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.