Archive for February, 2008
Remington Introduces Core Lokt Ultra Bonded in .223
Posted by: | CommentsThe AR/.223 platform has become extremely popular in the past two decades. In the hunting realm, the .223 has been very popular with the varmint hunters. However, many people have felt the .223 cartridge is too small for hunting deer sized game. Remington is trying to change people’s minds.
Remington has introduced a .223 cartridge in their Core Lokt Ultra Bonded line of hunting ammunition. According to Remington, the Core Lokt Bonded bullet “…offers the unique combination of excellent accuracy, superb weight retention, and expansion with overall superior terminal results.”
Remington says the bullets retain up to 95% of their original bullet weight, and by using a progressively tapered jacket, the bullets expand reliably at “all practical” velocities. Expansion of up to twice the original bullet diameter is typical with this bullet design.
Whether deer hunters will embrace this round remains to be seen. However, Remington’s introduction of their Core Lokt Ultra Bonded bullet in a .223 loading expands the possibilities with this already versatile rifle cartridge.
TNT Green: New Varmint Ammo From Federal and CCI
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Federal Cartridge Company and CCI have introduced a new bullet design for varmint hunting: the TNT Green.
The TNT Green ammunition uses a totally lead free bullet that “couples explosive expansion with match-grade accuracy.” The ammunition uses non-toxic technology and appears to be a direct competitor for Barnes Bullets’ Varmint Grenade.
Federal and CCI state the ammunition should be on the shelves by spring 2008. Initially, the TNT Green ammo will be loaded for .222, .223, 22-250, and .22 WMR.
New AutoLock Matrix Holsters from Galco Gunleather
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Galco is bringing a new paddle holster to the market in the first quarter of 2008. Based on their popular Matrix line of paddle holsters, the new AutoLock holster securely locks the firearm into place without the use of straps or external snaps.
According to Scott Feck, the V.P. of Operations for Galco, a standard gripping motion releases the lock, allowing the wearer to present the weapon in a very smooth, fast process.
The AutoLock will be available for the Glock 26 and 27 models first, followed by the 3″ 1911, and various models of Sig Sauer pistols. Feck anticipates the AutoLock will be shipping for at least the 10 most popular handguns by the end of the year.
MSRP is expected to be in the low $30’s.
CZ USA’s VZ 58 Rifles
Posted by: | CommentsCZ-USA has begun importing the VZ 58 semi-auotmatic rifle into the USA. The rifle is chambered in the widely available 7.62×39 cartridge commonly associated with the SKS and AK-47 rifles. The VZ 58 looks like an AK-47 variant, but there are some significant differences.
“Everyone thinks it is an AK-variant,” said Agnus Hobdale of CZ-USA. “It is not an AK-variant.”
There are some significant differences between the AK-47 and the VZ 58. First, and perhaps most importantly, CZ-USA states that no AK parts are interchangable with the VZ rifles. Additional differences include:
- The VZ 58 has a milled receiver, not a stamped receiver typical to the AK-47.
- The VZ 58 bolt locks open after the last cartridge is fired.
- The VZ 58 is striker fired, not hammer fired.
- The VZ 58 has a larger ejection port.
CZ-USA also claims the VZ is easier to field strip, has a more natural point of aim, and a more ergonomic safety. While these are truly subjective, they do suggest several changes that may not be readily apparent until you handle one.
The VZ 58 comes in two styles. the Military Sporter is a semi-auto version of the current issue rifle to the troops of the Czech Republic and Slovakia. I features wood impregnated plastic stocks. The Tactical Sporter features a Zytel, thumbhole-type of stock.
Both VZ 58’s are available now and ship with a thirty round magazine and cleaning kit. The Military Sporter retails for $970, while the Tactical Sporter retails for $990. Additional 30 round CZ magazines are $39 each. CZ-USA says that the rifles are selling quickly.
The Dangers of Intervention: A Commentary by Evan Marshall
Posted by: | CommentsEvan Marshall is a retired Detroit PD police officer who spent 20 years going into harm’s way for total strangers. In his police service, Marshall worked on the street, as a homicide detective, and on the TAC unit. Outside of the law enforcement community, Marshall is known to most people as an author and firearms instructor.
Marshall wrote an editorial piece called “The Dangers of Intervention.” In this commentary he attempts to illustrate the very real dangers associated with intervening in situations you might observe. Marhsall’s observations about this deadly serious topic are blunt and accurate. Marshall’s article is well worth reading…twice.
2008 NRA Annual Meeting: May 15-18 in Louisville, KY
Posted by: | CommentsThe National Rifle Association Annual Meeting is being held in Louisville, Kentucky this May 15-18.
The annual meetings are a great way to get energized for the coming year’s legislative battles, enjoy the fellowship of fellow gun owners, and see all of the new guns, holsters, and gear that the manufacturers are bringing to market. This year’s Celebration of American Values banquet will feature talk show host Glenn Beck.
Make sure you stop by the NRA site and see everything that this year’s meeting has to offer.
As many of you know, New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg launched a “private sting” in which he hired private citizens to make straw purchases at gun stores in states other than New York. Bloomberg, an outspoken critic of personal liberty and the Second Amendment, subsequently filed lawsuits against 15 gun stores claiming the gun stores were “rogue dealers” that were responsible for guns being used in New York city crimes.
In the March 2008 issue of America’s First Freedom, Marshall Lewin writes about the lawsuit and two of the gun dealers that are fighting back. One of the hard working dealers who is fighting Bloomberg is Jay Wallace of Adventure Outdoors in Smyrna, Georgia.
I’m sure Jay would never remember me, however, I remember him, his staff, and his store very clearly. Years ago, Jay sold me my first gun: a Smith and Wesson Model 10 with a 4″ heavy barrel. I carried this gun in uniform for several years, and it helped me get home safely every night.
When I decided to purchase a back-up gun, Adventure Outdoors sold me my Smith and Wesson 642. When I went to work for a nearby Sheriff’s Department, who sold me my Glock? Yep, Jay Wallace and Adventure Outdoors. Jay and his staff were there for me again when I went back looking for a baby Glock to back-up my full-sized pistol.
And don’t ask how much money I have spent on ammo at Jay’s business.
Let me say this very clearly: Jay Wallace is a class act. Jay and his staff were always friendly and fair. Jay Wallace is not a “rogue dealer” who is involved in criminal activity. Jay is simply a victim in the war on guns and personal liberty.
Jay has set up Bloomberg Fight Back Fund, a website that describes some of the actions he is taking to turn the tables on Bloomberg. Jay also needs help in financing his legal defense, and his counter-suit against Bloomberg. If you can, donate a little money to his legal fund. If Jay and the other dealers lose the suits Bloomberg has brought, we all will suffer.
Tagua Gunleather Holsters: Good Quality, Inexpensive, But Not Perfect
Posted by: | CommentsMany holsters are an exercise in compromise. The wearer has to balance comfort, durability, concealablity, security, and price to find the ‘right’ holster. Many people have a box, drawer, or closet full of holsters that are right for certain occasions, modes of dress, or handgun, and still more that turned out not to work as well as the purchaser had hoped.
I recently picked up a open top, belt holster for my Sig Sauer P226 made by Tagua Gunleather. I have seen Tagua products popping up at some of the local gunshops, and the pricing on the Tagua products is fairly aggressive. I wanted to test one to see how well they would work for daily carry.
Tagua holsters are hand-made in Paraguay using vegetable tanned cowhide. My example was nicely double-stitched along all seams and the leather had a pleasant, smooth finish both on the exterior and interior portions of the holster. The belt slots were wide enough to accept up to a 1 1/2″ belt.
The leather piece next to the wearer’s body was about twice as thick as the leather piece that covers the outside portion of the firearm. The open top was not reinforced to prevent the mouth of the holster from collapsing, however the form molding of the leather kept the mouth open even when tightly belted on. I had no problems accomplishing a one-handed reholster. I did, however, have an issue with the non-reinforced mouth that is discussed below.
The holster fit my standard P226 well out of the package. The gun in the holster, as expected, was a bit tight initially, but I allowed the pistol to stay in the holster a couple of days, and now the gun draws very smoothly from the holster.
Initially, I did have a problem with inserting the firearm into the holster. This is due to the slide release on the Sig catching the inside piece of leather. After several days of the holster stretching to the gun, and multiple drawing/dry firing exercises, the gun now re-holsters smoothly, rarely catching on the slide release. It would appear that Tagua could apply a small amount of thinning in the leather at this point to solve this problem.
I wore the holster for several weeks. The holster wore well, and was comfortable. I used a 1 1/4″ belt and was pleased that the holster kept the gun snug to my side and did not shift around during the day. As with any outside the waistband holsters, I was careful to wear covering garments long enough to cover the end of the holster. I did not have any problems concealing the bulk of the Sig P226.
The only significant fault I could find with the holster is the lack of hard, reinforced mouth. Three times I activated the magazine release while moving the holster, causing the magazine to pop loose. Each time, I had grabbed the holster from the rear, while the holster was on my belt and the gun was in the holster. My thumb, it would seem, applied enough pressure to the exterior of the holster to activate the mag release. This was a significant concern for me, as I have never encountered a similar problem with any of my other holsters.
I paid a little over $40 for my Tagua Gunleather holster. I have seen the same holster selling for about $36-42 on some websites. Overall, I think the quality and comfort of the holster is very good for this price point. However, I would be happier paying additional money for a version with a hard reinforced top that would not catch the slide release and would not allow me to dump the magazine when I re-adjust the holster on my belt.
