Handgun Selection: Part I Ammunition

The ammunition that a handgun fires, called a “round” in the singular, is the most important variable in how capable the weapon is. There are no “high/low” switches on firearms, and frankly, no reasonable person would use such a switch. In a SD scenario the goal is to stop the threat as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Various .40SW loads; 135gr JHP, 165gr JHP, 165gr BJHP, and 180gr FMJ

Handgun Selection: Part II Action

The action of a weapon is also critically important in selecting a handgun. The action determines how a weapon is fired and involves the trigger, safety(ies), and sometimes a de-cocker.

Many people will get confused when considering the action of a gun and assume that a gun that lacks external safeties is less safe. It is actually the operator who determines how safe a gun is and not the mechanics of the weapon. Alternatively, the presence of an external safety doesn’t make the gun safer either as many people have accidentally shot themselves with guns that have external safeties.

Once an action or “platform” is selected, users should try to stick to that platform. This decreases the need to train to different platforms which would increase confusion and decrease the effectiveness of muscle memory once the adrenalin kicks in. In short: keep it simple.

While there are advantages and disadvantages it is always the shooter who must train to that action and be safe with it. Here are my thoughts on the most popular actions available...

Handgun Selection: Part III Size

This is also where things get super confusing as there are many choices. Most major handgun manufacturers will make models in the following sizes: full, compact, subcompact, and pocket. Among these sizes are “single stack” (single row of rounds in a magazine) and “double stack” (two rows of rounds in the magazine).

To make this easier, rule out the subcompact and pocket sized guns right off the top. Unless you have very small hands and cannot handle a larger gun, don’t even consider these as a SD gun. It’s worth noting that these sized guns do have a role for shooters, but they are not good primary SD guns because of their limitations (capacity and accuracy [shorter barrel]).

I would also eliminate single stack guns for the capacity limitations.

Handgun Selection: Part V Manufacturers

The most important thing to consider in the brand department is the track record of quality. If you buy a gun that malfunctions when you need it, it becomes an expensive chunk of metal. Do not spend time on what looks cool or what special forces team x carried to kill Bin Laden (they carried P226s by the way :) ).

I find that manufacturers with military/LE contracts are the most invested in quality. Gun companies live and die on the basis of these contracts and not civilian sales. A company that loses a contract because of quality will have a serious black eye that will cost them dearly.

Handgun Selection: Part V Accessories

These are some things to think about in addition to buying the actual gun and what comes with it in the box.


Sights
I prefer night sights on my handguns. These are sights that glow in low light/no light and provide you with a sight picture in all conditions.

They are about $160 to add onto a gun after purchase or $100 if you can do it yourself (and they are hard to do—I have done them). It is best to buy a gun with these sights installed and properly zeroed.

Night sights have a 12 year life limited by the radioactive isotope (Tritium) that is used in them. Yes, that sounds scary, but it’s not. If buying a used gun or old stock, consider this lifespan. Most manufacturers will label the box with the born on date.

Infiltration of Churches

Sojourners (George Soros) has made the infiltration of churches a priority.  I won't discuss why--you should be able to figure that much out for yourself along with the danger.

Currently, this is being done very carefully and quietly.  It is being done in small groups and with a complete misinterpretation of scripture in service.

I recently had the displeasure of witnessing what a conquered church looks like.  This was a "normal" enough looking church.  The people are nice.  Many are older and thus have the benefit of a proper education.  But as I walked around I found the "Soul Journers" room--small groups have their own rooms.

Soul Journers -> Sojouners?!? Just a coincidence...

Why Europe Matters

Lots of eyes on Europe the last few days with people waiting for a "deal" or a "no deal."  Markets are up and down depending on the news which seems to indicate a deal has been struck as of this morning.  The Euros have decided private investors will take a 50% haircut on Greek debt!!!  Yeah, that will work out for them when they need to sell more debt in the near future.

While those of us in America are somewhat insulated from what is happening in the Eurozone, it's important to pay attention.  Here's why....

Sale!!!

Palmetto State Armory (PSA) is offering their "M4A1" with Aimpoint PRO for $999!  This is an awesome setup and an amazing price--perfect for new shooters or someone looking to pickup a carbine. 

The only thing I don't like is the BUIS and the buffer spring (black v. chrome).  These can be easily remedied!

The PRO itself is a $400 optic.  I was lucky to be able to pick one up on discount for around $375.  The mount screw is a little bulky but it doesn't bother me.


Couple of other things I like about this setup...  Barrel is Cold Hammer Forged (CHF), which produces more accurate barrels, and is made by Fabrique Nationale (FN) in South Carolina.  FN is a major defense contractor and has been making M16s and M4s for the services for many years.  I was once issued a FN M16A2 a long, long time ago.  Bolt and BCG specs are also impressive.

Some Thoughts about the "Occupation"

As I drove by the screaming Occupy Denver crowd last night, I realized this isn't going away anytime soon.  This is very angry and idle (good combination) group who seem to think that yelling at people will do more good than getting a job and improving their lives--yes, there are jobs out there.

I've also been observing a few other things over the past week...

PayPal Problems

I used to think that the only people having issues with PayPal were on the fringe of the electronic payments world.  The guy selling videos from Russia or the shop selling certain kinds of paraphernalia--those would be suspect.

I never thought the bureaucratic and arbitrary axe of PayPal's policies would be brought to bear against me.

Foreclosure Dilemma

I've spoken to many people lately about the prospect of abandoning their home given the current housing market and economic situation. 

The problem with this kind of decision is that often the options are clouded by uncertainly.  In addition, the [left-wing] media has a vested interest in keeping the housing market "up" as long as possible.

In order to make the right decision; dismiss the morality!  It's incredibly difficult in the Obama economy to find the moral high ground (by design).  Not to mention that defaulting on a mortgage is not necessarily a violation of good faith, provided the collateral (the house) is surrendered in the same condition it was in when the loan was closed when the bank had an opportunity to properly evaluate the property (appraisal).  I will be dismissing the morality arguments in this post.  I also will not cover recourse laws, which vary state-to-state--consult an attorney before making any decisions.

Watching the Other Hand

Sometimes we like to pretend that the Obama Administration is stupid.  It makes us feel better.  It offers an explanation for almost three years of failure in spite of promises of prosperity and hope.  I can't count the number of times I have heard liberals, who supported this President, say he's inept.  Apparently a newly formed conclusion in spite of the availability of information on this man's lack of experience and credentials prior to the 2008 election.

Downgrade: Taking the Wind out of Liberal Sails

Another first for the President!  Our nation's credit rating has been cut from AAA to AA+.  That's change, right?

The "Debt Debate," as the media has dubbed it, only existed because Obamanomics have failed.  If Washington could just be honest about that, we could have a conversation about how to fix the economy and move forward.  But Liberals can't admit it, and I don't expect them to do so--it's an admission that Liberalism (including Keynesian economics) doesn't work.  Never mind an entire century of modern history proving this inconvenient fact, we now have confirmed what we already knew and what Conservatives warned of nearly three years ago.

No One Left to Tax

I'm going to try to keep this simple:  The only people in the United States that pay taxes are the middle class. 

The middle class pay both direct and indirect taxes because they lack the mechanism to distribute these taxes to other socioeconomic groups.  The "rich" can distribute a higher tax burden to consumers, employees, reduce capital investment, decrease charitable donations, and hire an army of tax accountants.  Low income Americans are mostly exempt from income taxes and benefit from overlapping social programs that account for cost of living increases (to include increased consumer costs from taxing the "rich").

In the mind of a Liberal, our debt crisis is easy to solve because all we have to do is take "it" from "them" (corporations and "rich" people).  Michael Moore even went so far to say private property was a public resource that should be plundered so that reckless spending can continue.

Genocide

Until now, the comparisons between Obama and Hitler were mostly hyperbole.  Not anymore.  Apparently the President finds the Israelis, and perhaps all Jews, as an inconvenience getting between him and his campaign to embrace Muslim nations.  We all know how this President feels about inconvenient innocent life.