American Handgunner articles from November 2003

American Handgunner archives from November 2003

September/October.(Speak Out)
November 1, 2003... In regards to Clint Smith's Reality Check (September/October 2003). I have to agree with his opinion, Especially about being a fool if you send someone down-range to be "acclimated to incoming fire." Being new to the shooting world. I can't...

Stupid is as stupid does.(Speak Out)
November 1, 2003... In the "Reality Check" by Clint Smith (September/October 2003), I am embarrassed to say I am one of the fools Mr. Smith refers to in describing a student who goes down range and stands next to a target while others shoot around them. This was a...

Offensive? Us?(Speak Out)
November 1, 2003... I just picked up a copy of the May/June 2003 issue of American Handgunner this afternoon. I was astonished by your idiotic, cop-out response to reader Steven Webber ("Vulgar? Who, Me?") Although Mr. Webber is correct, as you so neatly latched...

E-7 = MC2.(Speak Out)
November 1, 2003... Just finished my Sept/Oct issue and it was very good all the way around--a great issue. The Insider column was simply awesome, very powerful, and I thank you for that insight. However, when I looked at the "add it up" numbers I was shocked...

More Ginger's Legacy.(Speak Out)
November 1, 2003... It seems we struck n chord with Ginger's Legacy (Insider, Sept/Oct '03) and received a flood of mail from you all Most wanted to simply tell us their story about their dog, and many thanked us for reminding us all how valuable those four-footed...

Tips and tactics.(Handgun hunting: tips, techniques and political-incorrectness)
November 1, 2003... With hunting seasons upon us, maybe a few tips are in order. Now I know all you experienced old guys don't need them, so either turn the page, or stick around to see if there's something you can argue with. First, take that advice of...

Body target testing.(Handgun hunting: tips, techniques and political-incorrectness)
November 1, 2003... Bowhunters use full body targets, and targets showing the internal organs of a deer are easy to find. If you aren't positive of the anatomy of the animal, I suggest you buy a full body target and examine it from different angles. Then, you can...

How to get to Carnegie Hall.(Handgun hunting: tips, techniques and political-incorrectness)
November 1, 2003... Cast-versus-jacketed bullet is always a great controversy. And, there's no doubt about it--a properly placed cast bullet kills. A commercial jacketed expanding bullet is usually more accurate and with identical shot placement, does more damage,...

For the eyes of American Handgunner readers only: shocking new fight system teaches you how to easily defeat and disarm anyone in one second without using a single punch, throw, or kick! And the best part is that you'll learn it all from the guy who took it to the meanest streets in America ... Just to prove his system would work against anyone ... Anytime!(Advertisement)
November 1, 2003... Dateline--Visalia, CA--If you have any friends who are SWAT cops or well-placed in the Spec Up military... then you've heard the rumor. You know the one: There's a brand-new "scare the hell out of everyone" fighting system slaughtering every...

Old vs. new.(Winning edge: solid advice to keep you ahead of the competition)
November 1, 2003... Recently I spent a pleasant morning at the range, shooting the two .45s shown here. The top pistol is a military surplus 1911A1, made by Colt in 1943. Below it is a Kimber Classic, stock except for the nice Kim Ahrends grips. Here's how they...

But why?(Winning edge: solid advice to keep you ahead of the competition)
November 1, 2003... Incidentally the 1911A1 was no clapped-out beater, fished out of a ship's bilge after fifty years. Even under the pressure of wartime demand Colt put together a pretty nice gun, well-fitted and detailed. The hammer, thumb safety, magazine...

1911 rules! Not ...(Winning edge: solid advice to keep you ahead of the competition)
November 1, 2003... The competitive arena is a brutal racetrack, one that ultimately improves both equipment and techniques. There remained one problem--the dominance of the 1911 design. The 1911's features, most notably its crisp, short, light trigger release and...

The 10-ring bye-bye: stick a fork in me--I'm done!(Guncrank diaries: excuses, alibis, pithy observations & general ephus)
November 1, 2003... That's what I told Roy-Boy, your semi-intrepid editor here, and I figured that's enough. I'm DONE, okay? "Whattaya mean done?" he kinda squeaked. I explained. Done like DONE; I says, Like I don't write stuff anymore, you know? Now I do...

Glock wins over Gucci--this time, anyway.(Guncrank diaries: excuses, alibis, pithy observations & general ephus)
November 1, 2003... I muttered, "Okay, okay," giving it my best dejected-hangdog look. I would have shuffled my feet too, but doing the ten-year-old-kid foot-shuffle would be way over the top. I said, "I'll give up desserts." I couldn't see her eyes--mine...

Brass from non toxic ammo.(Handloading: sage advice from the handloading guru)
November 1, 2003... Brass is any loader's most important commodity and we're always looking for bargains. The best of all is to find some on the ground. We usually reload to save money and cheap would not be too harsh a description of some. I've seen grown men...

Ream 'yer pockets.(Handloading: sage advice from the handloading guru)
November 1, 2003... I got a box of Federal's new BallistiClean .45 ammo that uses a 165 gr. compressed copper bullet and small primer. The amino functioned perfectly and was nicely accurate. But the wheels fell off when I tried to reload the brass. It's absolutely...

New Sierra manual.(Handloading: sage advice from the handloading guru)
November 1, 2003... The arrival of any new loading manual is very good news. Things are changing so quickly with the addition of new powders and bullets it's hard for a fellow to keep current and, sadly for the guys who write the manuals, new stuff always comes...

The .41 Magnum turns 40.(The Sixgunner)
November 1, 2003... It's a shame things don't always turn out the way they're s'posed to... nothin' ever turns out right!" So said Harry Carey as the Marshal, to John Wayne as Quirt Evans in the 1947 production Angel and the Badman. He was speaking of being...

A hard look in the mirror.(Reality check: first-person thoughts on surviving in the real world)
November 1, 2003... The cover of this publication boldly reads American Handgunner. It's a publication held in high esteem by many because of its quality--and others hold it in disdain because of the same reason. Yet, even we suffer at times from the "newest and...

Handguns for fun rifles for real.(Reality check: first-person thoughts on surviving in the real world)
November 1, 2003... This is American Handgunner Magazine. In one hundred and-some pages there are a hunch of ads for everything from knives to plastic grips. Hell's-fire, there was even an ad to change your pistol into a rifle. But in the whole magazine there were...

Sudden assault: the Plana/Ibarra shooting.(The Ayoob Files)
November 1, 2003... Situation: A landlord/tenant dispute turns deadly when the tenant discovers he's brought a club to a gunfight. Lesson: Have your defensive handgun readily available. Remember, there's a time to invoke your right to remain silent--and a time...

Colt vs. Springfield vs. Kimber.(Pistolsmithing: the inside scoop on pistolsmithing techniques)
November 1, 2003... When a customer calls a pistolsmith wanting him to build a custom pistol or revolver that will shoot the pharmacist card out of a witch-doctor's pocket at one hundred yards, there are two basic questions to be answered. The first is, "What is...

The shocking result!(Pistolsmithing: the inside scoop on pistolsmithing techniques)
November 1, 2003... All three pistols were Ransom-rest tested at 50 yards with two handloads and three factory match loads. The first handload was 4.7 grs. of WST under a 185 gr. Nosier JHP; the second load was 4.2 grs. of WST under a .451" H&G weighed bullet,...

Lessons from the OODA Loop.(Cop talk: opinion and facts from the mean streets)
November 1, 2003... The OODA Loop was conceptualized by Col. John Boyd, a famous fighter pilot and war-fighting theorist. In the last several years, the concept has become part and parcel of law enforcement training. This is a good thing. There's no better...

OODA--not kiss.(Cop talk: opinion and facts from the mean streets)
November 1, 2003... While Col. Boyd recognized that simplicity of technique had great merit, he also realized not every response could be kept simple in the face of complicated problems. Observes Corara, "The OODA Loop is often seen as a simple one-dimensional...

In example.(Cop talk: opinion and facts from the mean streets)
November 1, 2003... Consider something you could face as soon as you go back on duty after reading this: a gun-grab. You Observe a movement from your gun-side flank. (But you only observe it if you're alert, in Condition Yellow.) You Orient in the situation as you...

Mernickle custom holsters.(Handgun leather: from classics to cutting-edge in carry methods)
November 1, 2003... Way up in the North Country of British Columbia, Canada, Bob Mernickle has been living his dream. He loves leather and guns--don't we all? Bob started making holsters as a necessary hobby. He competed in fast draw competition and couldn't find...

"Oot and aboot?".(Handgun leather: from classics to cutting-edge in carry methods)
November 1, 2003... Bob's line of leather gear includes almost all the varied disciplines of firearm holding devices. Authentic Western, Hollywood Western and Concealed Carry are the top sellers. He also produces variations on the theme with Fast Draw, Cowboy...

Leatham: career longevity.(Better Shooting)
November 1, 2003... In the music business they talk about "one hit wonders"--on top of the world one day, answers to trivia questions the next. Over years of practical shooting competition I've seen many such wonders--shooters who display truly worldclass...

Langdon: effective training.(Better Shooting)
November 1, 2003... Ernest says, "Every time you go to the range, have a plan for that practice session. Write down what your objective is, what the plan is to reach that objective and then stick to the plan. I like to keep each session about 200 rounds. It takes...

Plaxco: mental states.(Better Shooting)
November 1, 2003... Some years ago Mike Plaxco was staying at my farm home while putting on a training seminar. He commented how fortunate I was to have a place to shoot next to my house. Most shooters, Mike said, only practice when they feel like it. They're used...

Down and dirty.(Tactical advantage: tips and training on tactics, guns and equipments)
November 1, 2003... Once you have developed a training regiment that reflects the needed skills you feel are important, it's time to define any other specialty areas that may be important to your self-defense while using a handgun. Many people spend extra range...

No big-toe-holes, please?(Tactical advantage: tips and training on tactics, guns and equipments)
November 1, 2003... When you go off to the range to practice your ground fighting skills, I suggest you use a ground cloth or old piece of carpet to position yourself. Do your first practice without a concealment garment to get the moves down correctly. Then, once...

Gut it out.(Tactical advantage: tips and training on tactics, guns and equipments)
November 1, 2003... Once you have mastered the basics here, try engaging targets as if they are off to your flanks, and set up problems with multiple targets. If you are lacking in mobility do to a physical limitation or age, getting up and moving quickly to cover...

Buffalo bore ammunition.(Taffin tests: the sixgunner himself: guns, gear and more)
November 1, 2003... It began with the idea of one more near-perfect packin' pistol, this time in the then-new .480 Ruger. A call to Bob Baker at Freedom Arms resulted in a Freedom Anns 4.5" Field Grade Model 83.475 Linebaugh, with an extra cylinder chambered in...

Under the dome: U.S. firearms crafts SAAs ... a new-old way.
November 1, 2003... I'm beginning to question my mental health. After all, I am spending lots of time shooting--and appreciating--guns and cartridges that were all the rage over 100 years ago. The guns are descendants of the 1873 Single Action Army and the...

Get a grip! From snakeskin to conamyds, it's what's "up-front" that counts.
November 1, 2003... One of the primary considerations on a fighting handgun is ensuring it handles well under the stress of a gunfight. This means the gun must be comfortable, fit the shooter and present a non-slip gripping surface for the sweaty, rain-soaked or...

Load 'yer batteries hi-tech hunting more is better!
November 1, 2003... Since the time Krog picked up a rock and threw it at a rabbit, hunters have been on a never-ending path to find a better rock. "Hey, a sharp rock works better than a dull rock," exclaims Krog's brother-in-law Gorf. And, so begins yet another...

Bovine beauty: military holsters from the folks at El Paso Saddlery Co.
November 1, 2003... Whereas most people believe the Creator made cattle for purposes of food, I personally think they were made for providing all of us with a source of leather for holsters. Contemporary users support materials and designs made of nylon or...

Cavalry Colt: the amazing journey of a 6th US Cavalry trooper--and his Colt.
November 1, 2003... Born in Denmark in 1858, Rasmus Bolinson Rasmussen immigrated to America with his family two years later, and although the Rasmussens settled in Kansas, Rasmus never liked farming. Too young even to be a drummer boy during the Civil War. Rasmus...

Maximum boogy: morphing Ruger's uncommon GP100 into an extraordinary gorilla gun.
November 1, 2003... Accept it. In the kingdom of precision target games, the revolver has become passe. But though a cause of remorse for some, this doesn't change the fact there remains something fundamentally satisfying about casual bullseye shooting, and other...

Promised functionality: Wilson Combat CQB .45s.
November 1, 2003... More than twenty years ago, Bill Wilson sold a great multi-purpose 1911 for a lair price. Today, his product is even better. If memory serves, the first major write-up of a Bill Wilson gun was in the November/December 1980 American...

Visions of steel: Joel Pirela's edged realities.
November 1, 2003... Joel Pirela sees knives. When he goes to bed at night, he counts knives .jumping over a fence. He dreams of knives chasing each other down alleyways, dancing at high school proms and falling off of high places. When he "cuts" his computer on,...

Make mine a Tranter: move over H&K, meet the first "squeeze-cocker".
November 1, 2003... Long, long ago in a gun shop far, far away--OK, Covent Garden in London--was a young man of about 17 years, hanging, as they say now. That used to mean something far less pleasant, of course, hut not on this particular day. "Take a look at...

Disintegrator: the gallery bullet is alive and well at Remington.
November 1, 2003... In the early days of World War II, the U.S. Army Air Corps wanted ammunition that trained aircraft gunners by enabling them to fire live ammunition at target aircraft without shooting them down. Lots of research was done and the result was what...

Win this custom S&W Model 625 .45 ACP revolver from SDM fabricating.
November 1, 2003... Clint Smith, of Thunder Ranch, says: "Real guns are wheel guns," and Scott Mulkerin, President and chief metal-cutter at SDM Fabricating, agrees. SDM is known for their elegant competition handguns--pistols and revolvers--and this month's...

The $4.95 difference: Haugen Handgun Leather does custom--honest.
November 1, 2003... Take one retired cop with a bunch of nerve damage, one sorta-rare HK PSP squeeze-cocker pistol, and start searching for a good comfy shoulder holster. Go ahead. Good luck. What I got was "We don't make a rig for that" from production...

King of Jams?
November 1, 2003... THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, Mr. Hackathorn! Your comment that the 1911 pistol is the "King of feed-way stoppages" in the Sep/Oct issue of Handgunner gave me hope that maybe I'm not the only voice crying in the wilderness. I share your...

Rude cowboy shooters.
November 1, 2003... I must take issue with Mr. Taffin's article in the July/August issue of American Handgunner ("Grab 'Yer Sixguns, Pilgrim"). About a year ago I was visiting some friends in Southern California while on vacation. I was invited by one of my...

Fractional skeeter.
November 1, 2003... I have just finished my brother John's article on Skeeter's favorite sixguns. I know for an absolute fact he knows the barrel lengths of Colt SA sixguns ie: 4 3/4", 5 1/2", and 7 1/2". I suppose you could go modern and use 4.625", 5.5", or...

American Handgunner 2003 Catalog Showcase.
November 1, 2003... A.G. RUSSELL[TM] KNIVES The oldest mailorder knife company, A.G. Russell Koives has a tradition of offering the finest quality knives and accessories worldwide. Lines include Randall, Dozier, William Henry, Baker, Marble's, Ka-Bar. SOG,...

Benchmade Switchback.(Gunnysack)
November 1, 2003... Every year I look forward to a couple of new knives from Benchmade and every year they come up with something cool. This year it's the "Switchback"--which won the prestigious "Knife of the Year" award from the Shooting Industry Academy of...

Haugen Handgun Leather.(Gunnysack)
November 1, 2003... It's always fun to discover a small company that makes really nice stuff. Let me tell you about Haugen Handgun Leather. The one I'm using is their Model 213 Speed Scabbard belt holster. It's beautifully boned and molded to fit both the gun and...

Superknife.(Gunnysack)
November 1, 2003... This is another one those ideas that makes you wonder why it wasn't done long ago. And it also is enough to make me deviate from normal policy and put two knives in one column. I'm a guy who uses a pocketknife every single day. One always stays...

Bushnell Yardage Pro quest.(Gunnysack)
November 1, 2003... Bushnell is an acknowledged leader in the fields of laser rangefinders and binoculars. It's logical, and desirable, to put the two together because if you're looking at a target or game animal with the glasses, it's time consuming to switch...

Prototype Walther MP hammerless semi-automatic pistol--in .45ACP!(Handguns Of Note)
November 1, 2003... This rare and important wonder-of-wonders to any Walther collector is a circa-1935-36 hammerles Walther MP in .45 ACP! Recently sold at auction by Gret Martin Auctions, bidding was furious, with the gun eventually selling for a heart-stopping...

Tru Ivory Grips.(Spotlight)
November 1, 2003... Bar S Grips Bar S Grips introduces a new ivory substitute, Tru Ivory, that looks and feels like real ivory. Perfect for pistol enthusiasts of every stripe--from law enforcement officers to cowboys. Tru Ivory's natural looking color and...

Small Caliber Training System.(Spotlight)
November 1, 2003... Airmunition Sometimes Spotlight comes across a product that is so wicked cool it's too difficult to convey with just a picture and 50 words. The Small Caliber Training System from Airmunition is just such a product. The pellet firing...

Lewis Lead Remover.(Spotlight)
November 1, 2003... Brownells Brownells now owns the Lewis Lend Remover product line, which will assure that this popular gun-cleaning tool is always available to gunsmiths and shooters. The Lewis Lead Remover has become the most widely used mechanical lead...

Boker HK Knives.(Spotlight)
November 1, 2003... Boker USA Boker USA presents the new line of Baker HK Knives inspired by the H&K P2000 Pistol. The unbreakable handle is made of fiberglass reinforced Polymid and the blade is made of the super steel, X-15 T.N. The blade's thumb stud...

Patriot Shoulder Rig.(Spotlight)
November 1, 2003... DeSantis Holster The DeSantis Patriot, style #N84, is the latest improvement on the Sidewinder Rig. The Patriot has an updated thumb break system that is both sleek and functional. The Holster and Double Pouch components are built from...

Jigged Bone Reproduction Grips.(Spotlight)
November 1, 2003... NC Ordnance Now you can own fancy "Jigged Bone" Western Grips made famous by Hollywood's legendary Cowboy Stars! "Jigged Bone" grips are faithfully reproduced in ivory like urethane by NC Ordnance Inc. Available for Colts, Rugers,...

Carabiner.(Spotlight)
November 1, 2003... Kershaw Knives Kershaw Knives announces a Utility tool that should be top on the wish list for all the mountain/hiking/spelunking outdoor enthusiasts. Kershaw teamed up with National Geographic to develop an innovative tool combining a...

Publisher honored.(Insider)
November 1, 2003... Don't look now, but Handgunner's sister publication, GUNS Magazine, will be 50 years old in 2005! As a token of his appreciation of the service both American Handgunner and GUNS has done for the industry. Les Baer of Les Baer Custom, did a...

More knife stuff.(Insider)
November 1, 2003... If you like plain talk and knives, get "Knife Talk II" by famed custom maker Ed Fowler. Ed's a regular guy and talks knives, sharp things and philosophy in a manner that pleases the soul. It's just plain fun, and you might learn something too....

The Five Shot Journal.(Insider)
November 1, 2003... If you like Freedom Arms (and who doesn't?) you need to join The Freedom Arms Collectors Association. Their publication, The Five Shot Journal, is filled with info you'll want and need to know about all things Freedom Arms, hunting and just...

How to be a good liberal: lesson #10.(Insider)
November 1, 2003... You have to believe that self-esteem is more important than actually doing something to earn it.

Charles Daly HP.(Insider)
November 1, 2003... It had to happen. Someone has finally made a Hi-Power pattern pistol available at an affordable price. Charles Daly, known for their quality shotguns and affordable pistols, is now offering a made-in-the-USA HP. In 9mm, our very early test gun...

"Omedetou" Ichiro!(Insider)
November 1, 2003... Proving once again he's the world's deadliest photographer, Handgunner's own Ichiro. Nagata takes first in his division (Senior--but we'll never tell) at The Bianchi Cup. BANZAI, Ichiro-san! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

What's this? Another 1911?(Insider)
November 1, 2003... Industry sources are rift with rumor and half-truths and these may be three of them. Nonetheless, fairly reliable sources (the night garbageman, Jackson. and Grenwald, the florist) agree there are serious rumors about new 1911s afoot. It seems...

Federal improves Hydra-SHOK.(Insider)
November 1, 2003... Look for a new generation of this classic Federal ammo soon. We can't tell the particulars but it raises the bar in this arena. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

1911 vs. Cape Buff?(Insider)
November 1, 2003... And they said Ed Brown couldn't take a Cape Buffalo with a 1911--and they were right! He used a .458, courtesy of his guide, after his own gear failed to show up until the last day of his recent safari. Aw' common Ed. use a 1911 next time!...

Tough stuff.(Insider)
November 1, 2003... There are times when all that works is a big knife and these qualify. By an astounding co-incidence, both happen to be Bill Harsey designs, so perhaps there's a trend there? The folder--the Harsey Lone Wolf Tactical Folder--is a big, beefy...

American exceptionalism: don't let the "idea" of America die.(The Insider)
November 1, 2003... We are a burly, larger-than-life, muscle-bound country. America is populated with the off-spring of adventurers and the fearless people who took a leap of faith into the chasm of uncertainty--to come here to build a new life. These were not...