Month: October 2018
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Yeah right!
YUM YUM!! Says Grumpy!
As a side bar -I just got my hands on a H&R single shot rifle in 38-55. So far, I am really happy with it and now that I put a better scope on it. I can hardly wait to get it to the local range!
Also from what I have seen here on the video. I think that I am going to have to put this rifle. On to the I gotta have one list! Grumpy
PS I also just saw this one also. So you might want to take a peek at it!
This is a cute little S&W .32 Hand Ejector Model of 1903. It is the 5th Change, made between 1910 and 1917.
Its predecessor, the S&W Hand Ejector Model of 1896, was the first S&W revolver with a swing-out cylinder, the first with a trigger guard integral to the frame, and the first to be chambered in .32 S&W Long.
This revolver has a nickel finish, a 4 1/4” barrel and is chambered in .32 S&W Long. The revolver is in about Fine Plus condition with about 92% of its original finish remaining.
If you have a lean gun budget like most folks including me. (by the way my pay-pal button is working guys! Then you could do a whole lot worst than to look at a rifle like this.
Some nice looking wood here too!
But just make sure that you have a good Gunsmith give it a serious inspection. As that is money that is never wasted. Trust me as I have gone down that road and the view was not pretty!
For more information, visit https://fnamerica.com/.
To purchase an FN pistol on GunsAmerica.com, click this link: https://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.aspx?T=FN%20pistol.
We here at GunsAmerica first heard about what would become the FN 509 back in January, 2016 at SHOT Show.
There were plenty of looks back and forth between the FN folks, followed by a polite “We’ll get back to you” when asked about it. Fast-forward 12 months to the 2017 SHOT Show, and FN responded with an invitation to a meeting at an undisclosed location in Las Vegas.
At that meeting, we were given the opportunity to fire a few hundred rounds through the FN 509. We received our sample of the 509 a few weeks ago after promising not to discuss it publicly until April 17th, 2017.
The new FN 509 pistol brings 17+1 firepower to a reasonably compact package for EDC enthusiasts. Image courtesy of FN.
Note the ambidextrous controls of the pistol. Image courtesy of FN.
The Birth of the FN 509
Army Contracting Command released the official MHS RFP on August 28, 2015. The XM17 Modular Handgun System competition was a request for a new Army and Navy handgun to replace the M9 handgun. The list of requirements was demanding, to say the least.
- Compatibility with accessory items, to include tactical lights, lasers, and sound suppressors.
- Fully ambidextrous controls.
- Ergonomic designs that could accommodate female shooters.
- Pistols that can service higher chamber pressures (over 20 percent greater than SAAMI specification for the cartridge) without degradation of reliability.
- 2,000 mean rounds between stoppages, 10,000 mean rounds between failures, and a 35,000-round service life.
- 90 percent or more chance of hitting in a 4-inch circle out to 50 meters, consistently, throughout the weapon’s lifetime.
- Ergonomic design minimizing recoil energies and controlling shot dispersion.
- Modular features to allow for the adaption of different fire control devices, pistol grips, and alternate magazine options.
- Incorporation of detection avoidance by having a non-reflective neutral color.
- Modularity, reliability, and durability in all environments.
The pistol proved to be rugged and reliable and delivered great results for the author.
There were eight entries to the initial test.
The Army Times reported on January 19, 2017 that the competition for the new U.S. handgun had been won by SIG Sauer Inc. on January 18, 2017. The resulting P320 is a great gun, but more than one person has asserted that Sig Sauer owes its victory to the price point.
The P320 comes in at $207 a unit—more than $50 cheaper than the M9. As expected, Glock is still protesting Sig Sauer’s win, as their pistol’s box clearly says “Perfection.”
The pistol came in a zippered nylon case along with two steel 17-round magazines.
Why Second Place Might Be Better Than First
Sometimes, second place can be more valuable than first. If you are in second place, you have reason to improve and better yourself, as well as an example of what to work towards. If you’re in first, you have no incentive to improve. FN took a hard look at their pistol and decided to use it to pursue the civilian market with the 509.
This pistol has plenty of potential to disrupt the current leader in consumer and Law Enforcement sales, especially considering that Glock came to the 2017 SHOT Show with approximately zero new pistols to showcase. I asked about the Glock 17M and was told we might see it next year.
The 509 is well-equipped for the task it has been assigned. It is a striker-fired, polymer-framed 9mm pistol. The four-inch, stainless steel, cold-hammer-forged barrel sports a recessed target crown.
There is a slide and magazine release on each side of the gun, accommodating both right and left-handed shooters. FN offers three choices of interchangeable back-straps, and a tapered grip with texturing.
The slide has cocking serrations both in the front and rear, along with a left-side-mounted takedown lever. There is an optional ambidextrous manual safety mounted at the rear and top of the frame.
The dust cover has a Picatinny rail for accessories. The trigger guard is elongated and rounded, to allow firing with gloved hands. The trigger is a metal two-piece design with a pivot in the middle.
The dust cover area of the polymer frame has a strip of Picatinny rail for accessories.
Unboxing
My gun arrived wrapped in shipping paper to protect the plain cardboard box—Christmas came early! Upon opening the box, I saw a zippered black case that resembled a day planner from back in the era of pen and paper.
The FN logo embroidered on the outside was a clear indication that the contents were not dreary notes and scribbled appointments. Instead, the case contained the FN 509 and two 17-round magazines.
This gun was not your typical FN pistol; in fact it looked more like FN and Sig had worked together to design a Glock 19. The 509 was not big and boxy, but simple and compact. The fact that FN had built a pistol with a capacity of 17-plus-1, and yet smaller (in most respects) than a Glock 19, was impressive.
The standard sights were metal, and all the controls were present on both sides of the gun. The gun fit nicely in my hand, and the trigger was better than I expected from a polymer service pistol.
The magazine of the FN 509’s steel magazine (right) holds 17 rounds of 9mm. Shown next to a Glock 19 magazine for comparison.
SPECS
- Chambering: 9mm
- Barrel: 4 inches
- OA Length: 7.4 inches
- Weight: 26.9 ounces
- Grips: Polymer, integral
- Sights: Three-dot, luminous
- Action: Striker-fired
- Finish: Matte-black
- Capacity: 17+1
- MSRP: $649
On the Range
I was not able to get the 509 to the range for a couple of days, so when the time finally came I had my plan ready. I brought a slew of 9mm rounds to run through the gun, along with a few trusted friends who would not break the embargo on the new pistol.
The 509 was passed around like a collection plate on Sunday morning, with each person trying it in the hand, working the controls, and finally testing the trigger before handing it down.
The two magazines were loaded up and the fun began! I would guess that the first 200 rounds of my ammunition were run through the gun in a matter of a few minutes. Once everyone had had a turn on the New 509, I asked the “Well, what do you think?” question.
Everyone responded with general approval, save one person who took issue with the feel of the trigger. I asked what he was referring to, we arrived at the conclusion that the trigger’s smooth rounded convex face was throwing him off. He had never shot a gun without a Glock style trigger before. His opinion was it was not bad, but different.
The pistol shot tight groups at 20 yards with loads from Sig, Federal and Hornady.
Next on my agenda was speed shooting. I had set up some steel plates and other steel targets down range. We all started at the 10-yard line and worked our way back.
Our ability to keep control of the pistol under pressure was due in part to the three different kinds of checkering on the grip of the 509. We took turns shooting faster and farther away until we had all exceeded our abilities.
I believe the gun had more potential than we did, in terms of speed and accuracy.
The pistol features a modular, removable back strap system for customizing the grip to individual shooters.
As my merry band of helpers departed, I took stock. We had fired 500-plus rounds of practice ammunition, and the FN 509 had suffered no malfunctions.
While I had taken the gun apart to inspect it prior to shooting, I did not apply any oil or perform any maintenance; it went from box to range without fail.
I wanted to test the accuracy of the FN 509, so I put a target out at 20 yards and made some marks with my sharpie. What I discovered was that the gun will do its part if you can do yours.
I chose three loads from three separate brands, and the table of my results shows that the gun performed consistently with all the ammunition choices.
The FN 509 is going to be a factor in LE gun purchases. I also predict that it will be the pistol that gains FN widespread acceptance in the civilian market.
I hope that FN has already loaded the distribution chain to avoid the wait time we often see for new guns.
Note the steel locking block and frame rails for strength within the polymer shell.
The Bottom Line
The 509 makes sense to me, and I welcome a new take on the polymer service pistol. It is clear to me that this gun is not lacking anything.
This is a gun that I personally will be running, as it fits in a compact footprint with a full-sized capacity. You can get a gun developed for the military world, but refined for the civilian self-defense market.
It will work equally well from either hand, without needing to change over parts. The price is competitive, and from a company that will stand behind their products. I think the 509 could be a serious competitor in the largest category going.
For more information, visit https://fnamerica.com/.
To purchase an FN pistol on GunsAmerica.com, click this link: https://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.aspx?T=FN%20pistol.
SwitchbladeUSA – -(AmmoLand.com)- Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) has introduced S.3264, the Knife Owners’ Protection Act of 2018 (KOPA) including repeal of the Federal Switchblade Act. This is a companion to the House KOPA bill, H.R.84, introduced last year. Originally conceived and authored by Knife Rights in 2010 and first introduced in 2013, KOPA will remove the irrational restrictions on interstate trade in automatic knives that are legal to one degree or another in 44 states, while also protecting the right of knife owners to travel throughout the U.S. without fear of prosecution under the myriad patchwork of state and local knife laws.
Sen. Wicker said, “I am pleased to introduce the Knife Owners Protection Act. This legislation would provide law-abiding knife owners the appropriate protection when transporting knives across state lines. It would also repeal the antiquated Federal Switchblade Act. I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues to advance this sensible policy for knife owners”
Knife Rights Chairman Doug Ritter said, “We are proud to have Senator Wicker leading the KOPA effort in the Senate, a bill that will actually protect traveling knife owners and repeal the archaic and useless Federal Switchblade Act. It is clear that Senator Wicker understands the plight of knife owners placed in legal jeopardy by the patchwork of knife laws they encounter traveling in America.”
Unlike S.1092, the problematic and seriously inadequate Interstate Transport Act that was recently marked up in committee and which is being promoted by one segment of the industry, S.3264 and H.R. 84 include a robust Right of Action that would actually provide real protections for knife owners that need these protections the most.
TAKE ACTION!
We need your help to gain additional co-sponsors. Please call or email your Senators and Representative and urge them to co-sponsor this commonsense legislation.
A Right of Action provides for persons unlawfully detained for transporting their knives properly secured in compliance with the act to seek financial compensation from a jurisdiction that ignores the intent of Congress to protect these travels. Without a strong right of action, there is no deterrent—biased and rogue jurisdictions like New York and New Jersey would have no incentive to follow the law. In a state like New Jersey, where knife law offences are felonies, it is especially critical to dissuade them from prosecuting law-abiding citizens.
Lacking a Right of Action, acting with impunity, without fear of any meaningful recourse from their law-abiding victims, these rogue jurisdictions will further persecute citizens who attempt to defend themselves from illegal, and unjust or misguided enforcement actions. A robust right of action holds jurisdictions financially accountable if they willfully ignore the law. A strong right of action causes jurisdictions to consider these adverse repercussions before they arrest or prosecute an individual that is protected under the act.
Ritter said, “ignoring the unfortunate lessons of the past and passing a knife transport bill without a robust right of action would be unconscionable and an extraordinary disservice to knife owners and the entire knife community. KOPA’s right of action provides the teeth needed to actually give real protection to knife owners.”
Ritter added, “The Federal Switchblade Act was an asinine idea when it was passed in 1958 in a wave of Hollywood-inspired politically motivated hysteria and has only become more irrelevant as time has passed. The majority of states have always allowed switchblade possession and with Knife Rights’ repeal of switchblade bans in 15 states in the past eight years, more than four-fifths of the states now allow switchblade possession to one degree or another. It is way past time to repeal this law that only serves to interfere with lawful trade and commerce.”
A FAQ on KOPA with additional details and background can be found at: www.KnifeRights.org/KOPAFAQ2017.pdf
TAKE ACTION!
We need your help to gain additional co-sponsors. Please call or email your Senators and Representative and urge them to co-sponsor this commonsense legislation. PLEASE use the EMAIL A FRIEND option after you email or call to ask your friends to support this effort!
You can use Knife Rights Legislative Action Center to easily email Congress: CLICK HERE to email your Senators and Representative.
Or, CLICK HERE to locate your Senators’ and Representative’ phone numbers. We have included a call script to make it easy.
About Knife Rights :
Knife Rights (www.KnifeRights.org) is America’s Grassroots Knife Owners Organization, working towards a Sharper Future for all knife owners. Knife Rights is dedicated to providing knife owners an effective voice in public policy. Become a Knife Rights member and make a contribution to support the fight for your knife rights. Visit www.kniferights.org