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.