American Handgunner articles from September 2004

American Handgunner archives from September 2004

July/August.(Speak out: your forum to ponticipate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... Jeff Snyder's column ("Gun Rights," July/Aug 2004) is the best piece I've read on the basic problem concerning not only gun confiscation, but societal understanding--or lack thereof. We are what we are fed and fear and ignorance make small...

Presidential CCW?(Speak out: your forum to ponticipate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... I noticed a trend and I think we're missing something basically simple here. Recently, some workmates were guffawing at one of those "Presidential Hero" movies where all the Secret Service people were down and the president himself was...

Springfield the best.(Speak out: your forum to ponticipate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... I just wanted to write this to tell your readers about the awesome service from Springfield Armory. I own a Springfield Armory XD-40. It's a reliable and extremely functional firearm. I'm also a Deputy Sheriff in West Texas and my XD has ridden...

Happy graduate.(Speak out: your forum to ponticipate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... I recently had the opportunity to attend the Defensive Revolver Class at Thunder Ranch April 26-28, 2004. As I had only picked up a revolver for the first time this past February, to say I was nervous was an understatement at best. I cannot say...

Liberal? Gun-owner?(Speak out: your forum to ponticipate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... Reference Michael Cornwall's letter (Handgunner, Mar/Apr 2004) wherein he expresses anger about being put down for being liberal: I've got a few points. It Mr. Cornwall chooses to cast his lot with our political enemies, he should not be...

Clint-'isms.(Speak out: your forum to ponticipate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... I wanted to express my appreciation to Clint Smith for his uncanny ability to write about guns with common sense and tenacity. Although I'm fortunate enough to know many gun afficionados, I marvel at the thought Clint Smith was my first...

Pyramid ponderings.(Speak out: your forum to ponticipate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... Congratulations on the "Pyramid Puzzle" editorial ("The Insider," Handgunner May/June 2004). It was really a boost of the spirits of this sort-of senior citizen to see other people have noticed the trend. I find I have no tolerance for laziness...

Misplaced praise.(Speak out: your forum to ponticipate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... I generally enjoy Massad Ayoob's writings, but his praise for chiefs Moose and Bratton is misplaced ("Cop Talk," Handgunner May/June 2004). That they efficiently armed their officers is their job, not an act worthy of great praise. When you add...

Marines: Conner rocks.(Speak out: your forum to ponticipate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... I thoroughly enjoyed "GunCrank Diaries" (Handgunner July/August 2004). Trained by the Marine Corps in weapons and tactics and enjoying shooting sports on the IDPA and IPSC ranges, I also shudder at the mere mention of the words "Tactical" and...

We're offensive.(Speak out: your forum to ponticipate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... Your magazine has become very sleazy. There is too much foul language and there are way too many ads featuring half-naked women. I am also one of those individuals who has to tear out pages of offensive material/pictures before passing the...

Yana as mailbox?(Speak out: your forum to ponticipate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... I was just wondering what happened to the "10 Ring" (stupid criminals) section? Don't tell me criminals have gotten smarter and you can't find any stories to print? Also was wondering, in regards to the picture of the "Texas Mailbox"...

Yana raffle.(Speak out: your forum to ponticipate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... How come the editor is allowed to assign himself the job of apologizing to Yana, of Cobra Gunskin fame? And in person no less? If he wants to apologize for readers who are offended, what about the loyal subscribers? I believe that kind of job...

Oregon flying squirrels.(Speak out: your forum to ponticipate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... I just finished reading the newest offering (Handgunner July/Aug 2004) from your bunch, and I was very disappointed. I was having so much fun, I was hoping it would last longer! I almost certainly would have fallen out of my chair laughing at...

Buy a gun.(Speak out: your forum to ponticipate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... Thanks to you I have a new, WWII GI M-1911 A-1, from Springfield Armory. Your "Buy A Gun" editorial was great (Handgunner July/Aug 2004)! It's my first 1911, though probably not my last. You think you could print a "correction" that says...

Para Power Extractor punch.(Winning edge: solid advice to keep you ahead of the competition)
September 1, 2004... Para-Ordnance has introduced a new single-stack 1911--with a twist. As with its high-cap models the new Para features a ramped barrel and plunger tube integral with the frame. But it's the "Power Extractor," designed by Ted Szabos, which really...

Coolness quotient.(Winning edge: solid advice to keep you ahead of the competition)
September 1, 2004... His extractor design combines the virtues of both external and internal extractors. Like an external extractor, it has a large hook powered by a coil spring. Yet like the original, it fits a tunnel in the slide, protected against dirt and...

Taming the brutal beast: a comfortable shooting .454?(Taffin tests: the sixgunner himself: guns, gear, and more)
September 1, 2004... There was a time in my life (and probably in yours too) in which I was invincible, or at least thought I was. Twenty years ago it was not unusual for me to shoot hundreds of heavy sixgun loads on any given day and think nothing of it. If the...

Loading the .50 GI.(Hand loading: sage advise from the handloading guru)
September 1, 2004... In the last issue we told you about an interesting new cartridge that brings .50 caliber bore size to a 1911 style pistol. The cartridge is called the .50 GI and it simply looks like a fat .45 ACP. At a distance the giveaway would be the...

Notta' magnum.(Hand loading: sage advise from the handloading guru)
September 1, 2004... Alex Zimmerman of Guncrafter Industries gave me some background information and sent along a set of Lee dies. Some of his loads used Hodgdon Titegroup and it's one of my favorite powders for moderate loads in virtually any handgun cartridge....

The legacy of Lt. Frank McGee.(Cop talk: opinion and facts from the mean streets)
September 1, 2004... NYPD's legendary master instructor is gone, but the lessons he taught live on and are still keeping cops alive. Circa 1970, Lt. Frank McGee took over the firearms training program of the New York City Police Department and immediately morphed...

McGee on hardware.(Cop talk: opinion and facts from the mean streets)
September 1, 2004... "The average cop," McGee told me once, "would rather have a nice Parker pen than a custom Smith & Wesson." Knowing that most of the rank and file hadn't touched a handgun 'til they joined the force and the huge majority didn't care about guns,...

Simplicity.(Cop talk: opinion and facts from the mean streets)
September 1, 2004... Frank was in charge of training 30,000 men and women, a force larger than most of the world's armies. He was given one-and-a-half to two in-service training days per officer, per year. Some of that training would be conducted at the massive...

Ocular options.(Handgun hunting: tips, techniques and political-incorrectness)
September 1, 2004... Smith & Wesson Historian Roy Jinks told me the first scoped handgun tests he is aware of date back to 1899, when W.E. Carlin tested S&W scoped handguns from 20 to 200 yards. Of interest was the accuracy result of a S&W New Model 3 in .44...

Busted scopes.(Handgun hunting: tips, techniques and political-incorrectness)
September 1, 2004... I believe the first pistol scope marketed to any extent was the Bushnell Phantom. It was novel, cheap and if the mount lasted long enough to do much shooting, the scope failed miserably. It did open the eyes of other manufacturers and the 2X...

There's hope.(Handgun hunting: tips, techniques and political-incorrectness)
September 1, 2004... Generally speaking, the longer and heavier a scope is, the more it needs tube-stabilization. System weight is one of the most important factors in scope mounting, The lighter the mount, rings and scope (assuming adequate strength), the more...

Elements of concealed carry.(Reality check: first-person thoughts on surviving in the real world)
September 1, 2004... There seems to always be an interest in the "magic" of carrying a concealed handgun. I'm not going to address the type of handgun you might carry, as that's a much larger can of worms and I've no interest in opening it at this time. I do wish...

The gunsmith dream.(Pistolsmithing: the inside scoop on pistolsmithing techniques)
September 1, 2004... A young man came into my shop a few weeks ago to pick up a pistol and asked a very important question I have been thinking about ever since. John was leaving for gunsmith school at the Colorado School of Trades in Trinidad the next day and I am...

It ain't easy.(Pistolsmithing: the inside scoop on pistolsmithing techniques)
September 1, 2004... Basic office equipment you will need to manage your business is a computer loaded with Microsoft Office, an E-mail account, a Web page with photos and prices, printer, copy machine, answering machine with a business-like message, cabinet space,...

Unhappy campers.(Pistolsmithing: the inside scoop on pistolsmithing techniques)
September 1, 2004... if you have a dissatisfied customer--and everybody does--where there seems to be no acceptable solution to the problem, don't fret and lose sleep, just refund his money and be done with it. Arguing and getting yourself and the customer all...

The sixgunner and now for something completely different: Reeder's 'ultimate' Backpackin' Pistol.
September 1, 2004... Regular readers know I have been on a lifelong quest for The Perfect Packin' Pistol. The last one to appear in these pages was a beautifully customized Three-Screw Ruger .45 Blackhawk finished and tuned to be as close as possible to the Classic...

It's time for some Gun-Rich Zones.(Guncrank diaries: excuses, alibis, pithy observations & general ephus)
September 1, 2004... I've just about had it with this "Gun-Free Zone" crap, you know? True, I live in a fairly sissy-rich environment but, usually, the only visible effects are too many restaurants with "Chez" in their names, dogs with designer haircuts and guys...

Snap-on snap-off.(Handgun leather: from classics to cutting-edge in carry methods)
September 1, 2004... I can't tell you how many times I've gone to the range to qualify with my duty pistol and while waiting to shoot, stood next to some older detective and watched in awe as they pulled their pistol from a briefcase. They'd dust it off and blow...

Flattered Lou?(Handgun leather: from classics to cutting-edge in carry methods)
September 1, 2004... Bruce Nelson, legendary holster designer, had a snap holster design back in the 1960s. It was, for all intents and purposes, abandoned because it tended to flop on the belt. Lou's first rig had widely separated thin straps, similar to the...

Solid CQC/S.(Handgun leather: from classics to cutting-edge in carry methods)
September 1, 2004... wearing a holster on your belt everyday can be very inconvenient. This is especially so when you are one of Law Enforcement's "Chair-borne Rangers" like me, stuck at a desk most of the day and you can only hit the field once or twice a shift....

Ernie Langdon's fitness facts.(Better Shooting)
September 1, 2004... Top level practical shooting requires fitness, endurance, speed and agility. Ernest Langdon, IDPA and IPSC champion shooter and familiar face in Handgunner, is one of the fittest people I know. We twisted his muscle-bound arm for some insights...

Squint-power.(Better Shooting)
September 1, 2004... Shooting is a visual activity. Often when we say someone has good eyesight we're referring to visual acuity, as in "20-20" vision. Visual acuity is important, but is only one component of good vision and in most cases can be corrected with...

Twitchy muscles.(Better Shooting)
September 1, 2004... Plyometric exercises are intended to develop fast-twitch muscle fibers to provide explosive power. Power is the ability to apply strength rapidly. To illustrate, running a marathon or lifting heavy weights requires strength and endurance....

One gun, no hands: the Marcus Young incident.(The Ayoob Files)
September 1, 2004... Situation: The criminal emptied a .38 into you, leaving your gun arm paralyzed and your other hand torn apart--and now, he's reaching for a machine gun. Lesson: Never give up. Be resourceful. Focus on neutralizing the threat and worry...

Quadruple quest: multiple magnums go hunting!
September 1, 2004... The history of the big bore Smith & Wesson revolver is well documented in such works as the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson by Jim Supica and Richard Nahas and Big Bore Sixguns by Handgunner's own John Taffin, among others. The big N-frame...

Caspian Arms 1911 reproductions.
September 1, 2004... If you haven't noticed, the ground-swell of interest in the 1911 marketplace as well as getting back to the basics shows no sign of slowing. Because of this, Caspian Arms took it upon themselves to start producing vintage-style components. The...

SIGARMS GSR: this factory/custom 1911 wades into the fray.(Report From The Field)
September 1, 2004... There are those out there who write letters to this magazine saying, "Enough with the 1911s, already! Give us more on modern guns, like Glocks and SIGs!" They must have gnashed their teeth when SIGARMS introduced their GSR 1911 last year. ...

The ins & outs of better shooting.(Sharp Shooter)(Advertisement)
September 1, 2004... English supplement improves vision and allows you to pick up, focus, and lock in on moving objects faster than you ever thought possible. Recently, I received this letter from Brian Howe of Richmond, VA. Sharpshooter: A couple of...

Rip-off! Looks can kill ... you.(The Cheap Knife Syndrome)
September 1, 2004... You're insane to spend that much money on a knife," the fellow told me. He was a cop I worked with and he was looking at my brawny Al Mar SERE folder. "I got my knife for ten bucks and it'll work just fine for what I need," he smirked....

The professional's pistol: full-caliber 9mm in a true pocket pistol.(Rohrbaugh R9)
September 1, 2004... Although innovation seems to occur at many levels in our industry, in reality, much off that "innovation" simply consists of the lopping-off of barrels and the shortening of grips to make a "new" pistol. Smaller is often better, but if smaller...

Happy birthday, Roscoe! Concepts on accessorizing your pet piece.
September 1, 2004... "So, Connor," says Roy, His Editorial Immenseness, "What's your favorite handgun accessory?" "Steve," I replied. He frowned and one eyebrow squiggled into a question mark. "Steve Barlow, my master gunsmith up in Salt Lake. He's my number-one...

Double trouble: Combat Elite proves two heads are better than one.
September 1, 2004... Collaborations between knife manufacturers and custom knifemakers have been all the rage for the last five years or so and to the benefit all parties involved. Perhaps nobody, however, gets more out of the equation than we knife users. Cutting...

Make mine a commander: sometimes 3/4" can make a big difference ...
September 1, 2004... For an awful long time my #1 carry gun has been a Colt Lightweight Commander. I'm not at all a fan of the shorter frames and even though I know they're very popular, to me the downside is bigger than the up. They have to have those complex,...

The .44 special cartridge of the century? Accurate, powerful and reliable, the .44 special really is special.
September 1, 2004... The .45 has been Number One at Colt for more than 125 years with hundreds of thousands of sixguns and semi automatics being produced in .45 Colt and .45ACP. However over at Smith & Wesson, .44 has been the top big bore caliber for even longer....

CRKT supports our troops: with special edition knives.(Check It Out)
September 1, 2004... Everyone should take a note of these special knives released by Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT). Before April, they were only available to Coalition Forces in Iraq and Kuwait, but now they're available for regular Joes (and Janes). The...

Bowling for Columbine--Part II.(Gun Rights)
September 1, 2004... Last column we began looking at Michael Moore's Oscar-winning documentary, Bowling for Columbine. Using the shooting spree at Columbine High School as his starting point, Moore's film purports to be an investigation of gun violence in America....

Wimpy cowboys.(Speak out: your forum to ponticipate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... Mr. Petty is a man after my own heart. I very much agree with his column ("Handloading," Handgunner July/Aug 2004) on "Dude-Amatics and Cowboy Foolishness." I wrote an article to the editor of Shoot Magazine about the very same thing and it...

Mas wrong?(Speak out: your forum to ponticipate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... "CopTalk" (Handgunner May/June 2004) contains an "apples to oranges" comparison that can't be allowed to stand. Chiefs Moose (Montgomery County, Md.) and Bratton (L.A.) manage departments in large, heavily-populated, urban districts. Chief...

Rich bashing.(Speak out: your forum to ponticipate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... Huntington's poor-bashing editorial ("Insider," Handgunner May/June 2004) is typical of the real problem: peoples' unwillingness to see that the top of his inverted pyramid are not the poor, but the rich! Huntington does not seem to know that...

Dream Colts.(Speak out: your forum to ponticipate, ponder and probe)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... I just read your article concerning your "Dream Gun" (Handgunner May/June 2004) edition of your magnificent magazine and it really struck a cord with me. When I was ten years old and lived in south Texas, my uncle took me out "behind the barn"...

CCI Blazer brass ammo.(Gunnysack)
September 1, 2004... One or the best ammo bargains around has been Speer's aluminum-cased Blazer ammo. But the aluminum cases weren't reloadable and the tradition bound consumer didn't think they were as good, even though they were. Now that concern can be...

Leupold wind river compact binoculars.(Gunnysack)
September 1, 2004... Several years ago we introduced you to the Wind River line of optics from Leupold. The primary difference was the new line was imported. That made it an economical alternative while still giving first rate optics, The newest offerings are the...

Shooters choice polymer safe degreaser.(Gunnysack)
September 1, 2004... The various aerosol degreasers can really help with gun cleaning chores but in their efforts to protect us from all hazards great and small, our government won't let us use many of the chemicals that made them work so well. The other drawback...

A-merc ammo *.(Gunnysack)
September 1, 2004... We're always on the look-out for ammo that won't break the bank when you buy it. Often though, what we find is ugly surplus ammo that's just scary-enough to make you tense-a-bit when you touch it off. American Ammunition is another story....

Modular OWB holster: Sidearmor.(Spotlight)
September 1, 2004... New from Sidearmor is the Modular OWB Hoister for the Kimber TLE/RL with the Surefire X200 attached. These holsters allow the user to adjust the carry angle 120 degrees end are available with two cut options in various colors. The weapon is...

Freedom Micro-Light[R]: LRI.(Spotlight)
September 1, 2004... The folks who brought you the original Photon Micro-Light have two new personal safety lights with innovative integrated circuitry. These new models offer pulse width modulation, which means the five different light modes include SOS and Morse...

Cambi[TM] Loader #101: World Wide Ordnance.(Spotlight)
September 1, 2004... The new Cambi Loader #101 is designed for the AR15 and M16. This .223cal Magazine loader can be used far ell mil-spec metal mags (curved or straight) Thermold or Orlite. The overall design and lever action trigger enables you to fill a magazine...

77 grain 5.56 and .223 ammo: Black Hills Ammunition.(Spotlight)
September 1, 2004... Competitive Match Rifle Shooters have known for a long time that the 77 grain bullet in .223/5.56 is the most accurate round available. Black Hills is virtually synonymous with "77 GRAIN" which is used by U.S. Military Competition Teams. Visit...

Blue Wonder[TM] Gun Blue: Blue Wonder[TM].(Spotlight)
September 1, 2004... With Blue Wonder Gun Blue, you con have the "Hot Blue" finish at home quickly, easily, and inexpensively and without any "Cold Blue" residual odors. Blue Wonder uses a unique two part process including 24 carat gold and pure silver far a deep...

Rooster Cogburn Deluxe Cross Draw: Triple K Manufacturing.(Spotlight)
September 1, 2004... "Well I'm not gonna hit ya, I'm not gonna hit ya. The beg I'm not." POW! Sorry, Triple K just brought out the Duke in me with their new Rooster Cogburn Deluxe Cross Draw Hoister. This fully leather lined holster made from fine saddle leather...

Gun cases: Ayaz Group.(Spotlight)
September 1, 2004... The Ayaz Group is proud to announce its new line of gun cases. The cases utilize world standard technology to provide the finest quality and safety. Manufactured of ABS steel, the cases ere covered with aluminum and designed with locking...

Add it up.(Insider)
September 1, 2004... $6 MILLION Raised for wildlife conservation at 2003 Safari Club Convention. 615 Increase in percentage of big game hunters since 1955. 5,500 Tennesee women receiving CCW permits this year. Up 20% over 2003. 70 MILLION...

Colt files lawsuit ... again.(The Insider)
September 1, 2004... After starting a battle with some makers of copy-cat 1873 Single Action Army designs--still in the works at last look--Colt is now taking on Heckler & Koch and Bushmaster for "... acts of trademark infringement, trade dress infringement,...

Deadly yo-yos?(The Insider)
September 1, 2004... Yup--that's exactly what they are. I spotted these Titanium ones at the Blade Show in Atlanta and the maker said. "Well, ah, yeah, you could use 'em for personal protection if you wanted to: probably thump somebody pretty good too. But mostly,...

Why is Clint smiling?(The Insider)
September 1, 2004... Because he's holding serial #l of the new S&W 21-4 Thunder Ranch .44 Special. Yup, a blued-steel, round butt, skinny barrel, .44 Special, Clint endorses as what just might be the ultimate fighting sixgun. Call it a resurrection of the classic...

Happy Hackathorn.(The Insider)
September 1, 2004... Ken Hackathorn, that long-time bud of Handgunner readers, is taking a hiatus from our pages and we wish him all the best. Ken has been around the biz since the dinosaurs roamed the earth, and had a foot in the starting door at the beginnings of...

Premier Pistol person.(news from the front)
September 1, 2004... The American Pistolsmiths Guild has chosen Jim Garthwaite as their "Pistolsmith of the Year" and it couldn't have gone to a nicer fellow. Not only does Jim do astounding work. but he's a heck of a nice guy to boot and it couldn't please us more...

20 HP 1911 fixer-upper.(news from the front)
September 1, 2004... Ed Brown. of Ed Brown Products fame, has installed a giant Haas horizontal machining center in his shop. We have no idea exactly what it does. but Ed says, "It will help us to keep up with the demand with our rapidly growing line of high-grade...

Para's Power thingy.(news from the front)
September 1, 2004... Ted Szabo, Para-Ordnance President and gun-guy, figured right when he thought the extractor was a potential weak-link in the 1911 design--and may lightning not strike me dead for even intimating Browning might have had a weakness. All the same....

Mag guide gold.(news from the front)
September 1, 2004... Unless you've had your head under a rock, you should know about Smith & Alexander goodies. Their mag guides are OEM on a wide-range of 191 Is out there and we were particularly taken with this one. An arched mainspring housing, stainless...

.500 S&W Special.(news from the front)
September 1, 2004... Cor-Bon, who has been loading the .500 since its inception, has introduced a new .500 "Special" load. A bit shorter, it throws a 350 JHP at around 1,350 fps and Peter Pi promises more loads soon. Hey Peter. I'd like to see a 350 at around 950...

Wish books.(news from the front)
September 1, 2004... Brownells, that icon of the gun-goodie industry, now offers a catalog just for the cowboy shooter gun--nut of which we may be slightly afflicted with the disease ourselves. From spring kits and grips to a host of other things; you'll wonder how...

Makes you crazy dept.(The Insider)
September 1, 2004... If you know what you're looking at, you're a better man than most. I found this during a recent tour of the Springfield Armory National Museum. It started life as a scaled can of 20 Remington 1911's from WWII and stayed that way. As a matter of...

FMG: official gunzines of America's team.(The Insider)
September 1, 2004... We're awfully proud to announce not only do we support the USA Shooting Team (that's where all those hot-shot Olympic shooters come from) but Guns, Shooting Industry and Handgunner are also the "Official Gun Magazines" for the team. So stay...

Ronald Wilson Reagan--American.(The Insider)
September 1, 2004... "Yeah, sure; you bet." Those have been my usual responses when asked if I've been somewhere, done something or met someone. But when asked if I'd ever met Ronald Wilson Reagan, I've always replied with these words: "I have had that honor, yes."...