A very rare Vektor CP1

Vektor video here!
So, we at Left Hand Right Gun took the Christmas week off to spend with Family. But we are back! And this time with a lovely piece of recent history.

The Vektor CP1 was produced in South Africa by Lyttleton Engineering Works which is now Denel Land Systems Production ran from 1996 to 2001.The Vektor CP1 also boasts a barrel that has has polygonal (non-grooved) rifling, much like a stock Glock rifling. One  notable feature of the CP1 was its use of a gas-brake system, akin to the Heckler & Koch P7. Gas is vented just forward of the chamber into a cylinder below the barrel, where it acts on a ribbed piston attached to the front of the slide.  it will adjust, automatically, to cartridges of different power levels.The pistol originally sold in the United States for a retail price of approximately $400.

 In October 2000 a recall was issued for the CP1. Due to the fact that a small percentage of them had issues with the internal safety mechanisms. When dropped the CP1 could produce a negligent discharge. The recall states that the loaded gun can fire if bumped or dropped. Information accompanying recall notices stated that the gun should not be loaded under any circumstances. Denel  took the recall route to prevent any accident that may result in a lawsuit.

link to Vektor emails on recall

A cold war relic? The Bulgarian Makarov

 Makarov video here!
So I skipped the assessment of the sights in the video. They are blade style front and rear. The front is milled into the slide and the rear is drift adjustable.

Even though I am not a proponent of the Makarov for lefty carry it is a decent range piece, plus it does have that historic nostalgia. Most of these war time relics do not get the credit they deserve. I for one am crazy about history. In the arena of firearms I find it most intriguing to think about where that firearm has been and if it had been used in some battle or carried by anyone of repute.

What support do you have after a self defense situation?

Whether or not you have used a firearm in self defense, an action against you has occured and you defended yourself with whatever means you had at your disposal. Law Enforcement has arrived on the scene to get the investigation under way. Please understand you may be restrained until officers can get a preliminary basis for what is going on. As well your self defense tool will be taken into evidence. Depending on your jurisdiction and the outcome of the case, you may not see that tool for a very long time if at all.

This is where we exercise that grey matter between your ears. Just because you say you are the good guy, Doesn't mean that Law Enforcement is going to believe you right off the bat. Why should they? We live in a world of lies and deceit and no one knows that better than a police officer. Not that they have trust issues, it's their job to be objective and paint a picture of the acts leading to them being called out.

Picture this, you are in a parking garage there are a few people milling around but far enough away to not get a clear view what is transpiring. If you draw your firearm due to threat, and the bystanders only see you draw a firearm, guess who gets painted as the bad guy. Just like them not seeing the perpetrator, you did not see the situation from their vantage point. The point is you cannot be classified as a good guy until all the evidence is in.

But what if not everything is so cut and dry? Everyone has different views of how to handle those crucial moments before a firearm is drawn, Did you do all you could to de-escalate the situation before or were you drawing it out on a matter of principle? Common sense dictates do whatever is needed to get out of the situation as hassle free as possible. Training and using your brain for these scenarios is just as important as POGO (pants on, gun on.) I know I state it constantly, but training is key. We do not rise to our level of training we fall to it. So, if you have had none to speak of, (No, your CCW class is no where near enough,) you will not understand your options of evading a potentially fatal conflict.

But the reason for the post is what happens after a self defense situation? You realize you are going to need advice and a lawyer right? So you google attorneys in your area. Once you found one, are they well versed in 2A law? Or firearms use in a self defense action? More often than not, no. Now you don't need to scour searching for that million dollar lawyer but you do need someone who tackles these cases on a regular basis. A lawyer that can bring special trained witnesses into the case to vouch for your right of self defense. That's where a membership in a self protection advocate group is vital. No, they are not paying me to write this, but it makes perfect sense right? you spent a googleplex of money on the right firearm, holster, training, etc. And have stated you spared no expense at protecting you and your loved ones. But did you consider the amount of money, time and lost wages come with defending your life? Well now you should. Having an advocate at your back will help with advice, cost, choice of lawyers, experts in the field of self defense and so on. Just because you may have had to tackle a self defense situation on your own, doesn't mean you have to do it in the courtroom as well. After all you are only exercising your right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, correct?

So I have compiled a few companies and their links that offer a self defense insurance perse, these being:

Second Call Defense

Armed Citizens Legal defense Network

NRA

USCCA

So, now you know. Get signed up without delay. You are worth it!

Altering your EDC.

Have you been wanting that new trigger for your EDC? drops the trigger weight and smooths it out so it runs like buttah. Or that sick new threaded barrel for that suppressor you might buy someday? Or how about that cool back plate with the saying only gun people understand.

Though it all may sound well and good. that is until you have to use said EDC firearm in a defensive situation. What may not seem to be much to us, may become ammunition for a prosecuting attorney. That mod may only have been to make reaction times faster, because we know that every milisecond counts in a defensive situation.

For those of us that have yet to find ourselves in this situation, all it takes is a quick search of the web or even chatting with a few buddies that have been through the legal aspects of self defense will tell you a different story.

In more cases than not, once a self defense scenario plays itself out you are going to surrender your firearm. If not a few months then potentially for years. Thats a lot of money and time you are without your EDC. But it is not just a money thing. The prosecutor will not be stupid, they will have their own agenda to figure out an angle to make their client look good in the eyes of the court. having a modified EDC may hinder your chances at a positive outcome. Stating as fact that you have altered your firearm to be more effective at killing. Which may not be far off, but it is the way it is worded. You modified your firearm to make it more reliable and accurate from shot to shot. See the difference?

Or you have tossed in the threaded barrel for use with a suppressor, just because you can ('Merica) or because it maybe the only firearm you have and it pulls double duty as a range piece and your EDC. Either way in the eyes of prosecution and possibly a non firearm community jury it may look like a very scary man killer. It is as if you need to look at your EDC from the other side of the table before you decide to upgrade your primary carry.

Though there are times where a modification may not be a detriment in the courtroom. That is if you can prove that modifying your EDC helps you control the firearm better. If the trigger is just too much for you to use effectively. Showing the court that dropping trigger pull weight due to an injury to your hand may work in your favor.

Now not to say that attaching a 2 round extension on your mags is a bad thing, but adding that 2 round with "MOLON LABE" on the base may not be the wisest of ideas. Or the back plate that has "INFIDEL" laser etched into it  may convey the wrong sentiment to a jury. If there are mods you just have to have for your EDC make them simple. Besides, it is your CONCEALED carry piece for a reason. In my state even showing another firearm enthusiast in a "public" area could be considered brandishing if someone so decided to push the issue. The grey matter between your ears is always going to be your best mode of defense in this crazy world we live in. Though we as a firearms community think this stuff is fine and without threat, you must realize that the rest of the world may not see it our way.

In closing, to keep yourself easier to defend in court. Keep the EDC plain Jane, and jazz up that range piece! 

Walther PPKS, an iconic pocket rocket

Walther PPKS video
The issue I had with the PPKS was a few issues combined. The day I went out I actually had a few guns that had a hard time running the UMC that I had bought. Now the magazine release issue was all me. I have such a high tang grip it causes slide bite and during recoil was inadvertently depressing the mag release. So it was not the firearms fault, shear user error.

I believe my love for this pistol is more fantasy than reality. I know it bites me when I shoot it, but who doesn't see themselves as an international man of mystery when running this firearm? The fact that it is .380 ACP is a detriment in my eyes for EDC, but I enjoy the symbolism of the PPKS. Though being left handed, I will keep the PPKS for range days, preferring to EDC a pistol more adequate for the lefty operational standards. That damn safety is just a time waster for a left handed shooter when the need arises.  
 

Should your firearm be your first defensive choice?

Well isn't this the Million dollar question. No self defense situation is ever going to be just like another. Even survivors of attacks, whether they have been confronted with a weapon or not will tell you outcomes will differ depending on a multitude of variables. Victim numbers and perpetrator numbers changes the parameters dramatically as well.

I am not here to tell you that the use of the firearm you legally carry should not be deployed, but perhaps there are alternatives to the firearm. Personally I carry other items with me in case I deem my firearm is not needed. If you have seen the pocket dump we did not to long ago we showed we actually carry more less than lethal modes of self defense than we do lethal.

This is not just a cut and dry question, but we wanted to get it out that maybe your firearm is not the only answer. Many self defense situations have been de-escalated with mere words of warning. but use of an O.C. or a knife of some type being shown could be just as effective as the firearm in concluding the event. In my state we are not allowed to brandish a firearm. Technically speaking if you skin that smoke wagon you better be damn sure you are going to use it. The use of your brain is going to be your biggest asset in de-escalating or resolving the conflict.

If you have not been trained, how is your brain going to know which level of force is necessary for that situation? Granted this all happens at the speed of light and judging these things is difficult to marginalize. Heading to a local dojo is going to give you the skills to use your hands or some other tool at hand. But I am talking about the psychological training you get from a specified self defense training course. One where specific scenarios are played out. Understanding signs during the situation will help you determine what course of action to take. Sometimes that amount of time is not afforded to you. In those cases you use what is closest at the time and work your way to what is going to stop the threat.

Unfortunately many believe that strapping on a firearm transforms them into some super human being that can take care of the worlds ills. Sadly most only have enough know how to load and fire their firearm. Training is a costly venture for sure, But you decided that protecting yourself was important. Training is as essential as owning the firearm itself. without training you and your firearm may be useless when the time comes it is truly needed. There is so much more to this self defense thing than just a gun and a good holster. Target practice at the local range standing still shooting at a static target can help get rounds on point, but learning to scoot and shoot, concealment and cover, shooting under and around cover are vital assets to own in a confrontation. As well as when to draw, how to draw and from what holster position is easiest for whatever is tossed your way. learning the limitations of your self defense tool of choice and how to use it properly will be a saving grace. Think of training as ongoing higher learning for a career in life.

The Internet is full of amazing information. a quick google search for training in self defense will surely bring you to a plethora of qualified individuals. Vetting them is another worth while effort on your part, ask questions at the local shops or dojos as to who teaches self defense courses and if they are good. Word of mouth from other students or others you may know with the same goals as yourself can also be a tremendous help.

whether you decided to carry a firearm only or decide that other means of self defense are what you want, get the training to properly use that tool or if the need arises.

Astra A-60, the underrated lefty carry option

Astra A-60, The underrated lefty carry option Video

I really enjoyed my time with the Astra A-60 and in all honesty had a difficult time letting it go back. I love the obscure, older firearms. Though this one isn't as obscure it is different and quite unique. Even though it has a few features I am not a fan of it for EDC I would definitely consider the A-60.

Astra started in 1908 in Eibar, Spain as P.Unceta y J.Esperanza for the purpose: “sale of machinery and accessories of all types”. There had been no mention of the sale or manufacture of firearms, Yet both founders,  Juan Esperanza Salvador and Pedro Unceta were involved in firearms in their own right. beginning in  1911 patents for firearms began to be issued to P.Unceta y J.Esperanza, making improvements to self-loading pistols. Beginning in 1913, manufacture of pistols began at their new factory.

 During WWI Astra supplied the Allies with an estimated 150,000 Ruby semi-auto pistols. interestingly, Astra introduced the Ruby in 1911 as the Victoria,which was based on the browning 1903. improvements on the design were patented by Pedro Careaga in 1911, and by Esperanza y Unceta (Astra) company in 1912. In 1915 copies of the Ruby were sent to the French government. The French decided to accept the Ruby as the Pistolet Automatique, Type Ruby. Substantial contracts were awarded to eight companies. Due to the war, desperation led to over 40 Spanish firearms companies, including Esperanza y Unceta (Astra) receiving contracts totaling nearly million pistols. 

Identification of Astra made Ruby's:
 
Esperanza y Unceta marked their Ruby-types Model 1914, Model 1915, Model 1916, Astra, Brunswig, and Victoria. They were also stamped with the French military identification mark EU on the frame and on the base of the magazine.

1953 the P.Unceta y J.Esperanza company changed their name to,  “Astra y Unceta Cia, S.A.”.

1977, Augusto Unceta-Barrenechea, manager and owner of Astra, was murdered by the ETA seperatist Group

1998, a new company made up of Astra Unceta y Cia and the now bankrupt Star Bonifacio Echeverria S.A. was created. This new Company named ASTAR, which also ended the same year.

Condition one: are you ready?

Col. Jeff Cooper gave us a plethora of insightful firearm training material. Today we are going to concentrate on just one area. The conditions we place our firearm in at different times. These conditions are:

Condition 4: Chamber empty, no magazine, hammer down.

Condition 3: Chamber empty, full magazine, hammer down

Condition 2: Round chambered, full magazine, hammer down

Condition 1: Round chambered, full magazine, hammer cocked, safety on

Condition 0: Round chambered, full magazine, hammer cocked, safety off

Now some parts of the explainations of the conditions do not apply to certain types of firearm actions. When Col. Cooper wrote this he was speaking of the single action 1911 pistol. Many firearms being used for EDC these days are either DA/SA or striker fired or DAO. One example, the Ruger LCP is DAO (Double Action Only) without a safety, yet does have a hammer. Though you will not be able to manually cock the hammer. As you pull the trigger it cocks the hammer and releases the hammer all in one pull of the trigger. most DAO pistols like the Ruger LCP have long, heavier trigger pulls much like a DA revolver.

But on to our main topic. CARRY YOUR PISTOL IN CONDITION ONE. I understand that some of you may refuse to do so, but this is grave mistake. A mistake that will surely cost you your life. This link will help you understand some of what I am speaking of: Tueller Drill Video . Now understand as well, being the Good Guy with a Gun you are not in uniform. Your job is not to police the community. You carry a gun to protect yourself from bodily injury and death. So most of the time you have really no time to react. A perp is not going to let you know ahead of time he is going to attack. Most attacks happen well within 21 feet. To give you another example of how fast you need to be lets watch Instructor Zero and Doug Marcaida: Professional knife fighter vs. Professional firearms instructor My apologies for the length of the video, but it has a lot of great information throughout. As you can see not carrying a round in the chamber does you no good. Frankly, it is down right irresponsible. Once the perp has you incapacitated he now has a tool he may not have had before, your firearm. Also it brings up another good point, living in condition yellow. You can read about it here on the blog as well.

If you have issues carrying in condition one, you are either not confident in your training with your self defense tool or you have a legitimate concern of the quality of firearm you carry. In either instance do the right thing and get that training or get a decent firearm that is from a reputable manufacturer. You leave the house everyday to go to the store, work, school, etc. You place your lives in the hands of other drivers around you each time you walk out that door. nothing is perfect but having a condition one ready firearm in a good quality hloster on your body beats the unlikely event of a negligent discharge.

Staying in during a disaster? Are you prepared?

So now that you are stuffed to the gills with Turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and pie. With leftovers that could last til Christmas. Let's discuss being prepared for a disaster.

No, we are not trying to get you to believe the zombie apocalypse is upon us. But what about the next major power outage? Or that snow storm that shuts down the town? I live in an area where snow is just a dream and of course we only have one snow plow. It just so happens it lives at the airport. Though during the summers we used to have power outages that lasted for days. We have all heard it before, "It happens,"

Whether you live in a bustling metropolis or out in the country everyone should have something stored away for that rainy day. Let's break down some of the items needed for that occasion it hits the fan.

Most prepackaged camping food or "survival" food has a decent shelf life, but also needs to be mixed with water. Boiling water to be exact. So if you find yourself without utilities to boil water how do you plan to get it done? A small gas generator may just be the ticket but living in an apartment may make that difficult. With the generator kicking on and off at odd times you might not be a favorite with the neighbors, or it may make you a target for those that are without. Besides if you have no way to vent the exhaust it may become an inhalation hazard. You could use a gas camp stove, definitely quieter, but it will still need ventilation. Sterno is always a good choice but make sure you have more than enough for the amount of food you will be prepping all together. We will discuss this in the water section as well. check with your local sporting goods store and ask a knowledgeable staff member they will be able to help direct you in the right direction for your situation.

Now that fire has been acquired, next is our water supply. Not every time we have a disaster does the water go sour but just like we had near our block, a water main broke sending sand and other debris into each of our homes water sources. Using the water was a no go. This is where the boiling of water may be needed. If you do not have stored water and the utilities have not been cut off, boiling water is going to be a must. Make sure you have fuel enough to boil drinking water as well.  At my homestead we have bottled water. Enough for each person to drink and cook with, for well over a week. according to ready.gov an adult should drink at least a half gallon of water, but that also depends on your activity level as well. Naturally, younger children need less and there is the fact that you must cook and wash with it. Reminder. if utilities are cut off that means sewer as well. So in this scenario we will not be using any for human waste. That is another subject for later. Anyway, 72 hours is the bare minimum. If you have the room, plan for a week per person. 2 gallons per adult per day to cover your bases.

On to the main course, Food. There are so many choices out there for storable food. Many companies sell freeze dried entrees, desserts, fruits, veggies and snack items. There are M.R.E. styles that do not need water, but they lack *ahem* flavor. Make sure that what you will be storing has a very long shelf life. No one wants to eat M.R.E.'s every five years because they are getting close to date. We at our house we cook from scratch all the time. We do have a few freeze dried entrees stashed but mostly we have freeze dried, canned or bottled ingredients. We feel we can get the most out of our choices in preparing almost any meal we would like. examples would be dry milk,eggs and butter, freeze dried cheese and meat. but we also have canned dried beans, rice, and flour. Our veggies have all been hand bottled, though we do have some canned veggies as well. Our main concern during a disaster is our protein intake, we have cut out all the finer things in life due to our space to store it all. Of course do not forget salt, pepper sugar (honey, which does not spoil even after being opened) and other seasonings you use daily.

Another area some have neglected would be everyday essentials, toilet paper, deodorant, toothpaste, dish soap, body soap (bar is easiest) OTC and prescription medications, feminine Hygeine products (check out Menstrual cups, my wife and daughter both have at least one each) and of course the first aid kit from my previous post. There are many other items that would fit in this post. depending on whether you stay or go will determine the validity of the items. I will be running down a bug out kit later for those times you must leave your place of dwelling.

Of course the elephant in the room, human waste. if you are wthout for just a few days using your home facilities maybe o.k.. But there may be that time when it is no longer safe to use. Urination for those not in an apartment setting is as easy as the outdoors, just do it away from the dwelling. Fecal matter is just that, another matter. apartment dwellers may be in want for a 5 gallon bucket and a trash bag. cut a hole in the lid of the bucket for the seat, place the opened trash bag into the bucket just as you would in a trash can. place the lid on the can using the lid to keep the bag from falling into the bucket when used. place another opened bag over the whole contraption to keep the smell at bay. for those in houses or the country this method can be used as well though digging a hole in the corner of your property might serve your purpose depending on the time of year.

Mauser HSC for lefty EDC?

Mauser HSC

I really enjoyed my time with the Mauser HSC. again my only detractors for EDC would be of course the mag release and the safety location. the mag release, due to the fact that mag changes are much slower. The safety for an inability to operate it efficiently left handed.

A short snippet of Mauser History:

Mauser started in 1811 by  Friedrich I of Wurttemberg who established a royal weapons factory in Oberndorf Germany. In 1867 Wilhelm and Paul Mauser created the rotating bolt system for breech loader that was easier to operate than the current types. It didn’t take very long for the advantages of the firearm to come about. In 1871 the most recent version of the design became the standard German infantry rifle, known as the Gewehr 71.

 In 1896 Mauser also decided to create pistols, producing the design of another team of brothers, Fidel, Friedrich, and Josef Feederle. The Mauser C96 broomhandle. This design quite impractical due to the magazine forward of the trigger guard. Making it front heavy that many came with a stock to keep it under control. Over a million C96’s were produced between 1896 and 1936 when production ceased.

Sig bought Mauser in 1999

Wondrous World of Firearms Episode 2 the AR-15

Wondrous World of Firearms episode 2 the AR-15

More archival footage of an American classic!

Caliber? Magazine capacity? How about shot placement?

So, Which caliber is the best? Shall a person go for the biggest caliber they can handle? The smallest mouse gun for that deep concealment? Maybe the real question is can you hit the broad side of a barn with that caliber and size of pistol. What good does it do the Everyday Carrier if they cannot mitigate recoil? What good is it if the Everyday Carrier can't even hold the gun comfortable enough to have confidence in their shots? These are just some of the things we do not consider when we decide to carry.

If you are anything like me, when I started my venture I had no clue what I was doing. Even though I had my first rifle very young. My father and I shot as much as time permitted. But it wasn't until I had children of my own that I truly became aware of more than just point, shoot. At the tender age of 14 I was hit by a ricochet 7x57 Mauser bullet, In the face. Yes that is probably why I am only handsome to those that are blind. But with that became an irrational fear of firearms. It wasn't until 10 years later that I picked up another firearm. Now, you cannot get me to put one down. Recoil, report, and the idea that maybe, just maybe that firearm could come to life and fire on it's own. I blame my good friend Dave for getting me back into the world of firearms.

What does this story have to do with shot placement? It all boils down to us. We have become our own worst enemy. Either intimidated by an inanimate object, or overly confident in what we have decided to be truth in our own minds. The rhetoric that if you can't shoot anything in eight shots or less you shouldn't carry a gun. Tell that to our Law Enforcement and Military. I am sure a few of those guys have a few words for you. The idea that you can only carry the small gun because you are afraid of recoil. Surprise! smaller guns equal MORE recoil. regardless of caliber, simple science. That a .22 is just as effective as a center fire cartridge. Ask the F.B.I. ballisticians about that one. That a larger caliber is the only way to go. The recovery time getting the sights back on target for that follow up shot is reduced, not to mention limited round count in the EDC Pistol.

If you plan to carry, practice as you would in a fight or flight scenario. Using target ammo that does not mimic what you carry is going to give you a big surprise in the event you need to deploy your EDC. Training for that shot placement is just as vital as being comfortable with the firearm you have choose to carry. Center mass of course is the best course of action, but what if that is not a viable target? The groin is a good choice, or ahem, the head. Training in that moment for that moment is what is needed.

The question still remains, Which Caliber and pistol is right for you? the answer is simple. The one that fits your hand. The one you can mitigate recoil with enough speed that the follow up shots are fast and consistent. The one that holds enough rounds to get the job done. And the one that has as few buttons, levers and boogaloo to operate in order to be faster than the bad guy. But I will tell you this, I run a Glock 19 in 9mm as an EDC. My reasoning for this is, it is simple in design, holds the maximum number of rounds in the smallest package I wish to carry. With no other buttons to use save the magazine release. Being left handed, it works and it exceeds the position I place it in.

 Do not think that what you have in your mind for EDC is correct for you because it's the fanciest one of the bunch. Research, Learn, expand your knowledge of what is fitting for your needs and train it. If you decide the large caliber, minimum round mag capacity is right, you best be prepared to carry more mags than the other guy and learn to run those mag drills quick and efficiently under stress. if you decide on the small caliber mouse gun. You best know the pistols limitations and what distance that pistol is effective at. Either way you must know the limitations of the caliber and ammunition you decide to carry. Again, research and find what is the best for your situation.

SCCY CPX2 The budget lefty surprise

SCCY CPX2 the budget lefty CCW
I like a good deal just about as much as the other human. But I am not a fan of "cheap." The SCCY CPX2 is a good deal but far from a cheap firearm. The slide is made of stainless steel and the components of the gun are minimal. No complex gun magic here. Simple, easy to use and maintain.

 Having carried one for a year or so I realized the trigger is much akin to a DA revolver trigger. So if you are used to one, switching to the SCCY is a breeze. One must realize this is a CCW pistol. the long trigger pull and trigger weight sets it in this category. As of this writing a CPX2 can be had for right around $250.00. an amazing price for an equally amazing pistol. If you get the chance shoot one. If you are interested in owning a SCCY  a quick look on Facebook for ColorCountryFirearms They can hook you up. They can also be found on Gun Auction at Color Country Firearms.

I had one issue with a CPX2 but it was total user error. One call to SCCY and the part to repair it was on it's way and I received it in less than a week! I have dealt with other companies return policies that say they are "no hassle," and yet they give you the run around. But SCCY has impeccable customer service. Friendly, courteous and quick! Anither lovely tidbit, SCCY is American made in Daytona FL.

waitin' for the hatin' buckshot vs. birdshot for home defense

https://youtu.be/NWn87VL1mfo
 I have seen them all, watermelon, pumpkins, gallon jugs etc. Dry wall: 1 sheet, 2 sheets, plywood, 2x4's you name it.

 Lets start with a different gun in a different place. Say a grocery store parking lot. You are in a gun fight, there are people all around you. Inevitably when you pull that trigger you are going to miss, because why would a perp stand still? Are you going to stand still? I highly doubt it. You fire under circumstances you have never been in before and we are not in a sci-fi flick where your laser beam fancy firearm hits the target every time. So I would guess you are shaking and have lost a lot of fine motor skill at this point. I will say it again, you will fall to the level of your training.

those errant shots how many were there? Even in police shootings there are multiple shots fired from both sides. what was around to stop those rounds? A .22 LR will blaze right through a car door. Where am I going with this? Let me ask you? What rounds do you use in your EDC? .80 ACP +p+ super hollow expando chango ammo? It's what I carry, the best of the best. Best performance, penetration, expansion, yada yada. Do you use that same gun for home defense? same ammo right? that hollow point depending on caliber is going to zip right through multiple layers of dry wall just the same. or perhaps you use an MSR (modern sporting rifle) AR-15, AK-47? even lower powered loads aimed for the home defense people, it will still rip through walls. So why the hell are you going to use an anemic round in your shotgun? I get the fact that you don't want to hit something precious behind that wall, but that argument is all rhetoric. if you are going to argue that run the same anemic rounds in your pistol and rifle. Home defense is no different than when you are out in public. I would say your chances of hitting an innocent are greatly improved in public. You can argue with me all day about distances and chokes but when it comes down to it, do you get to choose the engagement? I think not. So, getting the round that is going to work at every distance is what you need.

Still worried about those in the house? Training in my house has never been for just myself. My children have been taught what to do when our family password is given depending on our location. Have younger kids? fight to them if you have to, (never clear your house.) barricade yourself in your kids room and make that 911 call but never question what ammo is in your gun.

Do you run the birdshot because of recoil? run a 20 ga or .410. Do you run it because your cheap? Maybe I won't touch that one. Your prepped to the max for the outside world, might as well be prepped to the maxed inside the home as well. There are a million videos out for why one over the other is better but for the same reason you carry hyper glow ammo in your EDC is the same reason you should use it at home.

o.k. so enough with my own personal rant on buckshot. now I know this is not specific to shotgun ammo but I am going to show testing parameters for F.B.I., not only handgun but rifle ammunition as well.

The purpose of the FBI Penetration Test is to determine

the following information regarding a particular cartridge:

1.The penetration performance of the cartridge’s projectile, throughout the series

of six tests (depth of penetration to nearest .25 inch, expansion of projectile,

retained weight of the projectile) 

2.The average velocity, both from a test barrel and a service weapon

3.The average accuracy, both from a test barrel and a service weapon

The test medium utilized is 10% ballistic gelatin(nominal), by weight. For a detailed

description of the mixing procedure, see "Ballistic Gelatin Mixing Procedures Practiced

by the FBI", below.

Tests One through Six are shot at a distance of 10 feet from the muzzle

to the front face of the gelatin block.

Test One -

Bare Gelatin

Test Two -

Heavy Clothing

– The gelatin block is covered with four layers of clothing: one layer of cotton

t-shirt material (approximately 5.25 ounces per yard, 48 threads per inch); one layer of cotton shirt material

(approximately 3.5 ounces per yard, 80 threads per inch); one layer of  200 fleece and one layer of cotton denim (approximately 14.4 ounces per yard, 50 threads per inch). The block is shot at ten (10) feet, measured from the muzzle to the front of the block.

Tests 3-6 utilize light clothing (e.g. the cotton t-shirt and dress shirt materials above),

in addition to the mentioned intermediate barrier.

Test Three

- Steel

– Two pieces of 20 gauge, hot-rolled steel with a galvanized finish are set three inches apart.

The clothing covered gelatin block is placed 18 inches behind the rear most piece of steel. This test event

simulates the weakest part of a car door.

Test Four

-

Wallboard –

Two pieces of ½ inch standard gypsum board are set 3.5 inches apart. The gelatin block is

placed 18 inches behind the rear most piece of gypsum. This test event simulates a typical building interior wall.

Test Five

- Plywood –

One piece of 3/4 inch "AA" fir plywood is set 18" in front of the gelatin block. This test event

simulates the resistance of typical wooden doors or construction timbers.

Test Six -

Automobile Glass

– One piece (15" X 18") of A.S.I. 1/4 inch laminated automobile safety glass is set at

an angle of 45 ̊ to the horizontal and 15 ̊ to the side, resulting in a compound angle. The gelatin block is placed 18 inches behind the glass. This test event simulates a shot taken at the driver of a car from the left front quarter of the vehicle

So as you can see the test is more than just gelatin and denim. if our Law Enforcement have a strict set of parameters to stop a bad guy why don't we? Basically the argument of not wanting to hit something behind drywall is ridiculous, especially when you won't use that same argument out in the public realm with your EDC.  I am not trying to sound rude or upset but we get rhetoric in our minds and they become gospel truth, .45 better than 9mm, Glock vs. 1911, etc. This serious business, so take it serious. when it come to your life and the lives of those you love stop playing games with the fact that at 15 feet birdshot will decimate anything it hits. Get ammo that will do the job at a realistic distance for the gun and get training in home defense not only for you but your family. because it is a family affair.

The Wondrous World of Firearms Episode 1 Glock

                                                

 https://youtu.be/LYdeJoN8uww
Amazing what you can find in the vaults of antiquity!! we spoof an old nature film. Gotta love it!!

Living in condition Yellow.

Before you all think this some militant condition of readiness. Condition Yellow is a trained state of mind that will benefit every last one of us. In our modern fast paced world, full of amazing technological advancements. From the phone you carry in your pocket that is definitively more powerful and faster than anything we have seen before. To the automobiles we find ourselves driving, or not driving as Tesla and Google have shown us in the recent past with self driving cars.  We can receive movies, text messages, email, videos, pictures, social media and the like at the touch of a button. We developed these technologies to make our lives easier. Have they? I notice that the items such as "snail" mail is now reserved mainly for utility bills and packages from Amazon. To type or even voice dictate letters to loved ones and coworkers in a short period of time and they receive them just as fast. But with social media we can now use the phone to see people across the globe. Flying to that meeting in London or Hong Kong, Why? just head to the nearest meeting website and video conference while still in your underwear.

But there has been a cost to us using this "lifesaving" technology not even day in and day out but minute to minute. We bury our faces in these technologies all day and forget to look at the world around you. So this entry is going to come from the humanitarian side but it will work both ways.

I am going to challenge you and I hope you take it seriously. The next time you head out with the family unit to the big box store or out for ice cream, leave your phone on vibrate and in your pocket or purse. If you really want to get the feel of what situational awareness really is, leave the phone at home or in the car. Hopefully, we all keep our eyes on the road but what about that moment we pull into the parking lot? Are we more worried about finding that perfect spot or are we keeping an eye out for anything out of place? What about once you find that spot and get the auto parked, are you looking for people loitering and looking suspicious? What about the poor little old lady that took a spill two cars over? Did you notice that? Or were you more interested in the latest trending post?

Once out of the car and trying to corral the young ones into a fairly close circle around you to keep them out of traffic did you notice the gentleman in the wheelchair having an issue with getting the cart into the cart corral? You need one anyway right? Converse with him. I am pretty sure he will be willing to let you take the cart.

Once inside the store do you do a once around glance to get your bearing in the store that you have been to four times this week and it's only Tuesday? Or are you trying to still keep the kids together while plopping the youngest in the cart. Of course we all take a quick glance at the others in the aisle but did you notice the young boy hiding his face out of fear because he lost his parents? Or that one young punk stuffing treats down his Levi's? Not your problem right?

Once you have collected the children and your future purchases and moved your way to the front of the store did you notice the young woman not tall enough to reach an item on the top shelf? Once at the checkout have you noticed the sombre look on the cashiers face? Finding out a family member might not make it through the night?

Outside once more did you notice two aisles over the fender bender that you would have witnessed if you drew your eyes upward? Or that the guilty party drove away before the victim could exit there vehicle to get a plate number that would have been clearly seen by you?

But as you get in the car you failed to notice the guy hanging around a car near you acting shady. As you open the door to your car you find yourself face to face with a weapon. Could this have been avoided? You bet. If you would have left that phone in the pocket, paid attention to the other humans around you, you may have helped numerous people in acts of real kindness and possibly saved your life and the lives of those you hold dear.

Condition Yellow is not just about situational awareness from a tactical point of view but from that side of life we have truly lost. Human contact. no wonder our children have difficulty communicating their thoughts and feelings with others without becoming so offended they do the things we complain about everyday.

A unique lefty treasure, the Walther P5

 Walther P5 video
If you can't tell I enjoyed my time with the Walther P5. Though for self defense, I honestly believe there are better choices out there. In our modern world, and what we have available today, I do not understand why someone would choose a firearm that for a lack of better terms is inconsistent. Not that the quality of the firearm is inconsistent, more over having an SA/DA trigger pull from first to second you are dealing with different weights and lengths of pull. I understand that it may upset some to read this but consistency in self defense is a must. You honestly do not have time in a fight or flight scenario to play around.

we run automobiles with new fancy airbags and backup alarms. they have sensors in the tires to let us know when they are low. GPS to help get you where your going. Yet there is a belief that any old firearm will work. That maybe true, but is it what you want to use when your life is on the line? To many "other" operations take away valuable time from what is truly important. Ricky Bobby said it best, "If you're not first, you're last."

So, keep it simple stupid, Literally. The simpler to use the faster you become when it counts. Be safe and have a great day!

The Skinny on a quintessential first aid kit!

So, there is not a large amount of information about first aid kits out there. Some are just slap together kits that have a lot of non essentials. There are kits that range from very small to basically O.R. room load outs. Which one is right for you? Will you really use everything in the larger bag? Or can we trim some weight on items not necessary? How about the "band-aid" kit? Is it enough or we missing vital components to be able to really give someone a fighting chance?

I have sat down with a close personal friend of mine who is a Certified NREMT Paramedic to get the skinny on what really needs to go into a bag. Though she did say that a pre-produced bag is a good start, we decided to break down a good kit you could build and hopefully save you a few dollars in the process. whether in the field, road trip or at home this kit will do it all!

-Backpack, good quality
-Thermometer if digital, make sure you purchase extra batteries
-liquid Benadryl
-Ziploc gallon bag 1-2 for chest wounds
-medical shears or good quality sharp knife
-30' paracord 550 7 strand
-(2) SAM splints
-(2) sterile water pouches
-(1) tube of triple antibiotic
-(4-5) 4'' SPONGE gauze pads not woven. (woven works it's way into wounds)
-(2) 4'' Kurlix rolled gauze
-2'' Coban  self adhesive bandage
-lighter or waterproof matches
-finger pulse oximeter battery operated ( more expensive item but well worth it.)make sure you          purchase extra batteries
-wristwatch to monitor pulse and record event times
-2-3 triangle bandages
-CAT tourniquet 1''-2''
-black sharpie for light skin, silver sharpie for darker skin. write a "T" on forehead for a tourniquet applied and for writing on the limb the time the tourniquet was applied.
-pocket mask for CPR
-NPA and OPA for CPR ( a flexible endotracheal tube that is designed to open a channel between the nostril or throat)
-baby aspirin for chest pain take 4 for chest pain. also makes platelets slippery (aspirin is not a blood thinner)
-Ibuprofen for swelling and pain relief
-Acetaminophen for pain relief and fever
-manual blood pressure cuff and stethoscope
-A bag of  hard candy or tubes of candy gel for diabetics and low blood sugar (simple carbs) Snickers or peanut M&Ms for complex carbs (NO SUGAR FREE)
-supplemental portable battery charger for your phone
-Glucose meter for diabetics
-medical clear tape and paper tape (paper in case of allergies)
-abdominal pads (maxi pads can be used in a pinch) for abdominal wounds
-flashlight at least 200 lumen with strobe feature
-mini notebook and pen
-nytril gloves that fit your hands not latex
quickclot impregnated gauze

this list is essentially everything you will need to cover your bases in any emergency to get you to a hospital. of course according to your own medical needs you may add other items as needed. Maybe an Epipen etc.

Though you must realize that education in first aid is a must when considering this. Without the instruction on how to use these items it just becomes a heavy bag filled with stuff you lug around and have a vague idea how to use.

really, a pocket dump? why?

 https://youtu.be/g84V_Ngy5wM
So what is a pocket dump? we have seen them all over social media. we see a pocket knife, boondoggle, flashlight, primary firearm, backup firearm, etc. So why such variation? and what is the purpose of the items? why the super slick fancy folder? and so on. Well my friends, we here at Left Hand Right Gun are going to break down our Items in a video.

The purpose of the pocket dump in my eyes is to show off the cool knickknacks. Personally in my case and in the case of my cohort. each item has legitimate use, and most if not all are two fold and are used daily. 

The pocket knife. should be self explanatory right? I use mine for cutting a myriad of items at work. But it doesn't stop there. My knife is my secondary defensive tool. also to be used in  medical emergency situations. 

The lighter. Used primarily for melting ends and edges of poly cord and such. but also using it for sterilization of tools. or starting a signal fire if needs be. And no I do not smoke.

The pen. My pen doubles as a tertiary non lethal defensive tool. Shaped in such a way that it has an effective pressure point poker and a Knurled body for use as a Kubaton. It writes really nice too.

The Flashlight. I work at the Butt crack of dawn. I get up before the milk man. so a flashlight is needed almost everyday. but is that it's only use? My flashlight has a strobe feature that can disorient a would be attacker. giving me the most valuable asset in a self defense scenario, time. Time to get away, time to draw a personal defense tool, etc. plus to doubles as a physical defense tool as well.

And of course my firearm. it has one job and one job only. In a situation where I am backed into the proverbial corner with no way out. It allows for me to protect myself when I need it most.

There are many other Items in my pocket dump but that will be in the video coming shortly. please visit us on facebook, youtube, Instagram and Twitter for more tips and trick

Thanks!

Sig P230 for left handed carry?

 

https://youtu.be/pDRsgKKzTuY

one small edit from the video above. The failure to return to battery in the shooting portion of the video I realized my grip was much too high and my left hand thumb created enough friction to slow the rearward travel of the slide resulting in a stovepipe and a resulting double feed. I have shot this great pistol quite a few times before and never had this issue. 

The History of Sig Sauer:

Three gentlemen, Friedrich Peyer im Hof, Heinrich Moser and Conrad Neher began a wagon factory near the Rhine Falls in Switzerland in 1853. Little did they know at the time, the company would become one of the world's finest makers of firearms. Beginning with wagons and railway cars, the three men decided to venture into the small arms industry. resulting from from Switzerland's Federal Ministry of Defense. The company entered a competition to create a rifle for the Swiss military. Four years later, the award went to the S.W.F. (Swiss Wagon Factory) for its Prelaz-Burnand rifle. An order for 30,000 muzzle loading Prelaz-Burnand rifles resulted.At this time the three men decided to  change the name of the company to the Swiss Industrial Company - Schweizerische Industrie-Gesellschaft, A.KA. SIG.

 The SIG P49, the parent to the SIG P210, was created for the Swiss Army. Next, the P220 made its appearance as the new pistol for the army,and followed up by the compact P230 for the Swiss police. These pistols offered design and reliability not seen in the industry. By 1970 SIG's small arms division had expanded to include Hämmerli Target Arms from Lenzburg, Switzerland, and J.P. Sauer & Sohn, GmbH, of Eckernförde, West Germany, known worldwide for their hunting rifles.

Personally, the Sig p230 does what it is designed for well and for the lefty it is exceptional. my one major detractor is the fact that the mag release is at the bottom of the grip and does not drop the mags free. But with practice it may not be an issue for those who decide to carry it. 380 ACP is also a tough choice in caliber for me. Even with modern technology in bullet manufacture the hollow point rounds do not pass the F.B.I. ballistic parameters for penetration, which happens to be 12-18 inches into ballistic gel. Though some have stated running ball ammo does meet that requirement of penetration depth. 

current pricing for the P230 as of this post runs about $599.00
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Does the right holster really make a difference?

Holster selection seems to be just as easy as walking into the local sporting goods store grabbing the first one off the rack that "fits" your gun. right? that depends. what is the primary function this holster will it be for,, range? competition? concealed carry? hunting?

For this discussion we will focus on the waist band concealed carry, though not small of back. An ideal carry holster will be one that has great retention yet will give fairly easily when it needs to be employed. A holster that has a reinforced mouth. And one that has loops that match the width of your belt.

The three main materials used for holsters are leather, Kydex and Nylon. Leather has been around for centuries used of course for just about everything. A leather or nylon holster regardless of it being IWB (inside the waistbelt) or OWB (outside the waistbelt) needs to have a reinforced mouth. either multiple layers of leather (for of course a leather holster) or reinforced with some type of rigid polymer (for either leather or nylon). Kydex of course is a rigid polymer without the issues of leather or nylon. Though Kydex brings a glaring issue of it's own, it's rigid. While leather and nylon conform to the body Kydex does not. Now as far as retention is concerned, leather does a great job if the holster is made by a reputable holster maker. Kydex, the same. Nylon, not so much. Nylon is definitely not one of my favorites for concealed carry, it just doesn't have the passive retention that Kydex or leather can give.

For the question of why the reinforced or rigid mouth? During a confrontation there are many different variables that are an X-factor. If you have a young child in your arm, or say your arm is injured. Either way it will be near impossible to re-holster when the mouth of your holster collapses together. Again why is this important? For a concealed carrier you are (hopefully) the good guy in the scenario. you draw, complete the business and re-holster with speed. You do not want to be the one fingered as the aggressor. although once Law Enforcement arrives you can properly inform authorities your part in the confrontation. So if it is that your arm is full and you need to re-holster it can be done one handed.

Why retention is important should be self explanatory. Under your cover garment, out of the sight of public view. There should be no reason to have an active retention system. Not to say that if you feel you need an active system you shouldn't have one. But, if the bad guy doesn't know you have it he doesn't want it. Anyway, having good retention is crucial if a confrontation does not call for the employment of your firearm. That it will stay put during a scuffle or cartwheeling to cover. Active retention comes with it's own brand of trouble. It takes more time to get your tool into action if the element of surprise is not on your side, which of course is a majority of the time in a defensive situation.

Again, the reasoning for a holster loop to fit the belt is for just that, fit. either IWB or OWB if the loops are too big you have slop and movement which could let wandering eyes watch you adjust. Or simply make it difficult to release your handgun from the holster when you need it. You are going to have enough issues clearing your cover garment you don't need to add to the few milliseconds of precious time you may not have.

In closing, A good holster is found with research. Yeah, you need to find what is going to be best for your style of carry. Whether you have the ability to carry OWB with a jacket or outerwear. Or IWB if a little more discretion is needed. Or perhaps both for different seasons. Make sure it is an EXACT fit to your gun. Very few universal holsters out there will be sufficient for carry. they can be sloppy or to tight and just won't give you the level of confidence needed to know you are ready for whatever this world throws your way.Thanks for Watching and reading!
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crushing grip for accuracy?

https://youtu.be/mQo-fT-cfNc
 video link above on how to grip that pistol!
As you may well know a 100% grip on the pistol is good, crushing that 100% grip is better. It aides to mitigate recoil and sight realignment shot after shot. The crush grip is just one portion of a well controlled grip. all the these tips will create much better groups.

the wonderful thing about crushing the handgun is, we do it during those fight or flight situations, Maybe too much crush. But practicing the grip when you head to the range will help keep shots well placed and create muscle memory. Now there are variations to this grip but I find that I get more bang for the buck thumbs forward. Don't worry it may feel odd and uncomfortable at first, but once you see the results down range, you'll get used to it!

a question for today. is training with an EDC really important?

As we roll along in this world it is important to note: just because we see ourselves as a good guy with a firearm does not mean we have become invincible. What have we done to ensure that if a critical defense situation occurs we are up to the task? How much training, what level of training? Training absorption? Training execution? Do we do drills at home or play on our devices? If you as the good guy take that responsibility to carry, remember we fall to the level of our training not rise to it.

Though there are many in the firearms community that have been LEO or military trained. It is important for those of us that have not, to diligently seek out professional training. Now with that said, who do we choose to learn from? If you can get to a reputatble big name player in the industry, go. Though Some will center their instruction around subjects that do nothing for the everyday carrier. Research is your key to having a successful experience. And no, your instruction at the time of your CCW does not go far enough in depth to teach fundamentals of EDC (EveryDay Carry) for the civilian.

 If you are new to EDC. start with a beginners class. grip, stance, draw, sight picture, etc. and as you progress in skills the classes will become more in depth. Cost an issue? think of it this way, how much money are you willing to place on the lives of you and your family?  again, we do not become a superhero just because we are a good guy with a firearm. So enough reading, get out of that chair and book your first or your seventeeth firearms class. P.S. there are going to be phenomenal, less well known instructors in your area that will fit the bill. research is key.  

An Italian classic!! Beretta model 1934 in 380 ACP.

https://youtu.be/H9wlC8G4abs
please click the link above to watch the video for the model 1934!

Beretta began making barrels in or around 1680 they were known as the  top barrel makers in Val Trompia according to earliest company records. after the birth of Piero Antonio Beretta they became known as Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta. Giuseppe Antonio Beretta develops the company into a complete manufacturer for firearms and increases prodution to more than 7,000 pieces. 

Pietro Beretta takes control of the company and develops it into one of the largest firearms manufacturers in the world. Beretta also at this time acquired Mi-val a shotgun manufacturer. after the birth of Carlo Beretta, Beretta begins manufacturing handguns for the officers of the Royal Army of Italy. and signs a contract to supply 1000 machine gun barrels FIAT, the introduction of the model 1914 and Model 91 Pocket pistol begin. 

Beretta acquires Fabbrica d’Armi Lario, near Lake Como, and trasfers its machinery to Gardone Val Trompia. after the birth of Ugo Gussalli Beretta they begin the 
Stella and Piccione models of shotguns. beretta signs a Contract with the Italian Government for the sale of Mod. 1934 pistols MAB – Beretta Automatic moschet
ASE model. Also Beretta begins its US operations and creates Beretta USA. also the 
First Olympic games with clay-shooting sports begins.which brings us to the modern age roughly 1962. the rest we pretty much know.