November 07, 2011
There are two basic types of automatic pistol mechanisms, known as actions. One is the blowback; while the other is known as recoil operated. Both accomplish the same thing: The breech is held closed until the bullet exits the muzzle before using the residual energy to extract and eject the spent case, load another cartridge and close the breech.
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November 06, 2011
It’s about that time. Yes, it’s almost the first Saturday in November when the white-tailed deer season opens in Texas and, as a visit to McBride’s Gun Shop in Austin just validated, it’s gun-buying time. You see, the firearms business can be quite seasonal, like the ski business or the boat business. The only difference is that the pivotal season for the firearms business is not weather-related—it’s mostly geared around hunting.
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November 04, 2011
Words have power that can be used both for good and evil. Encouraging words can build a person’s self esteem, while insulting words can hurt someone for years or even decades. And commanding words can save someone’s life.
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November 03, 2011
Normally Raven Smith leaves his gun in the vehicle before he goes into a restaurant, but something made him reconsider one evening. The concealed-carry permit holder kept his .380-cal. handgun holstered as he stepped out of the car to have dinner with his girlfriend. Before he’d taken three steps, a masked man rushed up behind his girlfriend with what appeared to be a gun. “Get down, get down!” Smith yelled to his girlfriend as he fired four shots. The suspect dropped to the ground with four gun-shot wounds and will be arrested after his release from the hospital. “I’ve only had practice doing casual shooting, as a hobby,” said Smith, an airline mechanic. “It’s completely different using it in a situation like this.” His girlfriend calls him her hero, adding, “I saw orange flashes over my head. And then my ears were ringing.” (St. Petersburg Times, St. Petersburg, VA, 08/08/11)
The Armed Citizen Extra
(The following account did not appear in the print version of American Rifleman.)
A 92-year-old Ohio farmer was outside of his home feeding his cats when he saw a white Chevrolet car racing down his driveway. Upon stopping, several men exited the vehicle and began taking cooper wiring and other supplies from the farmer's barn and putting them into the truck of the car. When the homeowner called out to the men, telling them to stop, one of the suspects began charging at him, so the homeowner grabbed his .38-caliber handgun and fired a warning shot into the ground. The suspects attempted an escape, but their car got stuck in a nearby ditch. They were later charged with breaking and entering. (Portsmouth Daily Times, Portsmouth, OH, 03/31/10)
From The Armed Citizen Archives
October 1979: A barking dog and the sounds of forced entry woke Barbara Squires in her Ft. Wayne, Ind., apartment. Squires secured a .38 cal. revolver and investigated, finding a youth in the front hallway of the darkened house. She held the would-be burglar at gunpoint while calling the police. (The Journal Gazette, Ft. Wayne, Ind. 7/6)
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November 01, 2011
Handguns can be intimidating to a complete beginner trying to get over the fear of injury that comes with handling what can be a deadly tool. After teaching him or her The Fundamental Rules of Gun Safety, it becomes time for the student to learn the operating drill for the particular handgun with which he or she will begin the training cycle. In my opinion, it is unwise to present a new shooter with more than one gun at a time. Ideally, the first gun should be a DA/SA revolver, but that is not always possible. Whatever the selected handgun is, make sure the beginner has a thorough understanding of how the gun works. Then you can move on to using the gun to its full potential.
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October 27, 2011
Yikes, I just got a fright! Try it yourself and see if Birchwood Casey's newest zombie target sensation website doesn't make your heart jump.
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October 26, 2011
By Iain Harrison
Since the first two seasons established a template for the finale that works, the producers seem loathe to change. So, last night we were treated to the spectacle of Mike, Gary, Chris and Dustin going head-to-head shooting dueling trees, playing HORSE and, finally, the all-in culmination of the show.
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October 26, 2011
When Ronald Bracey awoke to his wife’s screams, he leapt from bed, got his handgun and stepped out of the bedroom where, to his immense terror, two men were holding guns to his wife’s head. The men wore hats that read “police,” but Bracey knew immediately that these were no officers of the law.
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October 25, 2011
Last week, a 66-year-old northern California woman defended herself in a dangerous situation and proved, once again, that firearms are a great equalizer against those who prey on the elderly. And while there are certain aspects that I thought she could have handled differently, this lady did many things right in a very stressful encounter.
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October 25, 2011
By Iain Harrison
Whoever thought up the wheel used during the competition should have taken a bow at the closing credits. Not so much for the concept, but for the ability to jury-rig that contraption out of components that were obviously laying about the back yard of some prop house, and making it safe enough that someone would willingly strap into it. Although the SP89 was a decent choice for the challenge gun, I’m sure a lot of viewers were disappointed that the show didn’t provide a real MP5K and let the shooters take it in full auto mode.
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