Blocking The Importation Of Antiques

  The Obama Administration is planning to ban the importation of M1 Garands and M1 Carbines from South Korea. Both weapons were lent and/or sold to the South Koreans during the 1950-1953 Korean War. These firearms are highly prized by collectors, and there have been efforts to import these rifles back into the USA for several years.
  Barack Obama issued an Executive Order yesterday to keep these weapons out of the country.

  Surprise.

  Let me summarize the reasoning behind this order. "Blah, blah, blah... weapons of war, blah, blah, gibberish, blah." I just saved you the time needed to read his explanation.
  It would have been more honest for him to simply state that he'll ban every gun that he legally can.

  Let's look at the nonsense of President Obama's Executive Order.

1) Yes, these rifles were weapons of war... 60 years ago. If these guns were people, they would now be on the verge of collecting Social Security.
   When politicians state that "Weapons Of War" do not belong in the hands of Americans it causes me to worry a bit. I'm afraid that they actually mean what they say (usually unthinkable for a politician). Consider this.
   Blackpowder rifles were originally designed as "Weapons of war," and there's a long history of them being used in battles all over the US.
   My 6 shot revolvers are of the same design that both law enforcement and the military used for many decades. There is no real difference between my revolvers and those carried by our troops in WW1 and WWII (not all used M1911s).
   Single action six guns, and lever action rifles were used by the military.
  We were issued standard Remington 870 and Mossberg 500 shotguns when I was in the Marines. I doubt that there's a hunter in the US that hasn't used one of those firearms at some point in his life. These "Weapons Of War" are some of the best selling hunting guns in this country.
   Never mind that the Marine Corps still fields bolt action sniper rifles that are not much different than the Remington 700s that are available at Dicks Sporting Goods or Walmart.
   The "Weapons Of War" argument used by the White House is simply asinine. There are very few firearm designs that have not been used by our armed forces at some time or another.

2) Today, I'd consider the M1 Garand more of a hunting rifle than a battle rifle. Yes, it was state of the art in WWII. That was a long time ago.
  The weapon holds 8 rnds of 30-06. This caliber is very popular with hunters, and 8 rnds is not considered a lot of ammunition in 2013. Hunting rifles commonly have a 5 rnd capacity. 3 extra bullets is not exactly a lot.
  When you compare the M1 Garand to ARs and AKs, it clearly is closer to being a hunting rifle than a modern battlefield weapon.

3) The M1 Carbine is known for being underpowered, and there are countless reports of those using it in WWII and Korea complaining about a lack of stopping power. Ammo is expensive, and somewhat difficult to find. This firearm takes 15 to 30 rnd magazines, and they too can be hard to find without going online.
  I would think that the anti gunner in the White House would prefer an underpowered carbine on the market instead of the more common (and powerful) "Assault Weapons" such as AK47s.

4) Times are tight for most, and Americans have less money for non necessities than in the past. In this economy, buying a gun can be a huge purchase for many.
   If I was an anti gun President, then I would realize that firearms are going to be sold no matter what is said by politicians, and the media.
  I would welcome Americans paying hundreds of dollars for M1 Garands and M1 Carbines instead of buying ARs and AKs with their finite disposable income.
  It's just ridiculous that these weapons are not being imported. I have no desire to buy one at this time, but I will buy another rifle this year. It will not be 60 years old, and will be definitely be something that causes hissy fits from Schumer, Feinstein, and "The One."
  Let's pretend, however, that I really wanted to buy a M1 due to nostalgia. If you were an anti gunner, which would you prefer me to purchase... a 60 year old M1 Garand or an AR15 with a half dozen 30 rnd magazines?
  Obama isn't even intelligent enough to be a good anti gunner. It's almost as if he wants to sabotage their cause.

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9mm XDs Review
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Ruger SR9C Review
Sexual Jihad
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Soldier Leads Bayonet Charge
Scots Bayonet Charge
Army Looks For New Boots For Soldiers Sore Feet
Sentenced To Death For A Sip Of Water
Another Police Dept Goes Back To 9mm

Free Guns!!!

  I had an epiphany last night. If I were to join a drug cartel, an Al Qaida affiliate, or the Muslim Brotherhood... would the current Administration give me free guns?
 They seem to be OK with arming all of the world's trash. I realize that I might have trouble with their background checks, as I'm ex military, a Conservative, and believe in the Constitution.



Disclaimer: I have no intention of joining radical Islamic groups, terrorist organizations, or drug cartels. There is no need for some asshat at an alphabet agency to kick in my door, kill my dog, or probe my ass when I'm trying to board a flight.

CCW For Women

How To Carry: Thigh Holster (Part 1)
How To Carry: Thigh Holster (Part 2)
Dressing For CCW: The Right Pants (Part 2)
Dressing For CCW: The Right Holster (Part 3)
Dressing For CCW: Cover Garments (Part 4)
Dressing For CCW: Skirts & Dresses (Part 5)

How To Pocket Carry
Buying Your First Carry Gun

In The News

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TSA To Purchase 3.5 Million Rounds Of Ammunition
Understanding Stand Your Ground Laws
Dozens Of Self Defense Cases Involving Guns
Brass Stacker Mosin-Nagant Scope Mount
Mosin-Nagant Safety Knob Pull Ring
Great Multi Function Knife From Kershaw
Springfield XDs Review
8 Great 9mm Pistols For Self Defense
Perjury And Malicious Prosecution
Homeland Security Employee Preparing For Race War?
Visual Evidence Of Chemical Attacks In Syria
An Old Article About Self Defense During Katrina
Female Self Defense Force In Mexico
AR Stocks For Those That Live In Commie States That Hate Assault Weapons
Churches Burned In Egypt
Egyptian Muslims Wage War On Christians
How Many Guns Are In The USA?
Pat Buchanan Says What Isn't Supposed To Be Spoken
Campus Officer Fires Gun In Classroom
Loaded Guns And The Latest Court Ruling
Massive B52 Overhaul By Air Force
States With Toughest Gun Laws Have Triple The Amount Of Gun Deaths
Christian Churches Burned Bl Muslims
Christians Killed By Syrian Muslims
Army To Rename XM25 Airburst Weapon
Police Dept Switching To 9mm From .40cal
How Often Do You Change Recoil Springs?
False Prophets Of Doom
Trillion Dollar Deficits Are The New Normal
Judge Says That Background Checks Are Not Racist

"Stand Up To Stand Your Ground"

stopgunviolence

  It should be obvious what this video is supposed to imply. I would like to see the neighborhood watchman shown with a broken nose, and lacerations to the back of his head. I suppose that this video is about as accurate as much of the reporting that we've seen on CNN, and MSNBC over the last year. The mainstream media couldn't even get Zimmerman's race right on a regular basis. An anti gun group cannot be expected to do any better.

  The Stand Your Ground law was never used as a defense by George Zimmerman. When the media consistently talks about this law in regards to the Zimmerman trial, they are misleading the public.
  Let's just call it lying, pushing an agenda, and taking advantage of an uninformed audience.

  There are many in our government, the media, and (make believe) civil rights organizations that are working to end Stand Your Ground laws, and replace them with Duty To Retreat legislation.
  I recently saw a Jesse Jackson interview in which he stated that last year about 135 Blacks were killed by armed "Vigilantes." I prefer to replace the term vigilante with "Armed Victim."  Oddly enough, Jackson neglected to mention how many of the slain were involved in a criminal act.

  I'm a supporter of the Castle Doctrine, and Stand Your Ground laws. If others wish to push for Duty To Retreat legislation then they should call it what it is.

  "Keep Our Felons Safe" (KOFS)

  Or

  "Safeguard Our Trash And Criminals" (SOTAC)

  Perhaps this will work.

  "Thug Protection Act" (TPA)

  Working to criminalize self defense shows that they damn well aren't interested in the well being and safety of law abiding citizens.  Is it any wonder that the same people that support gun bans also favor Duty To Retreat laws?

Kershaw Clash Review

Specs:

Lock:  Liner Lock
Weight:  4.3oz
Blade Length:  3 1/8"
Closed Length:  4 1/4
Overall Length:  7 3/8"
Pocket Clip:   Reversible Tip Up or Tip Down Carry (Right Side Only
Deployment:  Spring Assisted, Flipper
Blade Style:  Drop Point, Hollow Ground
Thickness:  .53"
Handle:  Glass Filled Nylon
Origin:  China
Steel:  8Cr13MoV
Price:  $25

  This knife has been in my home for the last year. You'll note that I say, "In my home," instead of on my person. I carry it once in a while, but I am not a huge fan of this blade. There's nothing horribly wrong with the Kershaw Clash. It's just not for me.
  So why did I buy it?
  This may not be the best reason, but it was on sale at a local gun store for $20. Three Kershaw knifes routinely go on sale at one of our more popular retailers. You've probably already guessed that the other two are the previously reviewed Volt II, and the OSO Sweet. After being very impressed with the other two budget Kershaws, I decided to give the Clash a look.
  As I said earlier, there's really nothing really bad about this Kershaw... if you like a fat knife with just a 3" blade. I think that it's a very high value knife for those that can deal with the weight, and thickness. It's just too freaking big for me to carry on a daily basis. There should be a longer blade for the weight.
  I'm not seeing enough in the pros column to make up for the size and weight of this knife.

  Lets start with the pros:

  The knife appears very well made for something that retails for $20-$30, and originates in China. It's attractive in a plain businesslike kind of way. I don't believe that it looks at all "Cheap."

  The blade locks up tight from front to rear when deployed, but there is some slight side to side movement. There is perfect centering when the blade is closed.

  8Cr13MoV blade steel is decent enough for the knives that I use. This steel holds an edge well, but is still relatively easy to sharpen.
  There's a lot better steel on the market, but you won't find it in a $20 knife. I don't use my assisted openers that hard, and believe that this Chinese steel is fine for my EDC knives. Just realize what it's shortcomings are.
  I've found that the corrosion resistance is so so on other knives using 8Cr13MoV. Just a little care goes a long way in keeping the blade free of rust spots. At this price point it's hard to complain about this steel.

  I like Kershaw's assisted openers. There's several different models in my home, and they've all been fast and consistent (except for the Leek) in deployment. The Clash is no different. The blade opens very quickly with just a slight movement of the flipper.

  The pocket clip works fine, and has very good tension without being overly stiff. It isn't quite as goofy looking as some of the Kershaw clips that we've seen in the past. The pocket clip used on both the OSO Sweet and Volt II come to mind.

  This is a solid feeling knife. No doubt this is due to the large size, and weight of the Clash.

  The fiberglass handle scales have a decent texture, and aren't overly slick. Traction is good (but not great).

  The drop point blade has an attractive and useful shape. There's nothing delicate about the tip on this knife.

  You'll note that there is an excellent blade to handle ratio. A pet peeve of mine is when a knife has a huge handle, and tiny little blade. My Cold Steel Mini AK-47 comes to mind.

  Kershaw's liner locks have never failed me, and I trust them with most tasks. If I was really going to thump on a knife then I would probably choose a stronger locking system.

  There are stainless steel liners. While this adds to the weight, they also add to the strength of the Clash.

  Now for the cons:

  I've seen other knives with 8Cr13MoV blade steel rust. It doesn't take a lot of care to keep the rust spots away, but you will have do take care of this knife if it's exposed to moisture on a regular basis. Putting the occasional drop or two of oil on the blade after exposure to sweat or water isn't a big deal IMO. It's worth a warning though.

  At 4.3oz, this is a heavier knife than I usually carry.  My Spyderco Manix 2 is a heavy knife at 4.25oz, but it gives me a longer blade, stronger lock, less overall thickness, and a larger handle. That's why the Spyderco gets carried while the Clash sits at home. You can, however, buy 4 of the Kershaws for what I paid for the Sypderco.
  The weight isn't a deal breaker if you like the knife (and there is a lot to like). There's just a lot lighter choices on the market. I want more blade length, if I'm carrying a heavier knife.
  I find that this knife will sometimes print in my pocket. It depends on the jeans that I'm wearing. This is not usually an issue with my other EDC knives.
  This Kershaw is heavy enough that I will sometimes notice that I'm carrying it. I rarely run into that problem with my other blades.

  I'd like a clip that allows for deeper carry. That's a usual complaint of mine with all knives that don't have a SOG Aegis or Buck Vantage style clip. I like what I like.
 It would be a good idea to blacken the pocket clip, since it's much wider than what is usually found on an EDC knife. I feel that the matte stainless steel clip shows too much when it's in your pocket. Why advertise that you're carrying a knife?
  The clip is reversible for tip up or tip down carry. It is, however, right side only.

  The blade has a slight recurve. It's an attractive feature, and probably aids in cutting (somewhat). You'll find that it will make sharpening a bit harder.

  There's no lanyard hole. This isn't a problem for me, but is seems as if lanyard holes are a standard feature today.

  I would really like to see some jimping on the back of the blade.

  Traction is OK, but I wouldn't use the word excellent. The handle texture is decent, but could probably be a bit better. Jimping on the blade and along the back of the handle would go a long way towards providing more traction.

  Summary:

  In spite of the things that I listed in the Cons category, I don't really have a lot of real complaints about this assisted opener. The Kershaw Clash is a budget knife, and if you want a Benchmade Griptilian then you can expect to pay for it. I think that this is an excellent $25 (or so) choice. My complaints would be more valid if this was a more expensive knife. You get what you pay for, and I believe that Kershaw did a good job with the Clash. At the current price point, it's a bargain.
  The OSO Sweet, Volt II, and Clash are all good picks for the money. If you're on a budget, lose, or break your knives then these are all great choices. I find that the Clash is the most solid feeling of the three, and is also the most comfortable in the hand . It would be my first choice among these Kershaws if I had to use a knife a lot. As I carry an EDC knife much more than I use one, I'd pick the Volt II over the other two budget blades.
  That's it for this review. The Clash is going back into my wife's camelback. An extra ounce or two isn't going to matter when she's on the bike, and the large handle and easy deployment will be appreciated if she ever needs this blade.

Other Gun And Knife Reviews On This Blog

Rodeo Clowns And Racism (Condensed Version)

  Apparently some people in Missouri find humor in rodeo clowns wearing Obama masks. These misguided individuals evidently don't know that unless you constantly grovel at the base of your own personal Barack Obama shrine, you are a racist of the worst kind. There can be no criticism or doubts about the perfection of... "The One."

  It's 2013, and everything, everywhere, at all times is racism. Don't bother discussing foreign policy, the economy, unemployment, or the government monitoring your phone calls, web traffic, texts, and credit card purchases. If you're not happy with the current state of the nation then you're clearly a bigot of Klan like proportions.

  The NAACP and the mainstream media have a lot of extra time on their hands. They have nothing more important to do than worrying about the apparel of rodeo clowns.

  If you don't want to drink Obama's bathwater then you're a racist.

  The "Journalists" at CNN and MSNBC would drink his tub dry.

Rodeo Clowns And Racism

  There have been numerous articles and opinion pieces regarding an Obama mask wearing rodeo clown. If you haven't heard about this huge scandal then you're probably living in a cave somewhere. I originally decided not to bother writing anything about this issue, but it seems like it won't disappear from the nightly news.

  I'll summarize the story. A rodeo clown in Missouri wore an Obama mask while making fun of the President. Barack Obama was called a clown, and some reference was made about the bull getting him.
  That is literally it.
  You've just read the entire description of the incident... until the Free Shit Army media and the grievance industry decided to step in. The story has now been changed to a tale of racism, and woe. Apparently any jest about the President is now automatically racist. Bear in mind that no racial epithets were spoken, and no generalizations about Black people were made. The rodeo clown (and the announcer) simply poked fun at the man in the White House.
  I never realized how delicate our President is, and wonder how a simple joke about one man becomes a racial slight against all African-Americans.

  Of course the media isn't the only one experiencing hysteria, and possible PTSD over a masked rodeo clown. The NAACP has called for an investigation into the incident. They've asked the Secret Service to investigate the clown, who is now permanently banned from working the Missouri State Fair. We're told that this individual committed a hate crime. It seems as if the bar for what constitutes a hate crime is getting lower and lower.

  This doesn't even seem like we're living in America anymore. What the hell happened to this nation? I expect a little stupidity, and a few hissy fits from those that make their living off of crying racism. It's even expected for the Leftwing media to promote stories that deflect information away from the disaster that is our economy, and foreign policy.
  But to put this much effort into demonizing a rodeo clown that called Obama a clown... seriously? This is the most worthwhile use of their time? The media has no other stories to cover in the finite amount of hours in the day? Things are so good in the Black community, that the NAACP doesn't need to concentrate their limited resources into changing Black crime rates, unemployment, illegitimate births, dropout rates, etc?

  I have two quick points to make. The first deals with the hypocrisy from the Left, and Obama's supporters. Those that cannot tolerate people making fun of, "The One," are fine with hateful barbs being thrown at Conservatives, and Republicans. I'm reminded of David Letterman's joke about Sarah Palin's daughter being a whore. Do you remember his defense after the outrage (from the Right)? He meant to call the oldest daughter a whore, and mistakenly referenced the youngest.
  That was his defense in a nutshell.
  How many times per week did Bill Maher call Palin a "Cunt" during the 2008 Election? Hell, he's still calling her a "Dumb cunt," now and then. Did any of her supporters ever insist that law enforcement investigate Letterman, Maher, or the countless others than attacked her, and her family?
 
  Some would say that this doesn't count because Sarah Palin isn't the President, and our Commander In Chief deserves more respect. Blah, blah, blah, etc. I say BS. They simply want to have things both ways. These individuals want the ability to attack those that they don't agree with while still having their own elected officials treated with reverence.

 No one ever received more criticism and vitriol than our 43rd President. Examples are easy to provide. There was a George Bush rodeo clown dummy in 1994, and I cannot remember any outcries. There were two television shows about how inept "W" was during his term in office. HBO even used a Bush head on a stake for a decapitation scene in one of their series. My favorite example is the "Journalist," Erin Burnett, calling Bush a monkey on live television.

  Guess what? The abuse comes with the job. Only big boys and girls should be able to sit behind that desk in the Oval Office. They don't need hysterical supporters, or worshippers.

  One final thing. There are nations all over the globe in which citizens have no freedom of speech. A criticism, joke, or disrespect shown towards their rulers can result in death, imprisonment, or torture. The same can often be expected for their family members. It's a common punishment in the Middle East to have a wife or daughter dragged off to be raped when someone speaks out against a government official.
  One thing that makes America great is that we have Freedom Of Speech (for now anyway), and can criticize our leaders. This right isn't reserved only for wealthy Hollywood talk show hosts, or Leftwing "Journalists."
  The American people don't vote in Messiahs, prophets, kings, or dictators. Politicians are elected, and no other group in this nation is more deserving of ridicule (except perhaps lawyers. As Obama is both, he deserves a double serving of scorn).

  I'll be honest. I don't really mind the attacks on the rodeo clown by the mainstream media, and pretend civil rights organizations. Their claims are so ludicrous that anyone with an IQ over 80 will easily see through them. The same can be said of the recent Zimmerman trial, and Saint Skittles. A pattern of fake racism claims is forming.
  The Leftwing loses a few more people after every false tale. The more stupid or ridiculous the claim, the more doubters they create. If those on the Left want to trash their credibility then I applaud them, and wish them the Godspeed.

WorldStar!

 

 

Interview With The Rodeo Clown

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Ammo Storage: Heat, Cold, Water, And Duds

Yes, that is waaay more scope than I really need on a 10/22.

  I try to get on some of the other gun blogs at least a couple of times per week. I usually do more lurking than commenting. One question that seems to be asked regularly regards ammo storage, and how temperature effects ammunition.
  Guess what? I am not going to answer that. I'm only going to give a brief anecdote about temperatures, and .22lr ammo.

 There have been 3 boxes of .22lr and one box of Federal 9mm sitting in my truck for the past 2yrs. We don't have the crazy temperatures in VA that some of the other states have, but it's not unusual to see 100 degree to 5 degree days throughout the year.
  One box of Federal Lightning and two boxes of Remington Thunderbolt were shot last week through my Ruger 10/22. There were no FTFs with the Federal. The Remington ammunition had 3 failures to fire. That's actually better than I've seen in the past from some budget .22lr. There were no issues with the 9mm.

  That was a little boring, and not much of a test. Hopefully anecdote number two will be a little more interesting and/or informative.

  Several years ago, my downstairs flooded during a tropical storm. The bottom level of my house was under about 1-1.5 feet of water. It wasn't much of a disaster compared to what some have faced, but it was a big deal for my household.
  Can you guess where I stored my ammunition? Yep, in a footlocker on the bottom level. None of it was even in ammo cans.

  This is roughly what was on hand:

There were about 1,000 rnds of .40cal from Speer, Federal, Winchester, and Remington. Some reloads were present.

I also had at least 1,500 rnds of 9mm from Silver Bear, Remington, Federal, Blazer, and Winchester. A few hundred rounds were reloads.

A few hundred rounds of .38spl and .357magnum were present from various manufacturers. Most were no doubt Winchester WWB, and Federal.

Several bulk packs of .22lr were in the footlocker.

I had a few hundred rounds of 20ga and 12ga from Remington, Federal, and Winchester (various loads... mostly birdshot).

 There were several hundred rounds of Brown Bear and Silver Bear 7.62x39mm. An opened battle pack of Australian .308 was present (under 100 rnds).

  All of this ammunition spent several hours underwater.  I put most of it in a couple of buckets to drain, later that day. A few family members were kind enough to wipe the ammo down, and repackage it for me over the next week.
  The .22lr was thrown away. Not much money was tied up in the rimfire ammo. I wasn't concerned with losing $30 worth of .22lr with everything else that was going on at the time. I also wasn't going to take advantage of those that were nice enough to save my centerfire ammunition.

  I wouldn't recommend shooting ammunition that spent several hours being submerged, but that's what I did. You're a grownup. Make your own choices.

  All of the ammo listed above was fired over the following year. I made sure that I was the only one shooting it. A lot of misfires were expected. Would you care to guess how many there were from the thousands of bullets that were underwater?

  It was less than 10, and they were spread out among several different manufacturers, and calibers. I was very impressed by all of the ammo manufacturers that I listed in earlier paragraphs. Even the reloads came through OK.
  Surprisingly, the steel cased ammo didn't rust. I wouldn't expect it to rust when in the original packages, but the lacquer coating can get dinged up a bit when a few hundred rounds are in a Tupperware container. Then again, this was some of the first ammo that I used.

  That's my story. Hopefully anecdote number two was more helpful than the first one.

KelTec SUB-2000

  Unfortunately the Kel-Tec SUB-2000 pictured above doesn't belong to me. This .40cal carbine belongs to a friend, that was nice enough to let me borrow it for the past week. It's worth remembering that this wouldn't have been allowed under the new gun laws that were proposed a few months ago.

  Let me first state that I only put 50 rnds through this weapon. I'm not going to do a detailed review. I don't have enough experience with this gun for that. I'll be the first to admit it. Consider this my initial impression of this little carbine.

  I like this gun. What's not to like? It's reasonably affordable, takes common magazines, is easy to shoot, seems reliable, and folds in half. Only Dianne Feinstein could find something to hate in this little package.

  It's time to talk about reliability... except that I can't. No one that has only ran 50 rounds through a weapon should discuss it's reliability with a straight face. The owner claims that the SUB-2000 is 100% reliable, and it worked perfectly for me. That's all that I can give you.

  What about accuracy? I only used it on the 25 yard line this week. Most of my shooting was offhand, and about 1 round per second (or so) was fired into the target pictured below.
  I originally wanted to try a magazine or two from the bench, but this is a uncomfortable gun for bench rest shooting. While there's very little recoil when shooting from the offhand position, the bolt tube beats the hell out of your cheek when trying to shoot from the bench. Perhaps it's better with the 9mm version.
 

  The target to the left isn't that impressive, but I was just playing with this gun. Excuse alert: This was a quick test at the end of a long day of shooting handguns. I believe that it's capable of a lot better grouping than I got out of it. Then there's my cheek weld... but I'll discuss that below.


  The sights are OK on this weapon. The fluorescent front sight can be adjusted for windage, and elevation. There is an aperture rear sight.
The orange insert on the front is easy to see, and shows up very well against most targets. The exception is the orange target that I used for this evaluation. That could have been planned a bit better.
The rear sight opens and closes on it's own when folding or unfolding the rifle.  Both sights are plastic. I'd love to see some form of red dot scope that would work on this weapon while still allowing it to fold.

  The cheek weld that I needed in order to align the sights just felt unnatural. Two other people at the range shot this weapon, and felt that you needed to hold your head "At a weird angle." It's hard to explain.
  I think that it would be easy to get used to this firearm with more practice. I'm calling it more of a training issue, than a real problem with ergonomics. Some guns have their own little quirks. Unfortunately I had neither the time or ammunition to get used to this weapon.

  You'll note that most of the controls are easy to fiqure out. The magazine release is just where we Americans expect to find it. There's no problems with it's placement. You shouldn't have an issue with accidently depressing it, yet it's still easy to reach.  BTW, magazines drop free easily.
  The crossbolt safety will be familiar to anyone that's ever handled a Remington 870, or Ruger 10/22 (which should cover just about everyone). The tension of the safety is perfect. It has a very positive feel without being overly stiff, or loose and sloppy.
  The weapon is folded by pulling down on the hinged trigger guard while pushing up on the handguard. This is one of the few controls that isn't instinctive.
  You'll note that the bolt's operating handle resides on the bottom of the bolt tube. To lock the bolt open, pull the handle to the rear and align it with the notch in the tube.
  The bolt does not lock open on an empty magazine.
  The trigger was OK. I wouldn't rave about it, but I've shot a lot worse (The P-11 comes to mind). There's about 1/4" of takeup, and then the remainder of the pull is consistant. I'd guess that it's about 6-7lbs. No one would ever call it M1911 like, but then again it's not really mushy either. Bear in mind that I'm working from memory right now. It really reminds me a lot of a Glock trigger.
  As I said, it's OK and I have no complaints about the trigger pull.

  I like that Kel-Tec designed this weapon to take some of the most popular magazines on the market. The 9mm version will use the Glock 17, Glock 19, SIG 226, S&W 59, and Beretta 92 mags. Naturally, the 32 rnd magazines for the Glocks and Berettas will also work.
  The .40cal model uses Glock 22, Glock 23, Beretta 96, S&W 4006, and SIG 226 magazines.
  There are markings on the pistol grip to show which manufacturer's magazines the weapon takes. Unfortunately the markings aren't something sensible like G17, or 92FS. You'll have to look up the odd shapes on the right side of the pistol grip to determine which mags your firearm uses (of course if you bought it new then it should be on the package).

  The SUB-2000 seemed well made, but there were some sharp edges on the trigger and magazine well. I constantly felt them while shooting the gun. It was annoying, and I'd smooth them out if this was my rifle.

 

     This is a very lightweight carbine. It comes in at 4lbs unloaded. The biggest thing that everyone immediately notices is the fact that it folds to 16"x7". You'll note the picture of the SUB-2000 in a laptop case at the top of the page. This is how the owner usually carries it. It is his "Truck gun."

  I don't need a folding rifle, but IF I did need something small then what might I consider as an alternative to the SUB-2000?
  I'd think about Ruger's 10/22 Takedown model. Another way to go would be to use an AR or AK pistol with a sling (5min mark on this video). It's interesting to note that the SUB-2000 is still slightly shorter than the alternatives that I listed.
  Of course you could always buy or make a SBR, but that requires a bit more paperwork than many want to deal with. These are the only suggestions that I have of firearms with a similar length, and capability.

  Let's get down to the nitty gritty of why you might really decide to buy this gun. Most people that discuss this weapon are eventually going to talk about SHTF. Some will mention keeping it in a BOB (Bugout bag), backpack, or laptop case.
  That may sound kind of childish, or even paranoid to many.  I would bet that someone finding themselves driving into a LA Riot type situation would love to have a weapon like this. The same could be said for those trapped in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Not every SHTF scenario is about a Road Warrior fantasy. There are occasions when something more than a handgun may be needed, and this weapon can fill that role while still allowing you to keep a low profile.

  I've seen some comment on the usefulness of this carbine as a backpacking gun. I'd prefer something more handy if given a choice. If I really needed a trail gun, I would probably have a handgun on my person (where allowed). Now that I'm middle aged, and lazy, I no longer hike. During my 20's, I did a lot of backpacking on the Appalachian Trail. A M1911 was my usual pistol of choice, and I never felt like I was lacking in protection. A folded carbine buried in my pack would not inspire as much confidence as a handgun on my hip.

  There's one place that I think this Kel-Tec would really shine. It would be a fine home defense gun for a recoil sensitive person. There are those that have a hard time shooting anything larger than a .22lr. Most shotguns would be out of the question for these people.
  The SUB-2000 would be easy for a recoil shy individual to handle, yet would still have very good firepower. It would also be more intimidating than a handgun. The overall length of the rifle is short enough that it wouldn't be unwieldy indoors.
  You might say that an AK or AR would do the same thing.  If you're looking for something more exotic, you could also mention the bullpups. You'd be right, but they're all longer, heavier, and more expensive.
 There are other options such as the Hi Point Carbine, but the magazine capacity is lacking. Beretta's CX4 Storm is in the running, but the price is prohibitive for most. Neither weapon would store as well as the Kel-Tec. Taurus has their new CT9 carbine shipping soon, but it's rumored to combine what I consider the worst of the Hi Point carbine and the CX4 Storm. It has limited magazine capacity, and will cost and arm and a leg.
  The SUB-2000 is largely in a class all by itself.  I cannot think of anything else that would fit in a dresser drawer, and still deliver the same firepower as this carbine (for the price).

  There's one final reason to buy this rifle.  It may sound a somewhat silly, but it's simply a cool little gun. Uniqueness goes a long way. I owned a Browning Hi Power for over a decade simply because I liked the gun, and everyone else was shooting Glocks and M1911s. I wanted something different from what the herd was using. We gun owners like what we like, and will sometimes pay a premium price for the cool factor (or fun factor).

  That's about all that I have on this topic. I like the Kel-Tec SUB-2000, but cannot see myself buying one anytime soon. I would prefer the Ruger 10/22 Takedown over the Kel-Tec if I needed a storable SHTF rifle. I'd sacrifice the stopping power of the SUB-2000 for the range and ammo weight of the 10/22.
  Everyone in my house can handle handguns, and ARs. We don't really require a compromise rifle in the inventory at this time. What do I mean by compromise rifle? This pistol caliber carbine doesn't have the range or accuracy of a standard rifle caliber. It conceals easily, but isn't as quick to access as a concealed handgun. The SUB-2000 does a lot of things OK, but nothing really outstanding... except for being able to hide in unexpected places.
  The odds of me needing a backpacking carbine at this time in my life are probably greater than my chances of winning the lottery.
  So... we're back to the cool factor. It's a cool little rifle, but there's a lot of other stuff in the $450 range that I'd buy first.
  I really can't say anything bad about the Kel-Tec, but it's just not for me. I'm sure that it would be a great gun for some, and I'd recommend it for those that are looking for a niche gun that stores easily.

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Kershaw Leek Review

  I've been a fan of Kershaw knives for quite a while. As I sit here trying to get a count of how many are in my home, I keep discovering more.
  The Daywalker clan has a Volt II, OSO Sweet, Clash, Chive, Scallion, a couple of Skylines, and a Leek. They're all pretty good knives. Some are better than others.
  It's funny. The Leek is the most expensive knife out of all of the blades that I listed above. It's also one of the Kershaws that I like the least. I'll be honest, and admit that it's due to the Leek being the most expensive knife on the list. Expectations were higher.
  I like the Leek. It's "OK." That's faint praise.

Let's get the specs out of the way.

Blade Length:     3"
Overall Length:  7"
Closed Length:   4"
Blade Steel:        Sandvick 14C28N, DLC Coating
Pocket Clip:        Reversible Tip Up/Down Carry (Right Hand Only)
Deployment:       Speedsafe assisted opening
Handle:               410 Steel, DLC Coating
Weight:               3oz
Lock:                  Frame Lock
Made In The USA

  I'll begin with what I consider the Pros.

  The weight is very good at 3oz. That's impressive as this has all steel construction. It's easy to forget that you're carrying this knife, and I doubt that anyone will leave it at home because it of the weight.

  3" is a decent blade length for an EDC knife. Although I generally prefer a 3.5" blade.

  The blade:handle ratio is very good. I hate it when a knife has a huge handle, and a little blade (my Cold Steel Mini AK-47 comes to mind).

  The blade centers almost perfectly, and there's no movement when the blade is deployed. The lockup is very good.

  It's an attractive knife, with a distinctive look.

  The price isn't unreasonable at $50-$60.

  Frame locks are strong enough for my EDC knives.

  The stainless steel handles and liners should make this a sturdy knife.

  The pocket clip is pretty decent overall, and is reversible for tip up or tip down carry. Be warned that a bit more handle shows if you decide to go with tip up carry. The pocket clip is right side only, and is not as goofy looking as some of the Kershaw clips used on the Volt II, OSO Sweet, etc.
  The Leek doesn't carry quite as deeply as I like, but it's better than a lot of my knives. All of the clips get compared to what's on the SOG Aegis, and I find that they all come up short.
 
  The DLC coating should offer good corrosion resistance. Time will tell.

  I don't know much about the blade steel that is used, but it's held an edge very well. The blade was very sharp out of the box. The tip is delicate, and has a good shape for precise work. I wouldn't use it for anything requiring a lot of strength however.

 The good news is that there's a little jimping along the back of the blade. The bad news is it's close to useless.

  The Leek is very thin, and I know that my daughter appreciates that. This is now her knife. Guess what? The skinny jeans that girls wear today have very shallow and snug pockets. There's very little room for an EDC knife. So why does a teenage girl need an EDC knife you ask? It's because her parents pulled up the sex offender registry for our district, and there's far too many freaks in our zip code.
  Long story short... the knife carries VERY well thanks to the light weight, thinness, good pocket clip, and subdued color.

  The handle is comfortable enough. It is however very smooth, and there's not a lot of traction on this model. I think that it's fine for everyday use, but I wouldn't want to use it in a wet environment. This isn't a work knife. Some have called it a "Gentleman's Folder." That seems like a good description to me.

  You've probably noticed that it has a safety lock, and a lanyard hole. I don't usually use either one, but they are there if you want them.

  I called this a gentleman's folder earlier. I like that term. It's been floating around the knife community for a while. I don't know who first coined it, but if you find out then let me know. I'll give him/her credit for it.
  This is a good office knife. I carried this Kershaw while wearing a suit a few weeks ago, and forgot all about it. It didn't show, or look oddly out of place. It's easy to carry an EDC blade in jeans, but it gets a bit harder to do in office wear.
  The thin shape, precise tip, and lightweight make this a good office knife. I wouldn't want to use it in the trades, or while doing farm work. It would probably shine in a professional environment.

  Now for the cons:

  Some of these were touched on above. The tip is delicate. I wouldn't use this knife for anything too harsh. Cutting cardboard, digging out splinters, or opening letters would be the hardest tasks that I would use it for.

  The handle is a little slick. Kershaw makes about a gazillion different models of this knife, so I'm sure that there is a more grippy version out there. A little skateboard tape would help provide traction in a pinch.

  I feel that some useful jimping is not too much to ask for on a $50 knife (what I paid at Walmart last year).

  I'd prefer a deeper carry pocket clip, and would like the screws to be blacked out.

  The safety engages and disengages on it's own. It's an easy fix if you have a small set of torx bits.

  The thumbstuds are next to useless. I'm going to assume that they serve more as blade stops instead of being a deployment method.

   I like Kershaw's assisted openers. In my experience, they are usually fast and reliable. That's not the case with this knife. The blade deploys easily using the flipper... 2 or 3 times. After the first few deployments, the blade usually doesn't open all of the way on the following attempts. The longer the knife sits, the better the first deployment is.
  I know two other people that own Leeks. They also have issues with blade deployment. Neither gentlemen is a rocket scientist, and it's entirely possible that they've been abusing their knives. This one, however, has not been used hard.
  I'll eventually send it back to Kershaw, and I'm sure that they'll make it right. Their reputation is too good for me to think otherwise. I'll update this when the Leek returns.

  I purchased this knife with the intention of giving it to my daughter. She now has several very good EDC blades that will hopefully be carried on at least a semi regular basis. That's all that I can do until she hits 21 (and then she gets her gun collection started).

  That's about it for the Leek. It's a good seller for Kershaw, and I'm probably in the minority in regards to not loving this blade. I wouldn't have bought it for myself, but even so... it would probably do most of what I need a knife for.
  I'd probably give it a middle to low rating for blue collar work, and a higher rating for office type environments.
  It's really too small, and smooth for a defensive knife but not everyone can carry a real tactical blade. Honestly, most of us aren't interested in making that kind of knife part of our daily carry.
  The Kershaw Leek is OK. That's as high as I would rate it.  It's a niche knife IMO, rather than an all around EDC blade. I have other niche knives (such as the SOG Aegis), but I rate them higher due to better deployment, jimping, price, etc.
  For some, it will be absolutely perfect. Others like myself will want something bigger, sturdier, and with a better grip.
 

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TruGlo Sights On The XDM

  I had the opportunity to spend a few hours at the range yesterday. My 4.5" XDM returned with new TruGlo night sights a few weeks ago, and I've been dying to try it out.  This won't take long to summarize.

1) The sights are well made, and metal.
2) They aren't exactly inexpensive.
3) Dawson Precision did a great job installing them. The slide came back with the sights zeroed (as they were when it was mailed off), and the turn around was very quick. I believe that my slide was back home in under two weeks. I am 100% satisfied with their service, and will use them again.
4) I originally would have preferred a red or orange front sight with a green rear. After handling my XDM for a while, I'm pretty happy with the green front/yellow rear combination.
5) The sights show up a lot better in low light, and dark conditions (duh). I keep a weapon light on the XDM, so I'm not that concerned about shooting when it's pitch black. There are times, however, when I'm shooting in low light conditions, and it's difficult to see the sights. That's no longer an issue.
6) The TruGlo sights have fiber optic tubes, and they show up much better during the day as well as at night.
7) I'm thinking about changing the front sights on my Kimber, and Springfield Loaded after using these sights.
8) I have a 4.5" XDM, and the 5.25" Competition version of the XDM. The 5.25" model has a red fiber optic front and black adjustable rear. I like the TruGlo sights better.

  There's not a lot to say. I'm satisfied with the sights, and they definitely help these middle aged eyes. I would much prefer a weapon light in pitch black areas, but these sights absolutely rock in low light conditions. The local indoor range that I use can be a bit tardy in changing burned out light bulbs, and the outdoor range that I shoot at can get a bit dark on rainy days.

  It was close to $200 for the sights, and installation. 

  As I said earlier, there wasn't a lot to say. The product works as advertised, and I got exactly what I expected. How often does that happen?

This gun did not like this budget ammo. I'll edit in a description in the original XDM review that was done last year.

 

Original XDM sights pictured above

 

 

 

The target below was shot at 15yds. These are my first 6 rounds with the new sights. Obviously I forgot about needing a 6 O' clock hold with this pistol.

 

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Score!!!

   Believe it or not, I actually found some 9mm over the weekend. Of course it took 3 trips to the store to get this massive haul. There was a 1 box per day limit on handgun ammo, and it didn't matter if it was a bulk pack or 50 rnd box. I'm heading back today with the wife.
  Since I added about 700 rnds to the stash, it seems like a reasonable celebration is in order. TheDaywalker'sMom and I are headed to the range in a bit.
Edit:    Just picked up another 500 rnds of CCI 22lr at the Dick's down the road. $40 per bulk box.

  What's the ammo situation like in central VA? Most of the local gun stores have a decent amount of ammo in all calibers except 9mm, and .22lr. Walmart is a total waste of time. Dick's Sporting Goods is usually the best bet when trying to find 9mm, or .22lr. This really sucks for me, since I'm trying to boycott them. They caved waaaay too quickly, and have stopped selling assault weapons. If you haven't heard what they did to Troy Industries then check out this article.
 
  9mm JHP in various flavors is available with a little looking. It's taking me an average of 10 trips to the store in order to find target loads. I've heard that things are better in West Virginia (from a friend that recently visited).

  I plan on shooting my 4.5" XDM with these new sights, and a friend's Kel-Tec SUB 2000 will make an appearance. Reviews will follow (at the usual snail's pace).

  I also have 2 boxes of .22lr that have been in my truck for the past two years. If there's time, I hope to shoot them and see if there's an unusual number of misfires after being exposed to wide temperature changes. It's cheap ammo, so I expect at least a few normal FTFs per box.

  BTW, I'm still trying to be a very nice guy, and help out friends that cannot find ammunition. I have a minimum round count for my personal use, and find myself helping out a friend or two per month (as long as they voted the right way). A few of us have a phone tree in place, and keep each other up to date when running across hard to find ammo. It sounds stupid, but it's the reason why I can still find enough 9mm to shoot every 3 or 4 weeks.