Photo Updates – (Like Us On Facebook)

Recently it became clear the links to many of our photos are broken. It is a cumbersome process to go back through all the posts over the past three years to fix the issues. In some cases it may not be possible, but many of the photos are mine and I just need to revise each post. If you find a broken photo link, feel free to post a comment and I will get to it. I’ve gotten about half way through both 2014 and 2012 and will continue to work on it with the goal to have the photo links restored where possible in the next two months.

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How Many Guns?

At times I am asked by people who either do not own firearms or have just purchased their first handgun how many guns do I have and how many guns do you need. As far as the first question, how many do I have, I don’t answer the question. I have as many as I want and I probably desire more. As far as how many do you need, that is a loaded question (pun intended). It all depends upon what you plan to do. Let’s say you like pre-20th Century lever-action firearms are you just going to get an 1860 Henry and call it a day? Wouldn’t you want an 1866? Are you only interested in brass receivers or would you like a blued model? I like to think of them in this instance like shoes, jackets, or perhaps a purse for a woman. Does one work each and every day or do you need more than one? So those rhetorical questions more or less covers one aspect of collecting. Suppose you love revolvers and want to get every caliber of a particular model. The same could be true for rifles. I don’t know anyone collecting modern rifles with synthetic stocks, but let’s say you love the Ruger American Rifle if you got every version currently available it would be 30 rifles and close to $10,000. Like I said, there is probably no one collecting like this, but it certainly could be possible.

As for how I choose, the firearm must first speak to me on some level. Either by reputation, appearance, or even price. I tend to gravitate toward wooden or laminate stocks, but for pistols I like the look of stainless steel and nickel. Often I am thinking about how the firearm will be used. For pistols you may want a plinker you can have fun with on the range. You may need a pocket pistol for concealment in the summer with light clothes and a heavier model for the winter months and heavier clothing. It is a very personal decision and I know few firearm owners who stop at a single firearm. There is no one size fits all. Typically what will limit firearm purchases is money. You may salivate over a particular model, but the price of admission may be too steep. I have a friend who has his eye on a particular model of Kimber. While it is something he can afford, he realizes he could buy two quality 1911s for the same amount of money. I think he will eventually pull the trigger (more intentional punning), but only time will tell. Lucky for me I don’t have a 1911 addiction.

The hardest part about a firearm collection is parting with one unless you must. My least favorite firearm I own is a Ruger LC9. I just do not like the ergonomics of the pistol. The recoil is acceptable, but the safety just doesn’t work with my thumb. For that reason I don’t like the firearm. I would love to sell it, but it was purchased using my instructor credentials and I agreed not to sell it. For that reason I keep it and hold on to it for demonstration use in classes. Most of the rest of my firearms I have no intention of selling. Of course if times ever got difficult I’d separate the wheat for the chaff immediately.

A bit of a rambling post this morning, but please keep in mind to never ask the question of how many guns do you have and need. It’s akin to asking is the baby ugly. It’s something you just shouldn’t do. 😉

In the market for a 1911?

In April I wondered if a Model 1911 was on everyone’s wish list and then last week I added one to my own growing collection. Just this week Guns.com featured ATI with some YouTube videos from one of my favorite online reviewers. The topic came up on a local forum about which 1911 to select and someone pointed to the thread, really a buying guide, on the 1911 Addicts forum. The buying guide has a tome of information and is a great place to start your research before making a purchase.

If you are in the market you first must know what you are willing to spend. The price never goes much below $400, but the sky certainly is the limit in terms of price. I’ve still got my eye on that S&W E-Series Scandium, but it is a bit more than I am willing to spend for something to go bang (although it is a beautiful gun).

The 1911 style can be found in several calibers, but by far the most popular is the 45 Auto. 45 Auto ammunition is not exactly what I would call inexpensive and the lowest price non-bulk is generally $15 per 50 rounds or 30 cents per round. So somewhere in the back of my mind is every clip is more than 2 bucks. At that price the gun is not often used for plinking.

A nice thing is the gun grip choices are endless. So if you purchase an inexpensive model you can dress it up with different grips and change the look. I have not heard of any 1911 which was not accurate, but do remember when I shot for my NRA Instructor qualification the person beside me with a brand new Kimber could not hit the broad side of a barn. (Note to budding Instructors, do not bring a new gun on the day of qualification, use one you know and love.)

So if you are in the market, check out the buying guide and shop around. It is an iconic gun and everyone should have at least one 1911 in their possession.

The Trouble With Girls

As I have been adding certifications and reading in preparation for classes something dawned on me about the fairer sex, you’ll never quite figure out what they like. I’ve got my wife pegged so far, she likes Walther and 1911 style firearms, prefers stainless or nickel to blued, likes engraving on firearms, and does not like the pink guns and pink grips. I believe we have only found one single pink firearm she appreciated, and honestly I cannot remember what the gun she saw was, but I remember her saying something to the effect of “I like that gun, but not for me.”

I hope one day to be able to offer a variety of classes to women, but what I have determined is you cannot simply show a pink gun or a gun with a pink grip and say that is the gun she should have. Women like a wide variety of firearms, some prefer military style, some like revolvers, some like the polymer wonders. So what pistol should a woman get, well first the one she likes the looks of and second the one which fits her hand. My wife can barely hold my Ruger GP100 with the 6″ barrel due to the weight, but has no problem with the S&W Model 36 J Frame or a Walther or Bersa. She can shoot the GP100, it just would not be comfortable past a shot or two. She had no problems with my H&R 9-shot 22, but did not like the western style and blued frame.

I’ve realized picking out a pistol is like picking out a beer. You have to determine what a person likes as a baseline before you can suggest something similar but different to try. The issue with guns is the price of admission can make it prohibitive to try too many. My wife never met a Kimber she didn’t like the looks of, but every time I tell her the price she quickly decides it’s not something she is interested in purchasing.

So if you are a woman trying to decide on a pistol, first go to a gun show or a store and look through the case and then put a few in your hand to see how they feel. If they aren’t comfortable then you may want to look at other models. Also, just because they are pink or cute does not mean they are a great firearm. Read some reviews of the model you are eyeing and ask others for their opinion. In retrospect, no trouble at al

Model 1911 – on everyone’s wish list?

Let me start by being clear, I’ve always been a wheel gun man. My first pistol was a revolver and the only semi-automatic I ever wanted was a Glock and last year I finally scratched that itch. Lately it seems the world is going crazy for 1911’s. I can understand the popularity with those who served in our nation’s military [If you served, thank you so much for your service!], but lately the average Joe seems to have their sights set on a 1911.  every pistol in Kimber’s catalog is based on a 1911 design.

The gun is notoriously trustworthy and has been so since Colt designer John Browning brought it for a test in late 1910 where 6,000 rounds were fired over two days and as the barrel heated they immersed the gun in water to cool it and had no malfunctions. I had never given the 1911 much thought until I spied a Ruger (we all know by now I am a Ruger fan) SR1911 and got on the waiting list for one. It is an affordable 1911 with pricing running from $590 – $750 depending upon the store. Because Ruger is not currently accepting new orders, some unscrupulous dealers are charging more than list price for the SR1911.

Smith & Wesson brought out their redesigned “E”Series 1911 last year and the scandium frame with the stainless slide speaks to me. Unfortunately it weighs in at nearly $1,200 so it may have to talk to me from afar!

So is a 1911 on everyone’s wish list? I don’t know, but they have started to find their way on mine!