Category: Articles

Springfield Armory 1911

Thirty years ago I bought a Mil-Spec 1911 45 ACP from Springfield Armory for a pretty good price. It was a basic model but it worked fine for me.  I went to a gunsmith and had him install an ambidextrous safety, a beavertail grip safety, and polish the feed ramp for reliability.  Then I sent my slide to Novak’s and had him install a set of night sights, so it was just as I wanted it for shooting. It shot really well and gave me something I could enjoy for many years.

During COVID-19

Prior to COVID, my website was very important to me, I usually worked on it each day, in one form or another.  I enjoyed writing article about EDC and Concealed Carry and product reviews about various products in the EDC lines. I always seemed to make time for these articles and reviews and enjoyed doing it.  For those of you that have never Blogged, it takes a lot of time to put these articles together.  Research is necessary to get the facts, opinions and point of view necessary to write the information down in a manner that is worth reading.

As the time went on things began to get a little more difficult to write, with all of the changes to our lifestyles and new requirements and procedures, my spare time began to get filled up with other things.

Why No Guns Or Ammo?

As I looked into this situation I thought I would find four or five good reasons why this has happened.  But it boils down to one main issue. If you remember, as the pandemic began to take hold, we had widespread civil unrest, buildings were being burned, stores were looted, crime rates were rising.  With all this happening, people were beginning to fear the virus, fear food shortages, product shortages and the fear of riots, and fear of their own personal safety. Thus guns and ammo began to fly off the shelves, in record numbers.  People that never once before thought about firearms were buying their first firearms and plenty of ammunition to go with them.  

A Smaller Handgun Works Well 

In the summertime the weather is warmer so we tend to wear less clothing, thus a smaller handgun works better. These guns will be lighter, less bulky, may carry fewer rounds in the cylinder or chamber, and will be easier to conceal.  Again whether you carry a    j-frame revolver or a small compact automatic, it will make things easier in warmer weather.

Revolver Or Automatic?

Many people like revolvers and for many years that’s all that was used.  A revolver is less likely to malfunction, all mechanisms are enclosed and thus not subject to outside influence – and that is a plus.  However, you’ll usually have a six-shot maximum, before having to reload. Speedloaders are available to help you reload quicker and they can be kept on your belt or in your pack.

Automatics have many size magazines which hold the bullets for these guns.  Depending on the size of the handgun and the caliber will dictate the number of rounds your magazine will hold. The average range of bullets will be 8-15 unless you use extended magazines. Most automatics are capable of firing more rounds before a reload is required. Reloading an automatic is also super simple, and quick. The other thing to keep in mind is that automatics have many moving parts, so the likelihood of a mechanical failure could be higher. 

What Gun Will You Use For Concealed Carry?

There are many handguns on the market and sometimes this makes your decision of what to carry very difficult.  As you make your decision as to what firearm to carry, make sure it is a good quality firearms.  There are many cheap handguns available that may not be a good choice and therefore do not go just by price.

Look at many brands of handguns so you can decide on the features that are important to you.  Talk to your friends, read some gun reviews and read some gun forums to get some good information before you buy.  Do you want an automatic or a revolver, What caliber do you want to shoot: .22, .380auto, 9mm, 38 spl., .357mag, .40, .45auto, etc. Do you want a manual safety, no manual safety, regular sights, night sights, long barrel, short barrel, rubber grips, wood grips, high capacity magazine or low capacity magazine, etc.  The list goes on!

The best way to choose a firearm is to try it before you buy it.  Whether it is a friends gun or one of those gun shops that have a range in their store.  Shoot the handguns before you buy it.  If you have never shot a gun before then get someone to show you gun safety before you put a live round in that handgun.

Once you have done the research, handled different brands of firearms, shot many different handguns and put together a list of what you want in a handgun, it is time to purchase your handgun.  Go down to a good gun store, fill out the paperwork, pass the background check and purchase your handgun and pickup some ammo that the gun dealer recommends.

All the research you just did finding the right handgun is what you need to do to find the right ammunition for your handgun.  Some guns like certain brands of ammo, don’t be afraid to experiment.  Once you have figured this out, it is time to practice, practice, practice.   

If you look up a definition for EDC Gear, here is what you find: Everyday Carry is a collection of useful items that are consistently carried on a person or with a person everyday. So as previously stated, if you empty your pockets and remove all the gear on your belt, that is your essential EDC.  If you want to expand this list, add to it everything you have in your pack or briefcase as well.

Vertx Commuter Sling Pack 2.0

The Vertx Commuter Sling 2.0 has only one strap but loads of features that make it ideal for your daily routine. Vertx designed these Backpacks with a CCW compartment outfitted with retention G-hooks to ensure it stays shut when accessing your other gear. This Vertx Commuter Sling Bag 2.0 also offers a rifle-compatible concealed carry platform complete with loop lining, a sling attachment point and a Rapid Access Pull tab so that you can securely carry your weapon with you to protect yourself throughout the day. Throughout the sling, you’ll find Tactigami-compatible loop panels for the attachment of accessories. An adjustable, padded shoulder strap offers a comfortable carry with 1919 webbing attached for addition accessory support. Take on the day in confidence and with all of your essential gear in tow.

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Keep your beverage at the right temp with the double-wall vacuum insulated Chute® Mag bottle. Constructed in durable 18/8 stainless steel with a sweat-proof powdercoat finish, Chute Mag keeps drinks cold for hours. The cap features an easy carry handle and a magnetic top that stows securely out of the way when open and is leak-proof when closed. Universal cap is compatible with Eddy®+, Carry Cap, Pivot™ Bottle, and Hot Cap vessels. Lightweight, durable, and dishwasher safe. BPA, BPS and BPF free.

What are the basic types of flashlights for you to consider:

1. Keychain – A keychain flashlight is usually 3″ or less in length, their small size makes it easy to place them in your pocket, purse or backpack.  Many attach them to their keychains so they are ready at a moments notice. While they are very handy, the amount of light produced is minimal. They are intended for use as a backup or emergency form of light, not your primary source of light.
2. Utility – The utility light is what most households have in their drawers or cabinet as a general flashlight.  While it works in a pinch it is not considered a serious form of flashlight. It’s usually a lightweight, plastic flashlight that gets the job done but not much more.  They are inexpensive and may not last over a few years.
3. Tactical – A tactical flashlight is usually used in military or law enforcement applications during low-light conditions.  They are usually made of aluminum or high-grade plastics and emit a higher degree of light than most other lights.  Sometimes they are attached to firearms or in conjunction with a firearm to use in low-light conditions.  They are generally 3”–7” in length and are meant to be carried on your person as a self-defense tool.
4. Heavy-Duty or Industrial – These are usually made of aluminum and can be rather large and heavy.  They are the typical Maglite style flashlights that might be in some people’s homes or work situations.  They are usually too big to fit in your pocket, they are generally 5”–14” so they are placed in tool boxes or trunks for easy access.
5. Emergency – An emergency flashlight is not dependent upon batteries, they are either hand-cranked or solar powered flashlights.  These are really special types of lights reserved for emergency kits.