Gun and Other Self Defense Stuff Archives | Page 10 of 46

8 Jul 2017

4 Underrated Guns – Hidden Gems

While popular guns get covered more than enough, we rarely get to discuss the lesser known, but often still pretty decent firearms out there. Some well performing guns are highly underrated, so we’d like to shed a little light on some of our favorites.

No matter what type of firearm you’re looking for, you’ll see right away that the market is saturated with options. It’s easy to notice which brands and styles totally dominate your shopping experience.

In search of a new hunting rifle, there really is nothing wrong with going for a Remington. However, blindly picking the most popular weapons means you might miss out on some wonderfully unique and well-crafted options.

Even more, just because everyone else is buying a Glock doesn’t mean that a Glock will be right for you.

Expand your horizons; learn what type of weight feels best in your hands – the common ergonomic grip might not fit well in your palm.

Don’t like the look of polymer? There are gorgeous metals and woods out there that may catch your eye! Try out the guns for yourself, dive into the underrated market, and become a well-rounded gun owner.

Walther PPS

A great handgun to be a concealed carry, the Walther PPS should really be a little more popular. This 9mm self-defense firearm is part of Walther’s line of German engineering. If you know anything about German engineering, it’s all about streamlined construction that delivers smooth and uninterrupted performance. Germany can pride itself in some of the most innovative and ergonomically designed features that Americans look for in cars, architecture, and guns!

The founder, Carl Walther, is known for creating the first semi-automatic pistol with his son, Fritz, in the early 1900s. The company has actually been partnered with Smith & Wesson for quite some time, which may explain why not everyone has heard of Walther Firearms as its own entity. S&W has been manufacturing the Walther PPK (another popular model) handgun, and Walther has been manufacturing the S&W M&P 22 pistol. While Walther Arms, Inc. is now its own company, the two brands continue to work as partners.

Walther Arms is mostly recognized for producing handguns for defensive action and competition. These are both areas where the shooter will want streamlined precision and a design that will enhance an expert draw. The PPS weighs a little less than 1.5 pounds, and is just barely over 3 inches long. The most recognizable feature of a Walther handgun may be the uniquely designed grips. These are some of the most ergonomic and, dare we say, comfortable grips on the market today. The PPS grip sports a grooved pattern on the front and rear and raised dots on either side. You’ll see similar grooves on the serrated slide. In self-defense, the last things you want is your hand to slip. The Walther PPS will have your back from start to finish.

Mauser M12

For the hunters out there, we have the stylish and intuitively designed Mauser M12. Highlighted as being a “guarantee for accuracy”, the M12 rifle is definitely an underrated firearm for game hunting. At first glance, this rifle is a gorgeous piece of craftsmanship. However, those sensual curves aren’t just for looks. The German design is focused on perfect balance for some of the most precise shots you’ll ever take (these Germans must be onto something).

The first Mauser rifle was created in 1871 by Paul Mauser and his older brother, Wilhelm. It became one of the first metal cartridge weapons of the German Empire. The Gewehr 98 (referring to 1898) was introduced to the public, and it is now nationally recognized as the company’s most popular rifle. It is better known as the Mauser M98. The manufactured Mauser rifles we purchase today are still created from the original designs from over 100 years ago.

Today, while the M 98 is still a beautiful classic that also shouldn’t go unlooked, we have the Mauser M12. This bolt-action rifle has the same time-tested functionality with some ergonomic improvements. The overall design features a thumbhole stock, which only enhances the ability for the shooter to hunt with accuracy unlike any other. Shots will be more controlled, and it will be faster to re-zero on any optics (if it’s even necessary). The body is made of a combination of solid steel and a high-grade laminated wood, bringing durability and a classic appeal together. The standard barrel is 22 inches in length and you can choose out of a wide range of calibers, from .270 to .30-06 or even the .308 if you plan on going after the big stuff. Forget your Remingtons and Mossbergs. Everyone will be asking where you got your Mauser M12.

CZ 75

The CZ 75 is one of the most popular handguns from the brand. So much so, that there are nearly 20 other CZ pistols based on the original design. There’s a plethora of choices, from compacts, to single actions, and even various metal frames and finishes. The standard CZ 75 is a standard handgun that has unique attributes, setting it aside from your more popularly recognized tactical handguns.

CZ stands for Ceska zbrojovka of the Czech Republic. In the mid-1930s, the company was contracted by the National Defense Council to produce military arms. These included aircraft machine guns, military pistols, and rifles. After the Nazi occupation ended, the company split off to produce aircraft parts. It wasn’t until the 1980s that CZ returned its focus to weaponry, and they produced the slightly more popular firearms you can find on their website today.

It’s highly likely that CZ’s history with aircraft part manufacturing explains their choice of using steel frames. This is opposed to the commonly seen polymer and alloy. The CZ 75 weighs just over two pounds. While it may not be best for concealing in an IWB holster, you’ll experience a really solid grip and incredibly controllable recoil. This means the CZ 75 shots should be crisp and accurate. The lack of popularity with CZ is probably due to their later re-entrance to civilian gun manufacturing, but that’s hardly a reason to pass up the beautiful craftsmanship. You’ll find the CZ 75 priced in the $600 range – around the same price you would be paying for Gen 4 Glocks.

Savage Arms Stevens 320

Finally, we have the Savage Arms Stevens 320 Pump Action Shotgun. It is not a classic design, but this shotgun is one of the most low profile firearms you’ll ever see. Simplicity is key, on this one, giving the shooter the opportunity for expert, one-shot kills. The Stevens 320 isn’t anything new, and you may notice that it’s incredibly similar to the Winchester Model 1300. We could nit-pick all we want to, but the combination of a no-frills design, powerful action, and a low price-point makes the 320 a worthy and underrated competitor on the market.

The American made company, Savage Arms, was established in the 1890s in New York by Arthur Savage. Savage Arms and Steven Arms joined forces in 1920, and history was made. Going up against brands such as Remington, Winchester, and Colt, the firearm duo had to create innovative and modern concepts that could beat out classic best sellers. Savage Arms provided the U.S. military with millions of weapons during WW II. Now, we have effective and up-to-date shotguns, such as the Stevens 320 Pump Action, that combine guaranteed shooting ability with back-to-basics construction.

The Savage Arms Stevens 320 Pump can be purchased with either a pistol grip or semi-pistol grip and a tube style magazine. The stocks are synthetic, and they’re great for securing the butt firmly against your body. The carbon steel barrel is a surprising 18 inches long, all finished in a matte black. This shotgun is normally overlooked because most buyers quickly go to classic appearances, but the Stevens 320 has a lot of power behind it and is really easy to use. Don’t let the price make you question it, either: it’s well under $300. It’s affordable and practical.

In a Saturated Market…

Of course, there are tons of other firearms we could be listing as underrated. It’s difficult to discover weapons that have already been on the market for a while. Some great guns are being smothered by more popular brands. Some well known brands, such as Savage Arms, market best-sellers, leaving their lesser known firearms in the dust. Other brands, such as CZ, go practically unheard of because they’re up against universally renowned pistols from Glock, Smith and Wesson, and the like. Whether you’re looking to break away from the pistols, rifles, and shotguns you’ll see in any other shooter’s hand, or you’re interested in expanding your skills on a variety of unheard of weapons, the four listed firearms we have here are a great start to exploring the world of underrated guns.

27 Jun 2017

The Best Guns and Ammo for Self-Defense

It’s important to understand the relationship between the personal defense weapon you’re planning on purchasing and the kind of ammunition it uses. This article is about the best guns and ammo for self defense. At at least some general guidelines.

One of the things that often comes up is “stopping power”. What is generally meant by this is the power of the cartridge. Generally speaking larger cartridges and mean bigger bullets (there are exceptions).

However, stopping power shouldn’t be your only consideration when looking for a self defense instrument.

What about recoil, speed, draw time?

These are all important considerations that can either make a concealed carry defense weapon a liability or a huge life-saving asset.

Today we’re going to take a look at some of my personal recommended bullets/guns. I’d advise anyone who is serious about understanding how their gun works to read more about the differences between bullet types.

Fast Effective Fire at Medium Range – Glock 17

You can’t beat a Glock.

When it comes to self defense, draw time and concealability are two important factors. A Glock 17 offers an extremely lightweight design.

While the 9mm bullets aren’t incredibly powerful they offer lowered recoil which allows you to get off multiple shoots without losing accuracy.

I find this to be an incredibly important factor in my concealed carry choice of weapon. If you watch any security footage of a self defense firefight you will notice that you rarely have time to aim with a larger caliber bullet, what matters is speed and first shooter advantage.

The Glock magazine is expanded holding 17 rounds. Cartridge are 116-149 grains which can be upgraded to hollow point for maximum damage upon impact. If you spend your time and read about where to buy ammo you can get bulk prices on 9mm ammo.

Ruger GP 100

Known as a pocket rocket, the Ruger GP 100 is a member of the infamous Magnum family. You won’t get as many shots off with this gun but it packs some serious power.

One of the things that I always mention to new shooters is that the Ruger GP 100, despite its concealability and size is still quite a heavy pistol. One the plus side the heavy frame will stop recoil while on the flip side you won’t be pulling it out as fast.

Cartridge size is like a .357 Magnum with 200 grain bullets and a 6 round capacity. The Ruger 100 also works on an extremely simple mechanism and doesn’t get jammed very easily. Great to clean as well.

Best Personal Defense Shotgun – Mossberg 500

The Mossberg is one of the best priced and most reliable shotguns out there. First off I’d like to mention this is an automatic shotgun not a traditional pump action. This means that the empty shell is automatically throw out of the chamber and autoloaded via the kinetic energy of the gun. With a traditional shotgun you’re the one doing the pumping.

The Mossberg is good in rain, fog and even snow. It’s built for tactical use and made to design the rigors of everyday wear and tear.

For bullets, I would suggest using a slug or buckshot. I’m not a fan of birdshot for self defense. If you’re hunting ducks than sure, however, if someone is breaking into your home while your family is asleep you better believe I’m using a 12-gauge slug.

1911 Colt .45 ACP

Created by Browning over a decade ago when he invented the 1911, the 230-grain bullet is a great choice for personal defense. Considering that you get about eight rounds and less recoil for that caliber, a good shooter should be able to stop an assailant pretty easily.

I’m a big supporter of the 1911 for a couple of reasons. First, is functionality. The 1911 has been used for almost 90 years while sticking true to its original design and manufacturing.

Nothing special or fancy means not much can get caught or malfunction. Second, it’s cheap. 1911 ammo and guns are available almost anywhere and can be purchased for less than $200 at most gun shows.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to personal defense firearms the most important cardinal rule of all is that you MUST be comfortable with whatever weapon you plan on using. I can’t stress this enough.

This means you need to hit the range with your weapon and use it on a regular basis so when push comes to shove you know exactly how to use it.

Safe shooting everyone.

13 May 2017

Comparing Serrated Vs Straight Edge Knives

I have heard many arguments in regard to the serrated vs straight edge knife dilemma. The truth is that there are pros and cons of both types of knife edges, and the choice of which type is better largely depends on the function you expect it to serve and the situation you will be using it for. For slicing, I would recommend a serrated edge, but for push cutting you should choose a knife with a straight edge.

Straight Edge Knife Benefits

The benefits of straight edged knives are many. They are extremely sharp and pointed, which allows for better control and precision when using them. This type of knife is great for push cuts, such as cutting potatoes, chopping wood, shaving and other cutting tasks. Plain edged knives are also much easier to sharpen as compared to serrated ones. The main problem with this type of knife is that it can slip and fly off the object you are attempting to cut or slice. Also, if the edge is too short, you can’t use it for deep cutting. Even though they are easier to sharpen than the serrated blades, very sharp straight knives tend to get duller faster than knives with serrated edges.

Serrated Edge Knife Benefits

As for the knives with serrated edges, they are great for slicing things, such as: ropes, bread, tomatoes and others. Its contact area is smaller than that of the straight edge knife which is another benefit, so there is minimum resistance from the material which you cutting. This makes this type of blades perfect for cutting hard and tough items and materials, such as plastic and wood. Also, it is a great choice for cutting in situations when you can’t achieve a stable grip of the object you are cutting. The geometric design of serrated blades allows you to use lateral movements instead of just friction when cutting.

Partially Serrated Knives:

There is actually an option to choose a hybrid knife which incorporates the best of straight edged and serrated edged knives. This type of hybrid knife with a straight edge on the top and serrations at the bottom is a multi-functional knife, which is a perfect choice for survival purposes. Choose a hybrid knife with small serrations located in the right place, and you will get a knife with excellent functionality and great speed when inflicting cuts.

Choose the edge depending upon the intended use:

Self-defence

If you are looking for a knife for survival and/or self-defense, then you should get a straight edge type. Serrated edges can get caught to the fibers you are cutting and this can limit the depth of the penetration of your cut.

Utility

If you are looking for a good utility knife, then one with a serrated edge is probably the better choice because they are better for slicing soft fruits, vegetables and other foodstuffs.

Final thoughts:

The problem with serrated knives is that they are tricky to sharpen and it is difficult to make very smooth and controlled cuts with a blade like that. Make sure that the serrations are not too large, because they will likely tend to get caught up in the material you are cutting. If you choose to use a straight edged knife for utility purposes, you need to make sure that it is sharp enough at all times, for a better performance as well as for safety purposes.

24 Apr 2017

The Top Three Best G26 Holster to Meet Your Needs

The Glock 26 pistol comes with ten round magazines that will expand to as much as 12 rounds with floor plates.

If this is the type of weapon you own or have purchased, you’re likely looking for a G26 holster.

But what type of G26 holster is right for you?

If you want to protect yourself with a Glock 26 pistol but you also need an easy way to carry the weapon, keep reading!

Below you will find the top three G26 holsters along with the benefits and disadvantages of each.

Concealment Express G26 Holster

The Concealment Express G26 holster is a great option because it can also fit a number of other pistols including the Glock 27 and 33. You won’t need to buy other holsters since it can adjust to different types of pistols.

Also, this holster is easy to conceal. The only part still visible when wearing the holster is the retaining clip.

If you’re worried about being out in the rain and damaging your Glock, fear not! The Concealment Express G26 holster includes moisture protection. The Kydex material used to create the holster protects your weapon from water damage.

However, one disadvantage of this model is that it can stick to the skin if you’re outside on a hot day.

Galco KT224B Kingtuk Holster

One of the biggest advantages of the Galco holster is that it can hold many different Glock models including the G26 pistol. If you have other Glock models, you’ll be glad you went with the Galco holster.

It can support the Glock models 17,19,22,23,26,27,31,32,and 33. Also, the Galco holster is made from better materials than other G26 holsters out on the market.

The soft part of the holster is made from leather while the hard parts are created from Kydex, which is a hard plastic that’s difficult to break.

Another great advantage of this holster is its customization. Depending on the size of your belt, this holster can be adjusted to multiple heights and angles.

This holster can support a belt of nearly two inches. However, one negative is that it makes it more difficult to tuck in your shirt.

Pro Carry HD Gun Holster

If you like a G26 holster that can adjust to multiple other models, this is another great choice for you! The Pro Carry HD gun holster can hold the Glock models 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31, and 32.

The way this holster was built allows it to hold so many models. The molded leather built allows for some flexibility while still remaining sturdy.

You can choose black or brown colors for this G26 holster. The holster also comes with a secure retaining clip and complete leather construction.

One negative, however, is that the gun holster is rather thick due to its built.

When considering the many options available on the market, you’ll find that the Glock 26 pistol has a variety of different accessories available varying from concealed carry to holsters that hold multiple Glock models.

Out of these three G26 holster options, which do you like the best and why?

18 Apr 2017

Are Revolvers Good Survival Guns

The old adage that says: the best gun is the one you’ve got, applies to not only everyday carry, but also to survival in general. Of course, it’s always better to have a gun chambered in a readily available caliber, should the S ever HTF. But again, whatever you’ve got and have ammunition for is better than a pointy stick.But this begs the question, then:

Are revolvers good survival guns? Let’s take a more in depth look.

Reliability:

Generally speaking, anything mechanical can break. Having said that, one thing that most revolvers have going for them, is their ability to function under almost any circumstances. They have earned the reputation as the ultimate point and shoot handguns, and it’s easy to see why.

Once the cylinder is loaded, it’s ready to fire.Taking it a step further than that, since they’re reliable without recoil springs and many other parts that wear out over time, they won’t need much work to stay running should parts become scarce. Are there inner workings inside a revolver that we don’t generally see? Absolutely.
And, those parts can wear out. They just usually don’t do it as fast as their semi-automatic brethren.Simplicity:There are no slides, safeties, or magazines that you need to manipulate. When the cylinder is loaded, simply aiming and squeezing the trigger are all that’s required for the “bang” to happen. In the rare instance where the gun does not fire, whether due to ammunition or otherwise, there is no need to clear the malfunction.Simply squeezing the trigger again will rotate the cylinder and fire the next round in line.

Limitations:

The main drawbacks to a revolver, is the limited overall capacity to hold ammunition, and the inability to fire it quickly. In other words, a semi-auto with a 12 round capacity magazine is much faster shooting than a revolver with six rounds. The trigger can usually (though not always) be squeezed quicker and there is no need to drop empty casings to reload.
Having said that, anything with practice becomes easier. And, as something becomes easier and you get more proficient with it, you can get faster.
While there are devices to help you load faster, I come from the frame of mind that says less is more. What I mean, is that I don’t want to become dependent upon anything externally, if I may end up losing or breaking it.

The Perfect SHTF Revolver:

What do you want to look for in a survival revolver? Well, it’s hard for me to say what you should look for, instead, I’ll tell you what my perfect survival revolver looks like.

First, it needs the ability to shoot two different calibers. I’d look for a revolver chambered in .357 Magnum, because it will also shoot .38 Special. If ammo is hard to come by, the more options I have, the better off I’ll be.
Second, it needs to hold as many rounds of ammunition as possible, just as long as it stays within my price range. There are plenty of six and seven shot revolvers available, along with a few eight shot revolvers. I would not go lower than a six-shot revolver.
Finally, my best survival revolver would have a barrel of no less than four inches. I love my snub nosed revolver, and while it’s a good travel gun, I wouldn’t hunt with it. All of my survival guns need to serve two purposes: Self-defense and hunting. .357 Magnum is more than capable to hunt deer with, but shorter barrels sacrifice velocity for concealment.

Calibers:

Just a quick word on calibers, before we part .38+p in a .357 magnum is likely my choice. There are plenty of other revolvers out there that, with the use of a part I might lose, could shoot cartridges generally not found in a revolver. While I think 9mm is a great cartridge for self-defense and survival, I would advise against having a revolver in nine that could turn into dead weight if my clip breaks or gets bent.
Larger calibers than .357/.38 are fine, but I won’t be able to find ammo for them for long. The more popular the ammo, the easier it will be to find.
That about does it. What is your go-to survival gun? Is it a revolver? Semi-auto? What is your opinion? Are revolvers good survival guns?

Let us know in the comments below.

Like myself, the Author has been a firearms enthusiast for many years. Joshua has also, served honorably in the US Marines, and has been working in the firearms industry for several years. His work can be found on guns dot com, TTAG, Home Defense Gun, Pew Pew Tactical, Live Outdoors, Concealed Carry, and Gun Carrier. He also owns downrangedaily.com a website the gun minded readers of this site should definitely check out.

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