Control

Modifications to the LCP for better control

For many people, carrying a small, but effective, modern firearm like the Ruger LCP, loaded with modern self defense ammunition is a comfortable and effective solution. However, these types of small handguns can be made more effective and comfortable by applying a good quality "gun tape". In fact, many handguns can be improved by the simple addition of added friction, or traction, to the gripping surfaces.

There are companies that sell pre-cut patterns of grip tape for different popular handguns. The grip surface is usually offered in either a 'rubberized' or 'abrasive' surface. Each has its advantages. I have chosen to use more generic products on this LCP which are both cheaper and just as effective as the pre-cut offerings. Either, though, will provide a definite improvement to a handgun.

Left side mods

In the photograph above, you will note that I have used two different types of materials. One is skateboard tape, which is a high-friction and rather abrasive surface that I have attached to both sides of the rear of the LCP's slide. This ensures a solid, non-slip grip on the small side making racking the slide much easier and sure. This is an especially good modification for small and medium size handguns due to the small slide serration area, and is also an improvement for semi autos with stiff recoil springs, or those compact models with nested springs. Those are difficult to rack for some people, especially those of us with weaker or smaller hands due to injury, or age.

The sides, front and rear of the grip are covered with a generic "gun tape" which I bought through Amazon. I paid somewhat less than the cheaper pre-cut alternative, but got enough tape for three or more applications. Having used a pre-cut grip kit on my M&P Shield and comparing that with this generic 'gun tape', I can detect little difference.

Right side mods

By following the maker's directions to ensure the surfaces are clean and dry, then heating them with a hair dryer, applying the cut out sections and then heating again with the dryer and pressing them down firmly, I got a very good, solid fit. The tape adds little bulk, does not inhibit the draw from my holsters, except for the Kusiak which I will discuss in a subsequent post, and gives the little LCP a solid, non-slip presence in hand.

These simple modifications are within anyone's capabilities, are inexpensive and quick and will improve the feel and control of any handgun.

False Hope: Concealed Carry Permits

Of the fifty states in the Union, only three — Vermont, Alaska and Arizona — do not require their citizens to apply and pay for a concealed handgun permit. Yes, pay for. There are always fees. It's like the poll tax. No money, no permit. If you are a law-abiding citizen, but can't come up with the $200 or $300 for classes and a permit, too bad. Is this fair? No. Does anyone making the rules care? Not so much.

But, as many people will say, aren't permits a good thing? Don't they weed out the bad, the unstable, the questionable who might want to carry a loaded gun concealed among the rest of us? It's a hope. But, as I hope to show, a false one.

What's in a permit that might provide a higher level of safety among the public? Well, you have to get a background check. Yes, but what does that mean? It usually means that if the applicant is known to the system, flags will be raised. A criminal record? Flag. A restraining order? Flag. Some record of alcohol or drug abuse? Flag. Arrest record? Flag. It should be obvious that many people who are flagged by a background check may not, indeed, be a liability with a firearm or anything else for that matter. Some people would then be prohibited from carrying a concealed firearm when there may be no actual or practical objections.

Then, those who can pay for the necessary training classes and permits, and who don't get flagged by the system, are issued permits and can carry concealed amongst the unarmed public. Does this make the world a safer place? No. It just means that there are fewer people who can carry a concealed firearm for self defense to counter those other people out there who don't have permits, never applied for a permit, and don't care about permits, rules, laws and regulations.

People who have their reasons to harm others, whether those reasons be for greed, religious fervor, malice, envy, power or just a twisted psychopathic brain don't care about permits and never bother to apply. They carry what they want, when and where they want and are much happier if they know you, and those around you, are unarmed.

In states where legislation that would follow Vermont, Alaska and Arizona's rule that the citizenry should not be prohibited from arming themselves if they so desire has been defeated, and those opposing such legislation get all dewey-eyed and jubilant that they've somehow made themselves safer, no one stops to observe that in those three free-carry states, there has never been an increase in violent crime that could be legitimately connected to permitless concealed carry. The violent crime waves tend to occur in states and cities that make it extremely difficult for a citizen to walk armed for their own protection.

But, as we all know, reason plays little part in this struggle. Reason will show that an armed society is a more polite and less dangerous society. Reason, however, usually loses out to fear, fear among the ignorant, uneducated and timid who just don't like guns and don't like people who do like guns. They would rather have a cop on every corner and in every classroom, but they of course, want someone else to pay for that.

Me, I respect cops and the job they do to keep us as safe as they can, but I certainly don't want to encourage a police state. I would rather be able to stand a chance against the bad guys, the terrorists and the ones who want to kill you and me as their ticket to their twisted version of heaven.

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When Other Lights Have Failed

 

When the Fellowship of the Ring leaves Rivendell they are given various items and weapons to guide them on their journey and protect them when things turn bad, as they soon do. Bows and arrows, knives, rope and a light. Not being able to carry (or effectively use) a bow and arrows, being only minimally skilled with a knife to the degree of not endangering myself or others, not packing a rope, that only leaves a light.

Yes, a light can serve as an effective self-defense carry tool. I'm not very interested in those "tactical" lights with the scalloped bezels meant to be used as a striking weapon. That might come in handy as a last-ditch defensive weapon, but I'm not building my tactics around that. Instead, I'm suggesting you consider carrying a quality, dependable, high-output flashlight as part of your EDC (every day carry) gear.

Why? Because one of the most important tools in anyone's self defense carry inventory is awareness. The best way to defend oneself and others is to avoid dangerous or potentially dangerous situations. To do this effectively means that one must cultivate awareness to see and acknowledge potential threat situations. This is much easier to do when potential threats or threat environments are readily visible, but not so easy in low light conditions or in the dark. However, if you carry a good flashlight it is a simple matter to click it on and take a look around.

In the larger town near out little village, Walmart is a popular place. It is busy day and night. It has a very large parking lot that is not well lit the further one gets from the building. The parking lot is always at least half full, and frequently more than that. There have been, and continue to be, incidents in which people are accosted, items stolen and people robbed. Panhandlers and sometimes drug dealers, or people looking for money to buy drugs, are in the lot at night. Walking to your car it pays to be alert and shining a very bright flashlight beam around does two things: spots potential trouble in your area, and alerts anyone who might be interested in trouble that you are aware, alert and looking out for yourself.

Any time you are out at night, especially alone, you should have a good flashlight with you and be ready to use it liberally to check out your surroundings. If you see something suspicious, you can retreat and call for help on your cell phone. You do carry a cell phone, don't you?

Obviously, if you are armed and must resort to your weapon for self defense at night, having a reliable, high-power flashlight at your disposal is a critical component of being successful in stopping a threat. Not only will it illuminate your threat, but if it's truly a bright light, will make it very difficult for that threat to see.

When I will be out and about at night, I carry the Fenix you see at the top of this post. Otherwise, I carry a small, but bright, Fenix light clipped to my pocket for that and general purpose use, like not tripping on my way to the bathroom at night, finding little things I drop in dark places and looking for my lost keys...

 

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Yet Another "Perfect" System

Back in January, I wrote a piece on  A Perfect Combination which extolled the virtues of the Dave Bullard leather OWB cross draw holster and the Ruger LCP. As such things will do, my thinking has changed a bit, improved I hope, about the nature of 'perfect' carry for people.

Perfect is too strong of a word for a concept that is highly variable, depending on factors such as individual build, sex, geographical restraints and considerations, and experience with handguns in general. I will have to say that my little sister taught me a lesson here.

One night a few weeks ago my sister called from her home in Arizona. She and her husband, who is often away for extended periods due to  his work, live in a metropolitan city there, in what I would term a "sketchy" neighborhood. She, having grown up in Texas like me, wanted my advice on what kind of gun she should get to protect herself in her home and when she was outside going to and from, or walking her dogs. So much for theoretical considerations. This is family stuff.

My sister is not going to be packing a big Glock or 1911 when she is outside her home. She could handle that type of handgun at home, but the big consideration in my mind was to recommend something that she would regularly carry on her person and not be tempted to leave behind because it was too big, too heavy, too inconvenient. Naturally, I settled quickly on a small frame semi-automatic. These include guns like the Kahr, S&W Bodyguard, Ruger LC9, KelTec, LCP, etc. Knowing my sister and how she dresses and that she lives in a predominantly hot climate, I felt that the gun must be a mite smaller than the usual "compact". My Ruger SR9c is "compact", but I wouldn't recommend it in these circumstances.

She also needed a gun that is reliable and easy to operate. I don't mean easy to shoot – that comes with practice, practice and more practice. Being a semi-auto, it needed to be easy for an older female to handle and rack. This is not a trivial point. Many older people have diminished strength in their hands and fingers, perhaps even suffer from arthritis in those joints. Short of using a revolver, an easy to operate semi-auto is a requirement.

Knowing that cost is a consideration and quality is imperative, I recommended she buy a new-model Ruger LCP with the better trigger. Yes, it has marginally better sights, but with that kind of weapon at the ranges where is is most likely to be used, sights are not really a consideration. She did so, and reported back that indeed she did have some difficulty racking the slide. I recommended she get a small roll of skateboard tape and cover both sides of the serrations on the slide with it. This is a great aid for people with weak hands.

Knowing that holsters are a big part of the package, I ordered a Galco Stow-n-Go IWB for her. It's a very nice holster to start with. After she gets used to carrying and shooting the LCP, I will likely recommend she move to a kydex or injection molded holster so that it will always retain its shape and be capable of one handed re-holstering.

So, is this the "perfect" system? No. And, really, neither was my LCP/Bullard Crossdraw the "perfect" setup. It depends. As a person gets used to concealed carry and gains more training and experience, it will become more clear what that system should be for him or her. Perhaps some basic requirements can be formulated, subject to change, of course. I'd begin with:

• Buy a quality gun you will carry as often as possible.
• Learn to shoot it effectively and safely and practice often.
• Buy a holster made for that gun and the place on your body where you will carry it.
• Carry it whenever possible.
• Practice regularly drawing and dry firing your UNLOADED gun. Do this in privacy or with a professional trainer.
• Carry at least one extra magazine or reload.
• Don't worry about how powerful your gun is. Any gun is capable of stopping the threat. Any gun is capable of not stopping the threat. Again, it depends on circumstances and your training.

In addition to all of this, it is your responsibility to know the laws governing concealed carry and the use of deadly force in self defense. I would also recommend that you review my post on the aftermath of a defensive shooting The Legal Aftermath of a Defensive Shooting