All posts tagged Sig 226

Magazine capacity and balance, don’t forget it

There was a transition away from the high capacity or should I say, Standard capacity firearms back in the late 1990’s after the AWB of 1994, but it was mostly because the cost of a gun magazine might have gone up 200% or more.   You could easily spend $1000 for a firearm and magazines depending on what it was.   Once thing that I will that will never change is balance and speed.   I think we have recently witnessed the pinnacle of the M4 Carbine accessorizing craze because now we are seeing more and more that people are wanting lighter carbines and 15 lbs AR15 variants is something that really doesn’t help you out in close quarters gun fights, speed does m ore than what optics you have in close up fighting.

When it comes to caliber and capacity, you really need to put some thought into how much weight you want in a firearm especially a handgun.   I’ve shot some double stack 45acp handguns that were so heavy that taking them in and out of  holster felt like I was wielding a ball and chain.  Throw in spare gun magazines and the bulk and weight can quickly become extreme.  The Springfield XD is a nice 45acp gun, but the balance of a 1911 or even the Sig 220 seem to handle better.   And lets not forget, the reason for a handgun is to fight your way back to a rifle, so why bother trying to carry all that handgun ammo.

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Pocket guns and laser grips

While I was recently at the NRA Convention in Pittsburgh this month, the biggest buzz was going on over at the Ruger area.   I’m still waiting for more feedback about the Sig 238 and I’ve already learned to not jump on newly produced firearms.   There are always recalls and product alterations in the first few years and sometimes the changes are considerable.   Extractor flaws, slide cracks and sometimes something as simple as a trigger pin or screw can fail on a design.   The Ruger LCP had some issues when it first came out, but considering the number of holster designers that are making holsters for this gun and the recent surge in CCW pocket guns, this is hands down the number one gun.

I think the mentality around this type of CCW gun is that it is the smallest most concealable firearm that looks good and is fun to shoot.   Some pocket pistols are not fun to shoot and are high maintenance. Another thing that helps improve the usefulness of the firearms is the Crimson trace laser grips that attach in a very good way.   I’ve got a few older model crimson trace laser grips and I see that the biggest flaw is that the laser is on the side of the firearm and can get blocked if you do not grip the firearm properly.   The proper place for a laser is as close to the muzzle as possible or at the least right under it.

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New Crimes and home invasions

There has been a recent out burst of home invasions close to where I live.   Home invasions have always been something that occurs, but recently there has  been a new twist in the way it is being done.   Several older folks were the targets of invasions because they were easy targets.  Now a recent rash of daylight invasions where the  bad guys broke into the house while people were in it, ran up to the master bedrooms grabbed jewelry and valuables quickly and ran right out the same door they came in.   Most of the incidences occurred within less than 1 minute.   You might be in  your basement and hear a break in and by the time you call the police and come up stairs the person is already tossing something out a window to his counterpart or already out the door.

 

Crime is something that is always evolving, you will find the dunce novice criminal, but there are people that are good at what they do.   Smash and grabs have also become more common because criminal just want the fast easy money and don’t want a confrontation.   Think about making sure your Gunvault gun safes are properly mounted and out of sight even if it’s hidden in the obvious places.  Even bolting down a computer or monitor is something that can slow a bad guy down and help give the Cops a chance to catch them.

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If there is a faster way to clean a revolover…

Please show me how I can clean a revolver faster than if I were using a boresnake?   I’ve got several boresnakes that are showing a good bit of wear, but they are still getting the job done on cleaning my rifles and I don’t even think they have gotten to their half life yet.   Just wash them in the wash machine if they start to show signs they are getting too slimy.   The only difference between the pistol and rifle bore snakes is the length and although you can still use a rifle boresnake but it may flop around a little too much.

I have always liked Hoppes boresnakes, but I recently dug out a Ruger GP100 that was a rack queen and took it to the range for a day.   I didn’t put that many rounds through it, but after spending years of range time with Glocks, XD’s and Sigs, it was fun to break out a .357 magnum and do a range  report.  The Hoppes Boresnakes that I have for my handguns have not been used that much, and when it came time to clean the gun, i popped open the cylinder, rang the bore snake through each hole, then the barrel and was trying to figure out what else I needed to do.   That was it!

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The importance of practicing with your CCW

There are many times in our life when we just won’t have time to get out and go shooting, married life and children can always shorten your free time, but lack of gun maintenance and shooting rehearsal will affect your performance.   I recently read an interview with the Philadelphia Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel and he mentioned that he won’t let anyone walk up to the plate during the regular season unless they have had atleast 75-100 pitches in batting practice.   The hand eye co-ordination is something that get’s lost and even the best guys are terrible at bats if they haven’t had practice, shooting skills are no different.

Regular cleaning atleast once a month in the summer or hot weather depending on the type of gun and holster you are  using and I strongly suggest you put 50rds through your firearm atleast once every 3 months.   Fobus holsters will work for you for CCW, but you will need a vest or long jacket to use such a paddle holster. Considering how inexpensive these holsters are, I would suggest getting one even for something like a J-frame which tends to be a pocket gun.   Practicing from concealment is good practice as long as your gun range allows it.

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Fobus gun holster reviews

I am a strong believer in having atleast 3 magazines for every semi-auto handgun you own and having atleast one holster for it.   If you are every in a situation where you may have to give a family member a firearm, it’s in my humble opinion a good idea to have it in a holster especially if it is loaded.   Even though most gun fights are usually only a few rounds, magazines can break and nightmarish situations can occur.   I actually know someone that was in a defensive situation here in Philadelphia where he was attacked by multiple persons, and you could have used an M4 in a concealed carry situation and still may not have been able to hold off what had occurred to him and his family.

If I owned a gun shop, I’d probable sell Fobus holsters for half price to just about anyone buying a medium or large frame firearm.    These holsters are very good for open carry or for winter carry under a vest or a jacket.    The only down side to these holsters is that they can become uncomfortable to use when shooting on the ground.   I have a few of the magazine paddle holders and I find it to be a little too much to take if I have paddle holsters all around my belt line.   For real seriou

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Pistol caliber evolutions

Galco HolstersThere seems to have been a major evolution in concealed carry methods and calibers in recent years.   I remember all through the 1990’s there was a big shift away from the 45acp caliber in Police and Military style weapons.   Everyone and their dog was switching to higher capacity handguns.   I guess to the average citizen, packing more rounds in a handgun was comforting.   In the early part of the Millenium, many of the departments that originally went from the 45acp handguns to the 9mm, were slowly working their way from 40 S&W and up to .357 Sig.   The 45acp has now started showing up in more and more departments and I’d have to probable say that I’d credit the Smith & Wesson M&P pistol for doing that.

I have a few Sig Sauer pistols that in my opinion can rotate through my weekly carry rotation, but I still feel like I’m wearing the same gun.   My collection of Galco holsters for IWB Sig 239, Paddle holster Sig 226, ankle holsters for J-frame ect for street work all work very well.   I’ve worn a few out, but considering I never had to custom make them and their consistant fitting, I’d highly recommend adding them to your CCW or duty work.

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