Firearms Friday: New Products For The Wish List

This past weekend the NRA held their annual meeting in Louisville, Kentucky during which a number of manufacturers announced new products… or at least had the first iterations of current innovations on display. It is one of those times in the year, along with Shot Show, when I look through the reports and reviews from the event, as well as those announcements from the beginning of the year, and slowly build a list in my head of all the new items that I would like to buy. Unfortunately, this is pretty much where things end as I am not one to run to the store and spend thousands of dollars to have the latest and greatest that the industry has to offer.

That being said there are a number of new firearms that pique my interest and I am curious to see what the reviews will be like and it they gain in popularity over the next year. If you take into account all the new firearms hitting the shelves this would be an absurdly long post so, for the sake of brevity, I will focus on the handguns that caught my attention. This year, that list includes full size versions of the Canik TP-9, Sphinx SDP Standard (accepts Glock 17 magazines!), and the competition ready CZ 75 TS. Of course, there have also been some brand new pistols that I am eager to see in my local shop which include the relaunch of the Llama 1911, Heizer Defense PKO, Honor Defense 9 mm, SCCY Industries CPX-3 (the .380 version of the popular budget pistol), the Schmeisser SLP-9, and, of course, the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield in .45 ACP.

Magnum Research will also have a light weight Desert Eagle in .357 magnum available this year but I am choosing not to expound upon that mistake. Oddly enough, the ones that I am most curious about are the Llama, Sphinx, Heizer, Honor Guard, and Schmeisser. Given those four, here are some of my thoughts:

• The Llama was always a budget friendly option in the past that offered descent quality and I want to see if that has been carried over into this current incarnation of the, some would say, venerable line.

• Heizer is bringing to market a semi-automatic firearm that has evolved from the success of their derringer style handguns… this could be a huge success or completely miss the mark.

• Schmeisser is a completely new company to me and I am always fascinated to see what the adoption of a new manufacture is early on and the level of quality that they are able to provide during their first few years on the market. At first glance, the pistol seems to be a hybrid between many of the striker fired handguns currently thriving in the market. The question is whether this is the right combination of features from those popular pistols. The Honor Defense 9mm would also fall into this with a slightly different look which combines the features and aesthetics from other manufacturers.

• Sphinx continues to have a great reputation and they have definitely earned it with the quality firearms that they have produced. However, they remain well above average with regard to price point and I am curious to see what kind of deterrent that will continue to be in the marketplace. That being said, there is a luxury afforded to the owner about being able to use standard Glock magazines and one that can potentially save the shooter a good deal of money in the long run.

In the end, it should be another interesting year for the firearms industry (not including the presidential race) and one that could provide some notable developments as well as returns to prominence. And while most of us can’t afford the $4.5 million dollar price tag of the Cabot Guns meteor 1911s, there are plenty of affordable options new to the market as well as some interesting new incarnations that will provide us with some different and sometimes unique range experiences. Whether or not these new products will be a success is an entirely different question altogether. Of course, the most important thing to remember this year is that our right to enjoy this sport, our right to self-defense, our right to own these tools is more important than ever and this industry will not thrive without our support, activism, and willingness to defend our rights.

Firearms Friday: Open Projects

There are a number of projects that are on the table which, as I stated before, I hope to complete over the next couple of months. Knowing that I will finally be able to get some work done at my bench it is time to pull together the project list. While by no means complete, this at least gives me a starting point and a way to track my progress on these initial projects. Hopefully this will also keep me from getting distracted by the other parts and pieces that are tucked away in my work space.

The first set of items that need to be taken care of are the AR15 builds. While there are a few personal projects that I would like to complete and others which I hope to modify, there are rifles that are still in pieces and that, once assembled, I hope to sell to one of the local gun shops… a few extra dollars in the bank account would be nice. However, there are a number of trigger installations and optics that need to be mounted that I have been putting off as well as a few pistol builds that keep getting pushed to the side so I hope to finally get those done. This will clearly be the bulk of the work and also clear the most space on my bench.

The next project is to swap out a number of the parts on my Smith & Wesson M&P9 Pro CORE. Already a fine firearm out of the box, there are a few easy modifications that can be done to customize the pistol. Those adjustments include an extended magazine release, replacing the magazine base plates, and installing a red dot. Nothing outrageous, just some solid upgrades. Of course, I may just start with my Glock 17 which is in need of an upgraded magazine release, slide stop, and replacement base plates. So, I guess you could really combine these two to almost being a single project on the list.  

The third thing on the list is to secure a few of the safes that need to be installed around the house, testing, and adding bit of concealment. Everything else comes down to maintenance, organization, and culling through the inventory to see if there are any items that just aren’t getting used and would be better served if I were to sell them and let someone else enjoy the craftsmanship. Hopefully by the end of the summer I will have a better handle on the work space and everything moving forward will consist primarily of maintaining and enjoying what I have in my safe. At least that is the goal.

Firearms Friday: Time For Competition?

For the past two years I have been interested in participating in one of the many competitions that can be found at ranges throughout the area. It is one of those things where I just want to see how well I would do against not only others but against myself. This is especially true now since it has been way too long since I have gotten in any significant range time and while I am certain that I can be effective I would be much slower and not as accurate (I am not hitting the ten ring at speed at this point).

With no real significant plans in the books for the summer it might be possible to practice a bit and spend the day at a competition somewhere nearby but there aren’t any real long term certainties these days. And, at this point, given the limited opportunities that I have to get on the range would it be time well spent to dive right into a competition or would it be to simply feed my curiosity. The more practical option would be to spend the time practicing and also doing a few range tests on some firearms.

This year will also be the time to get back to building as there are several projects that I would like to complete with one of them being to outfit my 5 inch Smith & Wesson M&P 9 Pro CORE. I’m not talking about any major changes as the items that I will be adding include extended base plates, extended magazine release, co-witnessing optic, and maybe a new trigger. With the exception of the trigger, I have everything ready to go. It should be pretty nice by the time everything is complete and I am really looking forward to taking this competition gun to the range. Maybe some friendly, informal, match ups with friends are in order.

Moving forward it is all going to come down to time management with regard to this sport. Practice comes first, builds and maintenance second, and competitions are third. That is the general prioritization that I have to work with now that life has become full of interesting events, unique experiences, and once in a lifetime opportunities. Competitions would be nice as I could test my limited skills and maybe travel a little but, in the end, it wouldn’t be worth the time as, given my schedule, it would have to replace something else. Now if I were paid to compete, that would be a different story altogether… but I don’t see that happening in this lifetime.  

Firearms Friday: Reacquiring

I previously wrote about firearms wish lists last month and while this post is quite similar it is also different in its specificity. We all have those lists we keep, regardless of what the collection may be, of those items we wish to acquire at some point in the future. Sometimes those items are obtainable while others are of the good fortune variety that require a significant influx of cash in order to make those acquisitions feasible. This particular list definitely falls into the former category as at one point in time I owned each of the firearms listed below.

There are various reasons why I decided to let some of these go and there are plenty of firearms that are not included for one reason or another. What it really comes down to is what I would like to take to the range again and what performed well for me in the past. Nothing outrageous is included and they are all readily obtainable but, at the moment, it is not the time to be buying. Now, before I go further, I will let you know that today is my birthday so if you are looking for a gift idea feel free to cross something off.

There have been three Sig Sauer firearms that are no longer stored in my safe: P238, P938, P226 MK25. They were all great performers on the range even for someone such as myself who is not the most accurate. The quality on each of these handguns is superb with accuracy and reliability living up to the Sig Sauer name. While the P238 is much further down on the list due to its caliber, I would welcome an opportunity to bring back the other two if given the opportunity.

I have always been a huge fan of Smith & Wesson from the moment I purchase my first handgun (a well-used 910). When I sold that first handgun I ‘upgraded’ to a new SD9 which was later replaced, naturally, with the M&P 9. If anything, I would like to reacquire the SD9 for nostalgia as it was with this firearm that I really learned how to shoot. During this time I also came to own a 39-2 which had, by far, one of the best triggers that I have ever experienced. This is definitely one that I regret letting go because of both how great the gun was and for the simple fact that I can’t really find any in as good a shape as the one I previously owned.

The next two are the outliers. I have always been a big fan of Kahr Arms (more so now that they are manufacturing in Pennsylvania) and the CW9 proved to be a perfect concealed carry option given its medium sized single stack frame. It helps that the trigger and accuracy are exceptional as well. The CM9 is great but that little extra grip surface does make a big difference. The last on this list is the H&K USP9. While definitely not as exceptional at the P30, the USP model still exemplifies the exceptional H&K build quality, accuracy, and reliability. This one may take some time to reacquire as it might be the hardest to justify given the presence of the aforementioned P30.

Anyone who has enjoyed this sport for any length of time has a similar list floating around somewhere. It may not be the fanciest collection of names or models but, for one reason or another, it is the one that we look forward to completing the most. Maybe one day I can check a few off of this list and hopefully that doesn’t mean that I would have to add one at the same time.

Firearms Friday: Wish List

#1 on my wish list... IWI Tavor IDF.

It really doesn’t matter what you collect of what you enjoy as a hobby, everyone has a wish list of some kind. I can remember when I was younger collecting baseball cards of teams and players as well as filling coin catalogs with every date and mint mark… there was always a certain card or coin that I was looking for at any given moment. Even now, whenever my wife and I are in a new place or walking through an old bookstore, we try and find something Wizard of Oz related to fit into her collection. She may not have a defined wish list but there are certain things that she looks for when browsing through the aisles.  

Generally speaking, for some people it is one or two items while for others the list is far longer than that which you own. I definitely fall in the latter of the two and it is actually a pretty diverse list of firearms ranging from the inexpensive Diamondback DB9FS, Zastava CZ999, Walther CCP, and Smith & Wesson SD9 to a Cabot Guns 1911, Detonics Defense STX, IWI Tavor IDF, Smith & Wesson 500 Performance Center, Binelli M4, IWI 50AE Desert Eagle, and FN PS90. Like I said, a rather diverse group. Heck, I just like things that are a little different and it really doesn’t matter what the price is… it is a wish list after all, a mix of the realistic and completely unreasonable.

And, of course, there are the mid-range, easy to find items. The ones that you regularly pass up even though you ask to see it every time you walk into the door of the gun shop. Sometime they will even have it ready for you. Many of these firearms are on most lists like the Sig Sauer MK25 (P226 Navy), Walther PPQ M2, Smith & Wesson M&P 45, CZ P-09, FNH FNX45 Tactical, IWI Jericho 941, and many other similar guns. Then there are the ones that occasionally come in and you end up kicking yourself for not picking it up when you see it put out in the used case. Prime examples of this for me include the Khar K9, Smith & Wesson 39-2, Styer Mannlicher L-A1, and Walther PPS.

Finally, there are the ones that you have yet to find either new or in the used case… Sometimes it is all about timing and just being the lucky one to find it in the case soon after it is put out. My timing is rarely a positive attribute which is why I have yet to find a Colt All American (2000), BUL M5, IWI SP21, or LionHeart LH9. None of these are particularly expensive firearms especially when well used examples are found but they just don’t surface often.

As many of you know, wish lists can be both a means to focus your efforts and also a frustrating practice. Most lists, in the end, wind up being “if I win the lottery” lists but that doesn’t mean that you can’t just keep track of the items that have piqued your interest. After all, there may be an inexpensive but relatively good quality alternative on the market that you don’t know about yet. And, you never know, maybe you find that unbelievable deal on one of those unreachable items on your list… the kind of situation that you usually only hear about second hand. You just never know so keep working on that wish list.

Firearms Friday: The Sound Of Range Music

As I noted last week, I would rather take a pistol to the range over a rifle. It is what I have more experience with and frankly I am much more proficient with a pistol. Now I am sure that this will prompt much debate, but, as of this moment, here are a few of my favorite handguns and the ones that find their way into my range back most often.

Smith & Wesson M&P Pro CORE / Smith & Wesson M&P9 Full Size

In the end, this is the handgun that I shoot the best with at the range. While the trigger is far from the best on the market (the Pro CORE model is far superior to the standard package) the ergonomics and reliability are on par with the best. Additionally, there is a little bit of simple unexplainable preference. I also prefer the consistent pull of striker fire pistols which leads me to my second choice…

Glock 17 Gen 4 / Glock 34 Gen 4

Probably the most natural to get on target than any other pistol in my hand. The slight change in the grip angle is superb and the trigger is just above average. However, the fit and finish leaves something to be desired. Overall, this is probably the firearm which I am second best with at the range. Again, striker fired but not all the handguns on my list have that in common…

Para Ordinance 1911 Expert 14.45 / Para Ordinance 1911 Expert Stainless

Until relatively recently, I wasn’t a big fan of the 1911. While they have great triggers (for the most part) and are highly accurate), I wrongly viewed them as overpriced with limited capacity. They were also predominantly in a caliber which I was much less familiar compared to the 9mm. However, I came across these models at a price point far below those firearms previously mentioned and one of them settled the capacity argument pretty handily. Once those two dubious arguments were settled, caliber wasn’t really a question anymore. This leads to the next firearm on my list…

Kimber 1911 Poly Pro Carry 4

A high capacity 1911 with a polymer frame. Any questions? This is a great combination between old and new with a reliable design upgraded with additional capacity and a lighter frame. As a bonus the frame was actually made by BUL in Israel much like another one of my favorites…

IWI / Magnum Research Baby Eagle / Jericho

Really this is the Magnum Research Baby Eagle as the Jericho (the name it has before Magnum research and the one it bears again today) has a frame mounted safety rather than a slide mounted safety of which I am familiar. This is another highly accurate firearm which takes much of its functional design from the CZ 75 (another favorite) and adds a rugged Israeli edge to it. This is a great range companion but not something I would use in competition like the Smith & Wesson Pro CORE, Glock 34 Gen 4, or the following firearm…

Springfield Armory xDM Competition / Springfield Armory xDM

While further down the list than some of its direct competitors, Springfield does produce a fine striker fired firearm with the xDM. The feel is a little different and the grip safety is something you have to get used to (similar but different from the 1911) but it is accurate, reliable, and just plain fun to shoot at the range. You also don’t have to reload as much with a magazine capacity, in 9mm, of 19+1. A few more rounds than something that you could easily conceal…

Sig Sauer P938 (Limited Edition)

This particular model had a beautifully engraved a blued slide. It is the perfect balance of concealability with the function and accuracy that you would find in a full size 1911. So much so that it performs surprisingly well as 25 yards on the range. The only minor issue that I have heard from people is having to carry a pocket gun cocked and locked… not an issue with a good holster but that is another topic altogether. It does take some getting used to but then again so does every firearm…

H&K P30S

Some people love the H&K trigger while others hate it. For me it just takes some getting used to as I have improved at the range each and every time that I have taken it out. On top of that, there might not be a firearm on the market with better ergonomics (the Walther PPQ is close) or fit and finish. One company that is pretty close when considering the latter also has a pretty impressive Special Forces pedigree…

Sig Sauer P226 MK25 / Mitchell Arms TZ99

The MK25 is built to take a beating but that doesn’t meant that Sig cut any corners… on the other side of this equation are copies like the TZ99 which offer the same form and function but with limited attention paid to the fit and finish of the pistol. The MK25 isn’t the most accurate or the best overall firearm on the market but it does the job in any conditions. While the double action trigger is lacking, it is one of the best when it comes to single action with regard to both feel and accuracy when compared to others with the same action.  

Smith & Wesson M&P Shield

Light, concealable, reliable, and accurate. One of the best in class for concealed carry and a great compliment to the M&P. In addition to being a practical firearm that doesn’t break the budget it is an easy to use striker fired pocket pistol with a reasonable amount of accuracy and capacity for its size. Not my favorite but certainly nowhere near the bottom of the list (that spot is reserved for the Remington R51). However, I will say that the Khar CM9 (CW9 and PM9 should also be considered) is really close and I would have no reservations recommend those firearms as well.

So those are my top 10 (and a few extras) which I really enjoy taking to the range. There are a lot of others that I have enjoyed shooting but there is limited space on the list. But, since I know there are a lot of you that didn’t see your favorite mentioned above, here are the next 20 on my list:

11. Beretta PX4 Storm / Stoeger Cougar
12. CZ 75 B / EAA (Tanfoglio) Witness
13. Sig Sauer P320F
14. FNH FNS 9
15. H&K USP9
16. Glock 21 Gen 4
17. Beretta M9A1 / Taurus PT99AF
18. Smith & Wesson 39-2
19. Ruger SR9 Stainless
20. Sig Sauer SP2022
21. CZ P-07 Duty
22. Kimber Pro Carry II
23. BUL Cherokee / EAA (Tanfoglio) Witness (Polymer)
24. Walther PPX
25. Canik TP9
26. Taurus PT24/7
27. ATI Fatboy Lightweight
28. Beretta 9000-S
29. Ruger LC9 CTC
30. Beretta Nano

Still not seeing your favorite? Well, either I haven’t shot it or I don’t much care for it. But, in the end, this is simply my opinion. Doesn’t mean that I am right or wrong (mostly the latter on a daily basis). That is my list, what is yours? Share your top 10 below just please don’t mention Hi Point.

Firearms Friday: Magazines

There are many consideration that need to be made when purchasing a firearm, especially handguns. I have previously addressed the fact that the process is an individual decision and one firearm may work for one person but not for another (some may even detest the selection). I have also written on the considerations that need to be made regarding ammunition. All in all, it is a very personal process but there are a few things that should be considered with every purchase whether this is your first time or far from your first time.

Again, we have already addresses a few key considerations that being range time and equipment. This time around I want to discuss the topic of magazines. Please note that I am not talking about clips which are completely different.

An all too common comment made by those new to firearm ownership is “why do I need an extra magazine? It came with two, I don’t need any more than that.” While that may seem to make sense to some, the reality is that you should have at least 5 magazines for every firearm you own. In addition to the simple fact that magazines break, you should have 5 or more for the scenarios that you may not be thinking of and because it makes practicing at the range an easier and more enjoyable experience. Five is the baseline but don’t just buy any brand.

There are varying qualities of magazines on the market these days which include factory production (the same manufacturer of the firearm for which it is intended), less expensive models (i.e. Mec-Gar and ProMag), and better quality magazines than what come with the firearm (i.e. Magpul, Wilson Combat, Chip McCormick). The prices of these can vary significantly from $10 to over $50 per magazine and those are just the ones that are readily available. And sometimes that really nice 1911 you just bought does not come with a reliable magazine (i.e. Kimber). This brings up another important consideration at the time of purchase… can I find magazines for this firearm and, if so, can I afford them?

You may find a great deal on an H&K but how many magazines does it come with and how many are you going to have to purchase at $40-50 each? Or there are some models that are difficult to find… you may have found that S&W 39 (the H&K P7 might be a better example) that you have been looking for but it doesn’t have a magazine with it. The magazines are out there but they are becoming few and far between.

What this all comes down to is a very simple rule of thumb when buying a firearm. Something that new firearms owners need to be aware of and something that all of us need to be reminded of from time to time. You need good quality magazines for your firearms… 5 or more. When you look to buy keep that in mind three basic factors: reliability, availability and affordability. Forgetting these can really be a costly mistake in more ways than one.

Firearms Friday: Always Consider The Caliber

Sig Sauer P238.

A couple of years ago, firearms chambered in .380 ACP surged in popularity. This spike in sales was largely due to the compact nature of the firearms being produced. Heck, I was one of the people that purchased a firearm for that very reason (the Sig Sauer P238 to be exact). Since that phase, 9mm firearms have definitely caught up and have been shrunk down to approximately the same size. With size now pretty much out of the equation, more and more .380 firearms can be found in the used cases than ever before (my Sig suffered the same fate) and many of them are discounted heavily due to the number of firearms that are coming back in and the significantly decreased demand.

Another deterrent keeping the .380 market subdued is the simple fact that ammunition prices for the necked down cartridge are still high when compared to 9mm. Essentially, you can get the same sized firearm with the same round count and spend a lot less on ammunition (a difference big enough to justify the slightly larger price tag for 9mm). All those small firearms don’t make much sense anymore even though the upfront cost is much lower.

However, in the end that is now the biggest draw of these firearms. People go to the used display cases, see the price difference, and decide to save a few dollars. The rude awakening (most commonly with new gun owners) doesn’t happen until later when they keep spending more and more money on ammunition with the price of 9mm, sitting right next to those pricy boxes, staring them in the face. Overall, anyone who has been around firearms knows that this is not a new dilemma just the current incarnation.

This is still something that happens when you aren’t quite paying enough attention before buying that surplus rifle or dusty revolver. I still see people, many with a pretty good background in firearms, bring back their ‘bargain’ buys once they feel the pain of the prices associated with uncommon calibers. Primarily I see with 32 and 38 Smith & Wesson revolvers. These firearms frequently rotate in and out of used cases with nominal price tags… seeing a price in double digits pretty much ensures that the firearm will be sold quickly. What many buyers don’t realize as they are filling out the forms is that they will actually spend more money on ammo during a single day at the range than they spend on the gun itself (if they can even find the ammo).

So, in the end, whether you are buying your first gun or your hundredth, don’t forget to factor in the price of ammo especially in a market that retains some volatility. Make sure that you consider both the price and availability of the ammo for the ‘bargain’ that you just discovered in the used (or new) case. Practice is an essential part of firearms ownership and if you can afford to practice it really isn’t a bargain after all. Buy what makes financial sense in the long run not just in the short term. Of course, if you really want that PPK and you can afford to feed it by all means go right ahead just stay away from the Martinis.

Firearms Friday: Inexpensive Alternatives

Anyone familiar at all with firearms knows how expensive this hobby can be. I have been at the store and seen some of the astronomical totals that people have spent on firearms. It doesn’t matter who you are, you always get that feeling of ‘if I only had the money’. Barring some sort of lottery windfall, that isn’t going to happen for most of us. However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some interesting options out there that are considerably less while retaining a decent level of quality.

While last week I wrote about some of the interesting firearms that I have come across at the gun shop (Tanner's Sports Center), this post will focus on the budget firearms. These are the ones that are affordable even if you bought them new. Of course, if you buy a used firearm you can get a lot more for your money and expands the budget minded options considerably. While I may write about the used market in a later post, today I am going to focus on the new models (which you can also find used to save even more).

SCCY CPX-1

While cheap firearms are not something that are usually well received, inexpensive ones are and the CPX-1 falls in the latter (Hi Point would be a good example of the former). With a MSRP of $334 and unfired used examples on the market for below $200, this is a great firearm for the budget minded. Having come across these in the local shops on numerous occasions, the quality was rather surprising even if the trigger is far from average. Overall reliability has been good with little wear to be found on many of the more heavily used examples that I have come across. And you can’t really argue with a lifetime warranty which follows the firearm. This minimal investment is definitely worth picking up especially if you find one in the used case.

Smith & Wesson Sigma / SD9 / SD9VE

Shortly after Smith & Wesson introduced the Sigma, they were sued by Glock for infringing upon their patent. While there have been a variety of similar accusations made over the years between various manufacturers, few have been successful. That was not the case in this instant as Glock won and now Smith & Wesson has to pay royalties for every Sigma / SD9 / SD9VE they sell. When you handle one of these Smith & Wesson introductory models you realize why they lost in court. However, while there are numerous similarities that this line has with their Glock counterparts there are a couple of glaring differences namely in the trigger and the price. While a Generation for Glock regularly sells for around $550, the Sigma can easily be found for right around $300. 

Zastava CZ999

I previously mentioned this firearm as a Sig Sauer P226 clone. While no one can deny the quality produced by Sig, not everyone can afford the price tag associated with the name. However, for those interested in Sig’s flagship pistol but don’t have the means to spend $700, the CZ999 is a decent alternative which can easily be found for $300. While you may not get the same high quality and finish (machining marks are notable on the inside of the slide) the firearm is well constructed and reliable. Not a bad alternative for half the price.

1911 Alternatives

For those who want to practice more often without spending the money on thousands of rounds of 45 ACP, the 1911-22 has proven to be a great alternative. With rising ammunition prices in recent years, the 22LR variant has grown in popularity. Besides being a heck of a lot of fun to shoot, the practical training aspect cannot be overstated. Of course, it helps that previous reliability issues have been addressed and they are now a much more effective training aid. Current models made by Walther / Colt, GSG / Sig Sauer, Chiappa, etc. are pretty much on par with one another and can easily be found for under $300 new and under $200 used.   

Cobra Derringer

While there is a practical purpose (and has been for over a century) for a derringer these tiny firearms are falling further and further out of favor as semiautomatic firearms get smaller and smaller. However, Cobra is making a half decent effort on the old design offering small bore models for just north of $100. At that price, even given the questionable fitting of the firearms, they are worth picking up for the heck of it. Of course, if you want the same size and better quality I would consider either the North American Arms mini revolvers (22LR and 22 Magnum) or the Double Tap derringers (9mm and 45 ACP) both of which can be found brand new for around $200.

While you’re not going to win any competitions with the aforementioned options (although Jerry Miculek could probably win with just about anything), they are decent options for those of us without the means to buy the top of the line. And, honestly, there are a number of high end firearms that aren’t really that much better than some of the lower cost alternatives. If you take your time and consider the options that are available (which go far beyond those mentioned above), you can find something that works for you so that you can both enjoy the shooting sports and, if need be, protect yourself and your family.

Saturday Afternoon Detour

Final decision... Smith & Wesson M&P 9C

On Saturday I alluded to a stop that I made on the way back from Scranton with my mentee. Well, it shouldn’t be a shock to anyone, at least anyone who has been reading this blog for any length of time, that we stopped by my local gun shop. It was actually one of those instances that everything seemed to work out perfectly… we left Scranton earlier than expected, the trip was fast than anticipated, and it turned out that my passenger didn’t have to get back right away and was free for the afternoon. All of those things added up to a slight detour to enjoy looking at a variety of firearms.

It all stemmed from previous conversations that we had discussing additional carry options for him. An upgrade if you will. I kept telling him that we would eventually make it up to Tanner’s Sport Center so that we could take a look around and see what worked for him. This trip put everything into place so that our side trip made sense. We had the time to drive over there and we had plenty of time, up to Scranton and back, to discuss all the things that he wanted in a new carry gun. By the time we got to the shop I had a pretty good list of things that I wanted to show him for consideration.

Now, I want you to keep in mind that I am fully aware that a firearms purchase, especially one that is going to be carried, is a very individual process. Something that works for me, whether it be caliber, size, weight, action, etc., may not work for someone else. I am not a brand loyal shooter. There are too many options and high quality firearms out there that I couldn’t really settle on one brand, model, and caliber. I have my preferences but I am not going to rule anything out (even the cheaper options have their place).

His list was pretty basic: 9mm, smaller, double stack magazine (10+ capacity with larger magazine options as a plus... we live in a free state), and striker fired. Keep in mind that he was carrying a Ruger LCP at the time. So, with those options as a starting point we walking into the gun shop and began browsing the used gun case. While he was asking the sales person if they had a used Glock 26 I spotted a Smith & Wesson M&P 9C off in the corner of the case. While he had a few doubts at first, he soon realize when he put the two side by side that they were the same size with many of the same features. The only real difference is preference in both appearance and feel.

There were also a few single stacks that we pulled out of the case (Walther, Kahr, Smith & Wesson M&P Shield, etc.) but capacity weighed heavily on his decision. What finally pushed him to make the purchase was the various holster options that seemed to work well for him and the extra magazines that were available on the rack. So, in the end, I guess you could say that I helped to guide my mentee in more than just Freemasonry. In both instances, I am really just there to offer advice and guidance with the final decision being his to make. I’m just glad that I am able to help him with two things that he enjoys.