Ruined .38

March 20, 2013

Guns are rarely worn out through normal use. Given reasonable care and shooting only with the proper ammunition, most quality handguns will last for decades. Abuse, on the other hand, can destroy a nice gun in very little time. And sometimes the abuse can be ill-conceived modifications to a gun that could not possibly be improved. Take the case of the Smith & Wesson M&P revolvers made for the United Kingdom forces during World War II. The British service revolver cartridge was the .38/200, which is interchangeable with the .38 S&W (not the same as the .38 Spl). Tens of thousands of these fine revolvers were made and shipped to Great Britain, used by various British Army forces and put in storage after the war. Some may have never been issued. Most of them eventually came home via the war surplus route. More than a few were absolutely ruined before they were sold to American handgunners.

The Armed Citizen® March 19, 2013

March 19, 2013

A 35-year-old woman called 911 after a man followed her home from a gas station and forced his way inside through the front door. The woman allegedly ordered the man to leave then retreated to her bedroom. The intruder picked up a knife from the kitchen table and followed her.

Thompson/Center Dimension

March 18, 2013

The idea of a switch-barrel rifle sounds interesting, right? It’s an intriguing thought for most riflemen and women, but typically the setback is the cost of the second barrel. Thompson/Center’s Dimension bolt-action may eliminate that issue: its list price is only $699; additional barrels are just $199.

Marine Saves Woman

March 15, 2013

In Wisconsin, a Marine veteran that was practicing legal concealed carry stopped a man from beating his ex-girlfriend.

Long-Gun Storage

March 13, 2013

Storage is an important part of owning firearms. In addition to ensuring your guns stay out of the hands of criminals or other undesirables, proper storage prevents unauthorized access that can result in an accidental discharge. The problem is keeping a firearm secure while allowing access in a situation.

Where Has All The Ammo Gone?

March 13, 2013

In case you hadn’t noticed, we are in the midst of an ammunition, primer and propellant shortage. Stories are making both local and national news, and rumors abound on the Internet. I understand there have been large Federal contracts, but those cannot come close to explaining the increased demand for ammunition and components. There is more than a billion—that’s billion with a “B”—rounds of .22 Long Rifle produced in this country every year. One estimate puts it at closer to a billion and a half. The DHS has not bought a billion and a half rounds of .22 LR, so it cannot be pinned on them. Also, it is unlikely to me that Janet Napolitano is trying to corner the world market on Hodgdon Varget, even though it is one of my favorite go-to powders.

It’s a Gun Problem?

March 12, 2013

So many people claim that without guns we wouldn’t have senseless violence in society. If that’s so, then please someone explain to me this story about a guy attacking a Dunkin’ Donuts with an axe.

It’s Discontinued

March 12, 2013

Manufacturers discontinue handgun models for a variety of reasons, all of which are based in the market. It’s as plain as the laws of supply and demand, to which I was once exposed in Economics 101, many years ago. I hope that long ago professor will excuse my clumsy summary of how it works, but here goes. A handgun is a product just like a box of matches or an exotic silk scarf. The handgun, match or scarf maker produces these things at some expense, in the hopes that he or she will sell them for more than it cost to make them. He’s free to ask any price, but is well advised to set the price with care. Too high and the product won’t sell; too low and he’s literally giving his profit away. If enough people want the handgun, matches or scarf, and he prices accurately, he will prosper. He has to consider many other factors, such as the cost of selling the product, a mercurial market and politicians messing around with the conditions under which he is allowed to sell his wares. Let’s take a look at a couple of guns that were discontinued, and then later revived.

The Armed Citizen® March 12, 2013

March 12, 2013

Roger Webster, owner of Webster's Store, and a female customer were standing in front of the store when two men approached and forced them back into the store. Webster and the customer were held at gunpoint and ordered to give up money from the cash register.

Walther PPK/S .22

March 11, 2013

Famous for being the first DA/SA pistol and, of course, 007's firearm of choice (arguably more so for the latter), the Walther PPK remains one of the most famous handguns in industry history. Now the popular PPK line has expanded to include one of the most affordable calibers on the market: .22 LR.