Tennessee Gun

Category: Gun and Other Self Defense Stuff

This section is pretty broad and actually covers more than it says. This is a catch all for prepper related gun and weapon things as well as self defense training. If I don’t have a better place to put it and it is dangerous it will probably be found in this section.

  • A Detailed View of Gun Racks

    A Detailed View of Gun Racks

    A Detailed View of Gun Racks
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    Ever consider showcasing your guns?

    There are hundreds of modern racks specifically designed for the purposes of displaying your guns effectively and keeping them organized.

    Types of gun racks:

    Vertical racks

    Vertical racks offer vertical storage or organization of your guns. These racks display your guns in upright standing position. The level of storage would be equal. They may consist of multiple compartments for storing different guns of different sizes such as pistols, shotgun or rifle.  I built one similar to the picture of the rack sold on Amazon.

    Horizontal racks

    Horizontal racks store firearms parallel to the floor. These may also hold multiple compartments. The size of different compartments can be same but the level of storage would never be equal.

    Wall-mounted rack

    Wall mount firearm racks are hung to the wall to display your guns in them. The best benefit is that the height of the rack can be decided by the owner

    Rotary stand racks

    Rotary gun racks can be called as rotational racks. These stands are based on the technique of providing rotational access to the stored firearms so, gun owners just need to rotate rack and pick the gun.

    There are different materials used in the construction of a variety of gun racks. And, each and every material has its own advantages and disadvantages.

    Rack materials and their pros and cons:

    Wood

    Durability and strength are the two key features of the wood. And, both of these properties make the material extensively used in the construction of wooden gun racks.

    Pros

    Requires very less maintenance

    Wooden racks are resilient and need very little maintenance. You simply need to wipe the outer surface of your rack using a high-quality wood cleaner on regular basis.

    Rich in aesthetic value

    All of you may have some type of wood furniture in your home so, you would be well aware that how aesthetic it is. Similarly, the racks made of wood have a unique appearance, finish, and design. These can give an aesthetic appeal to your home décor.

    Cons

    Some gun racks crafted using low-quality wood so, prone to problems like fungal stains and insects and termites that can destroy them.

    Wooden gun racks are not also exposed to the weather conditions such as moisture or rain. Therefore, you can’t place them at the location where these can come in contact with such conditions.

    Metal

    Metal gun racks can also be found in wide range.

    Pros:

    Gun racks made of metals are relatively lightweight, durable and not easily breakable because of high physical strength. The finish and look of these racks are also appealing. Unlike wood, these are resistant to heat.

    Cons:

    Metallic gun racks are quite expensive as compared to wood. Also, some of the metals used in the construction of these gun racks may not be corrosion resistant.

    Magnetic racks

    Magnet’s property of attraction is renowned among all the gun manufacturers. Due to this reason, they design various gun racks.

    Pros:

    Stronghold- magnetic gun racks hold guns tightly.

    In the current times, magnetic gun racks are the most extensively used ones because they are affordable, convenient and hardly have any drawbacks.

    In Conclusion

    Gun racks undoubtedly play a significant role in the safety and maintenance of heavyweight and expensive firearms. The purposes for buying gun cabinets are different for different gun owners. Some feel pride owning them just for the showcasing their prized guns in a well-organized way whereas others need them for keeping their guns in original conditions and shapes for years to come. Despite individuals purpose and taste, gun racks mainly serve a single purpose i.e. hold your guns.

    Over the years, different factors have been the game changers in gun rack manufacturing industries.

     

  • Buying Guide: Best Scope Mounts

    Buying Guide: Best Scope Mounts

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    It is very important that you ensure that rifles work as intended.  Owning am expensive rifle does not guaranty accurate shots. Proper quality firearm accessories play a massive role into ensuring that you weapon can give its 100% every time, there are few accessories more vital and essential to a gun than a scope mount.

    Today I am posting a guest article to introduce you to the best scope mounts in the opinion of the guest author.

    Benefits to using a scope mount:

    Let’s start with the most primary benefit which is to actually lock and hold scope in place. A scope doesn’t come in design that lets it attach to the gun itself. So, you obviously need a mount to do that.

    With a mount, the scope is securely locked inside the rings of the mount. This keeps the device put in one place no matter how to move and maneuver.

    Buying Guide: best scope mounts!

    1. Type of scope mount

    There are many different types of scope mounts out there in use today. And the most popular choices are either a weaver style mount or a picatinny style mount.

    A weaver style mount is the new craze. It has flat rails that have vertical slots and are used with Weaver style rings. These rails run under the rings and click into the crosswise slots in the bases. This is what prevents movement from recoil. A picatinny style mount is pretty identical to weaver style, except is has wider slots.

    2. Material

    Most scope mounts today are made out of aluminum. But steel mounts are also still in use. For a learner or beginner, we recommend aluminum mounts which is far more lightweight and inexpensive.

    Best scope mounts reviews

    Modkin High Profile Scope Mount

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    The first mount to make it to our list of the best scope mounts is dedicated to everyone out there who is looking for a good quality mount without having to burn a hole through their wallet: the High Profile Scope Mount from Modkin.

    The Modkin High Profile Scope Mount is made for scopes with a 1-inch tube diameter on a for picatinny or weaver rail that is of 20mm in size. What’s nice about this scope mount is that it features a hollowed out design between the sbest cope ring and the bottom of the base. This makes releasing super easy and yet, makes for a very tight attachment.

    Speaking of which, this mount has just 1 rail clamp screw and 1 scope clamp screw on each side. All you have to do detach it is twist off the nut and you are good! And to ensure that the scope does not scratch or slide due to the impact for the shot fired from the weapon, the Modkin High Profile Scope Mount has a built-in tape in the scope ring. This keeps the scope nice and put even during hard recoil. A great plus for shooters who have 0 seconds to play around with adjusting the scope after a shot. One other thing we really like is that the scope is just 2.1 inch from the rail of your weapon. This makes re-targeting so much easier and quicker. Apart from these, it weighs less than 1.5 ounces and is made from decent quality aluminum alloy. Pretty neat for price.

    Speaking of which, who doesn’t love a good deal? The Modkin High Profile Scope Mount comes in a set of 2. That’s twice the value!

    Pros:

    • Easy to attach and detach
    • Built-in tape; prevents scratching and sliding
    • Close to the rail
    • Set of 2
    • Includes wrench

    Cons:

    • Loosens after a few shots; single screw

    Lirisy Dovetail Scope Mount Rings

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    If you liked the value-packed nature of our first pick for the best scope mount, but are still looking for something a little more reliable, then look no further than the Lirisy Dovetail Scope Mount Rings.

    The Lirisy Dovetail Scope Mount Rings, like the Modkin High Profile Scope Mount, come in a set of 2. Woohoo! This ring however is hands down a little more robust than the former.

    The Lirisy Dovetail Scope Mount Ring is made for 11mmdovetail rails for a 1-inch diameter scope. Made out of high quality aluminum, has a 14mm profile and features a tape inside the ring to prevent scratches on your scope as well as hold it tight.

    Speaking of which, unlike many mounts which have 1 screw on each side, this scope mount goes on to over 4 screws!

    This obviously makes for a more securely held scope with minimal shifting or sliding after shots.

    Pros:

    • Very secured and put; 4 screws
    • Built-in tape; prevents scratching and sliding
    • Close to the rail
    • Set of 2
    • Includes wrench

    Cons:

    • Poorly designed threads
    • Takes a while to attach and detach

    Final words

    And that was everything you need to about picking out the best scope mounts! We have put together everything from a comprehensive buying guide to FAQs. But most importantly, we introduced you to detailed review of 5 of the best scope mounts so that you get a better understanding and insight of what goes into making a winner product.
    With that, it’s wrap! We hope you found everything you were looking for. Thank you for staying with us. Adios!

  • Kydex Vs Leather Holsters For IWB Carry

    Kydex Vs Leather Holsters For IWB Carry

    Buy at Amazon from Holster HQ

    Carrying a gun is a serious decision. It Should never be taken lightly. Every detail including training and licensing has been completed. You have considered the size, brand, and caliber carefully before even carrying and concealing your weapon.

    How much time did you put into picking the right holster?

    Most people spend their time learning about their gun and what type of bullets are best for home defense. Hopefully after that practicing is at the top of this list before you start carrying. Next is to simply pick a holster at random ignoring the very thing protecting your weapon, your holster.

    Do you know what the best material for a holster is?

    There are a few different options. Plastic, Nylon, Leather, Kydex

    Leather

    Cons

    -Feels good but has major draw backs.

    -It doesn’t last as long as harder materials, it’s not waterproof

    -it is sensitive to temperature, moisture and humidity

    -it’s retention abilities are even limited

    -leather holsters may cause excessive wear marks

    -extra maintenance is needed for the leather

    Pros

    -comfort, its hard to beat the feel of a leather holster

    -silent draws, other styles do make a noise when drawing

    -Look, probably the biggest appeal is the appearance

    Plastic

    In my option if you don’t care about quality, where it’s made, and durability then you can get a cheap plastic holster. It probably won’t last if you use it often.

    Nylon

    They are soft and flimsy and tend to collapse after the gun is drawn making it harder to re-holster. A genuine risk is that you could catch the trigger on an edge by accident. Lastly, they absorb everything, just like clothing does. I would even pick a plastic holster over a nylon holster just about every time.

    Kydex

    The answer to a trouble-free Holster is Kydex

    -strong and durable

    -lightweight

    -retention adjustments

    -waterproof and easy to clean

    Kydex comes in different thickness and many designs. Its lightweight, rigid and tough. One thing to know is that all Kydex holsters are not equal. Some Holsters claiming to be Kydex are actually injection molded. Kydex Holsters are never injection molded. Real Kydex is heated and molded around the custom mold for a specific model of gun to get the perfect fit. Real Kydex creates minimal wear on your gun and then only on the retention points of contact.

    Another great feature about Kydex is the speed at which you can draw. With adjustable tension you can make it take more or less pressure to release your weapon. Then for even more speed you can add a lubricant for the fastest draw possible.

    With so many options how do you know what kind of Holster to choose?

    First off you need to figure out what your purpose and use is. How will you be carrying it? What position will you be wearing it in? Are you looking for outside the waist band (OWB)? Or inside the waste band (IWB)?

    If your looking for Inside the Waist Band

    I recently came a across a small company trying to carve out a name for itself in the holster business. Holster HQ is a small family owned company. If you want a holster you can count on then you should check these out. Our first review covered a specific IWB model. This review will be more about the company and the features Holster HQ has to offer.

    Here is what we like about Holster HQ

    1) Anyone can make a holster, but these guys make a great holster. Quality is at the core of everything they do. All the features you need in a lightweight package: custom fit, adjustable retention, different carry angles, waterproof, and tough.

    2) Really cool accessories-most of their holsters come with what they call Tactical Multi bags. It looks like a small tactical ammo or dump drop bag. The bag could be used for 100 different items. We also like the mini microfiber cloth that comes with the holster.

    3) Small, family owned, and American made-Their Facebook page says just a small family owned business. All the holsters are handmade in the U.S.A

    4) Happy Customer Guarantee- I talked with the owner and it’s true if you’re not happy he will fix it. In his words “the way it should be, the way it used to be, if you’re not happy I’ll make it right”

    5) We also really like how easy it is to take care of these Kydex- holsters. If you’re wearing a holster day in and day out it’s bound to collect some dust and debris. The instructions say to simply rinse underwater and dry at least once a month.

    I carry one of these types of holsters on a daily basis. I probably wouldn’t have even heard of this company if I didn’t know these guys. I’m glad I do though and I was Happy to write this review for them. I know firsthand that they make really great products. If you’re looking for an IWB Holster you can wear every day, will last, and is custom made for your gun, Holster HQ is the answer. As mentioned before there are many companies making many different styles. If you your looking for something bigger, hybrid, convertible or an OWB style then you will have to look at other options. These guys specialize in compact IWB carry only and they do a great job at it.



    Author: Mike Epson

    I do product reviews for thesmartconsumer.and other sites on occasion. In my spare time I like to write about firearms and gun accessories. I have extensive training in self-defense and now specialize in concealed carry. Full disclosure-I’m not paid to write this, but I might be a little bias since I’ve met the owners of Holster HQ.

     

  • How to Choose & Use A Spotting Scope for Hunting?

    How to Choose & Use A Spotting Scope for Hunting?

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    Telescopic optics provide capability to a Hunter that nothing else can. A Spotting scope takes advantage of that technology better than any other piece of equipment we can carry with us into the field.

    Anytime you take a spotting scope with you into the field, you bring with you the capability to see for miles around and be able to search out game with pinpoint accuracy far better than you can with any other piece of equipment.

    Choosing the right spotting scope to bring these advantages to the table can be difficult at best. Hunting optics are highly technical, can get very expensive, and choosing one largely comes down to a combination of experience and knowledge.

    Here are a few factors that you should consider when you are choosing and using a spotting scope for hunting.

    Factors to Consider when Shopping for a Spotting Scope

    Quality & Cost

    Nothing else, when it comes to equipment, can get nearly as expensive as optics. Spotting scopes, in particular, get very expensive very quickly when you start talking about small differences in quality. Most of the midrange priced spotting scopes on the market designed for hunting will be fine for the majority of hunters.

    Many hunters opt for nicer models than they need and then tried to justify the cost by telling everyone else that they need the same level of quality. If you like fine optics from European manufacturers, have at it! However, research the level of quality you need and stay within your budget. You’ll appreciate your equipment more knowing that it does exactly what it needs and you didn’t have to sacrifice too hard to get it.

    Magnification

    Magnification range in spotting scopes are often much larger than on rifle scopes or binoculars. This is great because the amount of magnification that you can have is largely only limited by the size of the spotting scope that you are willing to carry. In fact, some spotting scopes these days that top out near 80x magnification could qualify as telescopes.

    Remember that the amount of magnification you need is going to be determined by the type of game you’re hunting and what you are using it for. For example, if you are a Western Hunter looking to judge the trophy quality of bull elk from over a mile, you are going to need high magnification. However, if you are varmint Hunter on the edge of a Prairie dog field looking for small game to pop up out of holes in the ground, you will likely need the same level of magnification as a long-range trophy Hunter.

    Size

    Almost as important as weight, size should be a large factor in determining the spotting scope that you buy for hunting. Most of the time when you’re using spotting scope for hunting it means you’re going to be carried get it on your back. You don’t want to be porting a ton of bulky equipment into the field regardless of how much it weighs. Opt for slimmer and trimmer spotting scopes with low-profile tripod mounts whenever possible.

    Weight

    Weight is a large concern for almost all hunters. Unless you constantly hunt with a large group of people that can afford to take heavy equipment field, carrying extra ounces equals pain. Having lightweight equipment is definitely worth the cost when you factor in the enjoyment and increased performance you gain from not being over exerted carrying extra weight.

    Spotting scopes recently have embraced carbon fiber, thinner and lighter lens construction as well as smaller footprints in general to save weight. Also remember, the accessories you take with you in the field can weigh you down as well. Look for manufacturers that offer ultra lightweight lens covers, protective cases and especially tripods to save weight in the field.

    Features-Wants Vs. Needs

    Before you go shopping for a spotting scope, make a list of the features that you have to have an features that you like to have. Nowadays, it’s very common for each manufacturer to have proprietary technologies and patented features on their equipment that can suit individual tastes and requirements.

    In many cases, these are useful but often they are very minor differences that only amounts to more money spent in the showroom. Make sure you know exactly what you need before you go shopping so that you don’t end up blowing your budget on equipment you don’t need.

    Uniformity

    If you are a long-range Hunter, make sure your spotting scope works with your Riflescope and binoculars. This means that if your Riflescope uses a mil-dot reticle or target turrets, your binoculars and spotting scopes should use mil-dot as well. You don’t want to be constantly doing algebraic equations in the field when it comes time to pull the trigger.

    Other features like commonality between tripod adapters for multiple pieces of equipment can save you weight in the field. A little planning ahead can save you huge headaches in the field.

    Warranty & Insurance

    This DLSR Camera Adapter fits on the Spotting Scope Pictured Above, Buy at Amazon

    There’s not many piece of equipment that are worth ensuring when it comes to hunting. Optics, especially spotting scopes, are definitely worth buying an extended warranty or taking out an insurance rider for. In many cases, these are offered by the retailer or manufacturer, but make sure you have some sort of protection on your spotting scope before you take it out for a multi-day adventure in the Rockies.

    It may seem trivial, but if you drop your spotting scope over ledge and have the objective Bell shatter, you’re going to want to have it replaced regardless of whether or not it ruin that particular hunt. Remember, most manufacturers do not cover wear and tear or accidents on their warranties, however, check before you spend extra money because some do.

    Spotting scopes are amazing piece of equipment for hunting. Choosing the right optics for hunting, in general, can be a challenge. Do some reading and find some spotting scope reviews online of models that your incident before you run off to your nearest retailer. Make sure you get a model that you can live with in the field, and get out and use it!

    The best spotting scope in the world doesn’t do you any good in its case.

  • How Federal Gun Background Checks Work

    How Federal Gun Background Checks Work

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    The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees the fundamental right of Americans to keep and bear arms.

    Purchasing a gun in the US, however, is subject to a federal background check, that is, if you buy a gun through a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL). Retailers at Walmart and other smaller- brink-and-mortar shops selling guns fall under this category.

    Should you find yourself charged with any violation of the Gun Control Act, you will need to have a gun criminal defense lawyer by your side to help you mount an effective defense in court.

    If you decide to purchase a gun at a federally-licensed retailer;

    Here is what you will have to go through:

    1. Fill out a 4473 form – All prospective gun buyers at FFLs are required to fill out the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ 4473 form, also known as a Firearms Transaction Record. It asks for your basic information, including your full name, address, sex, birth date, and ethnicity. The form also asks questions about your immigration status, mental health, and any criminal background, all of which could lead to a denial of purchase.

    Providing false information on the form is a felony which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison as well as a $250,000 fine.

    1. NICS check—Once you’re done filling out the federal form, the retailer or person selling you the gun will run the information you provided in it through the FBI-maintained National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).

    The NICS check will take about 30 seconds. You can proceed with the purchase if the background check doesn’t find anything on your record that will indicate you are prohibited from buying a firearm. However, if the background check registers a hit, the NICS will mark the form as “canceled” or “denied,” and the dealer cannot legally sell the gun to the prospective buyer.

    When a NICS background check returns a “delayed” response, the transaction will be on hold for at least three business days. In that period, the seller will have to wait for NICS to designate the transaction as “denied.” However, if the three-day period elapses without a cancellation or a denial, the transaction can proceed under federal law.

    Who is prohibited from owning a firearm?

    Under federal law, a person is not allowed to legally own a gun if he or she is any of the following:

    • A drug user or addict
    • Dishonorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces
    • A convicted felon sentenced to a prison term of more than a year
    • A fugitive from justice
    • An illegal immigrant
    • Convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence
    • Mentally-ill as declared by a court or have been committed to a mental institution
    •    An ex-US citizen who renounced his/her citizenship
    • Subject to a court restraining order issued on behalf of an ‘intimate partner,’ a partner’s child, or children

    Private Sale Exemption

    Also referred to as the gun show loophole, the private sale exemption refers to the absence of the background check requirement for private-party sellers of firearms. That means people buying guns online, from a gun show, and from other dealers that are not federally-licensed can just get the firearm of their choice without being checked whether or not they are eligible to own a gun under federal law. It is this loophole that has allowed convicted felons, drug addicts, illegal immigrants, domestic abusers, and other ineligible people to purchase guns legally.

    However, some states have stepped in and have plugged this loophole by requiring unlicensed sellers to perform background checks on gun buyers.

    Still, even with this background check system in place, offenses that involve firearms continue to take place, with some offenders unjustly facing weapons charges for one reason or another.