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Optics and Sighting Systems

Crimson Trace LG-375 Lasergrips for the Taurus Judge and Tracker

Crimson Trace LaserGripsCrimson Trace announces the latest addition to the Taurus revolver line-up is now available. The new Model LG-375 fits both the Taurus Judge and Tracker models and offers an ergonomic and comfortable grip designed with the advantage of an ergonomically located laser with the proven performance you’ve come to expect from Crimson Trace.

The LG-375 offers a rubber overmolded construction for comfort during extended shooting sessions and the instinctive activation that is synonymous with Crimson Trace.

The new LG-375 features an integrated two-piece design for easy installation, snap-in battery retainers, and generous relief in the side panels to facilitate speed loaders along with a master power switch. The Lasergrips are sighted in for 50 feet at the factory but can be zeroed in at different distances by using the windage and elevation adjustments.

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General Information

Good Gun Deals Can Still Be Had

For the past couple of years, gun and ammunition prices have been creeping upward.  Since the 2008 elections, the prices on some firearms have skyrocketed.  If you are in the market for a firearm, don’t be afraid: good deals can still be had.  You just have to be patient, and be ready to deal with cash when you find something you want.

Smith & Wesson 64 NYPD

For example, a friend of mine at work had a nice NYPD Smith and Wesson model 64-1 revolver.  This was one of the last revolver models approved by the NYPD for carrying.  My friend, a retired NYPD cop, was keeping his full-sized duty gun but was trying to get rid of this one, a 2″ barrel K-frame with a bobbed hammer.  He only wanted $100 for it.  I was willing to buy it sight unseen at that price, and cash quickly exchanged hands.  As a Smith and Wesson revolver guy, I can’t resist picking up a pre-lock gun that has some history behind it.

In another example, my father called me just a little while ago.  One of his friends has some pistols he is looking to sell for some extra money.  For $150, my dad picked up an unfired FEG P9R with two magazines, holster, and ammo.  Looking around at some of the auction sites, the same gun starts at $295 and goes up from there.

Recently, a local police academy was liquidating some of their unused inventory.  Back in a corner of their firearms vault were more than a dozen Ruger Mini-14’s.  Most of the rifles were unfired, and none had ever been issued for use on the street.  In fact, most of them had merely sat in the vault for about a decade, completely unmolested.  The price?  $250 each.  I missed out on that deal but would have bought every one of them if I could have.

The point I am trying to make is this: unless you must purchase a specific firearm today, be patient.  Ask around at work, at church, and at other gatherings.  There is always someone who has a gun but would rather have some money.  Once people know you are in the market for something, word of mouth will bring the deals to you.  You just have to know what you want and be willing to pay cash immediately.

Categories
Holsters

5.11 Casual Belt Review: Quality Gun Belt at Reasonable Price

511 gun belt review

Looking for a quality gun belt for concealed carry, but don’t want to spend a fortune?  5.11 may have just what you are looking for.

Available in brown and black, the 5.11 Leather Casual Belt offers a sturdy platform to attach your holster to, while keeping a casual or dress-down appearance.  The 5.11 belt has a simple, yet attractive buckle and the leather looks good.  Most importantly, it has a stiff, reinforced piece that runs on the inside of the entire belt that makes this an excellent belt for concealed carry.

I purchased my 5.11 Leather Casual Belt three months ago and have been very pleased.  It looks good with jeans, cargo shorts, or Dockers-style pants. The best part is, it has carried all of my handguns in a wide variety of holsters very well.  The 5.11 belt doesn’t shift around, rather, it anchors the holster right where you want it.

The 5.11 belt has a small pocket on the inside of it that can hold a handcuff key or something else that is very small.  I don’t know if this will be of value to many people, but it does not interfere with the belt’s normal use.

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General Information

Gun Gifts: Christmas Shopping Ideas For The Firearms Enthusiast In Your Life

Trying to figure out what to buy the gun-guy or gal in your life for Christmas?  Here are a few ideas:

Less Than $20

In the Gravest Extreme, Stressfire, and the The Gun Digest Book Of Concealed Carry are all excellent books written by Massad Ayoob.  I highly recommend each of them.  Another very good book for someone interested in self protection is Armed Response: A Comprehensive Guide to Using Firearms for Self-Defense by David Kenick, which I reviewed here.

Most ammunition can be purchased for less than $20/box.  For a single box, your local dealer is probably the best vendor.  For a larger quantity or for harder to find calibers, an online vendor like Natchez Shooters Supply, AmmoMan, or Midway USA is the best bet.

Speaking of ammunition, quality AR-15 magazines can still be had for less than $20. My favorites are the Bownells with the Magpul anti-tilt followers, but I also like the Magpul PMAG polymer magazines.  Brownells is shipping as quickly as they come in, so if you order ASAP, they will likely be shipped before Christmas.

Bore brushes, cleaning patches, solvents, and oils are always needed and a good idea as a stocking stuffer. My current favorite CLP is from Rand Innovations. Check out my review here.

Less Than $50

A NRA membership is perhaps the most important gun-related gift anyone can give this year.  $25 includes a magazine of your choice plus all of the standard benefits such as firearms insurance, life insurance, legislative updates, and much more.

Handgun magazines are a useful gift.  (The metal/polymer kind, not the paper mailed to you monthly kind.)  With the run on all-things-gun, certain magazines, such as the Glock, have gotten more expensive ($25-30 typically), but almost all common handgun magazines can be had for $35 or less.

More Than $50

A high intensity flashlight such as the inexpensive SureFire G2 Defender or the ultra-powerful Streamlight ProTac HL 3 are excellent choices for tactical lighting.

streamlight and batteries

If your someone special owns a J-frame Smith and Wesson revolver, the Crimson Trace LG-405 Grips are an excellent purchase!  Trust me, you surprise your significant other with a set of these, things are very good on Christmas morning!

While an AR-15 is certainly more sexy, the ubiquitous .22 rimfire rifle is a fun rifle to shoot plus it is inexpensive to purchase and keep fed with rimfire ammo.  Nearly every rifle maker has at least one .22 rimfire in their line.  Ruger’s 10-22 is pretty much the gold standard, but I really like the inexpensive, tube fed Marlin 60, which can be had for less than $150 at your local dealer or even WalMart.

Price Is No Object

If price is not a consideration, a training at the Safety Solutions Academy, Gunsite or Massad Ayoob Group. Even better, arrange a private corporate shooting event in Ohio that can include machine guns, armored vehicles and cannons.

Cute Blonde Training with Pistol

Categories
General Information Second Amendment Issues

Gun Rights Radio Network: Gun Podcasts for Everyone!

Two years ago, my wife bought me my first iPod. I soon discovered ‘podcasting’ and the wide variety of free programming offered through iTunes. One of the first programs I discovered was the Gun Rights Advocate podcast hosted by Mark Vanderberg.

Podcasts, for those that don’t know, are audio (and in some cases video) files that you can download to listen to on your computer or iPod. Podcasts are most-often given away for free and follow a format similar to talk radio. Unlike traditional talk-radio, podcasts are pre-recorded.