How do you carry?

   As I listened to one of my favorite podcasts, I heard a story of a woman who had been shot with her own firearm. The firearm was carried off body, specifically in her purse without the aid of it's own compartment or holster for that matter. As the storyteller spoke about this method of carry I began to think about all the possibilities of carry and how well they serve our purpose. Of course being human I have an opinion and as we dive into the subject of how or where you carry there will be some disagreement, though I will try to give valid reasons for and against certain methods of carry.

   Probably the most agreed upon method of carry is the strong side hip. Taking in consideration it is the "safest" method in regards to flagging your own body during holster and drawing. But be mindful the chance of flagging yourself is just as great as any other method.

   We progress to pretty much anything forward on the body of 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock. basically from the strong side forward to centerline. I personally carry appendix daily (actually for a lefty like myself it is known as LDC, Lower Descending Colon). I prefer to have my firearm within fast reach at all times. Not that draw time is much of an issue but it is faster than most other methods of carry. Cross draw in the same area is not as quick and the angle of the firearm could pose a risk for printing more so than appendix. I for one do not like the cross draw.

   Now we come to another area of waistline carry, small of back or 5 and 8 o'clock carry. I do not prefer these locations due to the fact of my current state of employment. I spend a good portion of my day bending over and twisting. This has the potential to print regularly or in some cases all out brandishing ( accidental of course.) A high risk probability I am not willing to take. Another detractor for me is the fact that my draw stroke is much slower from these positions. Not being able to glance at my firearm either during draw or re-holster has me a bit nervous. Plus, the fact that if you happen to end up on the ground in a fight it is unlikely you will be able to get to your firearm should you need it.

   Moving on we travel to under arm, or shoulder carry. I have carried this way during winter months over shirt and under jacket. I have a few issues with this depending on a few factors. 1. the direction the muzzle faces while carrying. Does the muzzle point straight back or down? Pretty self explanatory, especially if we follow the Golden rules of firearm safety. 2. type of retention the holster provides. and 3. cross draw, just not a big fan of flagging folks as I pull my firearm from this type of concealment unless the muzzle is pointed down from inside the holster. Also if you decide this method is for you invest in a quality holster, one highly recommended by professionals and not Joe Bob from down the way.
   
   Moving south we reach the ankle. My least favorite position on body. I drive for a living and those that say it is a good place to carry if you drive, they are full of it. I know that sounds harsh but give it a go sometime. I tried this method at work, and as I did a few dry run draws found that it was difficult to keep your eyes on your target all the time. Reaching down drops your head sometimes below the steering wheel. Having also dry run strong side hip and appendix draw drills from seated position is faster and allows for you to track your target during your draw step. Avoid this position if possible.

   Lastly we come to off body carry. This can include a purse or backpack, your vehicle, fanny pack, etc. I truly feel this is the last resort carry method for any human being on the planet. The opportunity for losing control of your firearm is immense and I am not just talking your bag getting stolen. As I mentioned at the beginning about the woman who was shot with her own firearm, she was not shot by a "bad guy" who tried to steal her purse. She was shot by her own child who happened to be digging around in her purse. There are so many things that can go wrong with off body carry it scares me to think this is even an option. If you must off body carry PLEASE take every precaution necessary and ALWAYS be mindful of where that firearm is in relation to yourself and others not authorized to handle said firearm.

   Just because you see your favorite actor or Instagram bunny running a firearm in a way that "looks" cool, please do yourself and the rest of the firearms community a favor and gain the pertinent knowledge and training for carrying in a safe and effective manner. Enjoy!

quick tip: Astra A60 magazine fix!

Astra A60 video

Finding these magazines is down right impossible. To which we say "necessity is the mother of all invention." Well maybe not invention in this case, but definitely adaptation. Using the Beretta Cheetah magazines was kind of a lucky break. it should be noted please go slow and remove as little as possible to begin. WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR ACTIONS. PROCEED WITH CAUTION. if you haven't seen our first review of the A60 check it out here.   

Beretta PX4 Storm, 2 for 1 duty pistol review

PX4 Storm video here.
Personally I really wanted to like the PX4 pistols. I have been a fan of Beretta most of my life and have always wanted a M9/92FS since I can remember. These are definitely duty made pistols and are not designed in my eyes for concealed carry by any means. though they do have the longer trigger pulls and heavier triggers I would leave these bad boys for the range.

Don't get me wrong, I do like the pistol but considering this is a blog about self defense I believe there are better tools out there that fit the self defense niche better than these. I would still recommend them for their ergonomics and depending on the action you purchase it would serve well in a service capacity, especially when certain rules as to what you can carry may apply.

self defense snippet #1 : Concealed Carry Podcast with Andrew Branca

In this snippet I wanted to highlight one of the many podcasts that I listen to. The Concealed Carry Podcast is a very informative show centered around keeping CCW'ers in the loop for defense and training. In their Episode #148 Stand Your Ground- SElf Defense Law with Andrew Branca. They delve into a world that many people really only understand by way of meme and keyboard warriors. Please give this episode a listen, I realise it is 1 hour and 23 minutes long, but if you wanted to know from a self defense lawyer the in's and out's of legal rammification during a self defense situation here is just a sample of what to look for. Andrew Branca's book, The Law of Self Defense can be purchased at the link. Also Andrew does have classes on this subject and can be scheduled here. Give Concealed Carry Podcast a subscribe and listen and read Andrew Branca's book, better yet, get into one of his classes if you can.

Bullet points. Better yet, hollow points.

As we have all seen, there are a few handfuls of different self defense ammunition on the market. But are there ones out there really better than others? How about truly "innovative" rounds, do they really stack up as effective defensive rounds?

As with most things in life you can either take another's word for it or do the research yourself to find what is actual the best. During my research I have come across many different reasons for this type or that type. What it boils down to is mathematics.

I hate math, my worst subject in bygone days of school. With a little explanation we might be able to make sense of it all. We will be looking at a few different factors when deciding on a type on defensive ammo these are: velocity, mass and barrel length. We could go into twist rate but with the distances of defensive shooting this may not be as big a factor.

Velocity is the speed at which the projectile moves at. Mass of course is the weight of said projectile. The length of the barrel helps decide what the final velocity of said projectile is hurled through the air. Lets look at some examples. We will be looking at 9mm Hollow point. These numbers are from a 4" barrel.
- CorBon 90gr JHP +P Velocity: 1444 fps
- Federal Hydro-Shok low recoil 135gr. velocity: 1039 fps
- Speer Gold Dot 124gr. velocity: 1203 fps

Now some will see those velocities and fall in  love with that Cor Bon, first off it's +P secondly it moves at a pretty good clip. But what about that projectile weight? The Hydro-Shok denotes "Low Recoil"  but selling "low recoil" is easier than selling "low-velocity." The speer Gold Dot pretty much has the best of both worlds. higher velocity and heavier projectile. Of course the X factor is the performance of design. the Gold Dot has the backing of many hundreds of Law Enforcement Agencies, Hydro Shok and Cor Bon have decent marketing strategies. Though not to say the Cor Bon or Hydro Shok are necessarily inferior rounds, the Gold Dot performs better in FBI testing.

Here's the kicker, I do not run any of the above rounds through my self defense pistol. I run standard pressure  147gr Federal HST 9mm with a velocity of 1000 fps. After reviewing FBI standard testing of the HST I have found it suits my needs at a reasonable price point. I have nothing against the Gold Dot and the Hydro Shok has already been proven to be somewhat of a gimmick round, though I have carried the Hydro Shok for many years due to listening to friends and colleagues rather than actual statistics.

Lastly we have all seen the "other" rounds on the market. You know the ones. those that have some cool name or moniker of one form or the other. The "Boutique" rounds to put it nicely. Their marketing strategies must be more than half their budgets, cause it is the most innovative round EVER! yeah, that one. While they have cool sounding names and perform pretty cool tricks, their performance in FBI testing is lack luster at best. I guess for those who know of only the ballistics testing of the FBI protocol here is an LEO/Military application detailing all of the tests: FBI protocol 
Many of these specialty rounds need to stay on the range and not in your self defense firearm.

A southpaw's view of the S&W SD9VE

SD9VE video here.
The SD9VE replaced the Sigma and the SD9 in 2012. they decided on a "self defense" trigger which has it breaking at 8.5 pounds!! but I guess that a heavy trigger pull to Smith constitutes safety. I have my own feelings on this (yes, they are political in nature.)  but those are for another venue.

I find myself drawn to the SD9VE more and more recently since the Apex trigger weight reduction kit came in. it really smoothed out the pull and has made it a joy to shoot.

If you are a Glock fan boy and just cannot drop the dough for a new G 19/23 give the SD9VE/SD40VE a run, especially with the Apex Tactical trigger kit installed, you will not be disappointed.

As for being a budget pistol I was surprised to find out the slide and barrel are both milled from Stainless steel. and the overall quality of the firearm itself is quite good. We have yet to observe any tooling marks on the exterior of the slide. though there are a few on the insde but to some extent that is to be expected.

On a side note, the predecessor to the SD9VE (S&W Sigma)was the pistol Glock sued Smith and Wesson over back in the day for patent infringement.

where the buck stops.

I realize this is technically not a post about firearms. However this does go along with our blog post from a few weeks ago, Veritas Aequitas. There are definitive differences between a boss and a leader. Now I understand that not all of us are bosses or leaders per se, but we can be leaders in our own right. To be a leader is something we can be we just need to be ready to take up that mantle.

We always hear that the word "boss" is a four letter word. Of course stereotypes exsist for a reason and, well, boss is a four letter word; especially not something we want to be associated with. Boss usually brings to mind images of a torturous creature that has no compassion in them at all, always looking out for themselves. But a leader is different. More often than not when one hears the word leader it conjures up images of strength and integrity; someone the group can look up to. Someone who may well sacrifice themselves for the good of the group.

Facinating that in just two plain words we find such animosity for one and a sense of undying loyalty in the other. but what is it that is the explaination for all of this? words and action, more to the point action that supports the words. As a leader, one would substitute the word "I" for "we" and not just when there is someone'srear end on the line. In good or bad a leader will share in the joy and heartache of every situation that arises. A boss is more likely to exclude or even call to attention one's short comings. Whether we are in a stressful setting or just another day at the office being a leader brings the community together for a common goal. A leader will also not let the "buck" move on, with a leader the buck stops here. Taking charge and making sure that every facet is handled or delegated properly is show of a good leader.

Being a leader is more than just inclusive and flowery words of adoration and edification. A leader will show their true form when they are down in the trenches doing the dirty work with the lowest on the totem pole and not complaining about being "short employees" or the like. the job needs to be done regardless of arguing and demeaning others.

Now don't get me wrong, I am not proclaiming that one should just talk sweet and walk on egg shells. A leader must be firm in their actions whether diciplinary or otherwise but it must be fair, the punishment must fit the crime so to speak, no matter who the perpetrator may be. A leader is stern, exact and forgiving; A leader forgives and moves on. Mind you I did not say forget, forgetting denotes one wishes it never happened. This should not be the case, though reminding someone of their mistakes is petty and is not an example of leadership. It is a rememberance of failure and how to learn from them.

Be a leader and not a boss, 'cause no one likes the Boss.

The Budget Sig Sauer, the Sig 2022

 Sig 2022 video here!
so it has been a while since we have uploaded a new video. Life is busy outside the LHRG Labs. we have been trying to get back on track so hopefully this submission will satiate for the time being. the Sig Sauer budget entry of the Sig 2022 is an amazing piece of hardware. I have yet to find the difference in price vs. quality with this pistol, in all honesty it is just that, a less expensive Sig. So if you are a fan of Sig but have a hard time dropping the dough for one, consider the Sig 2022, you will not be disappointed

If the holster fits.

We have chatted before on our Instagram and facebook about holsters just a tad. Today we will get into it much more. Quality is more than a name brand. What I mean is, even the most reputable names on the market have less than stellar holsters. Price is not a factor of quality either. Some cheaper holsters will out last some high dollar counterparts out there. please note we will be speaking of holsters for concealed carry rather than competition or just range day, ( though this guideline is just as useful for those days as well). So lets get to it.

  First off a holster must fit the firearm. As much as it pains some to hear, but truth is what it is, a universal holster can cause the firearm to shift in the holster potentially compromising your retention system. In my early carry days a buddy and I bought cheaper neoprene IWB holsters with a generic size denotation. While at work my buddy bent forward and out slid his firearm onto the floor. Talk about an "oh shit" moment. So buy a holster that is built for your pistol. Which leads us into our next item, retention.

 Basically there is a need to "lock" your firearm in the holster. With kydex it is with pressure along the pistol, usually held in place by the kydex form fitted around the pistol and the retention is adjusted by some type of screw system. Leather can be formed to the body of the pistol, though some are not. Nylon or neoprene usually do not form to the pistol. Retention for both is usually  a snap or velcro strap over the rear of the slide. Of course the last two styles of retention are more apt to fail and should be avoided if possible. I personally run a Kydex IWB lower descending colon (appendix for you righties) holster with a belt clip.

  Rigid mouth opening. Whether you run OWB or IWB your holster should have an open mouth that does not collapse when the pistol is drawn. Regardless if you look or not when re-holstering, the dangers of a collapsing mouth holster should be self evident especially in IWB. Unless you live under a rock you have read a few accounts of negligent discharges of holstered firearms using one of these "universal" systems. Worn leather or floppy nylon/neoprene could potentially enter the trigger guard pressing the trigger rearward and causing a negligent discharge. Though if not careful even a rigid mouth holster could drag with it pieces of clothing with it.

  Of course it should be common knowledge, but it is imperative the holster you choose must cover the trigger guard of the pistol, No matter the position of carry. Yes even pocket carry. Of the stories I have heard, pocket carry has been the most neglected. Even in the pocket you must have a holster that covers the trigger. Dumping a pistol in a pocket or in the  waistband without a holster or one of inferior manufacture could lead to N.D.'s. an uncovered trigger guard is out right irresponsible.

Of course depending on how one decides to employ their firearm depends on the type of holster that will be used. For my attempts at competition I run an OWB Safariland injection molded holster with a natural grip release. My EDC holster is a custom Kydex IWB for *ahem* appendix carry. But I have leather and some nylon which are usually kept for leisurely range days when time and speed is not a factor.

  I don't know about where you are located but shopping for a good holster here is a real pain. Most of our local shops give you that look when you ask if you can test a holster. There is only one shop here locally that has been more than generous to help you find the right holster. Even though prices are a tad higher it boosts the local economy and drives word of mouth.

  Purchasing a holster is just as important as choosing the right firearm for you. It must be thought out and as much research needs to go into it as the firearm that rides in it.  Choosing the wrong holster for your chosen activity will become quite evident real fast and if you are like me, if you have no other application  for the holster you might have just wasted $50.00 or more for a holster that now resides in the proverbial holster box.

The FrankenGun.

  To build or buy, that is the question that preoccupies our people, or something like that. I have had so many  tell me that they will only run "X" maker of rifle, they buy said high dollar rifle shoot it then a year later it looks nothing like the rifle they bought. With all the "swaps" they made to the rifle they are no longer running that "X'' maker's rifle anymore. My first thought after seeing the change is usually, "So why did you buy and not build?"

  I get the fact that "X" makes a great rifle, even bone stock it runs fantastic. The onslaught of aftermarket gadgets and whizbangs for the AR, no wonder humans have a hard time keeping their rifles in a stock configuration. Most manufacturers run components as well as complete rifles, so getting a matched upper and lower can be done without buying the rest of the parts you will be replacing in a year.

  Of course there are the tacticool gimmicks on the market. The replacement stock that allows for the "full-auto" effect. the magwell grip attachment, the bipod foregrip, etc. Don't worry I have had my fair share of these items. Lets not forget the smaller bits and pieces that have been engineered with speed and ease of use by every manufacturer out there, the ambi safety, mag release, charging handles, etc. Though these are not technically gimmicks, everyone makes the most durable on the market. Depending on the circles you run in not having certain makes of these items gets you laughs and derogatory comments from the local "operators." Each of these items where built to fill a niche in the market, as hoakie as it might be, someone thought it a great idea. For those of us not running rampant through the sand, and wholly depending on the quality of equipment to keep us alive. There is nothing wrong with running a particular "gimmick" item. That is if you can handle the ounces added and it functions as needed when needed.

  A guy I know bought a frankengun from a small company in his area and paid a decent penny for the rifle. It had all the names attached to it, right out of the box it had some issues with reliability. Yes, mixing manufacturers can pose an issue in one form or another but with a little finagling and a rotary tool we had it running like the well oiled machine it was designed to be. The price paid for that frankengun out weighs the price of another local frankengun I know of. Just because it was built with "name brand" items did not allow for it to run or be more accurate than the cheaper made rifle. On the other hand one can create a highly accurate frankengun with the right amount of knowledge of parts. Be mindful that there are items in your build that need not be expensive and will not hinder the accuracy or reliability of the rifle. Knowledge on the subject is plentiful, though whether or not it is complete truth or someones personal preference is another matter.

  With all the information rattling around in the webiverse and products-a-plenty online you do have the ability to build that AR pattern rifle with exactly what you want without paying extra for the parts you will be swapping out later. As of this post we are seeing prices of complete rifles dropping like rocks, one should still do their homework to get the best bang for the buck, either building or buy and swap. Either way you go make it what you want, don't be intimidated by the social media operators out there.

Veritas Aequitas, Truth and Justice.

As much as I hate to say it, we live in a grey world; more so, today I think than ever before. With social norms changing and the advent of social media our world has expanded rapidly to include many people we may not have met through what I consider traditional means. Though this for the most part is not a bad thing it challenges us to accept things we may not have considered before. We receive news from so many different sources today it is difficult to weed out what is truth and what is not. So much so that "truth" has become relative. Suffice it to say, truth has become what you make it. This suggestion tears at me to no end, without due process on our part we hear words that tickle our ears and agree that that is now our truth. 

I am a history buff, My collection of books on history almost fills an entire bookshelf. But they are not just any history books. When I decide on a book to purchase or read to give me as accurate "truth" as possible I turn to the back of the book. For me the Index or works cited section needs to be about the same size as a chapter in the book. But it's more than just size, those cited works need to be from the source in the form of personal writings, letters, published works from the subject and so on. depending solely on anothers commentary is really reading that persons opinion on the matter and not what we should be calling truth. I am even skeptical of so-called "experts" in the field that do not cite actual facts from the source itself. May I remind you we are speaking History. Yes, there is their own opinion in their writing of the history, I am not a fool to think otherwise. There is an saying floating around, "opinions are like armpits, we all have a couple and they all stink." 

Today I feel the art of investigation is lost. We depend on others searching out the truth and accepting it as such. Needless to say, I trust very few to bring me a story touting it as truth and myself believing it without my own hunt for what is actually fact vs. opinion. Creating an opinion based upon someones own commentary is foolish and makes us look so when the truth is finally revealed, though in today's society this rarely matters anymore. This is not something that just plagues the news media of today but most aspects of our lives, even in our own circles.

we have become so enamored with answers at our fingertips we have forgotten that everyone has an angle they are willing to use you to exploit it. Either we see what we want or the opposite and jump to defend our positions regardless. Yes, we have a right to our own opinion, lets just make sure ours stink less than the other persons, A.K.A. use facts.

If you are willing to attach your name to something, please keep an eye on your interest. Others will say they are trying to help advance your business or name yet may not have your truest intention in mind. This has been a controversy that has popped up recently in the firearms world. Not the first and I am sure not the last. But before you become that keyboard warrior or die hard supporter get the Truth so Justice may prevail.





 

A lefty view of a revolver. The Ruger LCR

Ruger LCR video here.

Watching me run a revolver is like watching a fish breathe out of water. I have not been a huge fan of them but I do see their usefulness. At some point I should really try to familiarize myself with them more, but I am into speed and function for a left handed shooter in the case of CCW. I have read many stories of lefties running right handed revolvers with a good amount of competency, so it is possible.

A history of Sturm & Ruger from their own site. Quote:

"When Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. opened for business in 1949 with a meager $50,000 investment, the Company faced serious doubts from industry insiders. The "it can't be done" remarks of the experts reflected the widespread view that the manufacture of guns had likely peaked, and was in a state of decline. There seemed to be few new ideas, and the apparent trend was that the large, established-name gunmakers would continue to dominate the market.
But this fledgling company was guided by several well-thought-out concepts, not the least of which was founder William B. Ruger's intent to build each product "to a standard so I would want one even if it was made by our competitors." This fundamental concept, this deceptively simple touchstone of the underlying principles of innovation, quality and value, has proved so compelling that over 60 years later there is no question which company is preeminent in the American firearms industry. Ruger's rise to its present well-earned position has made it a respected company on the New York Stock Exchange since 1990. Ruger produces millions of firearms each year for hunting, target shooting, collecting, self-defense, law enforcement, and government agencies."

Noticeably Ruger has been there for the older generations and has a rich history in hunting. It can be seen in their, for a lack of better terms, stubbornness when it comes to latching on to new technology. Not that a firearm manufacturer needs to delete a thumb safety from their pistols but that is the new trend and Ruger has been slow to adopt the concept. I respect Ruger and have shot many of their firearms over the years.

If you are in the market for a Ruger or any other firearm you can contact Color Country Firearms here. Thank you again for visiting us here at Left Hand Right Gun.

Range safety, the need for a Range Officer.

I have mentioned on Facebook about how when our crew heads to the range I usually step in as an impromptu range officer. Though I have not had formal training in this area of expertise, I do hold safety as my number one priority. Usually I do not shoot during these sessions, I am more worried about action checks and muzzling on a constant basis. Maybe to some degree due to the fact that being hit with a rifle round at a young age. I will try to break down our set up to show how I feel our shooting times go. We are fortunate enough to live in a very rural type area, we have miles of area that can be used for public use and shooting is one of those. as long as we follow our Boy Scout training of Leave No Trace.
And yes, I drew this:

BLUE1: this our peanut gallery, the place to be heckled from and those about to be heckled wait their turn.
RED2: this is our firearm staging area, every firearm action is open and if equipped, magazine removed. of course muzzles are faced away from peanut gallery.
RED3: ammo station.  If the firearm being fired has a magazine the firearm is left at the firearm staging area whilst the firearm magazine is loaded.
GREEN: this is the hot seat. made only for one, save when shooting skeet. this is where you are ridiculed and mocked for your inherent ability to shoot anything including the broadside of a barn.
YELLOW: this is no man's land. this is the area the r.o. patrols while keeping his eye on the shooter for possible malfunctions and for keeping the peanut gallery from becoming too vicious for the shooter to take.

 As our shooting progresses the shooter will either shoot to empty or to malfunction. either way the shooter is instructed to not turn until verification is made that the firearm is clear or malfunction is addressed. To add to this, I always ask and visually verify how many rounds they are shooting so I Can keep a running total in my head. during loading I stand next to the shooter to verify the ammo being loaded is correct caliber for firearm, two heads are better than one so to speak.

Once verification of shown clear the shooter moves back to the firearm bench to place down the firearm and move to the peanut gallery. as far as how many people can go, the fewer the better. Usually 5 is my max for intermediate to experienced. for beginners I try to keep it to me the newbie and one other that is at least an intermediate shooter. If it is a first time female shooter, I drag my wife or daughter along for the Sisterhood experience. I believe that the more we cater to the new shooter and giving them our full and undivided attention we can make a difference in the way they see shooting as a fun and beneficial past time.

There is never a time when firearms are staged in trunks or on the tailgates of trucks. Too many variables at stake. If a shooter has a holster on and is deemed credible to actually carry a firearm on there side it remains empty until necessary. Overkill it maybe but it is what we do to minimize negligence.

Of course there are times when the experienced bunch will tread a different path but safety again is on our minds. we run drills along side each other to build teamwork, plus the fact that having a "battle buddy" out in the world is a comfort to the mind if SHTF while shopping or out on the town. You have worked drills together and know and understand each other's quirks. Two heads on a swivel is by far better than one.

With respect we know not all of our readers have the ability to head to the sticks for a day of shooting. Under those circumstances an indoor/outdoor range will have the qualified personnel to accommodate the need for a Range Officer. With that, even during those times you are not the R.O. it would still behoove one to keep an eye on fellow shooters. Constantly watching for the breach of safety protocol.

As always be safe, courteous and speak up if you witness an infraction.

Kimber Ultra Carry II, a 1911 for carry?

 Kimber 1911 Ultra Carry II video here!
So, here is where I am sure to lose readers. The 1911 is a great gun, Just maybe not that great for carry. When milliseconds count do you really have time to waste making sure you have disabled all your safeties before you can discharge your firearm? I enjoy single action semi's as well as the next guy for range days but not for carry. And whether you like it or not, it is antiquated technology. Browning had tossed this design into the mix for trials for the military. Consequently, the military asked for the beaver tail grip safety.

I own a Star BM which utilized some of the features of the 1911 and has improved some of the design. Not to say the Star is a better firearm, I as an armorer like them much better. Star removed the beaver tail grip safety, mainspring housing and multi-finger sear spring. while adding a captured recoil spring and simplified sear spring system. Is the Star better? not necessarily, but I like the ease of breakdown and overall operation more.

Would I own a 1911? You bet. I would race that pig out! Doll it up nice and fancy and show all my buddies just how badass a 1911 can be. Just won't find me going out of my way to EDC one.

The Cobalt Kintetics BAMF Edge.

 Cobalt Kinetics BAMF vide here.
We began our range day adventure around 9 a.m. The clouds had moved in over night, giving the world a slight dull grey hue,dampening the mood in the world around us. Our drive to Rowdy's Range was full of upbeat chatter despite the weather outside. The parking lot was empty, as one might expect on a Monday morning. With breakfast in tow for the hungry purveyors of the range, we lively stepped on in. A classroom and a competition grade rifle lay just mere minutes away.

With trusty MSR in hand we made our way to an empty classroom to film the introduction. As I stumbled through my own intro of the rifle a hero appeared who had a vast array of knowledge about the rifle. It was as if Colby was born with the Edge rifle in hand. To our dismay, the moments flew by and our short intro was at an end. Though our exciting voyage did not stop there.

The muffled sound of firearms being discharged made the last few steps to the rental counter almost unbearable, with hands shaking and hearts pounding we donned our protective eye and ear pro and headed through the door. 6 lanes of climate controlled freedom lie in wait, lucky for us we had the run of 2 lanes for our shorter than we wished trip.

Cameras set on tripods, phones on selfie sticks we went to work. During our shoot we recovered many fine moments of sheer bliss; as round after round sped down range at 3165 feet per second. Trigger pull was crisp, light and single stage. No creep and reset was almost instant. Recoil easily mitigated and the smell, Oh the smell of expelled .223 rounds is almost heavenly. 20, 40, 60 rounds later (and just mere minutes) our time at the firing line had come to an end. Sadly we packed our gear. With warm empty rifle in hand we trudged back to the rental counter.

Though our brief moment with Cobalt Kinetics was over; we managed to solved the world's problems at the counter. Our discussion with the range cast hit almost every point plaguing the world of firearms and stories of kooky firearms owners. As business picked up we wandered the store perusing their myriad of wares. Particularly their Glock section. Purchases were made, final goodbyes said, we vowed to return for another day at the range.

Left Hand Right Gun would like to thank our local firearms manufacturer Cobalt Kinetics for building a damn fine rifle. A hearty thank you to Rowdy's Range for an unforgettable experience and superb customer service. If you find yourself in our lovely (normally) sun soaked city, drop by for a chat and a shoot at Rowdy's Range. 

Glock 19, for the lefty in your life.

Glock video here!
Yes, this is my personal CCW. So I must apologize for the "customization" that has been done to it. So much for Glock Perfection. I have been accused of being that guy; you know, the Glock fanboy. In some cases they might be right. I enjoy my wife's FN FNS a whole lot more, just because it fits me better. This Glock was anything but perfect until I took a dremel and a burning tool to it. It is close now but so far not yet perfect. I run a Glock because it is easy to manipulate, it is as no frills as I have found in any firearm for CCW. So I guess in that aspect it is perfect, Just not in fit to my hand straight from the factory. But I digress.

When Gaston Glock first began as an entrepreneur he was far from being a Firearms manufacturer. That all changed in 1980 when the Austrian military received an invitation to create a new side arm for the Austrian military.

In 1983 Glock was awarded the contract and an order for 30,000 Glock 17's was placed. In 1984 Norway claimed the Glock as it's new side arm for their military.

in 1986 it caught the eye of many United States law enforcement agencies and became their firearm of choice. in '87 the Glock 18 (select-fire) machine pistol was introduced.

By 1989 more than 350,000 Glock pistols have been sold in 45 different countries. Just ten years later Glock sold it's 2 millionth pistol. Glock has become one of the most innovative and ground breaking successful designs since John M. Browning. Don't forget to check out Color Country Firearms on Facebook for purchase of any Glock models. They are an FFL dealer that can ship to any of the 50 States. Don't forget to subscribe to Left Hand Right Gun on Youtube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!

A pocket Kimber that is not 1911?

Kimber Solo Video here.
It is striker fired as well. There is plenty about this gun I would love to see work better than it does. Although the specimen I had for demo was not new it still had a few failures ( some you can see in the video.) I am a fan of the 1911 platform, but not for CCW. The Solo was not designed to be a 1911 but it sure has some of the features of one. Some I like, Some I don't.

As much as I hate to say it this history portion can be found on Wikipedia. There is not much on the 'net about Kimber save a few articles from Newsmax and a couple of forum threads. So as with all Wiki material, please take with a grain of salt until you can verify the validity of these statements.

From Wikipedia:

"Kimber was founded as "Kimber of Oregon" in 1979 by Greg and Jack Warne in the small town of Clackamas, Oregon. Jack Warne moved to Oregon in 1968 after Portland-based Omark Industries purchased the Australian firearms manufacturer, Sporting Arms (or Sportco), he founded in Adelaide, South Australia, following World War II.

Following its founding, Kimber of Oregon, which quickly built a reputation for accurate .22 long rifle caliber rifles, began to expand its product line and eventually acquired a second manufacturing plant in nearby Colton.

In the late 1980s, the company began to struggle after a private stock offering fell short of covering the costs of developing the M89 Big Game Rifle. In 1989, Kimber of Oregon was sold to Oregon timber baron Bruce Engel, who founded WTD Industries, Inc. Engel had difficulty running Kimber and soon the company sought bankruptcy protection. However, Kimber of Oregon's assets were liquidated.

In 1990, several Kimber employees, including Dan Cooper, left to found Cooper Firearms of Montana.^[2]

In the mid-1990s, Greg Warne tried to revive Kimber, but much of Kimber of Oregon's original tooling had ended up in a junkyard north of Portland. Greg soon found a financial backer in Les Edelman, who owned Nationwide Sports Distributors. The two purchased the original tooling and partnered to found Kimber of America. The company grew quickly, but Edelman forced Warne out after acquiring a majority interest in the company.

While Edelman was partnering with Greg Warne, he had also invested in Yonkers-based Jerico Precision Manufacturing, which manufactured hand tools and mechanical components for the defense industry, which was adjusting to cuts in defense spending. Edelman decided to connect Jerico Precision's existing infrastructure and manufacturing capabilities and Kimber's reputation and extensive network of dealers to build a line of M1911-style handguns. He eventually moved Kimber's production line to Jerico's facilities in New York, ending Kimber's presence in Oregon."

 

Source:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kimber_Manufacturing

Do you have B.U.G.s?

And no I am not talking about an insect infestation. The acronym for Back Up Gun. Now to set the record straight I personally do not carry a back up gun. My personal excuse for this is, I carry way too much crap day to day. Now, I am not saying that a back up gun isn't right. It is just not the right choice for me right now.

I know plenty of people that do carry a B.U.G., most are much smaller in size and caliber, which the size is intended to be. The choice of carrying a back up gun truly comes down to dedication. For instance; You have decided to carry a .38special airweight revolver (or the like) it will most likely ride either on the ankle or in a holster in a dedicated pocket. I run cargo pants on a daily basis. If you have watched our EDC pocket dump video then you know I carry a plethora of stuff. Another pound and the loss of a pocket, I am not dedicated to do. Plus I already sound like a junk truck on approach. But the fact is that a back up gun needs to be fairly accessible. The  ankle is the last place I would place one. Leave the ankle to your trauma kit for after the encounter with a bad guy.

But here is my issue with most choices in a back up gun. most back ups, again, are in a Different caliber than your primary. Let me explain, I am the type of guy I like everything streamlined and simple when it comes to carry. I run a Glock 19 because it is simple to operate whether it is in a stressful situation or not. All of my EDC knives are razor sharp and have an assist opening with either a button (for out the front) or a flipper on the back strap to engage the knife one handed. Hell, even my writing pens need to be clicker pens for one handed operation. Sound a bit OCD? Not in my world. So running with that same logic I would be more inclined to carry a 9mm back up. If my primary goes down before I run out of ammo I can switch to my secondary and utilize all of my unused primary ammo to feed my secondary. Carrying an off caliber to my primary just does not make sense to me. Not that your choice is wrong, it's just wrong for me. I want the versatility to use every damn thing I have at my disposal to make sure I get home every night.

Now I know back up gun means just that. In case of SHTF with your primary. It's that Hail Mary or your one saving grace. I know it's supposed to play the roll of deep cover.  But if your Hail Mary turns into your primary, 6 to 10 rounds later you are out of luck.  I cannot compete with the argument that a NAA 22 mag revolver is a great backup due to it's size and relative effectiveness. But I cannot take the chance that if my trusty super dooper plastic wonder 9 has a catastrophic failure after 2 rounds that a 22 mag with 5 rounds is all I have left. Yes, carrying another 9mm may not be as easy as a NAA or (name your favorite petite deep concealed firearm of choice). But I would be willing to throw on a Beretta Nano, Ruger lc9s, Bersa BP9cc, etc for my backup.

In conclusion, K.I.S.S. has always been a model I try to employ in every aspect of my life, but never more so in my choices for my personal protection. I am positive you have done the same. If that Keltec P3AT is your back up to your M&P Shield I am sure you have your reasons.

CZ 83 and CZ 82. Double your fun!

 Czech video here!

Seeing double? you should be, we tested two classic Czech pistols. One in .380 ACP and the other in 9mm Makarov. both are extremely well built pistols and ambi to boot!

From CZ firearms site:

History

The story of Czeska Zbrojovka (CZ) is one of high quality gun manufacturing in spite of invasion by Nazi Germany in World War II and occupation by the Soviet Union through the Cold War.
CZ originated in 1936 when Czechoslovakian arms production was moved away from the German border due to fears of invasion.  Initially, the factory produced anti-aircraft guns, but later began manufacturing small arms.
Even though CZ was born in world war, and spent much of its history behind the Iron Curtain, the majority of the firearms produced are sporting guns.  Each year about 125,000 guns are made by CZ with most staying in Europe and about 30% going to the United States.
In addition to being a prolific firearms manufacturer, CZ is also a major producer of gears, gearboxes and air conditioning manifolds for auto companies like Ford and Jaguar.  During the cold war, the CZ factory also made gears and gearboxes for light aircraft.
CZ makes some of the finest handguns, shotguns and rifles in the world.  After touring the state of the art Uhersky Brod factory and speaking with their employees it is easy to understand why CZ is one of the top firearms makers in the world.

And I concur, They do make some fantastic firearms!

The cost of refinishing may just be more than money.

The real question is; should you or shouldn't you restore. The honest answer in my opinion is, it depends. My guidelines on this subject are as follows: age, monetary value both in current condition and mint and manufacture.

Take for example an early Remington model 512 in 22lr from 1941. It was brought to me in pretty rough shape. I discussed with the customer his plans for the firearm. He wanted it in shooting condition. I agreed to clean, inspect and repair worn and used parts. though not an extremely valuable piece, I felt the age of the rifle was enough to warrant not refinish the firearm itself. I delicately removed surface rust but left the patina intact and replaced the few parts that were needed. The stock itself had a few dents, which of course were left alone. The trigger guard, bolt and buttplate had seen their fair share of abuse. none of it a detriment to the function of the firearm.

The day came to return the piece. To my surprise, the owner was not very happy with the work that I had performed. He expressed that he thought I was going to refinish the rifle. I explained that due to the age and rarity of the rifle I was not going to ruin the value of such a firearm by doing such work. Needless to say he was more interested in having it for his grandchildren to enjoy for many years as a good looking firearm. I reiterated the fact that doing so would drop the value of the firearm. When it was all said and done, the man walked away with a bright shiny new looking rifle.

Now before you pass judgement, hear me out. Short of begging the customer to leave the firearm alone and enjoy a great piece of history. I did manage to get him thinking. Instructing him on value of "as is" being more than refinished. Sadly, he expressed it did not matter to him because he was not going to sell (famous last words). He expressed as well if I was unwilling to do the work he would just do it himself. I felt at that point I was backed into a corner. Either I did it the right way or the customer would ruin an otherwise functioning historical firearm.

There has been a craze going around for the last few years of coloring firearms. We at Color Country Firearms do quite a few ourselves. Cerakote being our go to coating. We have coated Taurus, Keltec, Ruger, Sccy, Glock, Sig and many others. Most of newer manufacture and valuing less than $600.00. Which to us is within the realm of possibility. Yet there is a few newer manufacturers we would not do. Kimber being one, unless that Kimber was in rough shape and the work would not devalue the firearm more than already has been. Korth being another brand left well enough alone. But if you have the cash to drop on a fine made firearm you are more than likely to keep it looking as best you can. To say the least, the opinions on this subject run the gamut. Some would have no qualms about spraying any newer firearm, regardless of cost/value and make.

Older firearms are a class all their own. Usually anything 15 or so years old, of course depending on manufacture, I will not refinish. For example, a first Generation Glock is out of the question. Though a second generation is not. Even though a first gen is not overly valuable, I will not based on my own principles. Military surplus is another I have no problems makin' pretty, albeit it is not rare or extremely valuable. M1 Garand, Russian made Mosins, Early model M1a etc. are off the list. Though AK's and even newer high dollar AR pattern rifles are well within scope to be done.

When it comes to refinishing your firearm, do your homework. The internet is full of values for almost every firearm out there. If you can't find much information on the firearm you own I would hazard a bet it is worth more than money. Candidacy for refinishing must be scrutinized thoroughly before proceeding. There are plenty of Gunsmiths and good people that do refinishing and coating. Find them and ask questions. Not that a firearm forum on the Net is not a good place to find good opinions, but there are many who would lead you astray. In the firearm comunity it is hard to get across to some folks that not all rust is bad. A firearm is nothing like a 1969 Chevy Camaro, once restored it can be worth tens of thousands of dollars.  Sometimes it's just better to leave well enough alone.

Taurus PT 99 the Beretta 92FS clone

Taurus PT99 video here!

I must admit right off the bat there has been some Taurus pistols on the market that have not been up to snuff. But since certain information has come to light I believe we are about to see some interesting changes in Taurus. Now not to say all Taurus pistols are sub par, I will say there has been a few that really have caught my eye. The PT738 .380acp pistol is simple in design and functions quite well. The older manufactured PT99's fit in this same category. When Beretta left Brazil in the 80's they sold the factory and the tooling to Taurus, who still manufacture the Beretta 92 clones using the same tools. All without a license from Beretta. since the design is based on the original Beretta 92, of which the patents are now expired.

Not much should surprise us from Taurus. They have always been on, for a lack of a better term, the cutting edge of the firearm Industry. They have designed and produced many interesting firearms over the years. With the advent of the new American made and engineered Spectrum line of pistols, Taurus is at it again.

To mount or not to mount that light or laser.

Another topic of heated debate. To add a firearm mounted light and also to an extent laser aim assist devices. But before we get started I will give you some of the pros and cons and then just like everyone else out there, *TRIGGER WARNING* I will be giving my opinion.

Lets start with the laser, they come in a variety of colors and sizes. price and quality to match any budget. Three most common colors are red, green and blue. red does well in low light and indoors but is at a disadvantage in bright sunlight. Green lasers are easier seen during bright sunlight but are more expensive than red. Blue, I must admit is fairly new to the market and I have yet to test the limits of the blue laser.

The pistol mounted laser, has honestly become a phenomenon. The idea that one would not "need" to concentrate on making sure they are on target during a confrontation, would be a huge advantage. The assistance in target acquisition has been proven to a degree of certainty. But only at a certain a distance. If one decides on a specific zero of 25 feet anything before or after that distance will be off. Depending on the actual distance, one could truly miss their target. Where the slogan is, "aim small, miss small." This just won't do. On a psychological level, does the shooter become more dependent on the laser for aiming at their target? Training to include shooting at distances other than the zeroed distance or utilizing the sights that are on the gun are a must.

Personally, I do not utilize a laser on any of my firearms. In my opinion, the use of a laser is a moot point. I have decent eye sight and train with my EDC quite often. There are good reasons for people to use them. I am not one. If the decision is right for you please be advised, effectiveness in using a laser does take additional training. Knowing the limitations of the laser and how to overcome them will be beneficial. The laser is not the end all, be all. To this point I have yet to find an enhancement in target acquisition that did not need active training to use them effectively.

This next section refers to PISTOL MOUNTED FLASHLIGHTS. Discussion of rifles and shotguns will be done at a later date.

Flashlights, another great tool in your EDC bag. Whether you carry it on your person or as a firearm mounted system. The flashlight is a must have tool. Dark driveways, power outages or even as a defensive tool. It can both be used for physical confrontation and for sensory deprivation. The argument hotly debated is to mount or not mount. This debate, in my eyes, has equal pros and cons to both sides.

A mounted light system aids the user in keeping both hands on their firearm. Retention of your defense system is paramount. During training courses many trainers will talk about how a correct grip will significantly change your accuracy and retention of your firearm during a confrontation. To that, using a firearm mounted light assists greatly in pursuit of this goal. But this can come with it's own set of downfalls. In the Proverbial rules of gun safety #2 states do not point your firearm at anything you are not willing to destroy. With a firearm mounted system this poses a conflict to rule #2. If you are lucky enough to have a quick detach system it may be of no issue. Most pistol systems are not this way.

Now using a non mounted or hand held light offers much more flexibility in identification and keeping the light away from the core of your person it can deceive the perpetrator as to your actual location. That being said some trainers teach to keep the light away from your body to create that diversion of your body being elsewhere. But running a hand held flashlight does create it's own set of complications. one being correct grip and retention of a firearm. Firing one handed is known to be inherently less accurate than using both hands. We can say the same for firearm retention with one hand. Though removing the possibility of breaking a cardinal rule of basic firearm safety is crucial. Even if you are the best trained shooter in the world those firearm basics still apply, period.

I do not run a mounted light on my pistol. In my line of work I use my flashlight quite a bit and I am not sure using a pistol mounted light would go over well. I have decided that a mounted light creates too much bulk to carry comfortably. It is in my best interest not to carry 2 lights.

On a side note for hand held lights, I suggest a good quality light with at least 2 functions, on/off and strobe. Strobe is a great for sensory deprivation. The lights I run have switches at the rear of the tube rather than on the length of the tube. That way if I decide to mount them to my shotgun or rifle, operating them is as easy as pushing forward with the thumb rather than to break grip to actuate a switch. 200 lumen is about the lowest I would go as far as output.

examples of the flashlights I use:

Eastern Bloc gem, Radom 'Wanad" P83

Radom video here!
I must apologize for the video, for some reason this one was a bear to get through. Anyway, the Radom P83 is an inexpensive fun to shoot piece of history. The idea that the Polish wanted to do their own thing under communist rule was quite the snub to the U.S.S.R.

Designed by Ryszard Chełmicki and Marian Gryszkiewicz of the state research institute Ośrodek Badawczo-Rozwojowy. The P-83 succeeded the P64 as the sidearm for the Polish Army and police.

 In the 70s, Radom began to develop a replacement pistol design that would be cheaper to manufacture than the P64. Their fruits bore the Wanad P83 pistol. Chambered for the standard U.S.S.R.cartridge,  9x18mm (Makarov) it was adopted in 1984 as the 9mm pistolet wz.1983, or  P-83.

are you tactical or tacticool?

the American soldier uses certain equipment to aid him in his quest for victory on the field of battle. Trained extensively in it uses to the point that it becomes apart of them. They are trained to think in a certain manner as to show dominance over their adversary. But to those of us not faced with a known enemy in different uniform on a field dedicated to battle, do we truly understand how to be tactical?

As a civilian, in our daily lives we have no practical purpose for the ballistic helmet. Nor, do we see the use for 60 plus pound kit to aid in getting home at night to the ones we love. Though is being tactical just the appearance? Or is there a deeper meaning to the word?

In the world of the soldier, the equipment and kit they carry is as much apart of their being tactical as the training they receive. As a civilian we too can be tactical, but in a much different frame and scope.

Does the clothing truly make the man? In our day to day we put on pants, shorts, or skirt. A tee shirt, polo, blouse or dress shirt. All in the name of decency and respect not only for ourselves but for others around us. These items themselves can aid a civilian in being tactical. In most States we have the ability to be concealed carriers of potential life saving tools. Lets call it as it is, depending on the tools we decide to carry our clothes must fit around said tools. This is of course a topic of great debate.

There is a quote out there that states, "fight as you train, train as you fight." With that in mind, if you head to the range consistantly in BDU style diggs, but you wear a suit and tie in daily life, are you truly reaping the benefits of your training? Training with a OWB holster more than the IWB holster you use on a daily basis does pose a risk when it comes to your draw step.

Knowledge is key. I think we can all agree to that, yes? Training in using our tools, just as in any prefession, is paramount to getting the job done efficiently and effectively. You may find that during continued training that certain portions of the wardrobe and gear may change. That is according to what you decide to carry and the social engagements we find ourselves in. Now we find ourselves having to change wardrobe and tactics in how to best carry and use the tools according to that specific engagement. We must be flexible, and countless hours of different styles of training must be learned to keep ourselves at the top of our game.

learning some type of martial art may be of use. Some feel that specific styles should be learned. But what if it was more about the discipline and understanding the body language of your advesary? The argument is vast and rightly so. Yet we must keep in mind, opinions are like armpits, everyone has a couple and they all stink. The health benefits of the martial education and Lord willing if you have a good instructor, it will be less about destruction and more about awarness and execution.

lets drop any macho attitudes and learn a few life saving tactics. Humility and evasion. If we find ourselves caught in  an vocal altercation is it not wise to bow out and save ourselves having to employ a potentially fatal tool? for what? pride or a material item? the tool we carry for all practical purposes should be a last resort to a situation. Now granted, we may not get to employ verbal kung fu and it may be that we must first reach for said tool. But these tactics come with training body and mind. Watching SHTF in front of you? look for that escape route. you may not be seeing all participants in play. Using a tactical approach keeps you alive.

So, to answer our question. Can a civilian be tactical? We better be. We just don't need the helmet and military uniform to do it.

Taurus PT58 too big for CCW? That depends.

 

Taurus PT58 video here!

 We are back from SHOT Show!!

I love the Beretta 92 style of handguns. I don't know why, just enamored with them. To have a smaller framed 92 type in my eyes is cool. Again, running a hammer and manual safety for concealed is not my cup of tea. I believe simple is better and faster when needed. 

cited from the Taurus website:

The History of Forjas Taurus in the Firearms Industry

Based in Porto Alegre, Brasil, Forjas Taurus (translation: Taurus Forge) is a diversified, international company and one of the largest small arms manufacturers in the world. The company produced its first revolver in 1941. In 1970, Bangor Punta, which owned Smith & Wesson, purchased a controlling interest in Forjas Taurus. During the next seven years, a great deal of technology and methodology was passed between the two companies.
In 1974 Beretta had won a contract to produce small arms for the Brazilian Army. The contract required Beretta to build a Brazilian factory and use Brazilian labor. When the contract ran out in 1980, Beretta sold the plant to Forjas Taurus. By that time, Forjas Taurus had new Brazilian controlling owners that had purchased Forjas Taurus from Bangor Punta in 1977. Forjas Taurus now owned everything that once belonged to Beretta, including drawings, tooling, machinery, and employed a very experienced work force. Forjas Taurus was in the pistol business, and immediately sought to improve on the Beretta design, resulting in the popular and acclaimed Taurus PT-92 and PT-99 9mm pistols.
The next milestone for Forjas Taurus came in 1982. Forjas Taurus formed Taurus Holdings, Inc., in Miami, Florida. Taurus Holdings, in turn formed Taurus International Manufacturing, Inc. The Taurus brand was unknown in the United States at that time. This situation was to change dramatically in the next few years.
In 1984, Taurus Holdings made an announcement that had a tremendous impact on the entire industry. Taurus Holdings became the first company to offer its customers an unqualified LIFETIME REPAIR POLICY. This changed the course of the company in the U.S. market. Only recently has this policy been matched. It has never been exceeded. This innovative policy made everyone sit up and take notice of Taurus brand firearms.

Shot Show 2017

We at Left Hand Right Gun will be Attending the 2017 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, NV January 17th-20th. So with that, we are putting our blog and videos on hold until after the show is complete! We are planning to have some great content and hopefully some inteviews with the manufacturers themselves. so wish us luck on the show!

KelTec P3AT lefty pocket carry

KelTec P3AT video here
Keltec in a lot of ways has influenced the firearms industry, just ask Ruger or SCCY. I have always been intrigued by their firearms. An RFB has been on my list for some time because I do like the idea of a bullpup. One of the few manufacturers out there that has one in .308, a favored caliber of mine. And ambidextrous to boot.

On an interesting note, George kellgren C.E.O. of KelTec also designed and worked for Husqvarna   firearms plus designed the Swedish Intratec Tec-9 and the Grendel .380acp pocket pistol.
From the KelTec site:
COMPANY PROFILE
Kel-Tec CNC Industries. Inc. was founded 1991 in Cocoa, Florida. Initially a CNC machine shop making firearms components for Grendel Inc., we began manufacturing firearms in 1995 with the P-11™, the first 9mm polymer pistol for concealed carry. Specializing in innovative rifle designs and handguns for concealed carry by law enforcement personnel and qualified citizens, Kel-Tec is now one of the top five handgun makers in the USA, and one of the largest in the world.

Attitude, are you dishing it out?

A New Years resolution?

As human beings we each have certain qualities that make us who we are. And in most cases we can adapt old ones, even acquire new qualities. But there is one quality that each concealed carrier should learn to advance. Our attitude plays a major part in the outcomes of any situation.

So lets bring this into a self defense situation. Without a doubt our first course of action we get from Mr. Miyagi, " Remember, best block, no be there." Basically don't be where you know you should not. Secondly, if the situation comes to you, attempt to flip the situation in your favor. Our best defense tool is our common sense and our communication skills.We all need to take that proverbial step back and assess whether or not the argument is really worth what may be a possible crappy outcome.

Our ability to shirk possible confrontations is key when trying to de-escalate issues with other folks in public. Your ability to disengage from that scenario will help, especially if there are CCTV or others taking video during a heated conversation. We have all seen them on the web where a situation arose from a ridiculous subject and exploded into a full on conflict. That little video no matter where they started filming, will not be your friend in a courtroom if there is not indisputable fact that you tried every avenue to de-escalate and walk away. Pride in this instance is not your friend. What a stranger says about you or a loved one should mean nothing to you. They do not know you and have no bearing on your happiness. Be the better person and live your life as such.

Road Rage is another area a lot of us find ourselves in. It happened, let it go. You will likely never see them again and if there was no damage or injury that has occurred, technically speaking all is well. Things will happen out of our control on a daily basis. From that co-worker that does not do his job to the company standard or a guy that cuts you off on the highway. Why would you let yet another complete stranger dictate your happiness?

Do you find yourself the loser in competitive sports? This as well is an area we as humans do not like to be in. Again, in this life we will not be the favored winners at everything. It is a part of life. So move on, right? it hurts and there are times when we are made the butt of jokes from friends and colleagues due to our inability to be great at something. I know this sounds childish but it happens. Use it as an educational lesson. Do not get swallowed in the back and forth if you think things may get heated.

This all boils down to what we as humans are going to allow in our lives that affect us negatively. No, I am not going to ask you to start doing meditating and sitting cross-legged on the floor every time something horrible happens to you, although if that is your thing by all means, hit it up. I am not asking you to become the sniveling crybaby looking for Momma every time someone hurts your feelings. I am simply asking you to honestly look at the situation and decide logically if losing or taking a life over that last big screen T.V. during Black Friday is really worth it.