Archive for January, 2013

3yrs of customer feedback on Original Swat boots

We still get a large number of people in our store that have never heard of the Original Swat footwear company, but locally, there are more and more of our Police Departments wearing their products.  We have seen several improvements and re-designs with their products as well as some very new lightweight tactical boots.   I personally have worn the boots for over 3yrs and not a single one of them has been flawed or fell apart on me and I wear them 7 days a week.  There are differences in what people’s line of work is and not everyone is going to need wear waterproof or composite toe boots.  If you haven’t noticed, steel toe footwear is a thing of the past.

The SEK900 were a very popular all leather boot for us but for some reason they were discontinued.   The 1150 Original Swat Boots are still the most popular lace up boot and the 1152 and now 1312 Chase Low boots are the most popular side zip boots.  Boots are increasing becoming lighter and lighter as the materials have improved.  The Slip on Moc boots are also very popular with the EMS as well as our number one Paramedic boot the waterproof 1234 which is a waterproof version of the 1232 air boots. We have seen what Original Swat is coming out with this SHOT SHOW and are looking forward to the new Chase low womens footwear.

Top

Here we go again with magazine capacities

I really would be surprised to see another AWB like 1994 get passed because it looks more and more like the Obama Administration is going to over reach on the issue and  just piss everyone off.   We have a large number of Police Departments that are shaking their heads at the Politicians because it’s really all about grand standing and showing face.   If you look at the rate of fire that an AR15 has, 10rd magazines can shoot very fast and can do very little to make the firearm less deadly.   This whole argument is like saying that, to reduce speeding people need to drive on gas tanks a few gallons smaller.  If you look at the way this shooting occured in CT, none of the laws that are being pushed would have had an impact on what happened.

It’s so sad watching the stories play out in CT and on the News in Washington DC while we sit here and watch all of the murders in Philadelphia not make national news.  Now they are demonizing Glock magazines that hold anything over 10rds and every news story is about crime involving drugs or the same mentally unstable shooter in Goth makeup.   Standard capacity magazines have existed for the AR15 for over 60yrs and Nuclear, Biological and Chemical weapons have advanced and can kill more people.   Private ownership of firearms is about personal safety and preventing tyranny.

Top

Feedback about Turtleskin search gloves

This is a market we knew practically nothing about until 2012 when we expanded our customer base into the Law Enforcement Market.  Many of our products were for military contractors and security that had very little risk of dealing with HIV or Hepatitus C.   Many in the Law Enfocement have to worry about jerks with diseases spitting on them or leaving needles in their pockets knowing that a Copy might have to search them.   Officers need to wear frisk gloves or atleast carry them in their car at all times.   The truth of that matter is this is something they don’t often have to do, but when they do they need to have them.

Most Police Officers we deal with are buying products based upon their clothing allowance or worse, their own pockets and since not all police departments make the same amount of money, sometimes certain products sell more because they cost less.  We have tip toed with products like the Turtleskin gloves because we were not really sure how they would sell and if people would like them.  This is one of those niche products that LEO’s need but we don’t move a lot of them.  Well considering the fact that we cleaned house on them and zero complaints from customers, we are going to re-order them in 2013.

Top

Gun cleaning, 3-1 or multiple products?

I have tried out several gun cleaning lubricants and supplies in recent months and have come to the conclusion that I still can’t narrow it down to just one product line for all of my needs.  I started out with a 3 piece cleaning rod and quickly learned about using one piece and boresnakes for rifle cleaning.   Boresnakes are very good for cleaning barrels but not so good for cleaning out chambers.  There are differences in the types of brushes you might want to add to your cleaning kit because the direct impingement AR15 is probable the most difficult to clean up properly in that area, although we do suggest you be aware that it is possible to over clean firearms.  Good lubricants like Mpr0-7 and Slip 2000 are very good in AR15 firearms.

One of the best arguments for using up your old gun cleaning supplies and switching over to M-Pro7 or Slip 2000 products is that they are non-toxic.   I was very happy with my experiences with gun cleaning supplies like the above mentioned products.   I have used CLP for many years but after using a few firearms in a Defensive Training classes where the guns ran dry and started clunking after about 400rds of 9mm and 40 caliber training sessions.   Eliminating toxic materials from your gun cleaning gear is a good idea, and truth be told, modern technology with lubricants has greatly improved run time and firearm environment tolerances.

Top

When do you need a retention holster?

There are so many guns out there and holsters that it is very common for people to waste money buying things that they don’t need and then it sits in a gun safe or a box in the closet.   Training is more important than firearm selection and many of my friends got in the habit of thinking that if they needed a self defense firearm they should buy something expensive.  There is nothing wrong with carrying a j-frame revolver and all the craze about .380’s in recent years is really just marketing.   Ballistics of a .380 are very low and this is  not a very powerful round although there has been some improvement lately.

When it comes to holsters, you don’t need to spend $100 on a holster for it to give you some stealth advantage over your enemies.   We sell a lot of Blackhawk Serpa holsters to law enforcement but I shy away from pushing these for CCW.   There have been many times that I have had customer walk into my store and have a firearm with a light  on it and none of the holsters that they originally came in looking for worked for them.   There have been many times that they picked up an Elite Survival Systems holster because there was more adaptability with their designs for lights and lasers.

Top

We don’t need new laws, but you do need to you lock your guns up

I don’t think we need anymore laws put on the books, but after all of the emotion about the CT shooting, many people have come to the conclusion that mental health issues are serious issues and the mother of the shooter was partially responsible for the crime.   If you know you have an immature or unstable family members, you have to lock your guns up or move them out of the house.  There are always people in your family or in  your circle of friends that you should limit your involvement with when it comes to showing them your firearms.  There as been much said about how some anti-gun newspapers or politicians are trying to announce who has firearms and that it a dangerous precedent to set.

Not only are you divulging personal information you are also announcing which houses the bad guys might want to stake out for burglaries.   There is no reason to not lock up yours guns and we highly recommend gunvault safes for those that conceal carry and need daily access to a firearm.  These safes are normally in the $100 price range and can be bolt under your bed or in a hard to see area.   Biometric safes can give you more security and prevent family members from learning a code.  There are always pros and cons to any item but these are something any firearm instructor or NRA member should urge gun owners to  use.

Top

TruSpec Softshell promo has ended and it’s time to move to Winter Apparel

Several years ago our number on selling item was the Sig Tac jacket.   I have no idea whatever happened to the production of these jackets because they were widely accepted and nobody out there made something like it.  It was  a very nice jacket that looked like regular clothing but had large internal pockets for CCW.   We’ve seen several nice things from the Woolrich Elite line but many of their jackets had some short comings.   There was a Woolrich Elite Series Barn coat that looked nice but it really needed to be lined and was basically a dud product.   TruSpec has gained lots of ground in the industry an from what we see is only behind 5.11 tactical as far as market share in our territory.

TruSpecs name basically lives up to it’s quality control because the tactical pants have all been very consistent compared to other products like Blackhawk, Woolrich and Eotac.   We’ve had so many issues with 5.11 products that we avoid them unless we get special orders, the TruSpec jackets have also become broader in design with the new Soft shell jackets and the 3 in 1 jackets and parka are a staple with local law enforcement due to their features and designs.  Tru Spec does a good job with their winter outerwear but we have had several people say that the sizes run a little smaller.

Top

Caliber changes or gun changes? .380 vs sub-compact 9mm

I’ve never been a big fan of small guns because from my experience the smaller the gun the snappy or nastier the recoil.   I’m  not sure of the model but one of the first guns I shot that I really did not like was a 32ACP handgun.   The gun hurt the palm of my hand and after about 50rds I knew that I never wanted a gun like that.  I believe it was a kel-tec pistol but I’m not sure of the model.   I’ve shot 44magnums and plenty of .357 in the past but those were guns that If they fit your hand, the blast and concussion was more of an issue than my hands stinging.  There are plenty of options to adjust grips, but if the gun is already so small, why would you want to make it bigger?

Several years ago I settled for the Sig 239 because it was the only small 9mm that I could trust that was rugged, and would not be uncomfortable to shoot.   I’ve been messing around  a friends Kahr PM9 and several Kahr Magazines that he let me borrow and I put in some range time.  This gun is borderline as far my personal tolerance because if I don’t find a gun fun to shoot I don’t want to own it.  For someone over 6ft tall I don’t need to carry the smallest caliber or the smaller firearm to CCW.  If size is an issue but you don’t want a 32acp or a .380, I would say that the Kahr PM9 is a really 9mm for it’s size.

Top

What is our best selling, least complained about 1911 magazine?

The best selling 1911 magazine is hands down the Wilson Combat 1911 magazines.   We couldn’t narrow it down to just one magazine because there are several different types of magazine bases that competition shooters  might want something that a CCW owner doesn’t want or need.  The Wilson 47D is our most popular 8rd 1911 magazine and the #47 is the most popular 7rd, but the Elite Tactical Magazines have gained ground for the competition shooters.   The ETM magazines have a number base plate and the windows are in a different cut than the tradition Wilson magazines.   They are higher priced than the Chip McCormick Magazines which come in as a close 2nd as far as sales.

The thing that many 1911 firearms seem to have trouble with are the magazine follower/hold open tabs.  Many of the GI magazines wear and bend but the one piece Wilson Combat Magazines have a more reliable balance and catch that holds the firearm open when the last round has been fired.  I personally don’t have an issue carrying 45acp ball ammo because when I carry that gun it’s usually when I’m up in the mountains and more likely going to have to use it against and animal than in a highly populated area where over penetration might be an issue.   I have heard rumors that 8rd magazines are not as reliable as the 7rd magazines but I have never witnessed that.

Top
1 2 Page 2 of 2