How To Archives - Page 5 of 6

Pocket Carry: The Best Kept Secret in Concealment

I’m a big fan of pocket carry. One of its most endearing benefits is that it allows me to carry in locations that I would not be able to go with a belt or shoulder holster. Because the gun is hidden in a pocket, I don’t need a jacket or vest for concealment, which is great for locations where such clothing would not be appropriate. Wearing a formal suit at work, where others are dressed casually, would certainly look odd. I especially enjoy not wearing a concealment garment in the hot weather, and I like the ability to wear a t-shirt and shorts and still have my gun—all without anyone being the wiser. [Read more…] about Pocket Carry: The Best Kept Secret in Concealment

Sterling Silver Grips and Other Additions to the 1911

Ever since men first began to form weapons from metal, we have adorned our weapons with some type of decoration. Several have come up with something that marks their style or gives them a unique trademark. Some of the great gunners of the past smoked a cigar, others wore a Stetson, and many favored ivory grips. I have always liked custom grips for the 1911. The plain plastic or wood grips are rather utilitarian. Recently, I came across a set of silver grips that were unrivaled. [Read more…] about Sterling Silver Grips and Other Additions to the 1911

Ammo Storage and Transport

The military .30 caliber ammo can has many uses, but the primary use is ammo storage and transport. Imagine that! It’s almost as if they were made for it. However, my cans do not hold .30 caliber ammunition. I will go so far as to admit to the heresy of not owning any .308 rifles or ammo. For me, it is important to know how much of other calibers will fit in a .30 caliber ammo can, and how much they weigh when full. The numbers below are approximate, as this is using loose fill, so the space is not maximized. Depending on the caliber with careful (read as very time consuming) stacking add roughly 15-25%. Remember that also greatly increases the weight. [Read more…] about Ammo Storage and Transport

Beware of Fake Guns and Parts

A Canandaigua, NY man named Jonathan Roberts is facing multiple charges after allegedly violating weapons laws by purchasing gun part modifications for Glocks from China. It all began when Customs and Border Patrol agents intercepted a package in New York City that contained a selector switch for a Glock. This device converts a Glock pistol into a fully automatic firearm, which is illegal. [Read more…] about Beware of Fake Guns and Parts

Firearms at Theme Parks — Universal

I recently spent two weeks vacationing in Orlando. Orlando is a fairly gun friendly city, in a mostly gun friendly state. However, a huge asterisk must be applied when you are dealing with the theme parks. Let’s just say they are NOT gun friendly—at all. [Read more…] about Firearms at Theme Parks — Universal

Speed Is Good, but Accuracy Is Final

Before we make a purchase, we research what we are buying. By the same token, an investment in time should not be taken lightly. We look to those with good information in order to learn. After all, we are all ignorant, simply about different things. When it comes to training, speed and accuracy are always among the top considerations. [Read more…] about Speed Is Good, but Accuracy Is Final

AR15 Components: A Little More Means a Lot Better

There is a huge array of AR15 components available at K-Var! Shopping options usually involve two criteria. First, is the part suitable for what I envision for the completed gun? Second, is the AR15 part at the lowest price I can get? [Read more…] about AR15 Components: A Little More Means a Lot Better

How to Mount a Rifle Scope

At the beginning of the 20^th century, telescopic sights, or scopes were rarely seen on firearms. Today, scopes are commonly mounted on rifles as well as many shotguns and handguns. There are many advantages to having a scope on your gun, including variable magnification that allows you to zoom in on distant objects, and “reticles” — the crosshairs within the scope — simplify aiming. Today, virtually all hunting rifles are “drilled and tapped,” which means they have holes drilled in the top of the receiver by the factory or a built-in “Weaver-style” or “Picatinny” rail that enable anyone to mount their own optic. [Read more…] about How to Mount a Rifle Scope

Properties of Survival

In order to survive a threat, three primary elements need to work together. First and foremost, you need to become aware of the threat. You then need to assess the threat. And finally, you must decide upon and carry out the appropriate response. [Read more…] about Properties of Survival

Reloading the 10mm Cartridge for Power and Defense

The 10mm cartridge was originally intended as a means of increasing the power of the Browning High Power handgun. Using a .38-40 (.400 inch) bullet and a shortened .30 Remington rifle cartridge the new cartridge proved too much for the High Power-type pistol. Later, the .40 Smith and Wesson did not, but that is another story. [Read more…] about Reloading the 10mm Cartridge for Power and Defense

Commando Gunsmithing

I am not one of those who criticize the younger generation. Primarily, because I have seen too many in my training classes and in service who are on top of things. However, I also see a lack of appreciation for quality maintenance (personal gunsmithing). Perhaps the popular press and gun store commandos are responsible in part. Some shooters come to class with a pistol that is not of appropriate quality for personal defense. I don’t frequent the firearms chat rooms often, but I recently visited a fanboy website in search of answers to the malfunctions one student experienced with his personal rifle. [Read more…] about Commando Gunsmithing

The Double Tap — Are You Doing it Right?

Among the most misunderstood tactics in personal defense is the double tap. More than half of those practicing defense shooting execute the double tap incorrectly. Worse yet, it is most often taught incorrectly. [Read more…] about The Double Tap — Are You Doing it Right?

.300 Blackout — Subsonic Success Tips

Understatement: .300 Blackout, aka: AAC, is a popular cartridge among AR-15 fans. I like it especially in the shorter guns, and, around here at least, it’s looked on as an effective Whitetail cartridge choice. Pretty much, it’s for those who want a bigger bullet in an AR-15 with a minimum of technical distractions (some call them problems). One reason for its popularity is the supersonic/subsonic option. I built a specialty AR-15 for home defense that I also featured in recent book project, and that was my choice. Reasons? Sure, it’s civil and effective. [Read more…] about .300 Blackout — Subsonic Success Tips

Surviving an Elevated Shooter

The city of Las Vegas experienced the devastation wreaked when an elevated shooter decided to prey on a crowd of innocent concertgoers in a known gun-free zone. Many people continue to search for answers as to why this happened and what could be done differently to protect innocent civilians. While we do not know the why, here are some points to consider in an effort prevent the history from becoming your present. [Read more…] about Surviving an Elevated Shooter

Clearing Jams and Malfunctions

If it moves, it can jam. Jams and malfunctions are, unfortunately, a fact of life with semi-automatics. In the event of a problem, it is imperative to understand what caused the jam, because that will directly affect what type of correction needs to be made. [Read more…] about Clearing Jams and Malfunctions

Home Invasion — Distance Is Your Friend

Anyway you look at it, someone entering your house in the middle of the night is a home invasion… Sneaking around the outside of a house at 3 a.m., the criminal sees and hears no signs that his chosen victims are awake. With a padded covering, he uses his elbow to break a basement window. Slipping inside, he makes his way up the stairs, stopping to pick up a small piece of 2×4 along the way. Hearing the glass break and noise downstairs, you gather your family to the master bedroom. Hiding behind concealment, a family member calls 911, while you get your weapon. Now what? [Read more…] about Home Invasion — Distance Is Your Friend

Dry Firing: Target Accuracy Made Easy

We hunters spend hours and dollars trying to improve our chances for bagging that next buck, bear, or bunny. Scientists have now discovered ways to do that for fewer dollars. True! We can now train with our rifles for less than pennies a day. One technique, in fact, costs nothing but time. And it’s time well spent. [Read more…] about Dry Firing: Target Accuracy Made Easy

6 Tips to a Better Grip

One of the most poorly understood elements of handgun control is how to properly grip your pistol. This is evidenced by the number of people struggling to find a consistent, accuracy enhancing grip. There are varying opinions on how much effort, or gripping pressure to use, and how to maintain that pressure, so we looked to Springfield Armory’s 24-time National Champion Rob Leatham (He knows a thing or two about putting shots in the X-ring.) [Read more…] about 6 Tips to a Better Grip

Skill Set: Flying With Firearms

During firearm training classes, the question of flying with firearms comes up a lot. People have a fear of flying with firearms, but it’s just a lack of knowledge about the process. As long as you know how to proceed it’s not a big deal. [Read more…] about Skill Set: Flying With Firearms

Hits Count — Stabilize Your Rifle

When it comes to rifle shooting, fast hits are what counts in hunting and personal defense scenarios. When sighting in the rifle from the benchrest, we have all of the time in the world. Recently, I sighted my personal M1A1 with Leatherwood scope in from the rest and enjoyed 1 MOA groups with Federal MSR Fusion ammunition. However, I cannot expect a fraction of this accuracy when firing off hand at the 100-yard line, because you do not have the same opportunity to stabilize your rifle—or do you? [Read more…] about Hits Count — Stabilize Your Rifle