Another Lesson Learned

Sunday I went out with a good friend to get in some shooting – target practice, a bit of training and fun. It turned out to be a learning experience for me as well as a fun afternoon. What did I learn? Well, that I cannot shoot a Ruger LCP well enough to justify keeping it as a self defense gun. Now, I love the Ruger LCP. I've had the older model, and, later bought this one, the newer model with the improved trigger. I have shot a good number of rounds through the LCP platform, but this weekend, I learned that I can't shoot it accurately enough.

This is not a gun problem. This is a shooter's problem. My problem, and not necessarily yours or anyone else's problem. I spent a few years moderating a gun forum that had quite a number of LCP owners and entusiasts as members. I'm certain that many people can perform up to expectations with their small .380 handgun, but my experience has been different.

What happened was this. I have a new LaserMax CenterFire sight on the pistol. I believe firmly that on small, self defense handguns, a laser is a necessary accessory. Most bad things happen in the dark, or darkness, and a laser can help ensure one hits what is being aimed at, especially with a gun like the LCP which has minimal sights to begin with. I fired some close range, steady rounds to ensure the alignment of the laser was correct, then moved to a steel target set up about chest high, and about chest size. Drawing and firing the first magazine at ten yards was enlightening. I shot more plants and dirt than steel, even with the pulsating red dot to aid my aim.

Not good. Reload. Shoot without the laser, still quickly, although slower than one would take in a real crisis situation. Six shots. Two hits. Again. Same speed but closer. Two hits again. Moved to about five yards and repeat. Better, but only 50% hits. Even with more attempts it didn't get any better.

If I had to place the errors anywhere it would have to be with two things, the very small form factor of the gun, coupled with a difficult and long trigger pull.

The short barrel, light weight and two-finger grip necessary on this pistol require the shooter to have an exceptionally steady hand, especially when pulling the trigger. Any slight variation will move the barrel way off target. Unfortunately, even with Ruger's improved trigger on this newer LCP, the effort and distance required to pull through to the break point is too great to maintain acceptable accuracy for me.

The LCP generates a significant amount of recoil which, coupled with the light weight of the pistol, jerks it off target with each shot so one must be very deliberate getting it back on target and trying to make a smooth trigger pull for the next round. Frankly, this was very difficult for me.

During the afternoon, I fired many rounds through the M&P Shield 9mm, an M&P 40, and a .38 special airweight, all with acceptable accuracy in slow and rapid fire. Not marksmanship competition accuracy, but with good "stopt the threat" accuracy.

Why do I have an LCP in the first place? It is small, very small, light weight, easily concealable and comfortable to carry all day, and it is effective with the modern self defense loads. All this is good, but not worth anything if the gun can not be used effectively and responsibly. For me, it's not effective, and perhaps more importantly, not responsible since I do not want to ever endanger innocent people by not being able to shoot at and hit the threat and nothing else.

I can not justify keeping the LCP for those two reasons. I will sell it and point the buyer to this article, so that he or she will understand the limitations and advantages of the pistol.

I encourage you to evaluate your carry arms for their effectiveness and responsibility when being used by you. You might be in for a surprise.

I certainly was.

Posted with Blogsy

A New Carry Gun, A New Laser

New CenterFire Laser from LaserMax

A few months ago I replaced my original Ruger LCP with one of their new models having the improved trigger and sights. The sights are still rudimentary and not useful for the intended purpose of this pistol, which is, concealed carry for up-close encounters. Although the LCP and its kin are often referred to as "point and shoot" guns, that moniker belies the fact that small, short barrel handguns are notoriously difficult to shoot with acceptable accuracy. We are not talking about bulls eyes or "driving tacks", but about hitting a 20" diameter circle at, say, five to fifteen yards, at the outside.

I've shot these small handguns a lot, and have helped and witnessed others to shoot and become familiar with them. They are not accurate in the hands of the ordinary person. Period. Standing at the range, wearing ear protectors, using two hands and sighting carefully, the average person who gets little to no practice can't hit a center-of-mass sized target more than two or three times out of seven shots. Take away the range environment and jack up the adrenaline, crank up the heart rate and the realization that someone close to you is about to do you bodily harm or death, and it just gets worse. Oh, and turn out the lights too.

I have reviewed laser sights and their advantages and disadvantages, which are few in comparison with the benefits they offer, elsewhere in this blog. See the links below. Here I would like to provide a brief update on the LaserMax CenterFire.

When I sold the old LCP, the laser went with it. Now, I'm a fair shot with my LCP but it quickly became obvious to me that I am a better one with a laser than without, so I acquired another CenterFire from LaserMax. (See below for my head-to-head laser comparison post.) I had it installed within  five minutes of opening the packaging. It is that easy. Mine required only slight tweaks in elevation and deflection to get the bright red dot exactly where I wanted it across the room and aligned with my iron sights.

The dot seems brighter to me than the one on my old laser, but I think they are the same power and wavelength. Perhaps the optics are a bit improved. I immediately liked the new switching arrangement: a "tap on", "tap off" switch that is easily accessed by my forefinger going right on top of it with the draw. If I want the laser on, a slight tap will do it. Tap again, and it is off. I developed the technique of just swiping my forefinger along the laser housing and protruding switch as I move it to the trigger. This automatically activates the laser.

Nice thing for me is that it doesn't activate unless I want it on.

Now, I'm back to my comfort zone for carrying small and concealed: the improved Ruger LCP and the improved LaserMax CenterFire.

Life is good.

See the links below for more information on my blog about lasers:

Laser Myths

Rail Mounted Micro Laser

Lasers: Pick your color

Dueling Lasers: LaserMax and Crimson Trace

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.

A Perfect Combination

The Ruger LCP .380 in a D.M. Bullard Cross Draw holster

In Europe the round we call a .380 is referred to as the "9mm Kurtz", or 9mm "short". Which, basically it is. I think Ruger has done a great deal to make this caliber extremely popular with the average concealed carry person here in the USA. Now, I understand that there are a number of individuals and writers, many who are comfortable with the term "expert" even though that is handed around a little too readily in some circles, who will disregard and disrespect the .380 round and handgun. This is unfortunate because the modern self-defense .380 cartridge is an ideal choice for most concealed carry folks when coupled with a good, reliable pistol, such as the current generation Ruger LCP and a quality holster designed for how most of spend our days.
As I posted earlier, the FBI has decided that, all factors considered, the 9mm is the ideal handgun choice. I think the .380 (the "short" version of the standard 9mm) is also an excellent round when loaded with modern self defense bullets like the Hornady Critical Defense. My opinion about this goes beyond mere caliber and bullet ballistics, but includes more practical considerations for the average person. You have to look at the gun, ammunition and concealed carry holster as a system. They all must work in conjunction to provide the best firearm and concealment system for you. Not for a real expert or LEO or military operator with hundreds of hours of training to rely on, but for the average Joe or Jane who carries in daily life with minimal training.
Here is why I like this setup: the Ruger LCP is a very light, compact pistol, which, with the new generation trigger, is easy to shoot, is made in a safe double action configuration requiring no manual safety, is inexpensive and affordable for the average person and handles the modern .380 ammo.
The ammo is now easily capable of stopping a threat. I'm not talking about stopping power, which is more relevant to Sharps buffalo rifles or elephant guns than any pistol, but about deactivating and disposing of an immediate threat. Just the sight of a gun making a perp flee is "stopping the threat". That's the aim of a self defense weapon. Stopping the threat.
The remaining item in this system is just as important: the holster. A light compact pistol deserves an efficient, quality holster so that the weapon is carried as often as possible. Around the house, doing yard work, shopping for groceries, picking the kids up from school, driving the car, sitting anywhere. To my mind a good cross draw holster is perfect for this. See my much earlier and lengthy post on why the cross draw carry is much better than you may have been led to think. One major factor in favor of this style of carry for most of us is the fact that we spend most of our ordinary days sitting. Sitting in the car, in a restaurant, at our desks and in our homes. The cross draw is the perfect holster for this. Comfortable, accessible and concealable.
So, my own perfect carry system is a Ruger LCP loaded with modern self defense ammo and carried in a D.M. Bullard cross draw OWB holster. After using Bullard's holsters I know they are high quality and will do what they have been designed and built to do for years. There are a few other makers who specialize in leather gun gear, but none better than Dave Bullard's. Equal, perhaps, but not better.
As regular readers will note, I am a big fan of Bullard holsters. For good reason. I have carried and tested them for years and they work. Even better, after they break in, they become like old, comfortable friends that I can always count on. If this sounds like a plug for Dave's holsters, it is.
So, think about a perfect system for you. I believe a small, compact 9mm or .380 handgun loaded with modern self defense ammo in a good cross draw rig is about perfect.

Posted with Blogsy

Two Guns

The Ruger LCP in a D.M. Bullard Cross Draw holster

I think it is safe to day, two guns are better than one.

Of course, many people consider many guns to be better than one and if you are into guns, like guns, and collect guns, that is certainly true. But, for the person who is primarily, or solely, interested in concealed carry for protection, having too many guns isn't necessary or even desirable.

However, I want to put forward the case that for the average person who carries, two guns are better than one, even if only one is carried at a time.

Why would this be so? In my opinion, it is a good idea for most of us who are concealed carry gun owners because of the fact that much, if not most, of our day is spent at home and around the house and yard. Some percentage of our time is taken by activities that take us away from home, and some of these occur in places in which we are more likely to encounter individuals and circumstances that might require recourse to our carry weapon. The two general scenarios are suited to different carry guns. Here is why.

My basic premise is that if one has gone to the trouble and training to carry a concealed firearm, then it only makes sense to carry it as often as possible. Otherwise, what is the point? You don't buy insurance that is in force some of the time and not others, nor throw a spare tire in the trunk for some trips but not others. Why, then, leave your carry gun in a drawer, or locked in a safe some times, but not others? Although this makes logical sense, most people don't follow this general rule because, let's face it, carrying a gun all of the time, especially around the house, is a pain. Really. The damn thing is hanging off your belt, or poking you in the stomach or pressing on your hip bone. Maybe dragging at your ankle. (Why anyone would use an ankle holster if they weren't deep under cover or worked a corporate job in a suit, is beyond me.)

A shoulder holster at home? Forget it.

Good holsters will provide a greater level of comfort, but, in the end, after wearing your S&W or Glock all day around the house, you'll know it. You get used to it, but never really like it.

What's a person supposed to do? Not put your gun in a drawer someplace. As we all know, even though it's unlikely, bad things can happen to good people any time, any place, and that includes while you are in the back room going through boxes for that next yard sale, or in the garage kicking the lawn mower. "Oh, pardon me an sec, Mr. Bad Guy, I need to dash into the house/back room/den/office to retrieve my gun."

So, for me, the solution is to carry an effective but small and light handgun around the house. One that is comfortable because it's small and light, but effective enough by itself, or will buy me time to get to a larger weapon if the need dictates. This smaller gun, in a quality and comfortable holster that is always with me, will ensure that I have access to a firearm when and if it is needed.

Yes, the caliber police and the capacity monitors will not take kindly to the notion of a lightweight, small, and small caliber gun, but a simple reality check is enough to defuse those overworked arguments: any gun is better than no gun when you need one. Period.

My choice for AHC (around the house carry) is a new model Ruger LCP. It is "light" and "compact" as they say. It has an improved trigger for better shooting accuracy – put a LaserMax on it and the accuracy goes way up – and it fires the modern .380 self defense loads which are fine. I haven't yet heard of a big-caliber supporter who would volunteer to be shot with a .380 to demonstrate how weak-kneed the round is. Really.

A couple of good holsters and you have a system that you can carry comfortably around the house all day. Keep it on as a back up, or swap it out for something a bit larger with more capacity if you need to carry in a situation and place that you think requires it.

Be safe.

Dueling Lasers: LaserMax & Crimson Trace

My first comparison and evaluation is of the LaserMax Centerfire and the Crimson Trace Defender, both solidly in a competing marketplace for the popular Ruger LCP .380 pistol. Crimson Trace has long offered one of their 'regular' grip-actuated LaserGuard units for the LCP, and have recently introduced their new Defender series. This product is priced and designed as a direct competitor to LaserMax's Centerfire sight. Both companies have kindly supplied one of each unit for the LCP for this evaluation and comparison.

LaserMax

Crimson Trace

You will notice that the form factors are similar, though different in important ways. The shooter actuates the laser with the index finger, which should be positioned over the switch on either laser unit if the draw is done properly and good gun handling is exercised.

LaserMax CenterFire actuation position

Defender actuation position

As the photos show, the switches on both laser units are designed to be used either right or left handed, which is good in general, and shows foresight by both companies to accommodate situations in which the shooter's normal gun hand is occupied or incapacitated. The difference between the two designs, LaserMax and Crimson Trace, is in the actuation - a two way push-switch that remains in it's position once placed there, and the spring-loaded push on/push off switch Crimson Trace uses.

Press the LaserMax activation button, which is the end of the switch that protrudes from either side of the sight, with either index finer (or any other you might need to use) and it switches the laser unit on. The switch remains in the closed position, powering the laser, until the shooter turns it off by pressing the switch rod from the other side. Easy enough to do with a two-hand grip. Simply use a finger on the other, supporting hand.

The Defender relies on a spring loaded push button, actuated from either side. One push and the laser is on. Another push, from either side, and it's off.

The only operational disadvantage I see at this point is that it is possible to inadvertently push the Defender's switch a second time, turning it off accidentally. I don't see this a high risk issue, the switch being rather small and tucked out of the way in a long indent in the casing, but the possibility is there and should be recognized.


The Innards

Below is a photograph of the LaserMax CenterFire units, the one on the left is sized for the Ruger LC9, the one on the right is for the Ruger LCP. They are identical, but one is slightly larger to fit the larger LC9, but the components and arrangements are the same. The LaserMax units are joined with larger self-tapping screws. The allen wrench is supplied to perform any sight adjustments necessary.

LaserMax for the LC9 and LCP

 Below is a comparison shot of the circuits and actuation mechanisms of the Defender, on top, and the LaserMax below. The Defender's case is more bulky and slightly larger than the CenterFire due to the way in which the push button and laser circuitry are enclosed in their own case which is, in turn, enclosed by the overall case for the unit as a whole. The Defender requires two batteries and the CenterFire only one, but in terms of the volume necessary for either, that space is pretty much the same.

Defender and CenterFire internal components

A comparison of the two units, shown below, reveals that the Defender is somewhat larger in the forward portion of the sight than the LaserMax CenterFire, due, undoubtedly to the decision to combine the push button switch mechanism with the laser and it's circuitry into an integrated package.

CenterFire and Defender comparison.

Defender on top of the CenterFire

CenterFire end view showing the actuation rod protruding from both sides. Enough to work well, not enough to cause problems.

 Below are photos of the two unit's casings for a side by side comparison.

Defender and CenterFire external left side comparison

Defender and CenterFire internal left side comparison

How do they mount and look once attached to the pistol?
I would say that the aesthetics of the two designs is pretty much in the mind of the beholder. The LaserMax CenterFire more closely follows the smooth and flowing lines of the LCP, providing, to my eye, a more integrated appearance than the Crimson Trace Defender. It just seems more a part of the gun than an add-on accessory. Now, some may like the more bold look of the Defender, but, again, that's a personal preference. I think the proof is in the using since they are supposed to be sighting aids, not fashion accessories.

CenterFire on the gun

Defender on the gun

Installing the two units.

The installation for both are virtually the same, except the LaserMax uses phillips head self-tapping screws, where the Crimson Trace uses small diameter machine screws tightened by an allen wrench.

Install the batteries, or battery, snap the right side of the unit containing all the working parts to the trigger guard. Interlock the back strap into it's mate already now attached to the trigger guard, swing the left side of the case into place, mate up the halves, pinch them together and torque down the screws.

After doing this a number of times, I can remove the LaserMax Centerfire in less than a minute. I can attach it somewhat quicker. The Crimson Trace Defender, however, exhibited an issue with this relatively simple procedure.

As you can see from the photographs below, I was unable to get the Defender's case to come completely together, even while forcing it by pinching it very hard while tightening the machine screws. I tightened the screws as much as I dared and still I could not get the gap to close. (See the photos below) I removed the Defender and checked for anything that might be keeping the sides from mating properly. The edges were both smooth and I could find nothing that might prevent the halves from closing. So, I tried another method.

The Defender gap

Defender gap, end view

Grabbing couple of strong, spring clamps I use for model ship building, and attaching them, as you see below, I was able to get the gap pretty much closed while I tightened the machine screws again.

The solution. Clamp the ends while installing and tightening the screws.

I was able to get most of the gap closed, but there still remained a small opening at the end of the sight casing. I suspect this is a molding problem resulting from not having exactly flat and true mating surfaces on the two parts. If I were to keep this particular unit on my gun, I would find some plastic filler and fill in that gap to keep it water tight. Of course, this would make it more difficult to remove and replace batteries, for example. You'd have to re-seal it each time.

After clamping

Below, showing the uneven mating surfaces on the Defender, and the position of the push-button activation switch. It is set into a small cavity cast into the sides of each casing to prevent accidental activation in a holster, for example.

Defender activation switch

As a comparison of the end mating surfaces, below is a photograph of the LaserMax CenterFire unit on the LCP showing a clean and precise mating surface.

LaserMax CenterFire end view

One of the biggest issues laser sight makers have in selling to people who are interested in trying them for their carry guns is that of holsters.

If a person buys a gun with a laser attached, or is getting an aftermarket laser for a new gun for which he or she has no, or few, holsters, this is not so much of a conundrum. However, most of us have a few carry guns already, and more than one holster for each. I have too many holsters for my guns, and from what I read, I am not unusual in this. Hickok45 even did an entire episode devoted to the holsters in his 'holster box'. I'm not that far gone, but I'm not that far behind either.

So, I think it is proper to include the holster question, briefly, in this comparison. I venture the opinion that if one already has a holster that will fit a LaserMax equipped handgun, getting a Defender equipped gun - the same gun, of course - to fit that holster depends on the holster. A holster made from heavy leather, like this Bear Creek pocket holster below, would not work. It would be almost impossible to re-mold this kind of holster to fit anything but what it was designed for. I've put the Defender-equipped LCP into this holster to illustrate the point.

Defender equipped LCP in a Bear Creek holster moulded for the Crimson Trace Laserguard

However, a holster, like this Remora with attached magazine pouch, will easily accommodate the LaserMax Centerfire, and the Crimson Trace Defender, and the LaserGuard for that matter.

Defender equipped LCP in a Remora holster. This holster will accommodate all three lasers, the LaserMax Centerfire, the Crimson Trace Laserguard and Defender.

I favor back pocket carry for the LCP, when I go that style, and the Uncle George is my choice for a great holster. It's 'heavy' enough to securely hold the pistol and prevent printing, but 'light' enough to easily draw from while it is in the pocket, and the leather can be somewhat re-molded to fit a slightly differently sized and shaped laser.  Following the directions on Uncle George' website, I used a hair dryer to heat and re-mould this holster to fit the LaserMax Centerfire even though it was originally made for the Crimson Trace LaserGuard. However, trying it with the Defender shows me that the Defender is just too bulky to re-mold for it.

Uncle George back pocket holster made for the Crimson Trace LaserGuard, which has been slightly re-moulded to fit the LaserMax CenterFire sight. The Defender, shown here,  is too large for the holster

Another view of the Defender in an Uncle George.

Last, I put the Defender equipped LCP in my Hay's cross draw holster. It's not in there all the way and it would probably work, but that would not be up to the standards I require in a self-defense holster.

A Hays cross draw holster, made for the LCP/CT LaserGuard combination. If the stitching were not in place at the bottom, this holster might be made to accommodate the Defender, but as is, it's slightly too small.

So, the conclusion is that if one has a holster made for a laser gun already, even a Crimson Trace unit, the Defender might, or might not fit, or be made to fit. In my experience, a LaserMax CenterFire has a better chance of fitting into a holster made for the Crimson Trace LaserGuard, or vice versa, than does the Defender.

If you are in the market for either one of these sights, plan on also getting a quality holster for it. Both LaserMax and Crimson Trace can point you in the direction of good holster makers who make quality products for each.

Function
Well, where the rubber meets the road, or the bullet meets the target, is the end result of this exercise in laser sight aids.

Both companies have essentially the same laser units in their offerings, functionally speaking. Laser power is constrained to be no more than 5mW in power with a wavelength of 650nm (nano meters). Their beam shapes are identical and both emit in the red spectrum.

Once switched on, there is not much to choose from between the two. In low light or darkness they are bright and easy to see. Also under most lighting conditions, especially at expected self-defense distances, seven to ten yards, they are readily visible even in sunlight.

In general, my opinion is that it is not a good thing to become heavily dependent on a laser sight on a self defense handgun. There are times when it can be very useful and provide a distinct advantage, but there are also times when it's something else to operate and for the eye to pick up that red dot. Getting a shot off as quickly as possible may be critical in certain instances, and there would be no time for dot acquisition. Given that laser sights are another option in one's self defense repertoire, acquiring and training with a laser sight is a good thing. I especially think they are most valuable when coupled with a small gun, like the LCP which is difficult enough to shoot accurately in the first place.

I think the biggest factors separating the LaserMax CenterFire and the Crimson Trace Defender come down to quality of construction, integration with your chosen firearm and personal preference between the two actuating mechanisms. In my opinion, after using both, I think the LaserMax Centerfire is the best choice.

The quality of construction is demonstrably better than Crimson Trace's current effort with the Defender.

I don't care for the bulky shape of the Defender, preferring the smoother integration of the CenterFire with the LCP, but this is, of course, solely a matter of personal taste.

 Lastly, having spent a number of years as an engineering technician I am inherently suspicious of mechanisms with too many moving parts. The Defender's spring-loaded push-push switch is more likely to fail than the CenterFire's simple push on, push off switch. It probably won't happen, but Murphy has taught me that things do happen and they mostly happen at the worst times. Simply put, in the CenterFire's simple, springless on/off switch, there is no spring to fail.

I want to express my profound thanks to LaserMax and Crimson Trace for stepping up and providing these laser sights for a comparison evaluation. It has taken a number of months to get everything in place and I hope the result is worthwhile and helpful to anyone considering a laser sight for their self defense handguns. Both Crimson Trace and LaserMax are small companies dedicated to designing and producing quality products and their customer service and relationship management staffs have been helpful to me in this project.

Please leave any comments and I will respond as best I can to them.

Posted with Blogsy

Remora Micro Clip holster and a laser equipped LCP

I have one of Remora's new Micro Clip holsters. I wanted to test it for fit with a laser sight, and for retention. My personal experience with small Remora holsters is that they don't stay where I put them throughout the day. I tend to carry my LCP in the appendix position. I used to carry cross draw, but I feel the appendix IWB position is more secure, more concealable and faster to access than cross draw. So, wearing the LCP constantly while doing all the things one does during the day which involves a lot of bending and twisting of the trunk, my experience is that a small Remora will move around and needs constant adjustment. I suppose if I really cinched up my Bear Creek gun belt, that might help, but I like comfort so that's not going to happen.

Micro Clip end view

The button protects the snap for the clip on the other side.

The clip unsnapped from the other side.

A size comparison.

The clip can be easily put on either side because of the built in snaps. This has a down side though. The clip swivels. Easily. Put the holster on, clip it to your belt and it can still move back and forth. Of course it won't come out, or off the belt, but it still can and does swivel a bit.

I think this is a good first effort on Remora's part to solve the issue of small holsters not being as secure in place as the larger ones. I carry a Ruger SR9c with a big magazine in Remoras, AIWB (Appendix In Waist Band) with little concern that the gun/holster will move around. It may, slightly, but usually not.

There may be no easy solution to the small holster issue since there is so little contact area to provide enough friction to keep it in place all day.

The Endless Carry Argument: which gun? what caliber? what self defense round? which holster?

Uncle George's Wallet Holster

From my experience on a couple of decent firearms forums which primarily serve citizens interested in pistols for both shooting and self defense, this argument seems never to die. I think it is important to address because of the increasing numbers of people who are new to handguns and new to legal carry for self defense. These long-running discussions, which can unfortunately turn dictatorial and nasty when the so-called experts get involved, do more to confuse the issue than offer clarity. So, I'm attempting to interject a bit of basic information, and, hopefully, clarity into the topic of handguns meant for self defense carry.

I've illustrated this post with a photo of one of Uncle George's wallet holsters made for the Ruger LCP because carrying a handgun for self defense is a simple and basic act, and this is about as simple as it gets. Anyone - male, female, big, tiny, it doesn't matter - can carry one of these setups almost anywhere without being noticed or uncomfortable. The Ruger LCP weighs 9.4 ounces, 10.0 with a Crimson Trace laser sight installed (as above). It's a little over five inches long and less than an inch wide. It is built for concealment and for carrying. It, and other similar 'pocket pistols' usually are chambered for the .380 caliber round (also called the 9mm short). With a good factory load, designed for self-defense, such as the Hornady CD or perhaps the Speer Gold Dot (and similar ammunition), it is an effective self defense weapon.

So, what we have here is a lightweight (Light), small (Compact) Pistol designed to be carried for self defense by practically anyone. This, evidently, drives some self-styled 'gun experts' crazy.

They can't so much complain about the polymer frame, since many of the handguns they prefer incorporate that in their builds, but seemingly everything else is fair game to them: caliber (too small), bullets (not heavy enough, not designed right), sights (poor iron sights that aren't adjustable), small capacity (seven rounds is not enough), not durable enough (will suffer problems if it's shot too much), and so on. To further disparage these kinds of self defense weapons, they have labeled them "mouse guns". Must mean that they are only good for plinking mice, or that mousy people use them. Not sure on that. And, they probably aren't either.

A few examples of the "experts" recommendations for self defense carry:

• If the caliber of your pistol doesn't start with a "4" it isn't big enough.
• Double-stack magazines are required so you can carry enough ammo without having to frequently reload.
• Your self defense gun must be 100% reliable under all conditions.

There are more, but those will do for illustration purposes.

In my opinion, basically all of those arguments are bogus when it comes to self defense. The two critical factors are, 1. carry a gun. All of the time. It is a true statement that you better have one when you need one.

2. hit only what you intend to hit when you have to shoot.

If the caliber of your pistol doesn't start with a "4" it isn't big enough.

It is obvious that if you pull a gun and fire off a round (or twelve, even) and don't hit the threat, you've done yourself no good and possibly have injured, or worse, an innocent person. No matter what the caliber of the gun, velocity or impact of the bullet, your self defense gun is useless unless you can hit something with it. Reliably, accurately and repeatedly if necessary.

Unless one is a practiced, experienced shooter, shooting a large caliber handgun is harder than shooting a handgun of smaller caliber and power. Most people who carry for self defense are not practiced, experienced shooters and are not going to become one either. They, hopefully, practice enough to be comfortable with their weapon and to be accurate enough for the ranges and target sizes that would be appropriate for most self defense situations. Most of these people shoot a reasonably sized handgun - .38 special, 9mm, .380 calibers. They are big enough to do the job, but not so heavy, noisy and recoil producing to be hard to shoot.

Double-stack magazines are required so you can carry enough ammo without having to frequently reload.

Double stack magazine handguns are bigger and heavier than single stack guns. As a consequence, they are more uncomfortable and heavy to carry and more difficult to conceal. Hence, they tend to not get carried as a regular thing. Your double-stack .40 caliber pistol is doing you no good as a self defense weapon while it's in your car or home in the safe. Besides, when are you going to really need a fifteen, sixteen or seventeen round capacity in the self defense world? I supposed if you were attacked by a gang and were forted up behind a car, then, maybe. You'd likely be outgunned anyway so things wouldn't be turning out well for you.

I think the notion of being in an extended shoot out is common because that is what TV and the movies show us. But, that's really the rare exception when citizens are forced into self defense shooting. Read up on it. Most scenarios involve one or two rounds being fired. It's rare that more than five or six are expended in these situations. They start quickly and end quickly with people running away or stopping their aggressive behavior because they are suddenly dealing with a bullet wound or two.

You can easily carry a spare single-stack magazine along with your smaller self defense weapon so you'll have a reload in the unlikely event you will need one.

Your self defense gun must be 100% reliable under all conditions.

That would be nice, but face it, no machine is 100% reliable even under good conditions. It's the nature of the beast. It's the world of Murphy's Law. I know shooters who have fired thousands of rounds from their handguns and think this is a guarantee of reliability, that the gun is going to go bang the next time they pull the trigger. Think about it. Just because the machine has not experienced a failure before does not mean it's never going to fail.

Check your self defense gun by shooting regularly, but don't burn through hundreds and hundreds of rounds. Shoot it enough to be sure it's running well, like it should, then carry it. Maybe go out and practice once a month to keep your proficiency and to exercise the gun. You will soon know if it has an endemic or recurring problem. Send it back to the maker and have them fix it. Use another self defense gun in the interim.

The reliability factor is one of two that mitigate for carrying a backup gun. In the unlikely event that your pistol malfunctions at exactly the wrong time, you may have the opportunity to go to your backup. Odds are that the two guns won't fail at the same time. The second reason is that you may not be able to get to your primary weapon due to being injured, having the gun taken away, dropped, or perhaps your assailant in on top of you wrestling with your gun, or preventing you from getting to it. You may have the option of going for the backup.

In the real world, it is impossible to prepare for all contingencies, just as it is impossible to carry a gun that is 100% reliable. You can narrow the odds and put survival more in your favor by understanding that a reasonable and rational level of preparedness is attainable and sustainable if you only do a few things.

1. Find a handgun that suits you and which you will carry at all times where legally allowed.

2. Keep that gun in good condition.

3. Practice regularly so that you can access it and shoot it accurately under self defense conditions. Practice at short ranges, say, the distance between two walls in a regular room in your house. Become good at hitting an area the size of the human torso.

That's it. Shooting an assailant a number of times in the torso will definitely put the odds of survival in your favor. Of course there are true stories of men being shot multiple times with decent caliber handguns, mostly by law enforcement officers, who still fight back and don't seem to know they are shot. This is the exception however. And, when you think about it, if you should encounter one of those people, it doesn't much matter if you are toting a Model 1911 .45 automatic or a .380 LCP. But one thing for sure, I'd rather reach for and use my .380 in a circumstance like that and hope my accuracy was enough to stop the threat, than to be throwing rocks, glasses or chairs as my self defense weapons.

If you think the circumstances may demand it, you can always carry a larger gun along with your primary self defense weapon, but you don't have to make it a regular thing.

Realistic self defense carry will keep your armed and prepared in all situations. You probably won't be ready for the zombie apocalypse, but you will be ready to deal more effectively if you are seriously threatened. 

Elsie Pea; Block Training; Police Chief; Lasers again

My Moderator's Logo from the old Elsie Pea Forum

Not too long ago, last year, the old Elsie Pea Forum (LCP) was sold off to an organization that runs forums. Many of them. The Elsie Pea Forum had grown to over 10,000 members and it was all five of us could do to keep things in check. We prided ourselves in stopping spam before it got started, keeping the atmosphere polite, if not cordial, preventing flame wars and keeping posters to the topic: no religion, no politics, no hatred. I will admit that there were times when this was trying, but if truth be told, the members themselves were very good about policing the forum and keeping troublemakers in line. If the members couldn't reign them in, the moderators did.

I was a big fan of Have Gun, Will Travel when I was as kid. I still think it was a TV show ahead of it's time, so I picked the logo, above, as my moderator calling card. I still moderate, but a much smaller forum where many of the Elsie Pea refugees hang out. http://www.compactcarryforum.com

Have Gun. Will Carry

Of course, it is more than that as anyone who has carried a concealed handgun for any time will tell you. Lately, I've been around the block more than once over dealing with the extra baggage that comes along with concealed carry. Like many of you, I have a drawer full of holsters (and I only have three carry guns), extra magazines, laser sights, night sights, special springs and recoil rods, gun safes, various cleaning do-dads and storage and carry boxes.

Now, the entire picture is complicated by my use and evaluation of laser sighting devices. Saving the topic of the utility and usefulness of laser sights on a concealed carry handgun for another time, one big factor became apparent right away. When I received a Laserguard from Crimson Trace for my LCP I was faced right away with the fact that, other than a Versacarry rig, I had nothing to carry it in.

At this point, over the last two months with the CT, I have had it on and off the gun three or four times. I do now have a Jeff Hays cross draw OWB holster, which is very nice indeed and works better than any cross draw holster I've found so far, and I have acquired a Remora with attached mag pouch for it. However, my other holsters, carefully pared down from many I tried that fit right, work right and will last a long time do not work with the Laserguard. Hence, off with the laser and, like today around the house, on with the Bullard Bodyguard and LCP.

Having a laser on my gun is pretty nifty, although the jury is still out as to whether a Crimson Trace or LaserMax will find it's way on one of my carry guns permanently. But not being able to carry it as I wish, in the style and quality of holsters that I require, is a big stumbling block. But, I'll report more on this after the LaserMax units arrive for testing alongside the Crimson Trace.

Block Training

I got an email, and later a follow up phone conversation, with a small group nearby composed of experienced former LEO and NRA Firearms Trainers who have come up with a very good idea. I call it Block Training. It works like this. They have essentially taken a general two-day intensive handgun and self-defense training class and broken it down into 2 to 2 1/2 hour blocks. This way a person can afford to begin improving his or her real-world handgun self-defense skills without having to pony up a few hundred dollars for the course, lodging, meals and a thousand rounds of ammo all at once.

I hope to be able to attend one of the first class blocks and report on this concept in more detail here.

Police Chief

The Chief in one of the local towns nearby is leaving after a long military and police career. One of the more interesting things he had to say was that he, along with many other in law enforcement, support the 2nd Amendment right to keep and bear arms. To walk the talk, he is planning to set up and conduct concealed carry classes in our area. Now, if you want to take one, it is at least a two hour drive, and if you don't want to wait until they get around to holding a class within that range, you can drive another hour or two. I'm looking forward to that and it's got me thinking about getting my instructor qualifications and helping out.

Lasers Again

I've already whined about lasers and holsters, so I'll spare you that. The update is that I am waiting on what I have been assured by LaserMax is a package with at least one laser sight evaluation unit, plus other materials. If I don't see it this week, I'll be following up with them. Once that arrives, and the snow melts and the ground dries, I will be able to get some range time with both models and have some  personal experience that I can hopefully translate into useful information.

Hays Cross Draw Holster

As you will know if you've read the entries in this blog, I favor cross draw for concealed carry. If you don't and are interested in why, check the prior blog post on that here.

I contacted Jeff Hays of Colorado about his cross draw holsters for the LCP after reading complimentary postings on the forums I frequent and moderate. I like to carry OWB when I can, especially around the house with the LCP, but I had not been able to locate a really good holster for that. The other OWB holsters I have tried have one issue in common: they don't keep the gun tight to the body, which is essential if you don't want the grip to print. Those holsters work well if you will be wearing a coat, jacket or vest, but with a light shirt, which is what I normally wear in the summer, they do not adequately keep the gun from printing.

Jeff sent a cross draw holster made for the LCP with Crimson Trace Laserguard. I have been wearing it for most of the day and evenings for about a week now and can report that it works, and works very well. In addition to keeping the LCP reasonably tight to the body the holster is made to ride high on the belt, keeping the vast majority of leather out of sight. Now, these are characteristics of a concealed holster that work against one another - tight is compromised by the fact that the majority of weight of holster and gun is above the belt. This will promote a tendency for the top of the gun to lean out away from the body. Some makers may use very thick and stiff leather to counter this, but Jeff has chosen to do this by the way in which the belt slots are placed and designed. They spread the force across a wide area which, so far, has worked very well. He uses quality leather, but not overly thick, which can be uncomfortable for daily wear.

Overall, I am very pleased with Jeff's holster design for the LCP cross draw. As I continue to wear it daily I will be able to report on how well it holds up over time. His prices are very reasonable and the quality of workmanship is first rate. If you are at all interested in a good cross draw holster, or the OWB pancake design of Jeff's other offerings, contact him at: www.haysholsters.com (hayesholsters will get you to a different site, so don't add an "e" to hays...)

Here are a few initial photos. More and better ones will follow.

Under a basic cold-weather shirt.

Note how high the holster rides above the belt top. My pocket is still accessible.

A close, tight fit but the grip is still readily accessible.

There is still room to adjust where the pistol rides on the side.

New D.M. Bullard Bodyguard

I have a Bodyguard OWB holster from D.M. Bullard for my LCP. I have had it for about two years and It has become my standard OWB holster for that gun. It is comfortable, secure and provides ease of access. And, importantly it conceals the LCP with almost anything including T-shirts. When I carried an LC9 I also bought and frequently used one of David's Bodyguards with equal satisfaction. I have been carrying my Ruger SR9c in a Bullard Bandit for OWB but having put the LC9 up for sale and using the SR9c as my main carry gun, I decided to go for a Bodyguard because of the better all-around concealment it provides.

Some people try many different makes and models of things before, through personal experience and preference, settle on a few out of the many and stick with them. Like many of you I had a box full of holsters accumulated while searching for the "best". The "best" is, of course, a very subjective and personal decision, as it should be. I confess to being a native of Fort Worth, Texas and therefore partial to such things as boots, hats and holsters made in Texas, so it was natural that I was intrigued with David Bullard's work when I first encountered it. I now have many products made by David or his craftsmen and I am still gladdened by the consistent quality and craftsmanship of his work. But, beyond that, I have found that his designs work. To me a good leather hand made holster is a thing of beauty, but even more so when it does exactly what it was designed and intended to do. So now, my box of holsters is emptying out and I am depending more and more on Bullard for my needs.

My new Bodyguard for the SR9c arrived this week and I quickly put it to the test. Perfect molding to the gun. Even the slide striations and indent for the magazine release button are precisely molded in. The trigger is completely covered, which, should one choose, allows carry of pistols like Ruger semi-auto to be carried with the manual safety "off" with assurance that the trigger safety is always protected. The gun and holster are held firmly in place with a good gun belt, behind the hip at a steep cant for comfort and concealment. This design works very well for the smaller pistols and equally as well for the larger gun.

I broke the holster in quickly by wrapping the pistol in two layers of kitchen plastic wrap and holstering a few times. Now, it is held tightly but releases easily. Seemingly a contradiction, but true.

I will be putting this new Bodyguard to the test over the winter and into the summer when lighter garments will be in order and I will report on that experience. Many holsters feel and perform very well initially, but with use and time may exhibit issues and flaws not obvious during the "honeymoon" period. I certainly don't expect any with the Bodyguard, but you never know.

Posted with Blogsy

Carrying a bigger gun

Ruger LCP .380

Ruger SR9c 9mm

Ruger's two fine self-defense carry pistols. Both have their place in a basic self-defense carry scheme. Without getting into the caliber wars, and you can read as much about this as you want on most internet gun forums if you can stand the tone that these "discussions" often descend to. My philosophy centers around being very proficient with your chosen self-defense weapon regardless of which make, model or caliber you like. There are limitations, of course, being a decision that is predicated upon carrying for self-defense. Too light of a caliber will most certainly be ineffective and too heavy will be hard to shoot and hard to carry consistently. I like the range somewhere in the middle, but whatever one chooses, it is imperative that you be able to consistently hit your target. This will make most any caliber effective, and minimize the possibility of shooting something or someone you don't intend to shoot.

At this point, I have settled on the combination you see above. The .380 shooting modern self defense ammunition, like Hornady Critical Defense (and there are other good choices as well) is an effective, short range self-defense firearm that is reliable and very easy to carry for both men and women, and with almost any wardrobe. Being both light and compact, it carries well in almost any position, and it is very suited to use as a backup gun when required. Pocket carry is very suitable for that role and I personally favor the Uncle George back pocket holster for that use since I don't like front pocket carry. When carrying as a backup, or singly, it fits well in an appendix or cross-draw carry position to supplement a larger handgun in a different carry position such as strong-side.

I find the LCP is very handy for around the house carry when you want something with you and your other gun, or guns, are parked safely in the house.

At one point, in addition to the SR9c, I had a Ruger LC9. Now, that's a good self-defense carry gun - compact, not so big, reliable, in 9 mm. However, I think the SR9c is a better 9 mm choice. It carries, with the small magazine, 11 rounds to the LC9's 7. It has better sights, better (for me) ergonomics, and a much better trigger. And, it is marginally bigger and heavier, but not so much that I cannot carry it all day in a suitable holster - which at this point includes the Bullard Bandit and the N82 Tactical Pro, depending on the occasion.

The biggest advantage of the SR9c over the LC9 for me is that I can shoot it better and more accurately than the LC9. And, coupled with the Ruger SR22PB as a trainer, it goes to make me a better shooter, and that's the most important thing. Your gun must be reliable, but you must be reliable too.

Choose your best carry guns and train with them often. Then carry them whenever you can.

Be safe.