Another Day With Bad Guys...

Spent the day at the range with the wife. The weather was perfect. We decided to spend a little time creating a 4 target course. My shooting results were not the best today. I have decided to take off all the magazine extensions for my G26 mags. Without a doubt, I do better with the stock 10 round magazines.

Also had a chance to finally sight in my 10/22. The rifle range was a bit crowded so I did not take any photos. The good news is the 10/22 is shooting good and sighted in. The bad news is I forgot to use Loc-Tite when I installed the Base mount and scope. So it's back to square one.

A day at the range is always better than a day at work. Thank you Mr. King.

Mark

Fobus Holster For A Revolver

Girls With Guns

As far as the "chic in the honda" target...

It only took one magazine to end the situation.

Mark

A Day At The Range...

I spent the day at the range with my wife today. Weather conditions were great and we had a blast. Week days are always nice because the chances are good that you have the entire range to yourself. I picked up a few bad guy targets a few weeks ago and they proved to be ideal. It was refreshing to use the large photo targets as we usually shoot smaller paper targets and steel plates.

Mark

The NUTNFANCY Project

http://www.youtube.com/user/nutnfancy

Earlier this year I stumbled across a video review of the Glock 17. A month or so later, I googled a video review of the Ruger 10/22 rifle. A few weeks later, I ran up on a video review of the Ruger LCP. That same night, I found a video series reviewing the Kel-Tec SU-16C. I started noticing a pattern. I did what tens of thousands of other gear nuts around the world have done and clicked on this guy's name to see what other videos he had posted. That is when I discovered the most insanely-cool collection of reviews, adventures, philosophy and dangerous things known simply as "The NUTNFANCY Project", or TNP.

With well over 500 video documentaries organized in dozens of categories known as play lists, you will quickly find yourself lost in the never ending selection. His reviews are second to none. It is obvious that he is passionate about the products he reviews and has extensive experience with the topics he covers. I have greatly enjoyed the hours upon hours of video I have watched and can not begin to tell you how much I have learned in the process.

He has turned my knife interest into a sickness and has taken my shooting and outdoor activities to a never before seen level. Unlike many of the TNPer's out there, my wife is also a huge fan. She subscribes and watches on a regular basis. I have made about a dozen purchases based on NUTNFANCY's reviews and have been extremely happy with those purchases.

Keep it up NUTN'.

Mark

Man Cave on Location: Chattanooga

This past weekend, Dave and I met in Chattanooga, TN for a weekend of guns, cards, beer, cigars, and more guns. We started off the weekend at an outdoor public gun range on Friday sending several pounds of lead down range. Then we headed back to the hotel for some ice cold Bud, perfectly humidified cigars, and a friendly game of Texas Hold 'em. I am not much of a poker player but ended up sending Dave home with lighter pockets.

The weather was perfect. We were only able to stay one night but maybe next year we can talk the wives into two nights. I am already thinking about a destination for next year. I had a great time and look forward to doing it again.

Mark

The Tenth Anniversary Decision!

I came home from a hard day at the office. As I start to sit down, my wife (who took the day off) says "Honey, before you sit down, will you go get the rest of the stuff out of the trunk?" I had only seconds to respond. Do I tell her "NO" and "get me a beer on your way back in" or do I bite the bullet and clean out the trunk? I bit the bullet and I'm damn glad I did. When I opened the trunk, there was a long, white box that said "Ruger" on the side.

For the past several months, I had talked about getting a Ruger 10/22 rifle. We already have a few .22 rifles but all of them are old hand-me-downs given to us by our fathers who got them from their fathers. These are priceless and could never be replaced. Even though they are fun to shoot from time to time, I would prefer to have something I would not be afraid to really use. I had one picked out but never told my wife which model. Our 10th anniversary is this month and she goes out and buys the one pictured - the exact model I had in my head.

It is a 10/22 semi-auto Target model with Bull Barrel, Fajen Legacy fully-adjustable stock and upgraded trigger assembly. All that I need is a nice scope, half a dozen magazines and she will be good to go. (The gun, not my wife.)

My wife is the best and I would hate to think what would have happened had I opted for the beer. This is definitely one of the best decisions I have ever made. (Both the gun and the wife.)

Mark

UpLULA from Maglula

Several months ago, I ran across a very unique product. It is called the UpLULA universal pistol loader. It is made in Israel and has proven to be worth its weight in gold. You will be hard pressed to find a negative review of this thing online - and for good reason. I have had success with the following magazines:

Glock 26

Glock 19

Glock 17

S&W Model 669

S&W M&P9c

S&W M&P 9mm. Full size

Beretta 40 Cal.

Ruger .380 LCP

Ruger P94 9mm.

Colt 1911 Single stack .45

Radom 9mm.

Taurus 9mm. Compact

I have yet to run across a magazine this thing can't handle. Not only is it compatible with every magazine I have tried, it is easier to use than any of the factory speed loaders that shipped with the firearms. Superb quality, durable, and inexpensive. I have no complaints with this product and coming from me, that is saying something.

I give it a solid 10 rounds!

Mark

Thanks For The Beretta

I just want to say thanks to my bro-in-law for loaning me this .40 caliber Beretta. This gun rocks. I love shooting it. I'm going to get one just like it somewhere down the road.

Dave

Printable Targets #3

This is the last of the target uploads. These two are designed to show you what you might be doing wrong based on where you hit the target. NOTE: these targets are designed for right-handed shooters. They are very good targets and will improve your handgun shooting. Just click the image to enlarge. I get better results by saving the images then printing them via a image editor. Some browsers tend to scale the images back. Have fun.

Mark

Printable Targets #2

These are the two I use the most. Basic 1 inch rings with fades. Just click the image to enlarge. I get better results by saving the images then printing them via a image editor. Some browsers tend to scale the images back. Enjoy.

Mark

Printable Targets #1

I wanted to post a few of my printable targets primarily for me to have access to print them from any computer and for others who might find them useful. These two are your basic 1 inch ring targets. Just click the image to enlarge. I get better results by saving the images then printing them via a image editor. Some browsers tend to scale the images back. Safe shootin'.

Mark

Tennessee Handgun Carry Info

I came across a great blog post today outlining Tennessee's carry permit laws: When you can use it, and where you can't carry it. I remembered most of it from the permit class I took, but it was good to get a refresher. The link to the article is HERE. I went on to read some more of this man's blog, which was very good. (Mark, be sure to check it out). The address is www.lesjones.com.

On a side note, even though Mark and I talk about drinking, guns, and other things on this blog, we are responsible gun owners and citizens. Neither of us EVER handles a firearm if we have had anything to drink, and we obey all gun laws. Gun safety above everything if you are a gun owner, and remember that the barrel should NEVER pass across anyone or anything you don't intend to shoot...even if the gun is unloaded.

Dave

"Sticky" Holster Review

I recently purchased the above holster for my Ruger LCP. It is an inside the pocket holster that is supposed to keep the gun from moving around and keep it upright. They call it “sticky” because it is made of a “special high-adhesion fabric” that makes it resist slipping around in your pocket.

I wear cargo shorts most of the time and like to carry in the side pocket. I thought this holster would be exactly what I needed…and it is. It works great. It does prevent the gun from sliding around, and keeps it upright. The way the outside of the holster grips the fabric inside my pocket makes it easy to draw the gun while the holster stays in place. I also like the fact that the holster covers the trigger since this gun has no safety.

If you have an LCP, and carry in the pocket, I would recommend this holster. They’re easy to find…just do an eBay search.

Dave

The Good, The Bad, And the Ugly

The Good: I have to say, the Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm compact may just be the most comfortable pistol I have ever had in my hands. The gun comes with 3 different grip inserts for a custom fit depending on your hand size or preference. The medium size seems to fit me. The feel of this gun is solid and tight. It has had a diet of Federal premium, Wolf, UMC, and Blazer. Not a single fail to load, fail to fire or fail to eject. So far, so good...

The Bad: The one area that this gun and my other S&W could use some improvement in is the break-down process. With my hands, it is a pain to field strip. With practice, it is getting easier but S&W should really spend some extra R&D time with this. Glock gets it. The trigger. I do not like the trigger. It may be due to the fact that I am getting too accustomed to the Glock trigger pull. It is hard to say what I dislike about it but something about it bugs me.

The Ugly: I was informed by my wife that this is no longer my gun. She says it is hers now. I was told that I had to wash my hands before I even think about picking it up. All the cheap ammo had to be removed. She will be feeding it a strict diet of premium Federal Hollow Point rounds.

Mark

Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms

Over the past year, I have been slowly working on a photo booth box. What started out as a simple cardboard box inspired by a photography forum post, has turned into a very over-engineered 30-pound wooden box. I am not a seasoned amateur photographer. I have not even reached the beginner level to be honest. But I do have an interest in photography. And I like to build things.

I took some sample shots today and the photo above is the best I could do. I can’t figure out how to get the background completely white. It may have something to do with my light source. I will continue tweaking the box and experimenting with lighting techniques. As my photography skills develop, I will post more photos here on the blog.

In the photo: A bottle of 80 proof Wild Turkey. A fine Kentucky Bourbon that is waiting for me to break the seal. The cigar is a Gurkha Titan. He has been hanging out in the humidor since March of this year. The Titan has become my annual birthday cigar and it was nice seeing the Smith & Wesson model 669 again. We have made plans to head to the range together in the next few days.

Mark

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

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