“911 Call: He just wanted to kill an officer ” ==
USCCA VIDEO OF THE WEEK
U.S. Concealed Carry
"Armed American Report"
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December 12th, 2008
Why I Carry a Gun
I don't carry a gun to kill people. I carry a gun to keep from being killed.
I don't carry a gun to scare people. I carry a gun because sometimes this
world can be a scary place.
I don't carry a gun because I'm paranoid. I carry a gun because there are
real threats in the world.
I don't carry a gun because I'm evil. I carry a gun because I have lived
long enough to see the evil in the world.
I don't carry a gun because I hate the government. I carry a gun because I
understand the limitations of government.
I don't carry a gun because I'm angry. I carry a gun so that I don't have to
spend the rest of my life hating myself for failing to be prepared.
I don't carry a gun because I want to shoot someone. I carry a gun because I
want to die at a ripe old age in my bed, and not on a sidewalk somewhere
tomorrow afternoon.
I don't carry a gun because I'm a cowboy. I carry a gun because, when I die
and go to Heaven, I want to be a cowboy.
I don't carry a gun to make me feel like a man. I carry a gun because men
know how to take care of themselves and the ones they love.
I don't carry a gun because I feel inadequate. I carry a gun because unarmed
and facing three armed thugs, I am inadequate.
I don't carry a gun because I love it. I carry a gun because I love life and
the people who make it meaningful to me.
What did I tell you- pretty amazing, eh?
Okay, next order of business:
Have you heard of our Sheepdog Year End Grand Finale Amazing Discount Sale?
No? Be sure to check it out. Just click HERE or on the "No Sheep Allowed" sign!
Okay, let's get started!
== USCCA Laugh of the Week ==
http://www.chaimcartoons.com/
"Which Type is Best?: Semi-Auto or Revolver?"
respects. Which one is right for you depends upon what
your priorities are, and upon what you are willing to give
up in order to achieve those priorities. ...."
By Kathy Jackson
This is a contentious topic on firearms boards. Every gun owner seems to have an opinion about it, and some get quite irate if you don't agree with theirs.
The truth is that every gun is a compromise. Neither revolvers nor semi-automatics are perfect in all respects. Which one is right for you depends upon what your priorities are, and upon what you are willing to give up in order to achieve those priorities.
The list below is alphabetized. It isn't in order of what I think is most important, because what's most important to me may not be as important to you.
Ammunition: Semi-automatics carry more ammunition, and they are easier to reload. While no one envisages having to fight off a horde of invading Mongols, a determined attacker may need to be shot multiple times before he goes down. And that determined attacker might have gang buddies with him, too.
A revolver will often allow the user to load two different calibers of ammunition (.38 Special and .357 Magnum, for example), allowing greater flexibility for the user.
A lightweight revolver can often carry more powerful ammunition than a semi-automatic of equal weight.
Budget: All other things being equal, because it is a simpler machine, a quality revolver will cost less than a semi-automatic of similar quality.
At the low end of the scale, really cheap revolvers are usually more reliable than really cheap semi-automatics. Again, this is because revolvers are simpler machines.
When buying a used gun, it is somewhat easier to check out a used revolver than it is to inspect a semi-automatic, and revolvers are somewhat less likely to suffer non-obvious problems that affect function.
Cleaning: There's no major disassembly required in order to clean a revolver, but you have to learn how to take the semi-auto apart and put it back together again in order to clean it properly.
However, once you've learned to do that, even with the disassembly/reassembly process, it's usually faster and easier to clean a semi-auto than it is to clean a revolver.
Concealability: Which one is more concealable depends upon what method you are using to carry it. But generally speaking, if you plan to use one of the non-conventional carry methods (a belly band, for example), revolvers have a slight advantage.
Ease of use: Revolvers are undeniably simpler mechanical objects than semi-automatics are. Their operation is easy to understand. They have fewer moving parts.
However, it isn't that hard to learn the basic operation of a semi-auto. A semi-automatic handgun is less complicated than a washing machine or a car, and every normal adult in America is able to understand both of those complex machines at least well enough to run them.
Hand Strength Issues: Conventional wisdom says that revolvers win this category, because racking the slide of a semi-automatic takes a lot of hand strength. So if your hands are weak, you may be better off with a revolver. That's usually true and worth remembering.
But it isn't always quite that simple and clear-cut, in my opinion and experience. I've met women who couldn't manage a double-action revolver trigger at all, but who had little trouble racking the slide of a semi-automatic when shown the correct technique (see article titled Rack the Slide for more information). It all depends upon which part of your hands are weak, and what the causes are for your weakness.
As a side note, if your hands are so weak that it is difficult for you to pull the trigger of a double-action revolver, and you also have difficulty racking the slide of a semi-automatic, you may want to look at Beretta's tilt-up barrel semi-automatics. These are semi-automatics which do not require the user to rack the slide for loading.
Recoil: All other things being equal, a semi-automatic generally produces less perceived recoil than a revolver of equal weight and power. This is because the movement of the slide can be expected to absorb some of the force.
Reliability: Comparing modern, quality semi-automatics with modern, quality revolvers, there really is no appreciable difference in terms of reliability. However, if you choose a semi-automatic, you will need to learn how to clear a mis-feed and a double feed. These malfunctions happen to semi-automatics only.
Revolvers rarely experience a simple malfunction such as these. If a revolver fails to fire, it is usually ammunition-related and the cure for it is simple: pull the trigger a second time. But if pulling the trigger a second time does not cure the problem, it may be necessary to take the gun to a gunsmith in order to repair it. Revolvers rarely malfunction, but when they do it often requires the help of a trained professional to get them running again.
At the extreme lower end of the price scale, semi-automatic quality degrades considerably. In such cases, revolvers win the reliability test.
Sights: Semi-automatics often (but not always) have the advantage on this one. A lot of revolvers have low-contrast sights which are little more than nearly invisible bumps on the front of the gun. Of course, that problem isn't unique to revolvers, nor are all revolvers like that. But it's definitely necessary to consider the sights when you evaluate a gun for its self-defense potential.
Click here to protect your valuables =>
Book Review and The
Christmas Wrap Up of My Five Favorite Pieces of Gear So Far.
written by
Cody S. Alderson
USCCA GEAR REVIEW
You folks have been kind in your feedback to me about the reviews that I have been writing. I've received a couple of emails advising me to shorten up the articles, but I have received far more emails telling me that the thoroughness is appreciated. I am very appreciative to Tim giving me the opportunity to do these gear reviews without having set word lengths. I also am thankful for my audience who is open to reviews of not only gun related gear, but all things that will facilitate us in being better equipped to survive any disaster situation.I haven't taken the time to calculate the statistics, but it seems that it is more likely we will face surviving a disaster situation from Mother Nature or an accident than from facing violence from a sociopath. Even if the odds are in favor of an encounter with a sociopath, it is still wise to be prepared for other disasters as well. That is why, for these reviews, I try to present options for equipment that can be of help if there ever is a time that it is needed.
For those of you who have been reading the thousands of words that I have been stringing together into gear reviews, it is obvious that you are readers like I happen to be. For all of you, I would like to tell you about a novel from a new author that is right up the alley of interests that we share as members of USCCA.
I've always been the type to not really like being told what to read. I pick a subject and then find a book that suits me whether the subject be fiction or non-fiction. So I'm not going to tell you to read the book in this review, but rather to consider my recommendation if you like good fiction. When Context Publishing contacted me about Bobby Cole's book The Dummy Line, I was a little hesitant on agreeing to read it. I barely have enough time to read the stuff already on my list, but I'm glad that I did take the time to read Mr. Cole's novel.
Jake planned an overnight trip to a hunting camp that he belonged to so that he and Katy could go turkey hunting early the next morning. Jake was planning on being just dad and a turkey hunter for the trip. He never thought about "what if" scenarios involving those sociopaths that we think about as USCCA members. Some really bad guys happened to cross Jake and his daughter's path on the night before the turkey hunt. Nothing about the meeting of the good and bad seems contrived in the story at all. It comes together just like it would if we were reading about it in a newspaper, or seeing it on the evening news. We get reminded every day how there are bad people that hold none of the values that good people do.
Where it breaks from many new stories about violent crimes is that Jake is a dad who will do what it takes to get his daughter out of the woods, and away from the sociopaths that are on their trail as they try to escape through Alabama's Noxubee River Swamp. Jake doesn't just roll over and die, but he isn't some sort of special ops guy either. He's just a stockbroker who goes hunting with his daughter. I like how the book flows into Jake calling upon instinct and learned abilities from being a hunter. I like the story in that Jake is just trying to get himself and Katy away from the threat. Finally a good story without any Hollywood hype or plot lines that are as fake as gun grabbers only wanting to ban "assault rifles." Stockbroker Jake Crosby turns into one of those sheepdogs that we USCCA members talk a lot about.
I'd like to see this book made into a movie where Bruce Willis is playing the part of Jake. Not the Bruce of the Die Hard franchise, but more of the character we see of him in the movie Hostage. It has all of the elements of great action and suspense with just the right amount of emotion that makes it a guy book.
I found myself getting absorbed into the story just like it should be. There weren't any problems with incongruities that would knock me out of the world of the story. There were some parts where I was hoping that Jake would have chosen another way to do something, but I would just remember that he is just a dad who likes to go hunting with his daughter. He wasn't a guy who studies preparedness for those "what if" scenarios as most of us do.
Obviously I won't tell you the ending, but I will tell you that I liked it. I just do not like those artsy endings of books that make me want to tear a book in half for investing the time that I did in reading it. My wife and I have watched plenty of movies where both of us would feel cheated by a stupid ending. Bobby Cole didn't ruin the end of the book for me.
The Dummy Line works very well in the development of the characters. Readers get a real sense of "what makes them tick." I read along and enjoyed following the development of the characters in the story. One of the bad guys, who questions his involvement with the rest of the gang, adds a nice little surprise to the mix, but not the surprise one might initially think of. Bobby Cole was decent enough to throw in a couple of little surprises that even got me, and I figure out very quick where an author is taking a story because I know all of the tricks from my experience in learning to write fiction.
Bobby Cole's The Dummy Line is a good read for hunters, shooters, dads, and us concealed carry permit holders who are members of USCCA. My wife has so many books to choose from that are fiction and meet her criteria of being worth reading. I find myself limited in the fiction world of books, which is probably why the larger percentage of my personal library is non-fiction titles.
If you read books all of the time, or even if you haven't read a novel in years, I can recommend The Dummy Line as worth buying because you will want to pass it around among your book reading friends.
Order your copy of The Dummy Line here:
The Dummy Line
The Christmas Wrap Up
I was going save for next week my Christmas Wrap Up of my favorite products that I have reviewed since starting as the gear reviewer for the Armed American Report earlier this year. But hey, why procrastinate until Christmas Eve?
If you have just recently subscribed to this newsletter, or if you had happened to miss some issues, I would like to mention my top five favorites again.
Coming in at number five is an electronic piece of equipment that I am glad to have with me every day in my vehicle, while out in the woods, or even off shore in a boat. It is the SPOT Satellite Messenger. You can read about it by following this link to the issue of the newsletter that it appeared in:
http://www.usconcealedcarry.org/news/newsletter/97/
Number four is the TASER C2. One can read some shocking revelations about this fantastic less-than-lethal means of self-defense by clicking on the link to this issue of the Armed American Report Newsletter:
http://www.usconcealedcarry.org/news/newsletter/the-concealed-carry-question-on-everybodys-mind/
Number three is the inexpensive, but top-quality manufacturer of bullet-resistant products. I'm referring to the great stuff made by BulletBlocker. You can read about their products by clicking on the link to this newsletter issue:
http://www.usconcealedcarry.org/news/newsletter/for-the-second-time-ever-i-felt-compelled-to-draw-my-gun/
Product number two is all of the stuff made by Fox Labs. If you are permitted to carry pepper spray where you live then you should be carrying Fox Labs products. They also have some really highly innovative solutions for using pepper spray to extract bad people from an area where they aren't wanted. I'm telling you that this stuff is just plain mean, and that's what I want in a pain compliance weapon such as pepper spray. You can read about the Fox Labs products by following the link to this issue of the newsletter:
http://www.usconcealedcarry.org/news/newsletter/the-holster-of-the-week-club-that-you-do-not-want-to-be-in/
My number one favorite product of all time for any product that I have reviewed or personally use is the Kelly Kettle. This is one piece of kit that everyone should at least have one of. It is an old but superior solution to the need for heating water using just about any material that burns. It just plain works. Period. Here's the link to my review of the Kelly Kettle:
http://www.usconcealedcarry.org/news/newsletter/the-most-embarrassing-concealed-carry-moment-ever/
In the coming reviews I have some great stuff that is all about defense, and training to be a better defensive operator. From DVD's to inert training guns, some good blades, and even a quick access rifle safe from V-Line. I hope to be able to share the good and even not so good details about a sampling of the products competing for our hard-earned dollars.
I hope to be able to also review some equipment for different carry options. We already know that the array of holsters available to us is so vast that it would be a good way to describe infinity when someone asks for a definition of the word. I'm sifting through the chaff, and picking out the keepers that are worth writing about.
It's the holiday season, and I know we are all busy about picking out the perfect gifts for those that we love. I'm serious about the Kelly Kettle. It comes from Ireland, so it probably won't arrive in time for Christmas if it is ordered now. However, if you are a hunter, fisherman, camper, backpacker, day-hiker, or just packed for bugging out, the Kelly Kettle is a piece of kit we all should have on hand. From the shores of Lough Conn on the Emerald Isle comes a durable and easy to use method of heating water in the outdoors.
Thank you for your kind feedback and Merry Christmas everyone!
 |
I would like to hear from you. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions about the Gear Reviews email me at cody@uscca.us. |
== USCCA Members-Only ==
Forum Highlights
Every paying website member has
complete access to the USCCA forum, which is constantly being accessed by
members sharing information, knowledge, insight, and fun. With well over
sixty-thousand posts and growing by the hour, this is one heck of a valuable
resource!
If you have never logged in but are a member, visit
THIS location to watch help videos, including how to find out your
username and/or password!
A friend of mine was recently stopped by the police for a broken headlight. The officer asked if he had any weapons in his truck. After replying yes, the officer proceeded to search his truck. No place or container was not searched. I feel this was an illegal search. I have since told him if I am asked about what is inside my truck, I would reply there is nothing illegal in my vehicle. Any thoughts about his truck being searched or my intended response to law enforcement?
I'm in the market for some XS Sights and I can't decide on
the big dot or small dot version. Is the small dot more accurate? Help me
out here.
"Finally, Tim Breaks His Silence..." Over the past 24 months, I've received hundreds of emails. All asking similar questions...
I'm going to break my silence. I've decided to start a daily tip for those of you who have an interest in business, and entrepreneurship. Heck, it will just be me talking about something I LOVE to talk about. Here is the link, so you can act now: = > http://www.TimothyJSchmidt.com |
== "Tim-spiration" of the Week ==
USCCA PHOTO OF THE WEEK
All Photos of the Week are taken from Mr. Oleg Volk's
website: http://www.a-human-right.com/. It is a
FANTASTIC site. Please check it out!
USCCA QUOTE OF THE WEEK
-
Sometimes a good quote will inspire or
motivate you. Sometimes, they'll just put a smile on your face! Here is
the quote for this week...
"Any sufficiently advanced technology
is indistinguishable from magic."
-Arthur C. Clarke
Self Defense Story OF THE WEEK
-
Every day, thousands of Armed
Americans use their firearms to preserve human life. Let this section of
my newsletter serve as a record of this fact!
-
"The Door Kicking Gang? Not any more..."
"A man who police call a would-be burglar may be regretting kicking in
the door of an east Valley homeowner early Tuesday morning, authorities
said.
Investigators said after Richard Lopez kicked in the door of a Gilbert
home, the homeowner grabbed a gun and shot him twice -- once in the face
and once in the torso.
The driver of the alleged getaway vehicle, Mark Vega, took Lopez to the
hospital, where they were met by officers, police said.
Additionally, Gilbert police said, Lopez may be connected to a string of
home burglaries in the east Valley.
Lopez was arrested in April in connection with a similar string of
crimes in the west Valley.
Police called the ring, which targeted more than three dozen homes, the
"door-kicking burglars" after the method they used to break into homes.
Gilbert police said they are investigating a connection to the crimes in
the west Valley; however, they would not confirm whether the two crime
sprees are linked.
The east Valley homeowner who shot Lopez will not be charged, Gilbert
police Sgt. Mark Marino said.
"In this particular case, the homeowner protected himself," Marino said.
Closing Thoughts
Here is this week's "question of the
week":
I am not a permit holder yet, but soon will be. I wanted to
ask your opinion as to what you believe is a good gun to have strictly as a
concealed weapon. I like the feel of a .38, but I have had several others
say the 9mm is better, especially the Glock 26.What do you think? Thank you.
Hello, and thank you for your question!
Most experts will tell you to carry the biggest, most powerful gun that you
can carry, and STILL comfortably carry it every single day.
For some people, this may mean a 2-round derringer... for others, this may
mean a full sized 1911-style .45ACP with three extra magazines... PLUS a
'back up gun'.
It all really boils down to what you are comfortable with, and which weapon
would allow you to put the most shots on target in an emergency defensive
situation.
Most folks are going to tell you that NO handgun round is a "one shot
stopper". This means that regardless of what you carry, if the unthinkable
happens and you are forced by a violent criminal to use your weapon in self
defense, you must be prepared to shoot to stop the threat.
This means that you pull your trigger, and keep pulling your trigger until
your life is no longer being threatened.
So, if you carry a huge .44 Magnum revolver and it takes you ten seconds to
accurately aim and fire each shot, you may be in trouble. You would be
better served carrying a .380 Auto and being able to fire all of your rounds
accurately within two seconds.
As far as specific calibers go, anything .380 Auto or stronger is considered
suitable for self defense- BUT, this is a very touchy subject that gets a
lot of emotion out of people.
The most common revolver round for self-defense is the .38 special, while
the most common automatic pistol round is the 9mm. But, there are many
gung-ho individuals who swear by .357 Magnum for revolvers, and .45 ACP for
autos.
Conclusion? You should experiment with several different rounds and find the
one that you can shoot the fastest and most accurately- while carrying it
everywhere you go!
Lastly, earlier in the week, I email you a link to an article about
Ammunition by the USCCA's very own, Kathy Jackson. Did you happen to read
it? It may answer many of your questions!
Caliber Confusion, by Kathy Jackson
LASTLY, I'd like to end this week's Armed American Report with this
statement from our friends at the JPFO: Jews for the Preservation of Firearm
Ownership:
FREE Christmas/Hanukkah gift
for all!
Send a free gift to every gun owner you know using "2A Today for the USA" at
www.jpfo.org. Watch the FREE film and tell others to do the same to make
sure the Second Amendment has a healthy and wonderful new year. Really, what
better holiday gift could you give?
Do you have a pressing CCW concern that you'd like to get some feedback on?
Use the contact form found at this page to let me hear it! Just use the
graphic below!
