Friday, October 30, 2015

1911 Compensated Roto Barrel Review
















1911’s are like the ARs of the handgun world in terms of modification.  It’s the good ol’ American handgun that everyone makes a part for, every part can be replaced, and almost every firearm manufacturer makes their own version based off the famous and iconic design.  Like many others, I was looking to do a little something, something to my 1911.  I decided to look at threaded barrels.

Most threaded barrels I came across were $200 or more.  Then you would have to pay even more for whatever else you wanted to add to the barrel.  When looking around, I stumbled upon SACRO, Inc.’s website and found some budget options.  In the options was a compensated one piece 1911 Roto barrel for under $100.  The reviews looked great, but my research online told me what you would expect to hear: “you get what you pay for,” “these are crap,” and so on, and so on.  I decided to see for myself.

The barrel showed up very quickly.  Right out of the packaging, I noticed the only cons that this barrel has: machine marks and an okay finish, and no barrel link or barrel link pin.  The lack of link and pin was mentioned on the website, but it was something I overlooked.  That’s an extra cost, and an extra trip to the gunsmith if you can’t do it yourself, so not too terribly bad.  The finish is whatever to me.  I’m putting it in a Taurus PT1911 that I used to carry, it will only be a casual range toy, and it’s under $100.  To me, it doesn’t really matter, so long as it does not start rusting.  I suppose one other con may be that you get what you get: the compensator on it is not removable or replaceable, but you are buying this for this, so it shouldn’t be an issue.

My research pointed at the fact that these Roto barrels are not technically one piece.  They are multiple parts soldered together.  In theory, that would hinder long term and high round count reliability.  So far, I have not had any issues, so I can’t really say I’ve had any personal experience with it.

Installation (after you get the barrel link and barrel link pin in place) can be an absolute bitch the first couple of times, especially with a full length guide rod.  The whole one piece thing gets to be a pain in the ass.  After you figure it out and do it a few times, it’s easier to install.  Once in, the fit is solid.  No modifications were needed.

The weight it adds is really insignificant in my opinion.  I don’t shoot competition or anything.  A 1911 is inherently heavy.  This adds some weight, but nothing too bad.

When I got to the range, I performed two tests with each barrel (stock and compensated barrel).  The first test was a muzzle rise test to see how many degrees of flip I got from each one.  The second was an accuracy test at twenty feet.

Keep in mind that I don’t shoot 1911s all the time.  This was my first handgun purchase years ago, but the cost of .45 ACP doesn’t allow me to shoot it much.  So, I’m not a pro.  When I shoot my 1911, I shoot low left.  Not sure why, and I am sure there is some science behind it (like thumbing, squeezing too hard, etc…).  When I shoot other 1911s, I generally don’t as much.  So it could be a bit of me, or the firearm.  With that out of the way, moving on…

Below are some pictures of the targets.  The first one was with the stock barrel.  I was aiming for the bullseye.  It was an OK grouping, and everything went consistently low left.  The second was with the compensated barrel, and I was aiming for the top nine (not the bullseye) so I could have a different point of aim.  These were my absolute first shots using the barrel, and aside from one flying off to the left eight, the grouping was much tighter, and shot just to the left instead of low left.


The muzzle rise test was actually pretty surprising.  I felt something in the hand, and obviously there was a difference on paper, but I wasn’t sure if there was a change.  After reviewing the range footage, I saw there was a big difference.  The first picture, with the standard barrel, had a muzzle rise of about 27 degrees.  With the compensated barrel in picture two, I was getting about 23 degrees.  It seems like a small difference, but it obviously makes a difference, and I’m sure with an expert, both numbers would be smaller.


All in all, I am pleased with the barrel from SARCO, Inc.  After you get your barrel link and barrel link pin installed, it should drop perfectly into your 1911 (at least your PT 1911).  Here are some pros and cons.

Compensated Roto Barrel Pros and Cons:
PROS:
  • Low price
  • Reduces muzzle flip
  • Tightens grouping
  • Easy to install after practice

CONS: 
  • Finish and machine marks
  • Lack of barrel link and barrel link pin
  • One piece (you get what you get)

If you want a little better performance out of your 1911 that you can actually feel and notice, and don’t want to break the bank, look into one of these barrels from SARCO.  They work, they are (relatively speaking) inexpensive, and they don’t require modification (from what I experienced).

Want more reviews like this?  Let me know in the comments below!  Don’t forget to check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube!  Thanks for stopping by!



Sunday, October 18, 2015

Democratic Candidates on Firearms















Since most of you seemed to enjoy my post about Donald Trump on firearms, I figured I would take a look at the other party, but lump all the candidates into one post.  With firearms being such a widely talked about topic, it is an extremely important topic that anyone running for office needs to consider, whether that be to get rid of them or control them, or to protect the Second Amendment.

The Democratic Party in the United States is generally known for being against firearms.  One of the biggest displays of this was the infamous Clinton Assault Weapons Ban in 1994.  If you haven’t noticed, that name is back again for the same party.  Let’s take a look at each candidate that was present in the last CNN/Facebook Democratic Debate.


Lincoln Chafee – 74th Governor or Rhode Island
Rhode Island is no doubt a state that is located near some the worst areas in US in terms of being able to own a firearm.  Chafee has spoken strongly yet carefully about common sense gun legislation and adherence to the Second Amendment.  He states that, “the freedoms granted to America in our Constitution should never be abridged.”

During the first debate on CNN, he stated that he wants to work with the gun lobbyists to find a common ground and that he does not want to “take away” guns, but find something mutually agreeable.  This doesn’t sound extremely left winged, which could be considered a plus to most readers.  In the past, he did vote NO on both prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers, and banning lawsuits against gun manufactures for gun violence.  Take that as you will.


Martin O’Malley – 61st Governor of Maryland
It’s no secret that Baltimore has recently been through some troubled times.  That was one of the things that O’Malley had both going against him and for him in the first debate.  We can start out by saying this: when asked at the debate who his biggest enemy was, he replied back with saying, “the National Rifle Association”.

NBC Washington stated that “Maryland’s guns laws are now the strictest in the nation.”  The bill bans 45 types of firearms, limits magazine capacity to ten rounds, and anyone buying a handgun will have to submit fingerprints to have to obtain a license for one.  People with concealed carry permits may be used to the fingerprint thing, but this is just to buy one, not carry one.  He also has been advocating “smart gun” technology which would prevent unauthorized users from using firearms.

With all that being said, and looking at Baltimore, it is safe to say that he is probably one of the poorest choices for protecting the Second Amendment.


Jim Webb – US Senator from Virginia
While watching the debate, I was shocked by Webb’s overall pro-firearm view.  During the debate he stated, “There are people at high levels in this government who have bodyguards 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  The average American does not have that, and deserves the right to be able to protect their family.”  For this stance of his, and some other stances, he is not really liked as a Democratic candidate, and based off the other candidates’ views, one could see why.

Webb voted YES to allow firearms to be in checked in baggage on Amtrak trains.  He voted YES on prohibiting foreign and UN aid that restricts US gun ownership.  He co-sponsored the Veterans’ Heritage Firearms Act which, in short, allows veterans to register unlicensed firearms acquired for abroad.  He co-sponsored banning a gun registration and trigger lock law in Washington DC.

There are more instances of Webb acting like this.  He is probably the most right wing minded Democratic candidate out of the lineup that we have currently.


Bernie Sanders – US Senator from Vermont
Sanders is much talked about these days.  Since he is a likely candidate to be competing for President, it’s important to take a look at his view on Firearms.  During the debate, he did mostly speak against the Second Amendment, but not as heavily as some of the others.  In fact, he actually took some heat from his past “pro” gun ideas.

During the debate, he was asked about holding gun manufactures legally responsible for mass shootings.  He responded as follows:

“…do I think that a gun shop in the state of Vermont that sells legally a gun to somebody, and that somebody goes out and does something crazy, that that gun shop owner should be held responsible?  I don't.  On the other hand, where you have manufacturers and where you have gun shops knowingly giving guns to criminals or aiding and abetting that, of course we should take action.”

Sanders wants to “deal with the straw-man purchasing issue”.  (That is someone who purchases a firearm from an FFL legally for someone else to own.)  He supports a ban on certain semiautomatic weapons, banning the “gun show loophole”, and instant background checks.  He voted YES on the assault weapons ban in 1994, and on a magazine limit to ten rounds.  He voted NO on decreasing a gun waiting period from three days to one.

However, he has done some “strange” things for a Democrat.  He voted against the Brady Bill, voted YES on allowing firearms in checked baggage on Amtrak trains, voted YES on prohibiting foreign and UN aid that restricts US gun ownership, voted YES on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers, and voted YES on prohibiting suing gun makers and sellers for gun misuse.

While he is no Jim Webb, he has some moments that are a little more pro-gun than some of the others like O’Malley and…


Hillary Clinton – 67th US Secretary of State
Now for the moment of truth.  Yes, I saved her for last.  We all know what this last name has done for the Second Amendment in the past, so let’s see what it may mean now.  In short, she is not too happy with anything that goes bang.  Before we continue, it can clearly be seen the Clinton changes her mind A LOT.  That was even brought up right away in the debate.  Let’s keep that in mind.

While she changed her mind in 2008, in 2000 she was for a national gun registry.  She has stated that she wants to bring back the 1994 assault weapon ban, as well as give local police access to federal gun tracking information.  She has supported the licensing and registration of all handgun sales.

She voted NO on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence, and NO on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers.  She is also for “smart gun” technology.

She is very much against illegal guns and illegal gun dealers.  That isn’t a bad thing at all, but what can be considered “illegal” could be questionable.  A stolen firearm trying to be sold?  That should be considered illegal.  An AK-47 you purchased from an FFL being sold to your best friend or family member?  That should not.

Clinton advocates big time for keeping guns out of the hands of people who should not have them.  I am sure ANY responsible firearm owner can agree with that.  She advocates firearm safety, especially when involving children.  Again, nothing too bad about any of that, but how it will be gone being done about is the question.


Conclusion
All in all, we have some similar views amongst the candidates, and some very different ones.  From most pro-Second Amendment, to most anti, I would have to rate them as follows.

1 – Jim Webb (most pro)
2 – Lincoln Chafee
3 – Bernie Sanders
4 – Hillary Clinton
5 – Martin O’Malley (most anti)

It may be surprising to see that Hillary is not the worst.  Granted, Hillary could be the worst, but O’Malley’s factual record proves that for now, he is the worst.  There is also a big jump in views when it comes to Webb.  All in all, none of these candidates (save for maybe Webb) have my support in terms of the Second Amendment.  Let’s see how this all continues.

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Most information came from On The Issues, an excellent source for quick info an where someone stands, with resources and references.  Cover picture background courtesy of CNN.

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Open Carry in Florida















As of right now, October 7, 2015, Florida does not allow open carry of firearms.  Florida probably has some of the best laws and regulations regarding concealed carry, and has done so for quite some time.

However, on October 6 of 2015, the first round of Florida House Bill 163 was passed with an 8 to 4 vote, and it in will allow those with concealed carry permits to open carry in the state.

“Weapons and Firearms; Provides for construction of statutes that implicate right to bear arms or engage in self-defense; specifies that law enforcement officer may arrest person for unlicensed carrying of concealed weapon only upon probable cause that such violation is being committed; provides that person licensed to carry concealed weapon may also openly carry such firearm or weapon; provides liability for person or entity who infringes on specified rights; provides exception; provides that certain persons & entities have no immunity; revises legislative findings concerning possession & carrying of weapons & firearms; revises provisions concerning construction of provisions.”

This bill, which was originally filed on September 14 of 2015, doesn’t mean you can go out carrying your AK-47 for all to see.  This is not yet going into play until 2016.  Florida Statute 790.053 still says that it is illegal to open carry, so don’t run out doing so.

Nothing else has really been released, but we could assume that where you can open carry will be the same laws regarding where you can carry concealed.  For Florida, that would pretty much be anywhere besides schools and school zones, government buildings, places of nuisance, the portion of a place that sells alcohol, and so on.  For a complete list of concealed carry dos and don’ts for the state of Florida, check out Florida Statute 790.06.

What are your views on open carry?  For me, I’m not going to be doing it.  I prefer and will continue to carry concealed.  In my opinion, open carry makes you a target for bad people and idiots.  It may also scare people since firearm negativity is so prevalent in the news these days.  I’d rather be able to help stop a panic caused by a bad guy with my concealed firearm than start one with my open carry firearm.  Also, some people are just pretending to be something they are not by open carrying.

Does anyone who openly carries fit that description?  Absolutely not.  If you choose to open carry to support the Second Amendment, go for it.  It’s just not my cup of tea.  However, that’s just my opinion, and given the opportunity, I WOULD vote to allow open carry to give people the choice.  That is what makes this country great: freedom to vote and make the country we want, and of course, firearms!

Be safe, and be smart!

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Cover background image courtesy of Huffington Post.

Friday, September 25, 2015

Lyman Essential Gun Mat Review

                                      

Sometimes there is such a simple product that comes out, you have to stop and think, why didn’t I come up with that?  Lyman Products makes one of those simple, yet VERY effective products: The Essential Gun Mat.

When I clean my guns, I use a towel.  That towel is stained, dirty, falling apart, and smells like Hoppes No. 9.  Though, that last part isn’t exactly bad.  Anyway, this product changes that.  Basically it is a nicely sized, rubber mat that has cutouts for your gun, and it’s made in the USA!

It has ten different storage areas to keep parts of your gun from rolling away.  Each pocket is also indented to keep any cleaning product you may use from getting all over the place if you happen to spill it, or if you just typically use a lot of cleaner.  Here are some measurements, though I will say that it fits a full sized Smith and Wesson M&P9 with ease.

Dimensions:
Full Mat – 15.875 inches x 9.9375 inches
Main Pocket – 8.6875 inches x 8 inches

The rubber that it is made out of claims to be non-slip, but it still can move around the workbench, though firearms (since they have more texture) will stay more firmly in place on top.  One thing I will point out about the material is be careful how/where you store it.  It will retain some memory of how it was stored last.  You can see in the video at the end of the review that it was a little warped after I transferred it from the first filming location to the second.

Being that it is just a rubber piece, if you want to clean it, just hit it with a hose or run it under your sink.  When you are done, store it flat to prevent warping, and you’re good to go for the next time!

This is a really simple yet well thought out and very effective tool to add to your gun cleaning arsenal.  You may end up finding even more uses for it around the house since it can end up being very convenient.

Want one?  Head on over the Lyman Products to get your Essential Gun Mat, and tell them The Random Firearm sent you!

Don’t forget to check us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube!  Thanks for stopping by!









Friday, September 4, 2015

Smith and Wesson Warranty Review

smith and wesson M&P9 9mm warranty review random firearm dylan benson














For those of you who have read this blog before, you know that I am a fan of the SCCY CPX-2, but you know that I am a huge fan of SCCY’s no questions asked warranty.  I love warranties in general.  For me, that will be the deciding factor for me when comparing two similar products from different companies: who has the better warranty.

To my knowledge, Smith and Wesson has a lifetime warranty for the original owner of a firearm.

I have always had a soft spot in my heart for Smith and Wesson.  A good old fashioned brand that makes quality firearm.  When I discovered the M&P 9, I figured it was easy to decide that that would be my first striker fired pistol (yes I know… no Glock).  I was very happy with my purchase.  It’s a great shooter, had the options I wanted (or lack of: no external safety or magazine disconnect safety), and it’s well made.  However, even the most well made products have faults sometimes.

I don’t fire all of my guns all the time, but when I do, I clean them right away, coat them in some RIG gun grease, and put them away.  One day I took out my M&P 9 after it had had this treatment, I took a microfiber towel and I wiped all the grease off.  To my surprise, I found rust on the rear sight and other various parts of the slide.

smith and wesson M&P9 9mm warranty review rust random firearm dylan benson

smith and wesson M&P9 9mm warranty review rust random firearm dylan benson

When I first got this firearm, I filled out the warranty registration form online.  I know there are some of you out there who will be like, “I’m not registering anything I have!  I don’t want them knowing what I have!  Second Amendment!  Freedom, freedom, freedom…!”  Well, it’s your lose, because it saved my ass.

I first went online after noticing the rust and filled out their warranty claim.  They sent an automated response back asking some more questions.  After filling all that out, I called Smith and Wesson and asked to speak to their warranty department just to make sure this would be covered.  I had an almost zero wait time before I spoke with someone.  The gentleman at S&W informed me that this issue would be most likely covered under warranty.  The “most likely” kind of made me nervous, but I decided I would send it in anyway.

Smith sent me a shipping label, and I boxed it up and sent it to them.  After a few weeks, I gave them a call to check on the progress.  S&W informed me that they were backlogged, and that my firearm was in their system, but it had not even been looked at yet.  I asked if I would get I back before a certain date, and I was assured it would be.

About a week later, I received my firearm back.  They had replaced the slide and a few other components.  The whole process took about three weeks.  It was at no cost to me.  I was shocked that the M&P rusted to begin with (and so was the guy at the warranty/service department), but it did, and Smith took care of it.  I’ve always like Smith, but after dealing with them this way, even though their product rusted, I’m even more quick to purchase from them again.

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Thursday, September 3, 2015

First Time Concealed Carry Concerns















If you are reading this, you either have just gotten your concealed carry permit (or got your first handgun and plan to carry for those states with constitutional carry), or you are planning on getting yours, and you’re nervous about carrying.  It happens.  When I first got mine, you feel as if everyone is watching you, and you get worried.  Allow me to give you some tips to calm those nerves!

Carry and get it over with
One of your main concerns may be that you think people know you’re carrying.  Well, if you are carrying concealed, and carrying concealed properly, then no one will ever know.  You may feel as if eyes are on you, but not many people are observant enough.  Just make sure that your firearm does not print or become exposed.

Side note: “printing” is when the outline of a firearm can be seen through clothing.  In some states (like Florida for example) it is completely legal for a firearm to print.  In other states, it is highly illegal.  It is best to check with your state laws for information on that.

One of the best ways to shake all fears is to carry in a crowded area.  For example, the next time you go shopping, carry.  If you are armed in Walmart or something like that, you will notice that no one pays any attention to you.  That’s both good and bad.  Good because you can feel less concerned, bad because if you are someone up to no good, they will probably go unnoticed as well.  After doing that a couple times, you’ll start to get used to it.

Carry Consistently
If you carry three different guns at different times in multiple different ways, or if you only carry a couple times per month, you won’t be ready.  Carry consistently.  Find a firearm that you know, like, are comfortable with, and can conceal and stick with it.  Carry it the same way all the time.  This will get you used it.

Practice
Practice makes perfect.  Along with carrying consistently, when you are home, practice drawing your UNLOADED firearm.  Know how to get to it.  Know where it is at all times, what articles of clothing to get out of the way, and so on.  If you carry, but can’t draw fast enough, it may be too late in a very unfortunate situation.

You need more then that though.  You need to know your firearm.  Go to the range and fire off some rounds.  Know the recoil.  Know where it shoots.  Know what to expect.

Use a Good Holster and Good Ammunition
If you have a cheap “universal” holster that cannot safely secure your firearm, or takes too long to draw out of, you probably will never feel 100% safe and calm.  Spend a little extra to find a good holster, and your problems will be solved.  I recommend Tread Softy Concealment holsters.  They are high quality, at a price that even I can afford.

Just as important as the right holster is the right ammunition.  As I mentioned earlier, you need to go to the range and practice shooting.  Doing so is a great chance to try out different types of ammunition.  So long as it’s legal in your state, I would suggest a good hollow point round.  Since it can get expensive to try out many different brands, look up some hollow point reviews and get one or two brands that you feel confident about.  Try them in your firearm to make sure they cycle well (don’t cause jams or other malfunctions) and so you know how the recoil will be.

Know the Laws
I am not saying to become an attorney or police officer, but to shake off nerves, do some research about carry laws in your state.  Remember that laws vary from state to state.  Know your state, and know what you can and cannot do.

I DO NOT recommend going to forums for this information.  There is always someone who will say so confidently that he or she knows something is correct, then that person is either wrong, or is correct, but you are asking about one state, and the information provided is for another.

That is a reason why I normally don’t go into laws here since they can be so different, and if I do, I list the state I am referring to.  Your best bet is to either go to your state’s website for information, or call your state or local police department and if they cannot help you, they will be able to tell you where to go to get the correct information. 

ALWAYS know they laws.  Any law you break while having a firearm on you (even legally) could ruin the rest of your life.  Please, please, please always do your research.  Know where you can carry, and where you can’t.  To this day, even though Florida (my state’s) law is very straight forward about where you can carry, I will still call the police or the place in question about carrying if I am unsure.

Be Confident and Smart
The last thing is to be confident and smart.  That doesn’t mean be an ass or think you are a cop.  You are simply a responsibly armed citizen.  Know you are armed, but don’t let others know you are armed.  If you do what was mentioned previously, then you should very quickly get rid of your nerves.  Carry on, be safe, and be smart.
  • Carry and get it over with
  • Carry consistently
  • Use a good holster and ammunition
  • Know your state’s laws
  • Be confident and smart
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Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Flugz Hearing Protection Review

flugz hearing protection review the random firearm dylan benson southern guns llc

Whenever firing a firearm, it is always important to make sure that you are wearing eye and ear protection.  I am an audio guy: I make a living off of using my ears.  Needless to say, I take protecting them very seriously.  So, when Southern Guns, LLC in Longwood, Florida said they had some hearing protection for me to review, I said hell yes.

I normally wear the old school and big ear muffs.  They are big, take up a lot of room in the range bag, get in the way of eye protection and shouldering a weapon, and trap in a lot of heat, but they work at cutting down sound, and the work quite well.  However, the product today is called “Flugz”.  They are basically moldable ear plugs.

Now, you don’t need your ears professionally molded, and you don’t have to pay over a hundred dollars for it.  These you stick in water and microwave them to heat them up, and then form them to your ears.  They cost around $25!

They come with a container to keep them in and with a lanyard to keep the two plugs together.

flugz hearing protection review the random firearm dylan benson southern guns llc

Getting them to fit to your ear is simple.

  • Place them in water
  • Microwave for 30 seconds
  • Dry, and place in your ear
  •  Allow them to harden and form to shape

It took me two tries to get them right.  I stuck them in the microwave again for another twenty seconds after fiddling with them for about a minute and a half.  The second time they came out nice and soft and molded well to my ear with some light pressure.

I decided to go to the range and test out three different methods of hearing protection: earmuffs, standard disposable ear plugs, and Flugz.  I was shooting 115 grain, Blazer, aluminum cased ammunition out of a Smith and Wesson M&P9.  I went to the best local range in town to do so, and that's East Orange Shooting Sports.

(NRR is noise reduction rating.  It’s how many decibels of sound are reduced.)

Earmuffs – NRR about 30dB
The earmuffs canceled out the most sound and most frequencies.  Granted, they cover your whole ear, so that is expected.  However, as mentioned, they do take up room in the range bag, and they can get in the way of your shooting glasses and the stock of a firearm you are trying to shoulder.  Still, they are cheap and do work.

Disposable Ear Plugs – NRR 33dB
The ones I used claimed to reduce noise by 33 decibels.  That’s quite a bold claim.  Now, they did work, but a lot of high frequencies made it through.  They are obviously easy to carry, cheap, and don’t interfere with your glasses or stock.  If it’s all you have, it’s better than nothing, and they make a great backup.

Flugz – NRR 21dB
Now, these do offer the least amount of protection based off of the noise reduction rating.  They performed better than the disposable ear plugs, but still not as good as the earmuffs.  However, they are reusable, remoldable, easy to carry, custom fit, don’t get in the way of glasses or a stock, and a good price for what they are.  They also were a little challenging to get into my ears a second time, but with practice, I’m sure I can get past that.

All in all, I have to say that I like using the Flugz, and I will continue to use them.  Again, I take my hearing very seriously, so even if they are only rated at a NRR of 21dB, they are comfortable and unobtrusive.

Now as a reward for sticking with this whole review, Southern Guns, LLC has worked out a deal with The Random Firearm.  If you go to Southern Guns and mention this review, you can get them for $19.99!  Just tell them The Random Firearm sent you!

Have you used Flugz?  Let me know in the comments below.  Want more reviews like this?  Don’t forget to check us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube!  Thanks for stopping by!




Thursday, July 30, 2015

Glock Chew Toy

glock 19 26 chew toy southern guns llc longwood florida gun smith conversion random fiream db productions

Dog is said to be man’s best friend, but sometimes they do things that can just tick you off, but at the same time, you have to sit back and laugh.  Take the case of this Glock 19: I don’t know the back story of how the dog got a hold of it (or if it was loaded or not), but regardless of the details, the owner’s dog decided he wanted to get into firearms.

glock 19 26 chew toy southern guns llc longwood florida gun smith conversion random fiream db productionsI guess one problem with “plastic guns” is that they are not a match for a playful dog.  The whole bottom of the grip of this Glock 19 was replaced with a custom stippling job by some expertly trained canine teeth.  Unfortunately, this isn’t exactly what the owner was looking for.

To remedy the situation, he took the gun to Southern Guns, LLC located in Longwood, Florida to be fixed.  I personally love this shop.  Great people, great prices, great service.

Now, the Glock had to undergo surgery to be saved, and it was told that I would never be the size of a Glock 19 again.  It was cut down to fit Glock 26 magazines.  It is effectively now a Glock 19/26.  A (proper) custom stipple job was done to finish it all up.

I am thinking the owner should satisfy his dog’s hunger for firearms and get him one of those blue training guns.  What do you think?

If you have any stories like this, let me know in the comments below.  Want to hear about more stories like this?  Don’t forget to check us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube!  Thanks for stopping by!

glock 19 26 chew toy southern guns llc longwood florida gun smith conversion random fiream db productions

Pictures are courtesy of Southern Guns, LLC


Saturday, June 27, 2015

Keeping Your Guns Rust Free

rusty guns prevention treatment dylan benson rust random firearm


Living in the disgustingly humid state of Florida (where just the other day it was 111 degrees), anything here tends to rust.  From the humidity to my acidic sweat, if it’s metal and I touch it, it will tarnish or rust.  For me, it doesn’t matter with the brand: Mossberg, Ruger, Mosin, SCCY, Smith and Wesson, Taurus, and my AK have all rusted.  The only things that have not are my snub nosed S&W 19-3, and my Russian SKS (which is a factory refurb, and whatever black paint they coated it in will not let any rust develop.)

Anyway, back to the point at hand.  I really started to look into the rust issue when my Mosin Nagant was turning brown/orange.  I looked online for a wonder product, ordered something on a whim, and I am pleased!

Before you attack any firearm with the methods suggested, if your rust is bad, and your firearm comes with a lifetime warranty, look into sending it back.  I have had rust issues with my M&P9 and CPX-2 and both Smith and Wesson and SCCY took care of it without a cent out of my pocket.  (SCCY Warranty Review)

Fortunately, I have only had to deal with surface rust, and minor pitting from more extreme rust.  Before you treat your firearm for rust prevention, you need to get the rust off first.  I use Hoppe’s 9 Bore Cleaner.  This tends to dig in a little more to get the rust off, but is still safe enough for most firearm finishes, plus it smells great.  Put some on a cotton gun patch, and wipe the rusted areas down.  I would change the patches frequently, because the last thing you want to do is push the rust around.

After you have gotten all the rust off, I would wipe the firearm down with a microfiber cloth to try to get the firearm as dry as possible.  Do one more pass with the Hoppe’s to check again, and wipe it down one more time.

Here is where the magic happens.  Now that your rust is gone, how do you protect it?  RIG Universal Gun Grease!  This stuff is amazing!  Coat your ENTIRE firearm with this (the metal parts) with a thin layer.  This stuff really does a great job at keeping rust away.  Simply apply some to a clean cotton patch, and coat your firearm.  Make sure you get the nooks and crannies, as well as slide serrations and other places you typically touch.  Avoid touching any of the coated metal after until you need to.

If you plan on taking the gun to the range, wipe if down with a microfiber towel first, and then make sure to reapply it after you are done cleaning it.

I even have a layer on my carry guns, while they are being carried.

If you are storing them, make sure they are in a cool (air conditioned) and dry place.  If possible, avoid hard cases with foam linings as they may trap in moisture and speed up the rust process.  RIG isn’t going to work forever, so you need to take care with proper storage and handling after.

Never touch a firearm without wiping it down.  Sweat and oils in your hands and fingers can destroy finishes in certain situations.  Always wipe down and coat them with RIG.

To sum up:
  • See if your rust is covered under warranty
  • Remove rust with Hoppe’s 9 Bore Cleaner if light enough
  • Coat with RIG Universal Gun Grease once rust is removed
  • Store in cool, dry place
  • Wipe down and recoat after handling firearm for best results
  • Reapply RIG after cleaning from the a range visit
These steps should keep you rust free.  It has worked wonders with my Mosin.  It’s been rust free for a while now.  I use this method with all of my firearms, even the ones that have remained rust free from the start (like my SKS), but the method works, and I hope it works for you!

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Thursday, June 18, 2015

Donald Trump on Firearms

donald trump firearms second amendment views dylan benson random firearm

There has been quite a buzz recently about Donald Trump announcing that he will be running for president.  As you probably would have guessed by now, your author is a fan of the Second Amendment.  I like guns, I like thirty round magazines, and I like carry permits.

I openly support the Second Amendment, and anyone running for President of the United States (or any political office) should have a similar view that I do on the subject for the greatest chance of a vote from me.  So where does Trump stand on this issue?  Well, it depends where you look, and when he spoke.  There seems to be some conflicting views.

Trump has toyed with the idea of running for president a few times now.  One of said times was back in 2000 where Trump did say some pretty specific things about firearm rights:
It’s often argued that the American murder rate is high because guns are more available here than in other countries. After a tragedy like the massacre at Columbine High School, anyone could feel that it is too easy for Americans to get their hands on weapons. But nobody has a good solution. This is another issue where you see the extremes of the two existing major parties. Democrats want to confiscate all guns, which is a dumb idea because only the law-abiding citizens would turn in their guns and the bad guys would be the only ones left armed. The Republicans walk the NRA line and refuse even limited restrictions. I generally oppose gun control, but I support the ban on assault weapons and I also support a slightly longer waiting period to purchase a gun. With today’s Internet technology we should be able to tell within seventy-two hours if a potential gun owner has a record.
Technically, this really isn’t so bad.  First off, he doesn’t say there will be a confiscation, and probably one of the most eye open statements is the fact that he realizes that criminals would never turn them in anyway.  Holy cow!  Someone actually realizes that this kind of stuff only affects law abiding citizens?

He also talks about the support of the assault weapons ban.  This was during a time when such a ban was in play.  Today, this is pretty much seen as a dark period in the Second Amendment history.  This was a long time ago, and firearms activists have taken a big step in the forward direction of defending our Constitutional right, so I am not sure if we will see something like this again (at least not on the scale of the Clinton Ban).

The waiting period point he makes again seems archaic in today’s world.  Background checks take a matter of minutes.  Waiting periods really have no point to me when in states like Florida, I can walk in a store with cash and out with an “evil black rifle” after passing a background check, but if I wanted to buy a .22LR target pistol (and didn’t have my concealed carry permit), I would have to wait three days.  I too am for background checks, but not waiting periods.

In 2012, Emily Miller of the Washington Times interviewed Trump, and he again stated that he has a concealed carry permit that’s effective in New York City.  This really does not mean too much.  He’s ridiculously rich, and people like that tend to have an easier time getting permits in the “un-free” states.  However, the fact that he is open about it shows he is not exactly against them.

It is however next to impossible to get concealed carry permits in New York and New Jersey.  I was talking to an ex New Jersey cop I know, and I asked him what it would take to get a concealed carry permit there.  Now, in New Jersey, to get a permit you have to be over twenty-one, pass a background check, and you must show “justifiable need” to have one.  My friend pretty much said this: “To get a permit, you have to basically be carrying millions of dollars worth of uncut diamonds at night every night.  Even at that, a judge will say that with that kind of money, you can hire armed body guards, and you won’t get one.”

Anyway, back to the matter at hand.  Fast forward to 2015… We all remember the very unfortunate terrorist attack on Paris in January.  Trump actually had some very interesting comments to say about the issue that he tweeted to the public such as, “If the people so violently shot down in Paris had guns, at least they would have had a fighting chance.”  Also, “Isn’t it interesting that the tragedy in Paris took place in one of the toughest gun control countries in the world?”  These tweets (naturally) were taken negatively by many people.  Then again, is that surprising?

donald trump firearms second amendment views dylan benson random firearm

So, what about now?  What about today when he actually announces that he is running for the Oval Office?  Let’s start off with him saying, “Fully support and back up the Second Amendment.”  He goes on to talk about the two criminals who recently escaped from prison:
Now, it’s very interesting. Today I heard it. Through stupidity, in a very, very hard core prison, interestingly named Clinton, two vicious murderers, two vicious people escaped, and nobody knows where they are. And a woman was on television this morning, and she said, “You know, Mr. Trump,” and she was telling other people, and I actually called her, and she said, “You know, Mr. Trump, I always was against guns. I didn’t want guns. And now since this happened” — it’s up in the prison area — “my husband and I are finally in agreement, because he wanted the guns. We now have a gun on every table. We’re ready to start shooting [in self defense].”

I said, “Very interesting.”

So protect the Second Amendment.”
Now, of course this was a very fast statement for an important topic to many.  Many politicians have said in the past that they aim to protect the Second Amendment, but only with the firearms they see as reasonable to own, or the magazines they think are fair, and so on.  Does Trump mean this?  He did use the word “fully”.  Regardless, Trump is a very skilled negotiator, and knows how to get what he wants.  Now, add politician to that mix, and we all know how that goes.

All in all, it seems like Trump is now all for firearms.  Though, is he saying that now for support, because he didn’t sound as supportive in 2000?  Again, times have changed, and so far, I like the views he has regarding the Second Amendment.  Let’s see where Donald Trump goes with this as time continues.


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