Legal Heat for iPhone and iPod Touch

You may remember that we profiled an application recently to help shooters determine critical information to making long distance shots using an iPhone or an iPod Touch.  We found another application today at the app store that might keep you out of trouble as you travel.

Utah Legal Heat is dedicated to providing information regarding the your CCW rights in the U.S.  This application cost $1.99 and provides information on reciprocity and prohibited places of carry.  They also rate each state based on their perception of firearm carry.

As usual, these things are not exhaustive (remember TN just had a pro CCW law struck down last month), but it will give you the basics for your needs.

 

Reloading Costs

I have been shooting more and more competitions this fall, and have decided that it might be time to start reloading again.  The volume of shooting makes you think that it might be cheaper to do this yourself, thereby allowing more time on target.  If you are a shooter that doesn’t shoot but a few boxes a year, reloading is not for you.  The time and expense of machinery will not yield a benefit to you.  However, you may decide you simply enjoy it, and the cost isn’t a real issue because you like having the hobby around you even when you aren’t shooting.  That is fine, but I thought I would run some real numbers to help you know if it might be time for you to start reloading.

The first thing to know is that one pound of powder has 7,000 grains in it.  This will help you determine how many loads you can get from one can of powder for your application.  In my case, I use Vhitavuori powders that cost about $30 a pound.  With my 9mm load I can get 2,121 rounds.  With 45 ACP I can get 1,400 rounds loaded.  So here is the breakdown.

9mm
Powder $.015
Primer  $.03
Bullet    $.056  Lead Bullets/Berry’s Plated bullet is $.07

Total      $.10 per round/$.12 with Berry’s

So you can see that the 9mm will cost around $10 per hundred if you are a brass scavenger and don’t have to pay for your brass.  I personally don’t buy brass for the 9mm or the 45 ACP, because you can normally find it at the range, or you can start by saving your brass from factory loaded rounds.

45 ACP
Powder $.02
Primer  $.022
Bullet    $.087 Lead bullet/Berry’s Plated Bullet $.12

Total     $.13 per round/$.16 with Berry’s

Once again $13 per hundred if you are a brass scavenger.  This represents quite a bit of savings for the person who will shoot several thousand rounds per year.  With 45 ACP going for about $40 per hundred it would be easy to save about $250 reloading with the Berry’s load.  This either puts money back in your pocket or lets you shoot around 1,500 more rounds per year for the same money as the person who doesn’t reload.

Whatever you decide, do the math.  You might find you could be saving some money or shooting more.

 

Dry Fire

Many of you may not be familiar with the term “dry fire” if you are not from a competitive shooting background, but the benefits of this exercise go far beyond the competitive shooter.  I have used dry fire exercises for many years to work on things like drawing, presenting, and reloading my pistol for competitive purposes, but also as a Law Enforcement Officer to keep my skills as sharp as possible.  Another application that comes to mind are those of you who have just entered gun season for hunting.

Dry fire is where you practice aiming and taking the shot without any live rounds in the gun.  To do this, UNLOAD YOUR GUN, point it in a safe direction and start working on the fundamentals fo the type of shooting you will be doing.  I like to post a 3×5 card or something similar on the wall to have an aiming point.   If you are a hunter, you should try to replicate the firing stance you will have.  For instance, if you will be in a tree stand, sit in a chair, or if you will be stalking, shoot from standing or prone positions.

The results you will see will surprise you.  While it’s not the same as firing live rounds, it does work on the fundamentals.  Things like grip, breaking the shot, and reloading will all become fluid to you after dry fire practice.  So don’t wait to go to the range to get better, start getting better at home with dry fire practice.

Note:  One tool used in dry fire by many people are dummy rounds.  You can purchase these at many places, but here is a link to Brownell’s website.  Dummy rounds allow you to load and eject rounds without worrying about playing with real ammo, which is an absolute NO NO in dry fire practice.  Never load or have any ammo near you when you are dry firing.  That is an accident waiting to happen.  Only load up at the range or when you are in the woods ready to hunt.

 

Shooting Targets at Different Distances

I want to show a video of Rick Simes, from the Tactical Shooting Academy, shooting targets at different distances to show you should engage your competition targets.  One of things we all struggle with is trying to be faster.  Rick does a good job of taking the time on the longer shots, and moving quickly through his closer shots.  When you have distance, take the time to get a good sight picture, and trigger pull to break the shot.

 

Remington’s Time Tested Shotguns

Remington is no stranger to the world of shotgunners.  We have been using them forever with great success on hunting trips, in the field of competition and on the streets our cops patrol.  What you may not realize is how Remington streamlined manufacturing to give you some of the best shotguns ever produced.

Remington introduced the model 58 in 1956.  It was in production until 1963.  In 1959 they introduced the model 878 that ran until 1963 as well.  These shotguns were very similar because they had the same designer, L.R. Crittendon.  They had a recoil spring that was mounted in front of the magazine tube, giving the action a pull recoil operated by the gas instead of the more modern version which pushes the bolt into a recoil spring  in the stock.

In 1963, both of these shotguns were abandoned in favor of the new model 1100 designed by Wayne Leek.  The 1100 remains a staple of the Remington family today that is used in all the shotgun shooting disciplines.  This design was followed by the 1187 that debuted in 1987.  What is absolutely amazing is how similar all of these guns are to each other.

Remington did not reinvent the wheel in any of the 3 model changes that came after the 58.  For instance, the trigger mechanism and safeties are strikingly similar.  Another example is the bolt handle.  I had a customer bring in a Remington 878 over the weekend with a broken bolt handle.  All that was visible was a small piece of the bolt handle that had to be removed with pliers.  It was plastic, but it just seemed like it might be the same design as the 1100.  I had an extra bolt handle in stock and replaced it.

When you have a good design there is no need to throw it out completely just to make a few improvements.  Remington did this and saved itself millions of dollars in parts that could be used.  This may be the reason that when so many other companies have struggled, the continue to be an industry standard.

**Historical information taken from Remington’s Historical Website.

 

Restaurant Law Unconstitutional

I just got this a little while ago from the TBI.

Judge Rules Guns In Restaurants Law Unconstitutional

Posted: Nov 20, 2009 3:52 AM CST

Video Gallery

Restaurant Owners In Court To Fight Guns In Bars Law 1:21

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Opponents of the controversial guns in bars and restaurant law won their battle in court Friday.

Nine local restaurant owners filed a petition in August asking for a hearing on an injunction to challenge the law. In court on Friday, a judge found the new state law to be unconstitutional due to vagueness.

The law, which allows gun carry permit holders to take their weapons into bars and restaurants where alcohol is served, went into effect in July.

The law will be put on hold until lawmakers return to session in January.

 

Rusty Muzzleloaders

Every year at this time, the leaves change, the deer begin to rut, and muzzleloaders across the country begin to rust.  Call a sign that fall is here, or that the Christmas season is upon us.  This mysterious phenomenon has made many a gunsmith a little extra Christmas cash.

To be truthful, I was a victim of my own neglect one upon a time as well.  I had taken my first deer with a muzzleloader, and in the excitement I simply put it away in my safe.  Two months later it looked like something that my kids had left outside to rust for a year.  I learned my lesson through a very long cleaning session.

Muzzleloaders use black powder of course which is much more harmful if not cleaned than the modern powders that are available today for rifle, shotgun and pistol cartridges.  If left uncleaned you will find yourself with a burnt orange mess on your hands.  The key is to clean soon after you are finished shooting.

You can use any type of cleaner you want.  I have even known a few country boys that filled the bath tube and used soap and water.  Hoppes, Bore Butter, Break Free, etc. all work fine.  If you are going to be sighting your muzzleloader in at the range, make sure to clean it every few shots.  This will make accuracy and loading a lot easier.

One final thought, your breach plug should be removed at least once a season and thoroughly cleaned.  While all of this is a lot of work, the muzzleloading season is well worth the extra effort involved, and for about $50 your gunsmith will clean it for you.  Hope you have a great deer season this year.

 

Should You Carry a Spare Magazine?

One of the debated questions today concerns how much spare ammo you should carry.  Police often carry 2 spare magazines bringing their ammo to around 45 or 46 rounds.  Obviously most people in Law Enforcement will never have to use their pistol in the line of duty, much less discharge anywhere near that kind of round count.  So if most encounters only require a few rounds, why bother withe the extra hassle?

If you carry an autoloading pistol, you need to carry a spare magazine.  The main reason is that the magazine is the weak link in the pistol’s system.  The majority of feeding problems can be traced to magazine malfunctions.  If you are in a tight spot when your gun jams, you will better off if you have a spare mag handy so that you can jettison the mag in the gun and clear the malfunction, inserting a fresh magazine into the gun.

Another tactical reason is that it balances the weight on your belt somewhat.  I know this is lame, but I figured some of you won’t take to heart the real reason, so something to do with fashion might influence you.

 

Woolrich Freedom Throw

I just got this today and thought I would share it with you.  Woolrich makes cool clothes, but they also do a lot for the men and women of the armed forces.  This throw would make a nice Christmas present for anyone on your list, and it would give you the satisfaction of knowing your gift blessed someone else as well.

WOOLRICH ELITE SERIES TACTICAL DONATES $7,000 TO WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT

Portions of “Freedom Throw” Blanket Sales Benefit Non-Profit Organization Improving Lives of Injured Service Men and Women

WOOLRICH, Pa. (November 12, 2009) – Less than a year after introducing the “Freedom Throw” wool blanket, Woolrich Elite Series Tactical announces it has donated $7,000 to the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), www.woundedwarriorproject.org, a non-profit organization that honors and empowers wounded warriors. WWP provides veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, combat stress, or who have been physically injured with beneficial programs and a network of support from like service members.

“We are proud to be able to contribute to such a worthy cause,” said Jerry Rinder, vice president of sales and marketing for Woolrich Elite Series Tactical. “Woolrich has a long history serving the military, dating back to the Civil War. We feel it’s important to continue that tradition, and the Wounded Warrior Project is a natural partnership. It’s a crucial element in the recovery of our injured service members and their families.”

“Wounded Warrior Project is thankful for this support from Woolrich Elite Series Tactical,” said Executive Director Steven Nardizzi. “Our goal is to ensure this generation of veterans is the most successful and well-adjusted in our nation’s history, and with this generous donation from Woolrich we can continue this important work.”

 

The “Freedom Throw” is handcrafted in the Woolrich woolen mill in Woolrich, Pennsylvania in a red, white, and blue design inspired by the American flag. The throw, $100.00, is 84 percent wool and 16 percent nylon.

The “Freedom Throw” is available from Woolrich Elite Series Tactical retailers nationwide. Information on the complete Elite Series Tactical line and a list of authorized retailers can be found at www.WoolrichEliteSeriesTactical.com.

 

Tactical Flashlights

One of the things that amazes me the most when it comes to new gear are the advancements that have been made in the area of illumination.  When I served as an LEO we carried two flashlights, one for illumination and persuasion, and one for serious tactical illumination.

The mag light was used for illumination and persuasion.  It was not intimidating, but could easily be employed for self-defense or other purposes.  The SureFire 6P was used for tactical illumination and for searches. Obviously both served their purposes, but the SureFire was a big hit with the guys on our force.

First, it was rugged.  They could take a pretty good beating.  Second, they were compact.  Third, they put out better light than the mag light.  For a focused beam they were unbelievable.  SureFire continues to be a leader in illumination and their new products continue to be amazing.  They aren’t cheap, but the quality matches the price tag.

If you don’t have a trusty light, I encourage you to check out some of the higher end vendors.  You have to remember that tritium sights will not illuminate the target to distinguish it from friendlies.  Learn to use one of these effectively and it might save your life.

By the way, learning implies training.  Take your light to the range with you from time to time to practice shooting while holding a light.  Just because your department issues you light doesn’t mean you are proficient with it.  Learn to use the tools correctly.