Category: Gear & Stuff

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The Laser Saddle By Crimson Trace – Light It Up by TRAVIS PIKE

I’m an unashamed shotgun nerd, and I love all types of shotguns. This includes guns that are technically not shotguns but use shotgun patterns, shotgun ammunition, and the like. You know, those pesky little firearms like the TAC-14 and Shockwave firearms. These guns tend to be tough to aim and tough to shoot, at least compared to a stocked shotgun. Crimson Trace has your back in making that a fair bit easier via the Crimson Trace Laser Saddle.

The Laser Saddle fits onto the receiver of your shotgun or firearm and predictably gives you a laser aiming point. It saddles on, much like an ammunition toting side-saddle. It’s a rather low profile and ergonomic option to make aiming your scattergun quick and easy.

A little laser goes a long way

I’ve installed the Remington variant of the side saddle onto my TAC-14. As mentioned, Crimson Trace only produces the Laser Saddle for the Remington 870 and Mossberg 500 series shotguns and firearms. We also get the option of a green or red laser. This particular model offers the red laser variant. The MSRP is 194.99, but I purchased mine for much less than MSRP.

Inside the Laser Saddle

The Laser Saddle weighs a hair more than 2 ounces, according to my kitchen scale. Crimson Trace doesn’t publish the weight, sadly. The gun adds a hair of bulk to the receiver but not enough to make a major difference. Power comes from two CR2032 batteries, and the Laser Saddle will work for about four hours of continuous use.

The laser is a 5 Mw red dot that’s actually impressively large and very easy to see. The red dot emits from the right side of the Laser Saddle and sits right beside the top of the receiver.

It add a bit of bulk and barely any weight.

Installation varies between models, and the Remington variant utilizes the trigger group bolts to pin the Laser Saddle into place. Crimson Trace includes two extra-long bolts to make installation quick and easy. It takes no time at all to install the Laser Saddle. It took me a total of five minutes, including getting the batteries in place. The hardest part was finding my punch!

An ambidextrous “on” button sits across the top of the receiver. It sits right where the safety on a Mossberg 500 would sit. This placement ensures it’s ambidextrous and easy to access. It’s a big, tactile button that’s really easy to operate.

There is also a master-off switch that shuts the Laser Saddle down. It’s small, recessed, and it seems impossible to accidentally switch on or off.

To The Range

Making changes to the elevation and windage requires a small, included Allen key that makes it easy to zero the saddle. I zeroed it essentially to the dot and confirmed with a little buckshot live fire. Visible lasers don’t work well on sunny days and at longer ranges. Luckily the TAC-14 isn’t a long-range weapon.

See the little red dot?

At 15 yards, that big red dot is plenty easy to see on target, even on bright, sunny days. Not bad for a visible laser and perfect for the TAC-14 and its preferred range. Shooting the TAC-14 accurately has never been easier.

Boom, the dot makes it easy to aim.

Seriously, the addition of the Laser Saddle makes it super easy to aim the weapon accurately. I spent an afternoon giggling away as I used birdshot to turn clay pigeons into dust. I tossed them onto the berm and started blasting away as fast as I could. The big red dot makes it easy to aim the TAC-14 while keeping it tight to the body, which allows me to easily control the recoil.

It’s quite fun to move from target to target blast away. I like the TAC-14 because it’s somewhat tough to shoot. The recoil is rough, the lack of a stock makes it tough to control, and that creates a challenge. That challenge makes it fun, or at least it does to me.

Practical Application

Turning clay pigeons into dust is fun, but what about a more practical application? I’m glad you asked. With some man-sized targets and some 00 buckshot, I used a shot timer to record my snapshots at 10 yards. I can keep my focus on the target, and as soon as the red dot from the Laser Saddle meets the target, I know where my buckshot is going.

This makes it easy to direct accurate buckshot into the torso or head of a target with excellent accuracy. Speed-wise I can make a snapshot from the low ready with the TAC-14 in about half a second. Not bad for a pistol grip only 12 gauge firearm loaded with 1,325 FPS buckshot.

That big button is easy to press and engage.

Going from target to target is quite easy. Follow the dot, pull the trigger, and boom, you’ll land lead where you need it. I wouldn’t pick up the TAC-14 for a fight over a stocked 870, but I’d feel more confident it wore the Laser Saddle.

I never lost zero, even when using full-powered buckshot. The Laser Saddle never shook itself loose even after a few hundred rounds and remained tight and in place. That big button is fantastic and provides you with a quick and easy activation for quick on target potential. It’s a tactile button, so you know when you press it.

The Downsides of The Laser Saddle

With the Remington variant, you are utilizing the trigger group pins, and those are often utilized for attaching ammo side saddles, and the Laser Saddle limits your side saddle options. A shotgun card from Esstac or Vang Comp will work, though.

I never used vis lasers much, but I love the Laser Saddle.

I did have to choose between the Laser Saddle and the Burris SpeedBead. They won’t work together, sadly, and the Laser Saddle sits in the way of the SpeedBead, so keep that in mind. Additionally, the range is totaled out at about 15 yards on bright days. In dimmer environments, the range extends. Don’t expect to get slug range from the Laser Saddle.

Saddle Up!

The Crimson Trace Laser Saddle grants you a fantastic sighting option for your pistol grip only shotguns or firearms. There where I see this thing really shine. On normal shotguns, I’m sure it’s fine, but it really makes handling a PGO a lot of fun and much easier to aim and direct fire with. It’s worth the cost of admission just for the entertainment value it provides. Check it out and let us know what you think about the Laser Saddle and lasers in general below.

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All About Guns Anti Civil Rights ideas & "Friends" Gear & Stuff

WA Gun Owner Fury Erupts as Lawmakers Pass Magazine Ban by Dave Workman

Washington State House Democrats pushed through a ban on full-capacity magazines in a late-night vote, igniting gun owner activism. (Dave Workman)

U.S.A. –-(AmmoLand.com)- By a 55-42 dead-of-night vote, the Washington State House of Representatives has passed a ban on rifle and pistol magazines holding more than 10 cartridges (including magazines for rimfire rifles), causing outrage among Evergreen State grassroots activists who will be looking unseat as many Democrats as possible in the November 2022 election.

Senate Bill 5078 goes to the desk of anti-gun Democrat Gov. Jay Inslee, who has already vowed to sign it. Two Democrat House members—Reps. Kirsten Harris-Talley from Seattle and Steve Kirby from Tacoma—voted against the measure, breaking ranks from their majority Democrat colleagues.

The vote came about two weeks after Liberty Park Press published a revealing report about the ineffectiveness of magazine capacity limit that many readers sent to their state lawmakers.

The late-night Friday vote was hailed by anti-gun Democrat Attorney General Bob Ferguson in a tweet now posted at the Facebook page of the Washington 2022 Legislative Action Group. The legislation was introduced at Ferguson’s request by Democrat Sen. Marko Liias of Lynnwood.

“Today is the fulfillment of years of hard work from so many,” Ferguson wrote. “More than five years ago, I stood with the parents of shooting victims, legislators, mayors, police chiefs and representatives from faith communities to say enough is enough, and proposed banning the sale of high-capacity magazines in Washington state. Today, our Legislature chose public safety over the gun lobby, and I am deeply appreciative of their service. This policy will save lives and make our communities safer from gun violence.”

 

But Wade Gaughran, owner of a Bellevue gun range and firearms retail business, reacted bluntly, telling KING News, “There’s no way that an intelligent person is going to look at this law and see that it would stop or limit or change the of any kind of mass shooting.”

He predicted a surge in magazine purchasing, a notion reinforced by an announcement from at least one firm—Palmetto State Armory—announced it will prioritize orders from Washington State residents: “All magazine orders placed from Washington State with Palmetto State Armory with ship out immediately and receive priority over all other orders.”

Dan Mitchell, owner of Vancouver’s Sporting Systems, posted a “Fact Sheet” about the magazine ban, which included a depiction of the state flag with dictatorial overtones.

One activist member of the Legislative Action Group posted this message:

“The only group that can help us and that definitely will help us is the Second Amendment Foundation,” wrote Perry Singh. “They are responsible for all the lawsuits that are successful. We have a US Supreme Court that will side with us. We just need an organization that is serious about bringing lawsuits and there is no organization more serious than the Second Amendment Foundation. If you are not a member you need to join. These guys fund lawsuits and they’re really good at winning. No you won’t get a free duffel bag or a free hat but they will deliver us victories in court that we need badly.”

Another gun rights activist, Ron Fricks, responded with his own observation: “There are a lot of good organizations that support 2A rights. Perry is correct however, the Second Amendment Foundation is the best. They often work in the background, they may not get the press, but they are there getting stuff done. It is better to donate a dollar to them, then to post a million “we will not comply” post on facebook. There are over 600,000 permit holders in WA state. If each of them sent $1, or even better $10 per month to the organization of their choice, it would make a difference. Talk or act, the choice is yours.”

By no small coincidence, just hours before the House vote, SAF on Friday announced the launch of a national outreach effort to remind America’s gun owners that “Gun Rights Depend On You.”

SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan Gottlieb estimated the message—which is already appearing online at the Washington Times, Breitbart, TownHall, Newsmax, BearingArms and Drudge—will reach millions of people. SAF tells gun owners to “Demand the Courts Protect the 2A.”

“It would be a significant step forward in our ongoing outreach effort to educate gun owners that the defense of their constitutional right to keep and bear arms ultimately rests in their hands,” Gottlieb said. “Right now, we have more than 30 active court cases challenging various gun control laws on Second Amendment grounds, in several states, including California, Washington, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland. It is our intention to raise public awareness and grab the attention of various courts so these cases don’t end up gathering dust in some perpetual state of ‘pending’ action.”

A federal case challenging a similar ban in California is already seeking review from the U.S. Supreme Court. Nine states and Washington, D.C. have imposed such bans.

According to the Daily Olympian, violations of the new law “would result in a gross misdemeanor, which carries a maximum punishment of 364 days in jail and/or a fine up to $5,000.”

Gun owner reaction over the weekend was nothing short of fury. One gun owner posting at the Legislative Action Facebook page stated, “Today our legislature chose the anti-human rights lobby over public safety. Quit calling them antigun groups. Being able to possess a weapon to defend oneself from criminals and tyrants is a human right.”

Another observed, “This new law shows the depth of stupidity in Olympia. They think that some person hell-bent on killing people will suddenly follow the law because they could get a misdemeanor charge for magazine capacity. That’s insanity.”

Now, Evergreen State gun owners are saying the only cure for such “insanity” will be taking the House, and maybe the State Senate, away from Democrats this fall. How well that effort does will depend upon whether the anger now being expressed translates into voter turnout in vulnerable legislative districts this fall.

Electable candidates must be recruited, campaigns must be formed and financed, and gun owners will have to register and vote, and all of that involves more than—as Fricks noted above—posting a million “we will not comply” messages on social media.

Gun owners in Virginia did it last November when nobody expected they would. Now it’s Washington’s turn.

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What I call some good manly advertising

Bushmaster Rifle Ad Reminds Us To Ask More About Masculinity And Gun Violence (PHOTO) | HuffPost Communities

 

 

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The KA-BAR Story – The Complete Documentary

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Gear & Stuff Manly Stuff

What work was like in my old office about a 100 pounds ago! (No its not an Abrams, it’s an Israeli Merkava mk4 firing)

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Not a Stock, Not a Brace! A New Stabilizer from Black Collar Firearms — SHOT Show 2022 by MITCHELL GRAF

The all-new Black Collar Firearms adjustable pistol support, or APS.

Black Collar Firearms is releasing their MBA and SBD bolt actions, as well as a stabilizer that legally classifies as neither a stock nor a brace. Providing real innovation throughout each of these products, Black Collar Firearms is a company you will want to be keeping your eyes on.

First, their modern bolt action rifle (MBA) is a ground-up design that features a straight-pull bolt action that provides “significant mechanical leverage for primary extraction.” This straight-pull action is both faster and smoother than traditional bolt guns and it will also require less movement needed to operate the gun. This allows users to stay on target by eliminating the sideways rotational force typical bolts require.

While the action is unique to the MBA, users will be thrilled because they can still swap in standard AR-10 parts. From the pistol grip, magazines, and trigger, the MBA also uses AR-10 bolt heads and barrels (minus the gas port).

To keep flawless repeatability, and rock-solid construction, the MBA features a two-piece receiver system that uses bedding blocks and a recoil lug integral to both the upper and lower receiver. Each MBA will come with a “matched bolt head and barrel extension mated to a match-grade barrel.”

Black Collar Firearms offers the MBA in rifle, pistol, and builder variations, and the MSRP target is $2,499.

Black Collar Firearms MBA.

The SBD lineup of integrally suppressed firearms may be configured as a rifle, a modular SBR, or a modular integral pistol. With a retail price starting around $3,250, each offering comes with a different chambering ranging from 300 Blackout, 308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, to 375 Raptor.

 

Using AB suppressors to integrally suppress these firearms, Black Collar Firearms was able to achieve under 130dB firing supersonic 308. These compact packages are capable of 1 MOA five-shot groups with quality factory ammunition. Subsonic loads are expected to be between 1.5 and 3 MOA depending on ammo choice. After getting hands-on with the SBD, this compact and very capable package just won’t leave the forefront of my mind.

The infamous Black Collar Firearms SBD.

Last, but certainly not least, Black Collar Firearms debuted a new class of rear firearm accessories. Neither legally a stock nor a brace, this adjustable pistol support (APS) provides for a finely-tunable, adjustable monopod with a great surface area for shooting from the prone position.

While looking at it originally I was skeptical, but it is both comfortable and functions as a great monopod. Designed to provide a third point of contact with a front bipod, this APS does the trick.

Standard pistol braces are designed to brace against the body, but Black Collar Firearms changed the game by offering an accessory not intended to be in contact with the shooter. When used for bench rest or flat range shooting, the APS provides that perfect support that rubber pistol braces could not.

While the details are still being finalized, the final models should be shipping in 3 months with an estimated MSRP of around $149. The internal screw may be more coarse than the one shown, to allow for quicker adjustments, but you will just have to stay tuned to see how this turns out.

For more information on the APS, you can find it on Black Collar Firearms website here.

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Mk5 Micro Fight Chest Rig by Spiritus Systems — SHOT Show 2022 by IVAN LOOMIS

Mk5 Micro Fight Chassis, the new cornerstone of the Spiritus Systems Chest Rigs.

This year at SHOT Show 2022 I had the chance to check out the NEW Mk5 Micro Fight Chassis by Spiritus Systems. Based on lots of use and feedback, they have updated the design in both materials and pattern.

If you aren’t familiar with Spiritus Systems, they’re a manufacturer of tactical gear made here in the U.S. They make hard-use gear for today’s warfighters, law enforcement, as well as the tactically-minded consumer. They have been making their chest rigs for a number of years now and the design, while slowly changing, has stayed pretty much the same — until now!

The New Mk5 features a PALS-compatible front, letting you attach extra pouches as you see fit, depending on your needs.

For starters, the material used has changed. While the previous Micro Fight Chest Rig was made out of cordura, the new Mk5 is made out of a special laminate that gives it greater strength and durability, as well as the ability to be laser cut. This opens the door for more attachment points and more overall flexibility when it comes time to set it up.

The design has changed quite a bit, too. Rather than two open pockets on the Mk4, where you could either put magazine inserts, flaps or other accessories, the Mk5 is simply one pocket for inserts.

Based on feedback, the front pocket on the older design wasn’t used that much. So by doing away with it, they created a more streamlined chest rig and were able to cover the front with female velcro. This lets you attach the cummerbund on your plate carrier across the front of the Mk5, such as the LV-119.

The CCS Pouch is sized perfectly to fit over the front of the Mk5 and give you secure storage for smaller items.

But there is still tons of modularity. Even though the Mk5 only has one pouch for magazine inserts, thanks to the PALS compatible front, you can mount other pouches, magazine or otherwise, on the system. Or, you can use the new CCS Pouch. The CCS Pouch covers the front of the Mk5, similar to the old second pouch. But the CCS has two zippered compartments. This lets you keep all those smaller items secure, rather than using a velcro flap like on the older Mk4.

Overall this expansion of the Micro Fight Chest Rig line is one more option that lets you, the user, configure your gear however you see fit for the mission at hand. Expect to see the Mk5 Micro Fight Chassis and CCS Pouch in Q1 of 2022.

Price-wise, the Mk5 and CCS will be around the same price as the Mk4 Chassis. And like the previous Mk4, all of the components can be purchased individually. So you can use your harness, back-strap and inserts from your other chest rig and just upgrade the Chassis.

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REVIEW: SUREFIRE RYDER 9-TI2 SUPPRESSOR By Will Dabbs, MD

The Surefire Ryder 9-Ti2 Sound Suppressor and Springfield Armory XD-M Elite OSP Threaded handgun synergistically combine to become something greater than their parts. The XD-M Elite Tactical OSP (Optical Sight Pistol) reflects the current state of the art in full-sized combat handguns. The Surefire Ryder 9-Ti2 is as fine a handgun suppressor as mankind can create. Thread these two magnificent tools together and strap on a Streamlight TLR-8G to create the most effective combat pistol in the world.

Surefire Ryder 9-Ti2 Sound Suppressor on an XD-M Elite OSP pistol
The Surefire Ryder 9-Ti2 Sound Suppressor is shown mounted to a Springfield Armory XD-M Elite OSP pistol.

Walter Mitty’s Ideal Suppressed Handgun

I can count on less than one hand the number of times the CIA has tapped me to travel to the other side of the world to rescue a kidnapped supermodel from the clutches of some evil super-villain. In amongst all the shaving cream commercials and trans-oceanic jaunts on the superyacht I bought with the proceeds from my gunwriting who has time for such? Were the President to call, more often than not I’d just tell him I was too busy.

Who am I kidding? I’m a 55-year-old man with worn-out knees, steadily worsening presbyopia, a family, and a mortgage. The only way I might ever rescue a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model in a faraway land would be if absolutely everybody else to include Nancy Pelosi, Pete Buttigieg and Greta Thunberg were otherwise indisposed. However, there yet remains something to be said for maintaining the proper tools in the profoundly unlikely event I might actually get that call.

SureFire suppressor and Streamlight weaponlight on a XD-M
Few of us will ever get the opportunity to infiltrate an evil lair to rescue a supermodel. However, this is the rig you’d want should you get that call.

There is something primally satisfying about tactical shooting. I don’t hunt. I have no issues with those who do, but that’s just not my thing. However, the storied art of tactical shooting embodies the timeless allure of power under control. For me at least it’s like golf, only way cooler.

The urge to contrive the optimized tactical handgun spawns from some primordial spaces. Rocking the hottest gun on the range certainly has its appeal. However, unlike a top-end $10,000 Gemspot OM 5 Deluxe Diamond Golf Driver, this rig will actually help keep you and your family safe come what may. This deep into the 21st century the practical applications of a proper tricked-out tactical handgun are fairly obvious.

Practical Tactical

The ideal suppressed handgun system needs to be rugged, accurate, quiet, intuitive and utterly reliable. This weapon should run fast and well while shooting straight and packing a simply breathtaking number of rounds onboard. The symbiotic melding of the Surefire Ryder 9-Ti2 Sound Suppressor, the Springfield Armory XD-M Elite Tactical OSP threaded handgun, and the thumb-sized Streamlight TLR-8G tactical light is all that and more.

Man holding Springfield XD-M Elite pistol with SureFire suppressor
You’d be hard-pressed to find a more effective and efficient suppressed handgun system. This rig has literally all the bells and whistles.

The Surefire Ryder 9-Ti2 is one of the lightest, thinnest, most effective pistol cans in its class. Sporting a svelte tube diameter of 1.25″ and a paltry 10.7-oz. weight, the Ryder 9-Ti2 offers a trivial weight burden. Rugged, mil-certified, heat-treated, sequentially-numbered stainless steel baffles and a fluted titanium outer tube define ballistic greatness. A built-in Linear Inertial Decoupler ensures flawless reliability, while exceptional rigidity and concentricity provide superlative accuracy with a minimal and predictable point of impact shift. The Ryder 9-Ti2 is honestly as good as it gets in my opinion.

The 1.25″ outer tube diameter is about the same width as the pistol grip. This offers relatively unobstructed use of the gun’s sights. It also allows you to holster the piece in certain carry rigs with the suppressor in place. We committed gun nerds prattle on about pistols and suppressors all the time, but there are precious few ways to actually tote the two together. The Ryder 9-Ti2 can get you there.

The Springfield Armory XD-M Elite OSP Threaded Handgun comes from the factory with a 5.28″ hammer-forged threaded barrel, deep cocking serrations both front and rear, and a truly bilateral ambidextrous pushbutton magazine release. The slide release is replicated on both sides of the gun. The META (Match Enhanced Trigger Assembly) offers an inimitably crisp, fast, and safe striker-fired trigger experience.

Suppressor mounted on a Springfield XD-M Elite OSP pistol
The Surefire Ryder 9-Ti2 Sound Suppressor is positively anorexic. Despite its trim architecture. the can is exceptionally effective.

What’s brand new nowadays is the factory-mounted HEX Dragonfly electronic optical sight. This compact, lightweight slide-mounted optic provides a wide uncluttered field of view along with an easily-accessed 3.5-MOA red dot. The battery lasts around three years, so you needn’t fret about it unduly. Replace the battery every odd-numbered birthday, and you’re good. Mount up a Streamlight TLR-8G combination light and laser, and the thing hunts like a bloodhound even indoors or in hard dark.

Trigger Time

The positively epic 22-round magazine that feeds the Springfield Armory XD-M Elite OSP Threaded Handgun lasts just about forever. You can get tired of squeezing the trigger before the box runs dry. That’s entertaining on the range. However, out in the Real World the fastest mag change is the one you don’t have to make. The META trigger and optimized everything conspire to create a delightful and effective shooting experience.

Testing the Surefire Ryder 9-Ti2 Sound Suppressor on the range
At 13 meters from a simple rest, this combination offers some fairly incredible accuracy.

The Ryder 9-Ti2 adds very little weight and even less bulk. What added mass there is reaches out forward to help tame recoil and muzzle flip. All centerfire pistol cans are noisy. However, the Ryder 9-Ti2 employs cutting-edge baffle design to excise the snap from those spunky 9mm rounds. Feed the gun 147-gr. subsonic loads and shoot it in a wide-open space and it is surprisingly easy on the ears. Thread it on,  and it will do its part to help preserve your hearing and tactical awareness should you ever have to use this rig indoors or within a vehicle.

The Springfield Armory XD-M Elite Tactical OSP runs like a toddler after Toblerone, and the Surefire Ryder 9-Ti2 Sound Suppressor amps up both the sex appeal and tactical efficiency. The Streamlight TLR-8G shreds the darkness while offering truly surgical short-range targeting. The sum total will ably keep you and yours safe come what may. You may not actually be called upon to rescue a supermodel from a Bond-grade supervillain, but that doesn’t mean you can’t keep the proper tools handy, just in case.

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Shooting Baboons from the Kitchen Window | The Oxwagon Diaries – Day 1

Of course you could not pay me enough to go to South Africa today. What with all the problems that they are having now. Which is a pity as I always wanted to test myself against a Cape Buffalo. But I guess that’s the way God acts. Grumpy

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Gear & Stuff

COMFORTABLE CARRY THINKING ABOUT THE DECISION OF WHAT TO CARRY AND HOW WRITTEN BY MIKE “DUKE” VENTURINO

Almost as soon as Duke obtained a concealed weapons permit he discovered the
inside-the-pants style of holster was most comfortable for him.

 

Photos By Yvonne Venturino

As a lifelong cat lover the primary thing I have learned from them is comfort is of prime importance. It is especially important in carrying a concealed handgun. And, be sure of the following: While I am not a training guru or firearms instructor by any stretch of the imagination, I am well versed on comfort.

The simple fact is if carrying a handgun is a nuisance you will soon stop carrying one. Upon first obtaining my concealed weapons permit I experimented with carrying a variety of handguns ranging from a Hungarian PA 63 9mm Makarov to 1911’s and even Colt SAA .45’s. I tried normal belt holsters, inside-the-pants holsters, shoulder holsters, crossdraw, and strong-side draw.

What I came to prefer was the inside-the-pants holsters. Why? Because to understate the matter I am of “plus-size,” so having a 2-1/2 pound handgun hanging on my already stressed belt caused my jeans to habitually head south. With the same pistol stowed in an inside-the-pants holster, the belt bound it to my body so gravity had little effect on it. That holster by the way was a Milt Sparks Summer Special and the pistols ranged from World War II vintage 1911A1’s to Colt Lightweight Commanders .45’s or a Kimber Pro Carry .40 S&W. My only complaint was the holster loops snapped around the belt. Upon coming home I would set the pistol on a shelf but the holster had to stay on my belt. While not exactly a problem, it still felt distracting.

Although most firearms trainers discourage it, during Montana
winters Duke usually carries in a coat pocket.

 

As always in life, things change. A few years back due to a botched surgery I had to stop wearing belts for a while and therefore quit wearing the Summer Special holster and 1911’s. During this time I switched to J-Frame Smith & Wesson revolvers. First was a Model 442 Airweight and next was a Model 360. The latter one is actually labeled “.357 Magnum” but both of those snubbies are loaded with .38 Specials. At 12 ounces the Model 360 is a bear to shoot but a joy to carry. Clint Smith beat me up fiercely for saying it, but mostly I just stuck those S&W’s in pockets instead of holsters.

There is a contributing factor to practical concealed carry when living here in Montana. Winters are cold, requiring a heavy coat. Furthermore the section of Montana I call home is known for its winds in winter. That requires coats to be buttoned or zipped, which make it nigh on impossible to get to a handgun concealed under it. It seemed far more feasible to me to carry those little 5-shooters in an outside coat pocket rather than on the inside tucked under a couple layers of garments.

Someone right now has to be thinking, “Well tough it out. Leave the coat open.” Like I said it’s a windy area and I mean really windy such as 30 to 40 mph winds being common and 75+ mph winds not being unusual. An open coat would end up wrapped around your ears.
I’ve recovered somewhat from the botched surgery but still only wear a belt on occasion. Furthermore, along the way I discovered those fine little “Pocket Pistols” Colt made and John Browning designed at the beginning of the 20th century. I bought both .32 and .380 ACP versions. I’ve never encountered a thinner handgun of any sort, nor one with edges better rounded. The .380 has become a companion to me.

Duke’s most recent inside-the-pants holster was made for him by
Karla Van Horne of Purdy Gear. It holds his Colt .380 “pocket pistol.”

 

Before someone gets upset saying I “recommend” a .380 for self-defense, again take note that I do not bill myself as an expert on such matters. I’m not saying people should use .380’s for self-defense. I’m saying I do with the mindset it’s better to have a handgun than not have one because carrying it became a chore.

Which brings us to my latest concealed carry holster. A few years back I met a delightful lady named Karla Van Horne who does leather working under the business name of Purdy Gear. We visited a bit and discovered both of us are fond of the Colt pocket pistols. When she asked if I had a holster for mine I had to admit I did not. She then asked me if I would like one. Yes! And it then came to pass she crafted me another inside the pants one but instead of belt loops it has a belt clip. That way it can snap over my belt when I wear one or just clip over my jeans waistband when I don’t.

It’s handy, comfortable and has never been spotted yet that I know of.

Purdy Gear, 204 Ridgewood Road, Jasper, Georgia 30143, (706) 692-5536, www.purdygear.com
Mitch Rosen, 540 N. Commercial St., Manchester, New Hampshire 03101, (603) 647-2971,
www.mitchrosen.com