Newsletter Article December 22, 2011

Used Guns: Tips on Checking 'em Out



NOTE: The following is information that I took from several sources. I am not a gunsmith, just a "gun guy". Your best bet will probably involve a qualified gunsmith looking at your guns for you. When you can't, the following may help.



As in any endeavor with firearms, Safety is the watchword. Before inspecting any gun, make sure that it is unloaded. No rounds should be chambered. Physically and visually check to make sure.



It may be advisable to perform these checks on your guns periodically to get an idea of acceptable tolerances, and to gauge wear. Plus, it's just another excuse to get your guns out and piddle with them!





REVOLVERS



Initial Look



First, look at the gun, checking the muzzle, the grip, and the hammer for indications that it's been dropped: Marks, dimples, cracks, or other damage. A gun that has been dropped a lot is an indication that other conditions may exist due to the previous owner's reckless behavior. Here's a good example of a checklist for inspection.




Cylinder Gap



Look at the cylinder gap. This is the area between the front of the cylinder and the forcing cone at the back of the barrel. A flashlight or white surface in back of the gun helps see the cylinder gap. The surfaces should be parallel to each other. If the gap is wider at the top, the top strap may have been stretched (sometimes happens with shooting a lot of high pressure loads). When that happens, the gun may shoot, but will likely shave off lead and/or jacket material which can affect the velocity and accuracy of the round.



If there is too much of a cylinder gap, there may be excessive "end shake", or too much movement of the cylinder forward and rearward. This is something you'll need to consult with your gunsmith about.



Normally .006" to .008" is considered fine. If greater than .010", you'd better take the gun to a reputable gunsmith to have it checked.



Trigger & Hammer



Check the hammer. Will it function both in single action and double action? If it doesn't work single action, it may be bent.

When you cock and release the hammer, notice the feel. If you feel the hammer scraping against the body of the gun, again, you may have a bent hammer. (possibly from being dropped)



Dry-fire the gun. Before releasing pressure on the trigger look through the gap at the back of the cylinder. You're looking for the firing pin nub. If you can see it, that's a good sign.





Cylinder Lock-Up



Check the play in the cylinder with the hammer forward and then with the hammer cocked. Too much play can indicate wear that allows the cylinder to be out of time with the forcing cone & barrel. You can take a pencil or wooden dowel to see how well they line up.



With the gun unloaded, you can shine a light into the gap at the rear of the cylinder, and looking down the barrel to see how it lines up. This is, by no means, a precision test, but if there is a noticeable misalignment, you know you have a problem.





Cylinder



The cylinder release should operate surely. It should move without catching both directions. It should fully release and allow the cylinder to swing out. When opening, the cylinder should not bind or catch on the frame, it should be a free and easy movement.



Inspect the face of the front of the cylinder. There should be little to no scrape marking on the cylinder around the chamber. The rear of the cylinder should show no excessive wear with the chambers being square to the face. Some folks bevel their chambers to better facilitate loading and reloading the gun. The edges should be clean and free of scratching, burrs, and other abrasive indications.



Look for peening around the locking slots.



The cylinder should close and lock without forcing it using a moderate amount of pressure, on all chambers. If one or two chambers take more pressure to close the cylinder, the crane (hinge hardware to which the cylinder is attached) may be slightly bent.





The Barrel



Look at the barrel. On single-actions you will likely have to remove the cylinder pin to get the cylinder out. Look inside the barrel. Bad signs are pitting, or a ring or rings somewhere along the barrel. Scratches and abrasions are signs of mistreatment.



A barrel in good condition will have a near mirror finish with the rifling in good shape. The muzzle will be in pristine condition and the forcing cone will have clean sharp edges.



Run your fingers down the barrel feeling for bulges. Sometimes you can feel a bulge that is not easily seen.



A dirty or lead/copper fouling in the bore, it not necessarily a bad sign but it can hide rust or pitting.





Frame



Check the frame for damage: cracks, dimples, & chips. Look in the corners of the top strap. Be on the lookout for indications of high heat, stress, or fractures.





Don't



Spin the cylinder (single-action)

Shut or open your cylinder with a flick of the wrist (Hollywood style) on swing-out cylinders

Fan the hammer (single action)







SEMIAUTOMATICS



Here is a checklist for inspecting the 1911.





The Slide



Check the end of the slide, the magazine well, and the hammer (or back of the slide if no hammer) for signs of being dropped.



The slide should be inspected. Cracks are a bad sign and will have to be replaced.



Rack the slide to see how smoothly it operates. Any binding or grating indicates repairs needed to facilitate reliability.



Brass marking on the rear of the ejection port? A lot of it means that gun has had a lot of rounds through it. That's something to consider.





Safeties



Operate and test each safety and/or decocker to make sure it does what it is supposed to do. Levers should move smoothly and go into place without forcing.



Some safeties have intentionally been made inoperable, such as by pinning a grip safety on a model 1911. There is not much, if any, advantage to most shooters in having an inoperable safety. A safety that does not work as designed takes away from the value of a gun.





Hammer



Cock the hammer both manually and with the operation of the slide. The hammer should click into place with no rubbing against the frame.





Trigger



Check the trigger pull. Trigger pull can vary widely among semi-autos so it's good to have some experience of how it should feel. Trigger movement is very much an individual preference. Generally, single actions have a little "take-up" and then stop... and then with increased pressure will drop the hammer. Double-actions and double-action-onlys have more staging and require more pressure on the trigger pull.



Feed Ramp

On some semi-autos the feed ramp is attached to the breech-end (back) of the barrel. It functions to guide the cartridge into the chamber at the back of the barrel. when the slide strips the cartridge off the top of the magazine.

On 1911s, the feed ramp is in two parts. Part of the feed ramp is a part of the barrel, but below it is a ramp that is part of the frame of the gun. If the ramp is in two pieces (one - part of the barrel, the other - part of the frame), there should bed a bit of a gap between the two (normally 1/32". Right up against each other is not desirable here.

Look at the feed ramp. The ramp should be free of any abrasions or marks. No grinding marks. No rough edges. It should shine.


The Bore of the Barrel

To check the bore, use a bore-light, a flashlight, or a white piece of paper or cleaning patch to reflect light from one end to the other. It should be clean. If it's not clean the fouling can hide pitting or other problems. If the bore's finish is milky-looking, not mirror-finished, it may be in good condition, and just lacking in a good scrubbing.

The muzzle should be in pristine condition. If not, it can adversely affect the accuracy and effectiveness of the ammunition you shoot. The muzzle is the last part of the gun that has contact with a fired bullet. Figure on having a gunsmith repair the muzzle if it is not in perfect condition on a working gun.


Firing Pin

The way to see if a firing pins works on a semi-auto is to point an unloaded gun up, toward the ceiling, cock it and insert a dowel rod or a pencil down the bore. Press the trigger. If the dowel rod/pencil jumps up, the firing pin hits. On some semi-autos the firing pin hits hard enough to shoot the dowel rod/pencil quite a ways up. It could hit the ceiling. Example here.


Summary

I learned a lot while researching this article. I hope it will be of use to others as well.

The watchword is safety. In concert with that, that there are things you can look for that will give you an idea of the condition of a handgun.

Have a wonderful Christmas and a great New Year!

Don

Here are a few other articles on handgun inspection.

Buying a Used Handgun

Inspection Guide To Used Guns

Revolver Inspection

How-To Guide For Buying Used Handguns

Colt Revolver Inspection Checklist

Shopping For And Inspecting Used Revolvers

Tidbits - November 29th, 2011

In my newsletter is a section called "Tidbits". It contains snippets, normally available online, of things I feel are of interest. Below are some that I have taken from previous issues. (To subscribe go to my website , and click on "Newsletter Subscription" at the bottom of the page.)
http://guninstructor.net/articles.html

Rob Pincus talks about "Understanding Sight Alignment & Sight Picture in the Context of Defensive Shooting". This is available from:
http://www.imakenews.com/valhalla/e_article002283411.cfm?x=bkkbQGg,bm2s6VTC

The Oklahoma City pharmacist Jerome Ersland case is evaluated by Massad Ayoob in the Ayoob Files in the 2012 of American Handgunner. It answers a lot of questions.
http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanHandgunner/AHJF12/?page=18

Newsletter Article December 7, 2011

HOLSTERS

The Other Part of Your Concealed Carry Equipment



Carrying concealed on a regular basis tends to require that we make a "shift" in our wardrobe choices. The holster plays an important part in making a variety of carry options practical. This video of Clint Smith's shows a bunch of holsters and carry "systems" at the beginning. Of course, Clint's summary of the whole ordeal is entertaining and educational.


Check The Condition of Your Holster(s)

I know I have been guilty of ignoring my holsters and letting them degrade into questionable condition. Holsters should be considered to be more than just an afterthought. They are an important part of your carry system.





Holsters 101



Galco, a leading brand of quality holster, has a Q&A page on their website that addresses such things as:

Holster Break-In

Care and Maintenance (both leather & polymer products)

and more...




Blending In

Like our clothes, holsters have a situational component to them. How practical a particular holster is, often has to do with the weather, what we are doing, and how many layers of clothing (or lack thereof) we have available to conceal our handgun.


When Bad Things Happen

About a year ago there were some photos making their way around the internet warning about the dangers of buying a leather holster. An accidental discharge caused by a wrinkle in the leather set a fellow's pants on fire. Here is a more civil discussion of the event (with pics).

Although some used that incident to campaign against leather holsters, more importantly, the message drove home the importance of checking your gear to see that it is in good order. Whether it's the condition of the leather, or kydex, we should have a look and make sure the holster is doing what it's supposed to do.


What's a Holster Supposed To Do?

The purpose of the holster is to hold the gun safely and firmly in a place where we intend it to be. For that to occur, the holster has to be in good, predicable, working order.


Off-Body Carry

About a year and a half ago, a woman, here in Tulsa, coming home from work, was robbed and assaulted as she was entering her home. Fortunately for her, she had a snubbie in her purse, was able to get to it, and handled the situation. Purse carry, while it has it's disadvantages, has proven to be a viable means of keeping a gun accessible.

So it is with carrying a gun in a briefcase or day planner type satchel. It is, in my opinion, not the optimum method of carry, but it can and has been effective for some folks.


Other Carry Solutions

One of the first holsters I bought when I first got licensed was a "fanny" pack type holster. It actually works great. It's easily accessible and can be positioned where it works best. Fanny packs are not as common now, and they may be more attention-getting, especially if black colored. It may be advisable to get a colored fanny pack that does not look so "tactical".

There is also a variety of "undergarment holsters" that have pockets sewn into them which will hold a handgun. They are considered "deep concealment" systems in that they are normally not as easily accessible.

Wallet holsters and pocket holsters are also options to consider. In my opinion, everyone should have a pocket holster. Practically all of us have thrown a gun into a pocket at one time or another (and I do it often).

Pocket holsters do three things for us:
1. Keep the gun oriented in a position where it can be accessed.
2. Reduce the "printing" of the gun in your pocket.
3. Reduce wear on your pockets.
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Inside the Waistband Holsters (IWB)

Belt carry has been made more viable with a holster that secures to your belt but the body of the gun is actually inside the pant. Some IWB holsters allow you to tuck your shirt in around the gun, fully concealing the gun. Matt (at www.libertydefensesolutions.com) sent me this youtube video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gjUknHqvGY&feature=uploademail) that very well shows some of the options available and how they work.

Summary

There's no better way to begin and end an article dealing with gun technique by showing a Clint Smith video clip. Clint has a way of communicating these concepts so that you are likely to understand and remember the salient points.

Don

Women Only Classes in January

Sunday, January 22nd, 11AM until 7PM, at Red Castle's Indoor Range, near 11th & Lewis. A great class. Bring a friend to mulltiply the "fun times" factor!

Need more info? http://guninstructor.net/conceal.html

Newsletter Article November 23rd, 2011

SMALL CALIBER GUNS FOR SELF-DEFENSE

For years guns have been produced in the twenty-some-odd caliber size for self-defense. While most of the shooting community views these calibers as "probably ineffective", no one that I know would volunteer to get shot with one.

I have heard it said that more people die from .22 gunshot wounds than any other caliber. Having not found anything that verifies that data, I know that the .22 caliber round can be and has been deadly.

That being said it's effectiveness is about half of what you get from .380 + calibers.


So Why Bother?

One nice thing about small caliber guns is...they can be manufactured smaller than .38, 9mm, .40, .45, and the like. And as Mark Moritz is said to have said, "The first rule in a gunfight is to have a gun." And we know, oftentimes, just the presence of a gun can scare off an attack.

The point of concern for most of us in the gun community is: What if I actually have to use it? Will it work? How likely is it that it will stop an attacker?


Just the facts ma'am

For the sake of comparison, here are the "One Shot Stop" percentages listed in Sanow and Marshall's most recent publication, Stopping Power: (Keep in mind that this is using the best performing ammo.) This data represents what percentage of the time, in actual shootings, one round to the torso area, ceased an attack.


.22 Long Rifle 40% Quik Shok HP (a frangible)

.25 ACP 27% Winchester Expanding Point


.32 ACP 66% Winchester ST (Silvertip)


.380 ACP 70% Federal Hydra-Shok


.38 Spec. 2" 67% Winchester 158 gr. lead HP +P


.38 Spec. 4" 80% Corbon 115 gr. +P+


9mm Compact 87% Remington 115 gr. +P+ JHP


9mm 90% Federal 115 gr. JHP +P+


.357 Mag 96% Federal 125 gr. JHP


.357 Sig 92% Federal 125 gr. JHP


10mm 90% Corbon 150 gr. JHP


.40 Compact 89% Remington 165 gr. GS (Golden Sabre)


.40 94% Remington 165 gr. GS


.41 Mag 90% Winchester 170 gr. ST


.44 Spec. 76% Winchester ST


.44 Mag 92% Winchester 201 gr. ST


.45 Colt 51% Federal lead HP


.45 ACP Compact 90% Remington 185 gr. GS


.45 ACP 96% Federal 230 gr. HS




NOTE: This data was published in 2001. There have been a lot of ammo developments since then. No other empirical studies on the subject have been done since then, that I know of. Even though that is the case, this study still gives us a realistic picture of how ammo/caliber performed in actual shootings.


The 22 Magnum and the 5.7

One of the many calibers not included in the above study (probably for lack of an adequate sample), is .22 magnum. Also the 5.7 is too new to be included.

Recently Kel-Tec came out with a 30 round .22 magnum semi-automatic pistol. What it lacks in bullet diameter, it may make up for in velocity and firepower (number of rounds available).

About seven years ago FN came out with the 5.7 x 28 mm semi-auto. It was intended as a military handgun designed to push rounds into the 2500 fps range. Not getting any huge military contracts, FN manufactured it anyway for the civilian market. With legal Hornady V-Max ammo (sub-2000 fps, wont penetrate body armor) it may be perceived as a good defensive system.

The Kel-Tec holds 30 rounds in it's standard magazine while the FN holds 20. The velocity of the FN is a few hundred fps faster (about 1700 versus about 1300 fps). Bullet diameter and bullet weight is close to the same.

Gun Tests compared the two in their November 2011 issue. After reading the article, I wanted both!


Those Cute Lil' Guns

It seems that the North American Arms pocket rockets are as popular now as they ever have been. I have little confidence in such a small gun. Those teeny-weeny five-shot revolvers are a bit cumbersome to load and unload. BUT...that little gun fulfills the #1 rule of a gunfight, "Have a gun." And...I'd rather have one of those itty-bitty guns than no gun at all.

North American Arms has a new "Top Break" model that makes loading and unloading quite a bit easier.


Rimfire vs. Centerfire

One of the problems with cheap .22 rimfire rounds is that they are not very dependable. This is due to the fact that an air-bubble (or a lack of primer material) can exist within the rim. That's why we tend to see a lot of misfires with .22 ammo.

So you have to spend a little more to get a more reliable shooting cartridge. If you have a .22 that you keep around for self-defense, go splurge on ammo. That "click" sound, when you're expecting a "bang", isn't so bad on the range, but in a defensive critical incident.....eeek!


.22LR Semi-auto vs. .22LR Revolver

With ammo un-reliability being a possibility, the likelihood of having to do the tap-rack-bang drill increases. And some of those little .22 semi-autos are just plain hard to rack. With a revolver, if you experience a misfire, you just cock and fire again. (a real plus for wheel-guns!)


Summary

There is no doubt in my mind that for self-defense, the .22 LR is an inferior round, when compared to center-fire cartridges. And the best performing .22 LR, the Quik Shok is harder to find than the next closest performer (at about 38%), the .22 LR CCI Stinger.

The .38 Special out of a 2" barrel has demonstrated a 150% increase in effectiveness over the .22 LR. So if I'm choosing one over the other, for me, the 38 snubbie wins!

But, if for some reason I couldn't make anything other than a .22 mouse-gun work, I'd stuff as many in my pockets as I could get. With reloading being a formidable issue in many of the little guns, a "New York reload" may be the only way to go. (New York reload = spare gun)

There, in my opinion, are some applications for the micro-guns, limited as they may be. If you've got one that you're going to use for self-defense, learn to fight with it and pick good ammo!

Don

Newsletter Artcle November 7, 2011

"Gun Totin' Women "



"I declare to you that woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself, and there I take my stand."
-Susan B. Anthony


A recent Gallup poll finds that 43% of all women own a gun or guns.





Who Would Notice?


It seems that recently the gun manufacturing world has put a lot of attention on marketing to women. There's a good reason for that. More and more women are making themselves known in the gun community.

Louise Mandrell

You Tube Gun Authority Lima Life

Il Ling New







Back in 1993, at the Grand National Gun Show here in Tulsa, my wife and I bought a .38 Special Snubbie that was branded as the "Ladysmith". It had beautiful rosewood grips and a deep luster and polish to the bluing. It was absolutely beautiful. Much like this.



Now, many companies are following the trend to market to women. There is no doubt that men and women respond differently to design and/or decoration. Putting a splash of pink or violet on a gun is akin to adding pin striping to a car. It can make it prettier, cooler, or more striking in appearance.

Charter Arms Pink Lady

Sig Sauer Mosquito Pink Finish

A bunch of pink guns


Accessories and support products for female gun handlers also have made their way into our local market. We have a superb manufacturer and supplier here in Tulsa:
http://www.thebagladyoftulsa.com/


I had the pleasure of teaching a couple of "women only" concealed carry classes last summer and it was a blast. I had more good questions and comments in those classes than I've ever had in a co-ed class. And they were good, practical questions. Women simply bring a special touch to subject.





Female Gun Authorities



But also there are some great female gun authors out there. To name a couple: Paxton Quigley and Gila Hayes. These ladies don't just write for the ladies, they write for gun folks, male and female.



And one of my favorite websites is "Cornered Cat". Kathy Jackson has constructed a fantastic website that is packed full of practical gun oriented information.


So, if you are a woman, or happen to know a woman, or you just like learning stuff... don't make the mistake of not checking into some of these female-oriented resources. They add a dimension to gun-related issues that, when considered, form a more complete picture of the whole gun thing.


- Don




Related Articles



The Real Ladies Handgun - by Massad Ayoob





"When I'm with a pistol I sparkle like a crystal, yes I shine like the morning sun." -Annie Oakley

Newsletter Article October 19, 2011

More info and maps available from: www.opencarry.org

"Open Carry in Oklahoma"



Some Background

For the past two years "open carry" legislation was introduced and voted upon in the Oklahoma Legislature.



The first time, the bill, which allowed concealed carry licensees to carry "open" was passed in both houses, only to be vetoed by then governor, Brad Henry.



Then last year, the bill, submitted by Sen. Steve Russell, was widely written to include 18+ years citizens to carry open any pistol, rifle, or shotgun. It was defeated in the House led by Rep. Sue Tibbs.


There is a good chance that there will be another "go" at introducing some form of "open carry" legislation. What form that takes remains to be seen.


What does that mean to us?



If another attempt to pass a bill allowing unlicensed folks to carry makes it all the way through, the general populace will be able to carry without a license. If submitted, passed, and signed into law, it will, like several other states, provide an avenue for non-felon citizens to carry open, in plain view.



If legislators fall back to allowing "open carry" for concealed carry licensees only, then folks must still take the required training and apply via their local sheriff's office to the OSBI. In this case, the "Concealed Weapon License" will probably be renamed to, something along the lines of, a "Weapon License" or "Handgun License".





Who Wants Open Carry?



Among concealed carry licensees, most who want the ability to legally carry, are driven by the desire to be within the legal guidelines if they accidently or inadvertently "flash" their gun while carrying concealed. There may be a few other instances in which some will want to carry open while "out and about", but they are likely few in actual number. Most concealed carry licensees will probably still want to carry concealed most of the time.



For others who favored the 18+ years old, unlicensed carry, which included rifles and shotguns, many viewed it as being very close to "constitutional carry", more along the lines of what was intended by those who penned the 2nd amendment. Within that group are folks who don't want their name in a computer or on a list exposing them to future "gun grabbers". In addition to those folks, as mentioned before, are those non-felons, who previously could not qualify to carry concealed because of other background issues.





Hmmm...



An interesting point: If the 18+ years old version of the law passes, 18 year olds could carry open, but not purchase, handguns. They would have to depend on acquiring handguns by some other means.



Another interesting point: If you can carry open, but are not licensed to carry concealed, we will likely see holsters appear that tend to "conceal" handguns, but are still legally considered "open holsters".





Why not carry "open"?



One thing that Law Enforcement is painfully aware of, is that it is not uncommon for bad guys to go for an officer's gun. So if it happens to cops, it'll sure be happening to citizens carrying "open".



This may be an issue, but there are some factors that, I feel, mitigate that risk. One biggie is that officers are often placed in environments and situations which put them at risk for gun losses. Most regular folk will not likely be putting themselves in such an environment.



Carrying open will draw a lot of attention to the carrier, whether that attention is wanted or not. "Blending" in will be difficult.



That being said, carrying open is going to be a greater risk to the carrier, compared to concealed carry. One who carries open should be concerned and train for eyes being on them as a potential target. That gun, hanging in the side-mount holster, is going to attract attention; some of that attention may be unwanted. Training in gun retention techniques is a "must" for those who desire to carry open.





Possible Advantages of Concealed Carry



With your gun concealed, you look like most of the other people walking around. There is a "tactical advantage" that you possess by not "telegraphing" to bad guys that you are armed.



If carrying open, and a bad guy notices you, he may see you as the first obstacle to be dealt with. And you know, bad guys don't like fair fights. They'll probably strike without warning, from a position of advantage, attempting to take the "open carry threat" out early. (Like a bank robber would likely attempt to take out a bank security guard.)



This is one of the reasons concealed carry works so well. The bad guys don't usually know who is and who is not carrying concealed.



Not having that target on your back, is different from knowing you are being looked at. There is a huge comfort level in knowing you aren't having to deal with an attention getting device. You are going incognito.



Concealed carry is much less worrisome for the carrier than open carry.





Other considerations



In certain instances, open carry may discourage an attack. If a bad guy feels that there is too much risk, he may seek out other targets. If he notices that three folks are walking into a store with guns on their hips, he may pick another store.



So open carry, in certain instances, may be a preventative influence on the commission of crime.





When It Comes Down To It



It could be that the best scenario involves some who are carrying openly and some who are carrying concealed. Once we get used to it, both open and concealed carriers may blend right together into an effective crime prevention deterrent.





My Opinion



I prefer "Constitutional Carry". I think any U.S. citizen, not previously convicted of a felony, should be able to carry open or concealed, without a license. Vermont has had that for decades. Arizona, Alaska, and Wyoming have it now. So far, no blood-baths in the streets.



If I were a bad guy, I would feel a bit more timid about victimizing folks in those states.



- Don

Article from Summer of 2010

THE TAURUS JUDGE
Illegal to Carry in Oklahoma?



Recently I received an e-mail from a subscriber who said that he was told by a Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) that if he carried a "Judge" loaded with .410 shot shells he would(could) be arrested for carrying a "sawed-off" shotgun. He wanted my opinion on that.

This is not the first time I had heard of such a thing. I have talked about this with other Concealed Carry Instructors and received mixed opinions. Some feel that it is indeed illegal, some are convinced it is not.

I have my own opinions on this subject. However, I am not an attorney. I am just a gun instructor. To get a legal opinion it is best to seek out a licensed attorney in this field.

Though I'm not a lawyer, I have found, on page 28 of the November 2010 revision of the Oklahoma Self Defense Act Lawbook is the following verbiage: (you can get the most recent SDA Lawbook in a .pdf at
http://guninstructor.net/SDA_Lawbook_NOV_2010.pdf)

Title 21, 1289.18

"SAWED-OFF SHOTGUN AND SAWED-OFF RIFLE DEFINED-VIOLATIONS-PENALTIES

A. "Sawed-off shotgun" shall mean any firearm capable of discharging a series of projectiles of any material which may reasonably be expected to be able to cause lethal injury, with a barrel or barrels less than eighteen (18) inches in length, and using either gunpowder, gas or any means of rocket propulsion.

B. "Sawed-off rifle" shall mean any rifle having a barrel or barrels of less than sixteen (16) inches in length or any weapon made from a rifle (whether by alteration, modification, or otherwise) if such a weapon as modified has an overall length of less than twenty-six (26) inches in length, including the stock portion.

C. Every person who has in his possession or under his immediate control a sawed-off shotgun or a sawed-off rifle, whether concealed or not, shall upon conviction be guilty of a felony for the possession of such device, and shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or imprisonment in the State Penitentiary for a period not to exceed two (2) years, or both such fine and imprisonment.

D. It is a defense to prosecution under this section, if the approved application form that authorized the making or transfer of the particular firearm to the defendant, which indicates the registration of the firearm to said defendant pursuant to the National Firearm's Act, is introduced."

Looking at the definition in "A", you can see where an LEO might get the idea that a Taurus Judge loaded with .410 might fit that definition. But so would a Bond Arms 45/.410 Derringer. And so would any pistol loaded with shotshells (oftentimes called "snakeshot). In reality, this could apply to any handgun loaded with such ammo. If taken that way, that definition regulated ammo rather than guns. Was that the intent? This gun instructor doesn't think so.

Looking at "D", it seems to me, as non-attorney gun instructor, that if we buy a firearm that comes into question, and have gone through the paperwork deemed necessary according to the National Firearms Act... that is a valid defense. So, to me, that means that if you bought the gun from a dealer and filled out the required forms, and all was approved in accordance with the Federal Law that dictates such a transaction, that gun is OK.

Of course, that means that if we buy such a gun in a personal transaction, that doesn't require such paperwork, we cannot use that as a defense.


What is the Legislative Intent?

On page 16 of the SDA Lawbook, under Title 21 1290.25, Legislative Intent, it says:

"The Oklahoma Self-Defense Act shall be liberally construed to carry out the constitutional right to bear arms for self-defense and self-protection."

To me, this means that a ruling should lean toward leniency if found to be contradictory, or if found to fall in a "gray" area. So this gun instructor's belief is that the law was written to allow as much as reasonably possible and not intended to be "tightly" regulated.


Other definitions

Title 21, 1283 F

"For purposes of this section, "sawed-off shotgun or rifle" shall mean any shotgun or rifle which has been shortened to any length."

and Title 21, 1289.5 Definitions for Firearms Act

"Shotguns" as used in the Oklahoma Firearms Act of 1971, Sections 1289.1 through 1289.17 of this title shall mean any firearm capable of discharging a series of projectiles of any material which may reasonably be expected to cause lethal injury, with a barrel or barrels more than eighteen (18) inches in length, and using either gunpowder, gas or any means of rocket propulsion, but not to include any weapon so designed with a barrel less that eighteen inches in length. In addition, any "shotgun" capable of firing single projectiles but primarily designed to fire multiple projectiles as "shot" will be regarded as a "shotgun".


"Pistols" as used in the Oklahoma Firearms Act of 1971, Sections 1289.1 through 1289.17 of this title, shall mean any firearm capable of discharging a projectile composed of any material which may reasonably be expected to be able to cause lethal injury, with a barrel length or barrels less than sixteen (16) inches in length and using either gunpowder, gas or any means of rocket propulsion, but not to include flare guns, underwater fishing guns or blank pistols."


These definitions are useful to me as a person who speaks the English language because they show a more complete understanding of the terms shotgun and pistol. A shotgun is clearly different than a pistol. In the English language, it is also reasonable to believe that the term "saw-off" indicates that the item in question has been shortened.

Of course, most of us will not "saw-off" our Taurus Judge. And when you look at an unaltered Taurus Judge it better fits the definition of a "Pistol". You have to use quite a bit of imagination to envision a Taurus Judge as a shotgun, sawed-off or otherwise.

To me, as an English speaking gun instructor, not an attorney, Law Enforcement Officer, or Officer of the Court, it seems reasonable to conclude that a Taurus Judge is not a sawed-off shotgun. It never was a shotgun, to begin with. It's a pistol which fits the definition of Title 21, 1290.2 2 (page 1 of the SDA Lawbook)

"2. Pistol means any derringer, revolver or semiautomatic firearm which:
a. has an overall length of less than sixteen (16) inches and is able to be fully concealed from detection and view.
b. is capable of discharging a projectile composed of any material which may reasonably be expected to be able to cause lethal injury.
c. is designed to be held and fired by the use of a single hand, and
d. uses either gunpowder, gas or any means of rocket propulsion to discharge the projectile."


I asked D.A. Tim Harris if he had an opinion on this. He's not working on such a case and is plenty busy with other matters of concern, but he did take time to answer. Here's what he said in an e-mail.

"It may be a concern but without doing extensive legal research it doesn't seem practical to apply the law with such a technical interpretation. The section D you quoted provides a defense and the definition of a pistol cited seems to fairly resolve the question. While I can't give you or any private citizen legal advice your opinion seems to be well grounded. In areas of the law that are not written exactly on point, we can only hope for a common sense and reasonable interpretation to be applied. God bless. Happy New Year. Tim Harris"

When I contacted Taurus, I was told, "We can't comment on that", was then transferred to a voice-mail recording, where I left my name and number. I have also posed the question by e-mail on their site and by letter. As of today, two weeks later, I have not heard anything back.



A good friend Nick, had better luck getting an opinion from someone at Taurus:


"Don, I talked to a lady at Taurus Customer Service. She said that first, if it was considered a shot gun it would be illegal to sell in the US because of the barrel length, and second, it is listed as a revolver under it's nomemclature with the Federal Goverment."

My thinking on this is, if a person who gets charged with carrying a sawed-off shotgun, when actually carrying a Taurus Judge, they may be able to successfully defend such a charge. And if you bought the Taurus Judge from a licensed FFL gun dealer and can provide the paperwork showing that you met all the requirements of the Federal Firearms Act, I believe your chances are even better.

But as you know, I've not made any secret of the fact that I am not an attorney. And I understand that each case is decided on it's own merits. I know that judges, District Attorneys, and juries may differ from area to area and from individual to individual.


When It Comes down To It

As far as I know, this issue has never stood the test of a court case, so there is no history to look at. But, as it stands now, I would not be reluctant to carry my Taurus Judge, if I felt the yearning.


I'd be interested in hearing any other information, whether it supports my opinion or not. And if I find out anything else on this, I'll make it known in this newsletter.

NOTE: I received an e-mail from a friend, Mike, about the Judge not being smooth bore, like a shotgun. Since Oklahoma Law didn't mention anything about smooth bore or rifling in it's definitions, I didn't research that as a point of argument. But thinking about it, anything that helps define the gun in this kind of situation, would probably help.

Good ole' Bob, of Bob's Guns, sent me a link to get a .pdf copy of the "ATF National Firearms Act Handbook". Thanks Bob. Therein I found this definition for a Shotgun.
2.1.1 Shotgun
A shotgun is a firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder and designed to use the energy of the explosive in a fixed shotgun shell to fire through a smooth bore either a number of projectiles or a single projectile for each pull of the trigger.


That's gotta' help in an argument. If the Judge is a sawed-off shotgun, would not that mean, by AFT (Federal) definition, that it must be smooth bore? Yes, this non-attorney thinks so.

Don

Newsletter Article October 3, 2011

"Common Misfire Phenomena"



Hangfire

This is a perceptible delay between the pull of the trigger and the ignition of the cartridge. The delay can be a fraction of a second, several seconds, or a half a minute. The thing about a hangfire is that you don't know it's a hangfire until the round goes off. At first, it may appear to be a simple misfire.












Misfire



This is when the ammunition fails to fire upon the pull of the trigger. A misfihttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifre may be a hangfire "waiting to happen". The danger of the misfire is that you don't know if it is a hangfire or misfire, so you must treat it like a hangfire. After noticing a misfire, keep the gun pointed in a safe direction. After 30 seconds has passed, eject the round from the chamber. (Note: for the first 30 seconds, you wait for the round to go off, even if you think it wont fire)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amdgNd5aO0I







Squib Load



When a round develops less-than-normal pressure, it sounds and feels different. Instead of a "BANG", you may get a "bang", or a "POP". It will sound noticeably less intense than a normal fired round. It will feel different too. The recoil may be less than normal. The concussion from the blast will feel different. You will usually notice a difference.

Most of the time, when this happens you say to yourself something like "Wow...that was different!" or "Hey...that didn't feel normal!" or some variation thereof.



When you do...STOP! Don't fire another round until you've checked your barrel for an obstruction. If a bullet gets lodged in the barrel and you fire a round in bachttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifk of it, it could lead to damaging your gun, an explosion, injury(ies), and/or worse. It is very important to check the barrel and make sure it is not obstructed.



This video shows and obstructed barrel and near the end shows the guy hammering the squib out of the barrel:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ_ecPFspuY







Summary

Of course, these are things we need to be aware of. As well, when we are shooting with new shooters we need to advise them of these three phenomena, as well as the Three Fundamental Gun Safety Rules:

1. Always keep your gun pointed a safe direction.

2. Always keep your finger off the trigger until you're gun is pointed at the target.

3. Always keep your gun unloaded until ready to shoot.


Guns are a great self-defense tool because they can inflict massive amounts of damage. For that reason, we need to know and practice safe gun-handling technique.



- Don

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Newsletter Article September 21, 2011

"No Handguns Allowed"

Does it really carry the weight of law?


I just received an e-mail from a recent student that asked for more explanation, from me, about carrying on to property where "No Handguns" signs are displayed. I had an article about this a few months ago, so please bear with me as I re-explain my view of the subject.




I'm Not an Attorney

At the risk of sounding like a lawyer, which I am not (as you likely know!), here are my opinions, as a gun instructor. For legal advice I suggest you contact an attorney with experience in the field of criminal defense.


Your Gun Can't Legally Go There

You have no legal authority to carry you gun onto property (with the exception of locking your gun in your car in a parking lot) where an owner, or proprietor has barred weapons. And an owner/proprietor can make that known by means of a sign with wording or a graphical image, that a reasonable person would understand, placed near the entrance.

Many people will argue that the owner/proprietor can't really do anything other than tell you to leave, and file trespassing charges on you, if you don't leave. While that is true, if, for whatever reason, you had to use that gun to protect yourself or a loved one, the gun would not be considered a legal means of lethal force for you to use. You could be subject to civil and/or criminal prosecution.


Oklahoma Law Regarding Deadly Force


Here, on page 31, is a "copy" of the Oklahoma Statute (OS Title 21, 1289.25) that deals with with the use of deadly force.

This following is taken from page 16 of our concealed carry course materials, as supplied by CLEET, which is also attached:

NOTE: (K) -It is unlawful for a person with or without a license to carry a concealed weapon onto property where an owner has barred weapons, with the exception of transporting and storing a firearm in a locked vehicle on any property set aside for any vehicle. 21 O.S. 1289.7a(A)


And on page 15 of the SDA Lawbook (available here) states:



"BUSINESS OWNER'S RIGHTS, A. Except as provided in Subsection B of this section, nothing contained in any provision of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act, Section 1290.1 et seq of this title, shall be construed to limit, restrict or prohibit in any manner the existing rights of any person, property owner, tenant, employee, or business entity to control posession of weapons on any property owned or controlled by the person or business entity."





So if I get caught, I'll leave and that'll be it!



Yes...kinda. But, what if you have to use that gun to defend yourself or a loved one? You and I would probably do it, and risk it...(better to be judged by twelve than carried by six, right?)



Yes, that is right.



But...and this is a big old BUT...you are in prime position to be sued, because that gun falls into the category of a "prohibited weapon". Even if you win the suit, be ready to spend in excess of $100,000 to defend yourself.





Why Go There?



There are plenty of business out there that want your business that don't prohibit handguns. Support them!



And those that don't... those places that you just gotta' go to? Well that's up to you. For me, I secure my gun in the car before I get to the parking lot.



And know what? As it turns out, those are pretty rare situations.





The Real Deal



Unfortunately, some folks do not quite understand, and wind up promoting the idea that concealed carry licensees can legally carry onto property that is marked with the "No Guns" type sign. But, strictly speaking, it is not true. In reality, though there is not a lot of "teeth" in the law to enforce it, carrying where such signs are used is indeed unlawful.

And, consequences could be severe, if you had to use a gun, carried in a prohibited place.



- Don

Newsletter Article September 6, 2011

9mm Sub Compacts

Thinking about a .380? What about a 9mm?


Paul Scarletta has a great article in the October/November issue of Handguns. In it he contrasts 2010 as being the year of the .380, with 2011 as being the year for the 9mm sub-contact.



Since citizen Concealed Carry has dug into the framework of most of the states, the demand, production, and sales of "pocket-able" handguns has boomed. This demand, along with advances in manufacturing technology, has increased the variety of what is available through our free market.





What's So Great About the 9mm?



As you probably know, the caliber-diameter of the 9mm is practically identical to the .380, .38, and .357. That size is considered by many to be the minimum size for a serious man-stopping round.



The 9mm has been around a long time. And a lot of guns have been, and are being, made in that caliber. Therefore, there are a wide varieties of formats for this cartridge. Its continued presence in the firearms industry shows that it is a popular round.



For that reason alone, ammo availability is strong with the 9. Not only can you find 9mm ammo practically everywhere, but you can find it in a huge selection of bullet configurations. The prices reflect the proliferation of this caliber. 9mm ammo is normally very affordable.





How Does It Compare?



Back in the 90s, I was trying decide between a Glock 27 in .40 or a Glock 26 in 9mm. I went with the Glock 27 because they were about the same size, and I felt the .40 would have a bit more punch. Similarly now, the same can be said when comparing some of the 9mm offerings with what you can find in the .380. For just a little more weight and size, you get substantially more power.



To jump up to a .40 from a 9 in a sub-compact, there is usually quite a difference in size and weight. But not so much when looking at 9 versus .380. So for about the same physical characteristics, you get quite a bit more whoop'um.





How Much More?



According to Scarletta's article, you get around 35 to 45 percent more foot-pounds of energy in the 9mm. Ed Sanow and Evan Marshall rate the best 9mm, in their book Stopping Power, at about 90% in one-shot stop capability. The .380 labors to make 80%.



If the little bit bigger size/weight is something you can deal with, the 9mm is more "gun". That could translate to better put-down-ability.





So What's the Score?



When you compare to the .380, the 9mm has:



A smidgin' more in weight

A tiny bit bigger in size

Better ammo availability

Wider range of type of ammo available

Cheaper ammo

Greater ballistic effect



Does that make it better for you? The trade-off will be a little bit better conceal-ability for the .380 versus better knock-down-ability for the 9mm. My feeling is..."If you can put up with the greater size and weight (which isn't much), the 9mm wins!"



Conversely, if you need it as small as possible, the .380 still beats out the 9mm.







More articles & videos on the 9mm



My last issue had some links in "Tidbits" that will take you to recent comparisons and evaluations of the new 9mm sub-compacts. If you're thinking of trying one out you may want to see what other knowledgeable (hopefully) folks have had to say on the subject.



Here's a re-hash of those links with a couple extra:





Guns Magazine takes a look at Kimber's Solo.



Speaking of 9mm micros, here's a comparison between the Ruger LC9 and Kel-Tec's PF9.


Gun Tests (one of my favorite publications) prefers the Kel-Tec PF9.



And a comparison between the LC9 and the Solo.





Summary



For me, knowing that I have a gun that'll make a 45 hundreths-of-an-inch hole, even if it doesn't expand, is reassuring. But there are times where that .45 caliber handgun just doesn't fit-in with my wardrobe. A sub-compact 9mm is well suited for me in those times.



As the old saying goes: The number one rule in a gunfight is "Have a gun".



- Don

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Newsletter Article, August 1, 2011

Your Most Valuable Asset

Intuitive Awareness - The Alert Mindset


Years ago I read a report that was authored by a couple of guys from the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit. The article dealt with people's ability to survive an attack. In it, the authors mentioned several ways people have dealt with violent confrontations.



Chemical sprays, knives, sounding devices, guns, and even self-defense techniques/training were discussed. But the one "tool", from their studies, that had the most effect in self-protection was... being alert and aware.



Sounds like an over-simplification, doesn't it? But really it's not.





What Does "Being Alert" Do For Us?



It has been long promoted through Tulsa's Citizen Crime Commission (now known as Crime Commission OK ) that being alert is your most valuable asset. Being alert does two things for us.

1. Makes us "look" less like a victim

2. Buys us time to employ "options", if we see a potential problem





The 3rd Thing



Being alert does a third thing for us that is not so widely discussed. It is an exercise in learning "intuitive awareness". Funny as it may sound, "being alert" trains us on what "normal" looks like.



At first, that sounds a bit simplistic, but in reality, when you're alert, and you're scanning your environment... most of the time, nothing in particular is going on. Do that a lot and you get a lot of education on what "normal" looks like.



Then, when something suspicious occurs, it stands out. It's like a big flag demanding your attention. You may not know "why" it's suspicious, but for some reason, it doesn't "fit in".





How To Be Alert



It's easy to say, "Be alert!" But doing that means giving up something. Fortunately, what we "give up", in most cases, will probably not hurt us. Many times, it's actually good for us.



What we give up is...the luxury of thinking about other unrelated "stuff".



When we're "out and about", we tend to think of other things, i.e. what we're gonna' do when we get home...or reviewing the day's events...or any one of a million other things.



You can train yourself to be alert by focusing on what you are doing and the area that you are in. You look around at what's around you. You don't have to memorize your environment...just put your eyes on what's in your environment.



You let your other thoughts go...and just absorb. Doing that actually can quieten your mind. It can be calming. (You can get philosophic about this and include "acceptance of what it" as well as other concepts, but that's beyond the scope of this newsletter.)



To be alert, you put your thoughts on "hold" and have a look around. You're just looking... taking it all in.



It's amazing how quickly you can pick this up!



Other thoughts will creep in from time to time. When they do, recognize it, and have another look around. Continue on with your new "alert" point of view!



What Then?



Then, when something breaks that sense of "calm", you focus on it. For example, you're walking around, just taking things in, and you hear a baby cry. Your attention goes to the crying baby, you analyze, and if nothing seems too out of place, you continue your observing of the environment.



Now, if something doesn't seem right...you should act. Do something. What you do will depend on the situation. You may choose to just observe. You may choose to call it in to 911 as suspicious. You may choose to move into a building, or quickly get to your car, or some other form of evasion. Or, you may choose to employ other options.





Say that again...



When you are out of your safe zone (home, office, etc.), be alert. Keep looking around, checking, rechecking your environment. Just scan, and absorb; don't make a special effort to remember... let your mind (conscious or subconscious) soak it in.



Then when you notice something, focus on it. If it seems OK after a second look, continue on in "alert" mode.



If there's something about a suspicious event or person that you can't shake...do something. That something that you "do" will depend on the circumstances. What you may do is just, focus on the incident ... watch. Or you may see fit to call 911. Or, you may feel the need to get others (and/or yourself) involved.





What is it, that is so suspicious?



Often times, you can't put your finger on why something is suspicious. It may come as a subliminal indicator. Your subconscious mind may be warning you of "danger".



Whatever it is... you just can't get it out of your mind. Or it may make the hair stand up on the back of your neck. Or it just doesn't seem "right".



Suspicious activity or behavior doesn't "fit in". It's unusual. It makes you wonder. Or it brings about physiological reactions.



Don't necessarily dismiss your "gut" feelings.





Tangible Suspicious Activity



The following are indicators. They, by themselves, are not indictments of something afoul. Think of these as things that may warrant further investigation. They are "flags". If you find two or more indicators (flags), you may be on to something.



Alone, looks nervous, may be agitated
Furtive behavior
Looking at, or for, others
Activity or behavior not consistent with that location
Pulling into a parking space, but not getting out
Hands kept out of visibility
Clenching of fists
Pretending to talk on a payphone or cell phonehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Watching others exit a building
Loitering
Inappropriate, for the weather, clothing
Looking out of place, or looking like they feel out of place
More





Here is a great article on situational awareness.





We know there are bad guys out there. Some are just unorganized criminals. Some are part of a group (gang). Some are part of a highly organized group. And some have political motives.



You don't have to be paranoid to be alert. Just be alert. And when you see something that is suspicious, ACT.





Don

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Newsletter Article August 19, 2011

Concealed Carry Stats

Some data regarding the concealed carry issue


Oklahoma Statistics for 2010



Average age for both women and men - 50 years old



25% of licensees were women



75% of licensees were men



27,013 applications approved statewide

1,203 applications denied



30 licenses revoked



55 licenses suspended







US Statistics



For the year 2010 there existed 4o Right-to-Carry states in the U.S.

37 of those states are "shall issue", meaning that the regulating authority cannot make arbitrary decisions on who can and who cannot carry. If an applicant meets the requirements, they must be allowed the right-to-carry permit.



These states "may issue". They can decide for whatever reason to issue or not to issue a permit. (Highly susceptible to corruption.)

California

New York

Massachusetts

Connecticut

New Jersey

Rhode Island

New Jersey

Delaware

Maryland

Alabama





Three U.S. states allow "Constitutional Carry", meaning no permit is required as long as there are no conflicting federal law issues. (i.e. convicted felon). Those states are Vermont, Arizona, and Alaska.



The right to carry concealed is denied in Illinois and Washington, D.C.



Wisconsin passed concealed carry legislation this year and it should take effect sometime around November 1, 2011. Until around that time, concealed carry is not permitted.



In these states, the permit holder must be a resident of the state which issued the license.

Colorado

Florida

South Carolina

Michigan

Maine

New Hampshire





Does Concealed Carry Actually Reduce Crime?



According to the Lott/Mustard study which included analyzing statistics in every county in every state, in the U.S... when the state's concealed carry laws were passed and put into place, violent crime rates decreased. Murder decreased by 8.5 percent and rapes and aggravated assaults decreased by 5 and 7 percent.







Risk of Injury While Carrying



Criminologist, Prof. Gary Kleck, concluded from his analysis of National Crime Victimization Survey data that robbery and assault victims who used a gun to resist were less likely to be attacked or to suffer an injury than those who used any other methods of self-protection or those who did not resist at all.





How Often Are Guns Actually Used?



Kleck and Mark Gertz found that guns were used for self-protection about 2.5 million times per year. The late Marvin E. Wolfgang, self-described as "as strong a gun-control advocate as can be found among the criminologists in this country" said, "The methodological soundness of the current Kleck and Gertz study is clear. I cannot further debate it...I cannot fault their methodology."





Turning the tables on the bad guys



A study for the Justice Department found 34 percent of felons had been "scared off, shot at, wounded, or captured by an armed victim," and 40 percent had not committed crimes, fearing victims were armed.



Don