The K-Var Armory

My Favorite .45 ACP Big Bore Revolver

The focus of this report is more the cartridge than the handgun, but the revolvers that chamber the cartridge are linked to the .45 ACP’s popularity. The Smith and Wesson 1917 .45 ACP revolver was a legendary handgun to a young man reading everything he could about handguns, but an ordinary handgun in the shops during the 1970s. The 1917 isn’t rare today, but it is no longer as cheap as it once was either. My first .45 ACP revolver was purchased for less than $100. [Read more…] about My Favorite .45 ACP Big Bore Revolver

Review: Charles Daly Honcho Shotgun

The American-designed, pump-action shotgun is the most recommended home defense shotgun. It isn’t always made in America, but it defends the turf well. Recently, a new type of shotgun has been offered for home defense. While the Charles Daly Honcho is a different bird and requires attention to detail, the 14-inch barrel pump-action shotgun just may be a viable home defense shotgun for some and the ideal piece for a few. [Read more…] about Review: Charles Daly Honcho Shotgun

Armed Good Guys: Arrested for Carrying Same Ammunition as Cops? Colion Noir Breaks it Down (Must Watch)

News stories of civilian self-defense seldom receive adequate media coverage. After all, armed good guys stopping violent felons does not make headlines like the lives of innocents being taken. Bias and agendas play their part, but the media does not cover an event that did not happen, such as a case where a good guy stopped a violent event before it resulted in the loss of innocent life. However, these are exactly the type of stories we need to highlight to educate non gun owners before they head to the voting booth. [Read more…] about Armed Good Guys: Arrested for Carrying Same Ammunition as Cops? Colion Noir Breaks it Down (Must Watch)

Ruger SR-762: Ruger’s Badass 7.62×51 .308 Win.

A few years ago, Sturm, Ruger & Company leaped into the crowded AR15 rifle market with a piston driven AR15 variant. The SR-556 isn’t inexpensive. However, as a result, it is a very good rifle. Later, Ruger offered what I regarded as a sensational rifle, the SR-762, a 7.62×51 NATO variant. I suppose this might qualify as an AR10, but in most ways, it is a modern design. This isn’t a gas-impingement operation but rather a piston-operated rifle with a four-position gas valve or regulator. [Read more…] about Ruger SR-762: Ruger’s Badass 7.62×51 .308 Win.

Biden Endorses Forcible Seizure of Legal Guns

Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden has announced he would tap avowed gun grabber Robert “Beto” O’Rourke—who wants to forcibly seize legally owned firearms—as his Gun Control Czar. The disastrous result would be a roll back of our Second Amendment rights and a potential uprising from those targeted by the unconstitutional act. [Read more…] about Biden Endorses Forcible Seizure of Legal Guns

Handloading for the M1 Garand

The .30-06 Springfield has been my favorite rifle cartridge for 40 years. The power accuracy and ease of use are unrivaled. I have enjoyed handloading the cartridge for over 30 years. But loading the .30-06 for a bolt action rifle, and loading for a semi-automatic rifle such as the M1 Garand, are two different skills requiring different approaches. [Read more…] about Handloading for the M1 Garand

Armed Good Guys: Shootout Video

Glock 44: Glock Imperfection in a Rimfire?

The Glock 44 rimfire was met with some derision by those wishing to own a single-column magazine 10mm or perhaps the long-awaited Glock carbine. I don’t know if Glock is seriously considering these firearms, but it listens. [Read more…] about Glock 44: Glock Imperfection in a Rimfire?

Suicide Prevention: Gun-Related Deaths are Everyone’s Problem

Recognizing that nearly two-thirds of all firearms deaths are by suicide, NSSF and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention have developed a Suicide Prevention Toolkit to help firearms retailers, shooting range operators, and customers understand risk factors and warning signs related to suicide, know where to find help, and encourage secure firearms storage options. NSSF asks retailers and ranges to participate in this program because doing so can help save lives. [Read more…] about Suicide Prevention: Gun-Related Deaths are Everyone’s Problem

Situational Awareness: Hardwired Instinct vs. Motivation

When recently asked for thoughts about situational awareness training, I became (quite honestly) puzzled. It seems to me, it’s not a skill that needs to be taught—it’s quite intuitive. I believe recognizing human predatory behavior is hardwired into our psyche. Over time, wild animals have been replaced by criminals as our main predators. Just as a dog raises its hackles in a confrontation, the hair standing up on the back of our neck is a sign—an instinctual warning that something is amiss. [Read more…] about Situational Awareness: Hardwired Instinct vs. Motivation

SAF Petitions Supreme Court for Review of Rodriguez Case

The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) is the one of, if not the, most staunch defenders of the Second Amendment and the gun rights of citizens. Currently, the SAF has four cases before the Supreme Court—more at one time than any other gun rights organization in history.

BELLEVUE, WA – Attorneys for the Second Amendment Foundation have filed a petition to the U.S. Supreme Court seeking review of their case challenging the City of San Jose and its police department in a case involving the seizure of legally-owned firearms and refusal to return them. [Read more…] about SAF Petitions Supreme Court for Review of Rodriguez Case

Colt Python: Reintroduced, but Is It Worthy of the Name?

There has been considerable interest in the new Colt Python 2020. Likewise, there have been quite a few comments coming from those who have not handled the Python— the new or old version. It just would not do for Colt to deliver a cheapened version, and the new pistol has no such allusion. As a Colt fan, I will say the Colt Python 2020 is a better piece than the original. [Read more…] about Colt Python: Reintroduced, but Is It Worthy of the Name?

Biden Warns Gun Makers: ‘I’m Coming for You. Period.’

While the Democratic nominee may not be officially chosen for months, one thing is clear—regardless who the nominee is, he or she will be anti-gun. Bernie Sanders seems to be the current front runner, and actually had best (of the worst) voting records on Second Amendment issues. However, according to his campaign rhetoric, that will change. Sanders said what he needed to say to get elected in Vermont as a senator. Today, he is off the leash and in full-blown anti-gun mode. As for the worst voting record, the blue ribbon would likely have to go to Joe Biden. [Read more…] about Biden Warns Gun Makers: ‘I’m Coming for You. Period.’

Armed Good Guys: Married Off-Duty Cops Pause Date Night to Stop Masked Robber

News stories of civilian self-defense seldom receive adequate media coverage. After all, armed good guys stopping violent felons does not make headlines like the lives of innocents being taken. Bias and agendas play their part, but the media does not cover an event that did not happen, such as a case where a good guy stopped a violent event before it resulted in the loss of innocent life. However, these are exactly the type of stories we need to highlight to educate non gun owners before they head to the voting booth. [Read more…] about Armed Good Guys: Married Off-Duty Cops Pause Date Night to Stop Masked Robber

Gun Test: Springfield XD-S 4.0

The Springfield XD-S 4.0 is a variation on the Springfield XD—a popular and proven firearm. The XD-S is a good concealed carry handgun with the same action and features as the popular XD but enough differences to give the XD-S a distinctive character. The grip treatment is much different and offers plenty of abrasion. The XD-S .45 ACP version may sting the hand a bit, but it offers real power in a compact package. The XD-S 9mm version is more controllable and offers more rounds in the same compact package. [Read more…] about Gun Test: Springfield XD-S 4.0

Warren Wants to Up Ammo Prices With New Tax

If there is one thing the Democrats are good at, and consistent about, it is lecturing the American people about thing while doing the exact opposite. Elizabeth Warren was recently interviewed by WMRU’s Adam Sexton. During the interview, Warren claimed that a huge tax on ammo would be “good for communities of color.” Wouldn’t a tax on the Second Amendment do exactly the opposite? [Read more…] about Warren Wants to Up Ammo Prices With New Tax

Street Training: Keep It Real to Stay Alive

Officer Smith was dispatched on a disturbance call. Upon arrival, he attempted to interview a known drug dealer who was present on the scene. The suspect verbally threatened the officer, picked up a weapon, and charged the officer in a threatening manner. Realizing that he was in grave danger, officer Smith drew his department-issued Berretta, fired two shots, and then holstered his firearm. The suspect sustained two hits to the chest and continued his drug-driven rampage, killing officer Smith. Although the officer’s name was changed, sadly, this is a true story, and shows why you need street training. [Read more…] about Street Training: Keep It Real to Stay Alive

Armed Good Guys: Being Armed Does Not Always Mean a Gun

Review: Taurus G3 9mm Pistol

The majority of new introductions in the handgun world—and on the shelf in gun shops—are polymer frame 9mms. When it comes to service and personal defense, the polymer frame is by far the most popular. All are not inexpensive, but most are affordable. The polymer frame is not only inexpensive to manufacture the material is tough, long lasting, and easy to shape into a useable firearm. Among the newest introductions that has enthusiasts’ attention is the Taurus G3. [Read more…] about Review: Taurus G3 9mm Pistol

Chose the Handgun Over a Rifle or Shotgun for Defense!

On the morning of September 11, 2001, I was driving on Interstate 95 in Massachusetts, listening as the attacks unfolded on the radio, heading toward Boston to teach a three-hour seminar. When I got to the office where the class was being held, it was only the sobbing receptionist that broke the deafening silence to greeted me. We decided to press on with the training program. During the class breaks, we watched the towers burn on television. To describe it as surreal would be an understatement. When I got home early that afternoon—already wearing my handgun, as normal—I took a rifle, and shotgun out of the quick-action safe and put one on each side of the house. [Read more…] about Chose the Handgun Over a Rifle or Shotgun for Defense!