Congress shall make no law respecting an...

STI takes a stand.(SPEAK OUT)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2009... It's come to my attention STI International, the manufacturer of handguns and high performance parts for 1911 handguns, have suspended all sales to California law enforcement agencies, and to the employees of same. They have tried for years to...

Best pocket holster?(SPEAK OUT)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2009... I'm writing in response to an article about Mika's pocket holster (Carry Options, March/April 2009). Robert Mika makes excellent pocket hoisters for handguns, all at a working person's price. I have had a CCW permit in several states for over...

Ear blaster.(SPEAK OUT)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2009... You recently got a letter from a guy who thought the .357 magnum was uncomfortably loud and he was afraid it would damage his hearing. You recommended a 9mm or a .38 Special. You failed, however, to point out the .357 magnum has superior...

Bo-Mar: an industry icon--lost.(PISTOLSMITHING: THE INSIDE SCOOP ON PISTOLSMITHING TECHNIQUES)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The American firearms industry and the American custom pistol and revolver industry in particular lost a great leader and product lately. Bo-Mar sights are no more! The owner Mr. Robert (Bob) Korzeniewski died in...

The gold standard.(PISTOLSMITHING: THE INSIDE SCOOP ON PISTOLSMITHING TECHNIQUES)
May 1, 2009... There is no need to tell most of you about the Bo-Mar sight. It's as common as your kitchen sink and became the rear sight of choice if you were to be a winner. Bo-Mar sights were on the pistols of Camp Perry, Olympic competitors, IPSA...

M&P = production class.(WINNING EDGE: SOLID ADVICE TO KEEP YOU AHEAD OF THE COMPETITION)
May 1, 2009... In the early days of practical shooting competition there were no divisions for different types of handguns. In fact it was one of the original fundamental principles for all guns to compete equally. The idea was, only in this way would we find...

Manufacturers return.(WINNING EDGE: SOLID ADVICE TO KEEP YOU AHEAD OF THE COMPETITION)
May 1, 2009... Production is one of the best ideas USPSA ever had. Production is rapidly growing in popularity and is likely doing more than any other factor in bringing new shooters to the sport. Just use the handgun you bought for personal and home defense,...

The M&P.(WINNING EDGE: SOLID ADVICE TO KEEP YOU AHEAD OF THE COMPETITION)
May 1, 2009... Operation is similar to the Glock and the XD. It s a locked breech, tilting barrel design with an abutment on the barrel locking into the front of the ejection port. Pressing the trigger moves the striker back to compress the striker spring,...

The spectrum.(HANDGUN HUNTING: TIPS, TECHNIQUES, AND POLITICAL- INCORRECTNESS)
May 1, 2009... Chayce and Paige Bianchin are top of the line teenagers. Both are straight-A students and terrific softball players. On the first day of the Pennsylvania deer season, schools are closed and the girls will be in the woods with their dad and...

A hunter's take.(HANDGUN HUNTING: TIPS, TECHNIQUES, AND POLITICAL-INCORRECTNESS)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As a little tyke in Sunday school I learned Eve gave Adam an apple from the Garden of Eden. I think at the time I envisioned all the troubles of the world came from that act and kept my distance from any ladies...

Drawing: conclusions.(BETTER SHOOTING)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I wish I had a tally of the times I've drawn a pistol from a holster, or seen other shooters draw at matches. Add all the practice sessions and scores of matches and it must be hundreds of thousands. Yet I've never...

Buying full-auto: the ultimate handgun accessories.(SHOOTING IRON: THUMB BUSTIN' MUSINGS FROM THE DUKE)
May 1, 2009... After publicizing in these pages my new found passion--World War II and Korean War vintage submachine guns--several readers have asked about the difficulty in legally obtaining such full autos. Some asked if I got a "full auto license." Others...

The red tape.(SHOOTING IRON: THUMB BUSTIN' MUSINGS FROM THE DUKE)
May 1, 2009... Here's what it takes. First off, not all states allow ownership of full auto firearms, but perhaps surprisingly, most do. For example, here in the northwest, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho and Oregon do allow them. Washington does not. So you need to...

NAA's tiny B/P wheelguns.(TAFFIN TESTS: THE SIXGUNNER HIMSELF: GUNS, GEAR AND MORE)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As so often happens with discoveries or inventions, the Chinese did not really know what they had when they came up with gunpowder. The original purpose was for entertainment, fireworks displays. Someone, somewhere,...

Teeny tiny.(TAFFIN TESTS: THE SIXGUNNER HIMSELF: GUNS, GEAR AND MORE)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Shooting black powder revolvers is simply fun, and as I've said many times shooting should be fun. The most fun shooting I know of is with .22s, whether they be rifles, pistols or...

The quick peek technique.(COP TALK: OPINION AND FACTS FROM THE MEAN STREETS)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The 2008 National Championships of the International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) was a tremendous success. Kudos to those who made it possible, including the host range, Guthsville Rod & Gun Club in...

Hit percentages.(COP TALK: OPINION AND FACTS FROM THE MEAN STREETS)
May 1, 2009... More than 300 people, all experienced shooters with hopes of leaving a national championship with some sort of trophy, shot Stage 13. They all knew exactly when and where the target would emerge, an advantage the bad guy would not have if the...

Springer's XD.(REALITY CHECK[TM]: FIRST-PERSON THOUGHTS ON SURVIVING IN THE REAL WORLD)
May 1, 2009... It's common knowledge among people who know me. I'm not wildly excited about plastic handguns. I generally refer to them as polymer pistols and the people who shoot them as the polymer pistol kids. This is never intended to be used in a...

The guts.(REALITY CHECK[TM]: FIRST-PERSON THOUGHTS ON SURVIVING IN THE REAL WORLD)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I had Scott do his magic trigger working and parts thing, and you can tell he did. The XD trigger wasn't bad originally, and especially after it had my normal gunsmith version of a trigger job...

Springer precision.(REALITY CHECK[TM]: FIRST-PERSON THOUGHTS ON SURVIVING IN THE REAL WORLD)
May 1, 2009... Much like Robbie Barrkman has whipped the Glock into shape for many people, Scott Springer is addressing the world of the XD. Scott's work on the XD trigger is admired far and wide and between the gun work using Springer's own premium grade...

The sixguns of Hamilton Bowen.(The SIXGUNEER)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] All of the dedicated sixgunners in my acquaintance have several things in common. Certainly not the least of which is having spent much time during their younger years staring at pictures of custom sixguns in Elmer...

A 1908 .380 mystery pistol.
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I've never been to a gun show where a Colt .380 pocket hammerless pistol, the M1908 (or as some call it, the 1903), wasn't picked up and handled. I simply can't resist them. So when I came across one with the...

Sublime steel artistry when less is more: an heirloom precision 1911.
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Although it causes a kink in some folk's craws to see an article on a 1911, this story is different because it's not about just another 1911. I have owned countless 1911s and not all of them were always that great. I...

American Pistolsmiths Guild 2009 raffle guns: stunning two- gun set!
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Once again, American Handgunner is privileged to be the host for this annual raffle offering from the American Pistolsmiths Guild. An unheard of presentation from this dignified group--this two gun set is, without a...

Measured force! The designs of Bram Frank.
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Restraint versus lethal force has become a hot button issue in our lawsuit prone society, forcing law enforcement agencies and even our military branches to rethink the way our forces are...

S&W's sub-compact pro-series: pocket-sized power.
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] We older guys usually equate the name Smith & Wesson with revolvers, and sometimes I have to stop and make myself realize they now have a share of the Model 1911 market too. A look at their website shows a wide...

Clean that cannon cowboy! Keepin' your hip-howitzer happy.(WEB BLAST)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I asked Massad Ayoob what he uses to clean guns. He frowned and spat, "Armorers! I shoot 'em, they clean...

STI GP6 Euro-Tech: 9mm contender.
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] At the collapse of the Soviet Union, many of the Central European countries took a deep breath of freedom, embracing both the free market economy and private gun...

Buddy System Blades: one is none--but sometimes two equal ten!(WEB BLAST)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] My Dad told me at an early age about our family tradition of carrying three...

A gallery of classic combat leather.
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As a Kansas farm boy in the late 1950s, I was spellbound by the new "adult" TV Western series such as...

Go ahead--amaze yourself: and the best thing to be amazed with is--you!(GUNCRANK DIARIES[TM]: : EXCUSES, ALIBIS, PITHY OBSERVATIONS & GENERAL EPHUS)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Lots of you guys wrote and asked about the blind rescue bowline knot I mentioned in the Jan/Feb 2009 issue. Yeah, it's a great knot; one that can save lives, with many other uses too. The ability to quickly throw a...

What, where, how and wow!(GUNCRANK DIARIES[TM]: : EXCUSES, ALIBIS, PITHY OBSERVATIONS & GENERAL EPHUS)
May 1, 2009... A Teensy Light In The Dark. We all love cool tactical lights, right? But aside from light-freaks like me, how many people carry one 24/7? A pal of mine got a hard jolt and scorched-black burns on his fingers when he stuck his hand into an...

Rancher Magnum Carry.(CARRY OPTIONS: FROM CLASSICS TO CUTTING EDGE IN CARRY METHODS)
May 1, 2009... When I arrived at Thunder Ranch it was just about dark. I'm glad I wasn't a few minutes later or I would have had a hard time finding the place. Lake View, Oregon is a lot more remote than downtown San Diego. After being greeted by Clint,...

Carrying a big one.(CARRY OPTIONS: FROM CLASSICS TO CUTTING EDGE IN CARRY METHODS)
May 1, 2009... Clint solved my problem of toting the S&W Model 29 by providing me with the use of his very well worn Rancher Magnum Carry Holster. Once adjusted, the rig fit over my jacket, didn't get in the way and made access to the big boomer a piece of...

My .4G mag.(CARRY OPTIONS: FROM CLASSICS TO CUTTING EDGE IN CARRY METHODS)
May 1, 2009... When a 4" Model 29 made its way into my sale, I immediately called Jerry at Haugen Gun Leather and ordered a Rancher Magnum Carry This system is perfect for toting my Model 29 when I go hog hunting or when my travels take me into bear or snake...

The killing of Ike Clanton.(The Ayoob Files)
May 1, 2009... Situation: You're facing a man with a killer's reputation, believed to have shot one or two of the famed Earp Brothers and gotten away with it... and now, he reaches for the Winchester in his rifle scabbard. Lessons: Grateful that the...

The big black powder dud.(HANDLOADING: SAGE ADVICE FROM THE HANDLOADING GURUS)
May 1, 2009... "You're crazy," I told His Editorship. Not usually the way I chat with the controller of the paychecks. But one of our readers, Steve Watson, had asked what we thought would happen if we used black powder in a semiauto pistol and Roy phoned to...

Not that bad?(HANDLOADING: SAGE ADVICE FROM THE HANDLOADING GURUS)
May 1, 2009... Actually the accuracy wasn't all that bad at least for the first four or five rounds. The main problem was fired cartridges would not eject. The fired case would either be caught pointing straight up, or the front of the case would be jammed up...

Figuring it out.(HANDLOADING: SAGE ADVICE FROM THE HANDLOADING GURUS)
May 1, 2009... The original .45 ACP loads used a 230 grain full metal jacketed bullet. The case capacity of the .45 ACP is much smaller than that of the .45 Colt and since most black powder loads are given by volume, I found a 1.0 cc scoop gave just enough...

Streamlight Super Tac.(GUNNYSACK)
May 1, 2009... Streamlight dominates the industrial and firefighting markets when it comes to innovation and problem-specific responses for these fields. In addition, Streamlight has made strong inroads into the tactical arena over the past several years....

Triple eight pockettools.(GUNNYSACK)
May 1, 2009... Like they said in their press release: "Whoever said big ideas come in small packages must have been thinking about Triple Eight's newest line of tiny but powerful pocket tools." And after handling the trio, I came away impressed by their tiny...

5 shot ankle holster.(GUNNYSACK)
May 1, 2009... There's a young fellow we featured in our pages by the name of John Ralston who does business at 5 Shot Leather, and I felt compelled to feature his work again. For two reasons--the first is its good, and that's reason enough on its own. But...

Leupold RX-II rangefinder.(GUNNYSACK)
May 1, 2009... In a nutshell, this latest from our friends at Leupold is a stunner. It's not just a rangefinder. It will compute your trajectory to within one yard, even taking into account any angles involved. It uses high-tech magic and something called...

Safe gun safe.(SPEAK OUT)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2009... Your article on the reasons for buying a gunsafe ("Why I Bought A Gunsafe," Jan/Feb 2009) was right on the money. I've heard (and considered) the argument that for the cost of a safe, you could buy another gun or two. Well, I can't tell you...

Kid shooter.(SPEAK OUT)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2009... I just picked up several copies of the March/April 2009 edition of American Handgunner. It came out at just the right time. Brennan has been in a real slump this school semester--his senior high school year--and the recognition in the article...

Spaghetti guns.(SPEAK OUT)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2009... On a quiet night a week ago I indulged myself by watching one of my old favorites, "Buono, il brutto, il cattivo"--The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. The quintessential Clint Eastwood "Spaghetti Western." The movie seems to take place near...

Rimless revolver: Charter Arms.(SPOTLIGHT)
May 1, 2009... Charter Arms has come up with an affordable revolver that chambers rimless semiauto rounds in the same manner as a standard rimmed cartridge revolver. This first model is in .40 S&W chambering and will be followed by the .45 ACP, and the 9x19mm...

P238ACP subcompact: SIG Sauer.(SPOTLIGHT)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Reacting to many requests from shooters for a subcompact SIG Sauer pistol, engineers designed the new P238 as a small handgun packed with the , same accuracy and reliability as the large frame SIG Sauer. With an...

AR15/M16 telescoping stock: Choate Machine and Tool.(SPOTLIGHT)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Choate Machine and Tool introduces their new telescoping stock for the Ar15/M16. This five position telescoping stock has two storage compartments with O-ring sealed screw caps. The storage compartments are water...

Shooting Safety Combo Kit: Howard Leigh.(SPOTLIGHT)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This Woman's Shooting Safety Combo Kit features eyewear with clear polycarbonate lens with an anti fog coating and 99.9 percent UV protection, with a dusty rose frame color. Also included...

Operator Grade Field Jacket: EOTAC.(SPOTLIGHT)
May 1, 2009... EOTAC, introduces the retro look Operator Grade Field Jacket updated in contemporary materials and features. This jacket is constructed of an extremely durable and wear-resistant 9 ounce all cotton Iron Twill treated with DuPont Teflon fabric...

The Earl: North American Arms.(SPOTLIGHT)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Introducing the .22 WMR plinker, The Earl, for sale in California! It has an exemption from the regs outlined in CA SB 15 available to 5+ shot single action revolvers with 3" barrels and an overall length of 7.5 "....

Gladius Maximis Light: Blackhawk!(SPOTLIGHT)
May 1, 2009... BLACKHAWK! reenergized the low-light product market with it's Gladius strobe light. The Gladius Maximis features new, improved capabilities that maximize its function in critical close-quarter situations. It runs for 90 minutes at full power...

Bill Wilson Carry Pistol: Wilson Combat.(SPOTLIGHT)
May 1, 2009... Ever wonder what gunmaker Bill Wilson carries on a daily basis? Well wonder no more because here it is. You take a Wilson Combat CQB compact, add the "round butt" treatment, shorten the slide stop pin and counter sink the frame, slide tip...

Charter Rimless wonder.(THE INSIDER)
May 1, 2009... The new Charter Arms Rimless Revolver (the CARR, but not the kind you drive), will be out first in .40 S&W, then--be still our quaking hearts--.45 ACP and last in 9mm. A really cool thing is the 9mm will also handle .380. The rimless case...

SIG .380.(THE INSIDER)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Called the P238, this new compact SIG is basically a diminutive single action 1911 in .380, shades of the old Colt Mustang series, since the P238 has an aluminum frame and weighs just under a pound. But, the big...

Ken Onion kudos.(THE INSIDER)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It was a good year for old friends. At S.H.O.T. I found that Ken Onion, the inventor of the' Speed-Safe" design and the fellow who virtually single-handedly put Kershaw on the map, was inducted into the Blade...

Ruger LCR.(THE INSIDER)
May 1, 2009... Just back from S.H.O.T. show where no end of astounding and not-so-astounding goodies were displayed. Ruger's new Lightweight Compact Revolver (or LCR--get it?) is definitely in the astounding category. Made with a polymer sub-frame, or, as...

Add it up.(THE INSIDER)
May 1, 2009... $50,000,000 Denamination on a Zimbabwe note worth 2 cents. 43% Rate murder is down from 1991. 30 YEAR LOW Violent crime rate. 12% Murders committed with knives in 2007. 32% Murders committed with no...

Coke bottles.(INSIDER)
May 1, 2009... When you buy your classic S&Ws make your next stop Raj's Web site so you can pick out a set of classic "Coke Bottle" S&W grips. The early guns were equipped with an elegantly profiled grip that came to be known as a Coke Bottle grip due to the...

Baker book.(INSIDER)
May 1, 2009... You probably know of Freedom Arms, the makers of the finest single action revolvers in the world. Wayne Baker, father of Bob Baker, the guy who runs Freedom, is the man behind the company and the one who started it all. But there's much, much...

S&W classics.(INSIDER)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Kick me I've gone to heaven. With no small amount of arm-twisting, S&W has continued to expand the "Classic" revolver series under Tony Miele's watchful eye. At S.H.O.T. I eyeballed and...

Shot-phone.(INSIDER)
May 1, 2009... I know you've wanted to do it, yearned to do it, wished you could do it--well, we did it. Here, Handguner staffer and all-around rad-dude, Jade, put his Springfield Armory 9mm to good use administering the final solution to his phone. "I just...

Lady hunters.(INSIDER)
May 1, 2009... In our on-going effort to showcase lady-hunters, simply because we can, here's a duo sure to steal your heart. Young Mandy (age 9!) is a neighbor of mine and took this very nice doe on her parent's property here in Missouri. She used a Savage...

Guild good guy.(INSIDER)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Old bud and a pistolsmith familiar to Handgunner readers, Marc Morganti was awarded the American Pistolsmiths Guild "Pistolsmith of the Year" award at their banquet just before S.H.O.T. this year. And, to top it off,...

Coming to America.(THE INSIDER)
May 1, 2009... My wife, Ms. Suzi, and I just tackled a cross-country move from Southern California to just outside of Joplin, Missouri. We bought a rambling home on 20 wooded acres so we could, as Suzi says, "get out of dodge" and escape the ruckus of urban...