A New Carry Gun...

OK, I've been wanting a small carry pistol that will just slip into the pocket of my short pants. I have been comparing the Kel-Tec P3AT and the Ruger LCP. Both .380 cal. Everything I have read said they are both good guns, but overall people seem to prefer the Ruger. I have a friend with an LCP, and I really liked that gun, and that's the one I really wanted.

I went to a gun show today and quickly scoped the place out. I saw two LCPs and several Kel-Tecs. The LCP I bought was new and the price was right. Before I got out of there I had two people ask me if it was for sale. I'm looking forward to shooting this little animal. I'll let you know how it goes. Click the pics to enlarge.

I got the quarter idea from Mark.

Dave

Rusty Old American Dream

The early 80’s. Modern guitar tones screamed out of my speakers. Eddie Van Halen was full of energy, rock radio stations were pumping out great tunes and live shows were adding fuel to the fire. I had to learn how to play like that. I struggled, but was persistent - using a cheap acoustic, a borrowed fender and a black Ibanez roadstar (which was my first electric six string). These training tools took up quite a few hours of my day for several years. It was not until around 1986 that I saved up enough cash to walk into a guitar shop and get what I considered to be my first real electric guitar. I rolled the dice and walked out with a brand new magenta-colored Ibanez Power 540. It had a small fast neck, full-floating Floyd Rose, and a hum-bucker bridge pickup that screamed almost as loud as the brighter-than-bright magenta finish. Mothers, lock up your daughters! I was ready to ROCK!

And rock I did. For several years, I played that thing for hours on end; learned cover songs; and played with any other guitar player that had the time. I played in several bands and at the top of my game ended up in a local, all original, 5-piece metal band. It was during this time that I met Dave and we have been friends ever since. But I digress...

I stopped playing the guitar once I started college but never sold it. Two years ago (2007), I pulled that guitar case out and opened ‘er up. Oh my! My heart sank. I had not opened the case in probably 12 years. Every metal part was rusted. I must have put it up after an all nighter of alcohol-inspired jamming. I wanted to play again. But that was obviously never going to happen.

Never say never… I decided that I would bring her back to life. I stripped off all the pieces that needed to be replaced and made sure that I was able to buy parts that would fit. I found resources for every part needed. As hard as it was to do, I took out the 80 grit sand paper and went at it. This photo represents the current state of my restoration project. I started last year and currently have sanded off all the paint and finish. My next goal will be to fill in the dents and scratches and get the body as smooth as possible. I plan to use this blog to document my progress. As a side note, the image also shows an ad representing the guitar and the color as it was originally.


Mark

Is that a GLOCK in your pocket?

Say hello to my new little friend. This little guy has been given the privilege of spending the rest of its life in my pants as my primary CCW. I was looking for a sub-compact carry weapon. Requirements were simple. Had to be small. Had to be able to hold up to the occasional drop, could not be bothered by pocket lint, sweat from the summer heat, the occasional soft drink mishap and most of all, I had to be able to shoot it safely and accurately.

It was small; it felt good in my hand and felt at home in my waistband. Given the fact that some get cleaned in the dishwasher, I did not think I had much to worry about with regards to the pocket lint or Coke spills. But most important was how well would it perform in my hands?

The first day at the range left me a little concerned because of the short grip. I had to tuck my pinky finger under the magazine. I did not feel like I had total control of the weapon. Subsequent range visits took care of that problem. It just took some getting used to. I have ordered a few magazine extensions and also a couple of G19 15-round magazines. I will find the perfect fit.

The image shows my G26 along with the first 10 rounds fired this morning. Using the standard 10-round mag, with pinky tucked, I was more than pleased with the results. I am starting to build up my confidence with this guy and can't wait to play around with the mag extensions. Once this is dialed in, my accuracy should improve and I can start thinking about adding some accessory BLING.

As a side note, you may notice that I claimed to fire 10 rounds but only 9 holes show in the target. The 1st shot was off. I covered it with the quarter. So the verdict is in; I am very happy with this purchase. This is the first Glock I have owned and I say "first" because I put the Glock 19 on the shortlist as a future holstered sidekick. After all, what good is a bulge in the pocket if you're all alone?

Mark

New Gun Day

After countless hours of research, hands on evaluations and range time with a few sub compacts, I had narrowed my CCW down to 2 models. The Glock 26 and the Smith & Wesson 9 mm M&P. Today was G-Day and while holding each gun trying to make the final decision, I did what any gun totin', beer drinking, cigar smoking southern boy would have done. I got both of them. I will do a review of each gun in a later post once the three of us have had a chance to do some bonding. In the photo the gun on the left is the Glock 26. The gun on the right is the M&P.

Mark