Thursday : March 11 : 2010
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Editor's Notebook: Tiny Guns Plus
by Rich Grassi
The idea behind our Gunsite visit was summed up in the title given the "Special" seminar by Dave Biggers of XS Sights. He called it "Pocket Guns and Penlights." While some people just don't (or won't) wear one of these sub-powered, pint-sized guns in a pocket, it gives one the idea of size we're looking at. Neither did we use "penlights," but the Surefire Backup, a 1-cell LED tactical light.
As I implied in my piece on Tuesday and as Mr. Shepherd stated in his piece in Shooting Wire, we were to learn a couple of things. One, these guns are capable of more power, accuracy and their users capable of greater dexterity relative to their operation than we expected. Two, these are not the guns we'd prefer to possess if things got loud and tenuous - unless they were backing more severe firepower.
And I don't necessarily mean backing up another handgun - if there has to be shooting for real, put me in the camp of preferring (a) to be somewhere else, or (b) having a rifle/shotgun, plus a service handgun and a backup - along with friends so equipped!
As I'd noted, we got hits on steel out to twenty yards or so. That was about the least of it. The Ruger LCP is a micro-.380, very small gun for the load, with no real sights to speak of. To say that hitting a mark at any distance is a matter of some celebration is an understatement. However a little practice is a dangerous thing.
Eventually, Bo Wallace, designer and gunsmith for XS Sights, was shooting steel at around fifty yards with the LCP! He didn't hit steel every time but he hit it quite a bit. His skill at finding and focusing on the tiny front sight while he carefully pressed the tiny gun's trigger without altering his grip ensured his success. As Gunsite's Giles Stock would express, "If they find out you shot them with a .380, they're going to be irritated!"
I found out in the daylight simulator that the Ruger LCR with the XS Sights Standard Dot was far superior to the factory front sight model. That resulted in my seizure of the LCR equipped with the Crimson Trace Laser Grip for some of my later duels. I feel the Ruger LCR with Standard Dot and CTC Laser Grip is about as good a format as you could ever get that small gun - and I'm the one that tried the Scrambler with its ca. 60-yard targets with an LCR and prototype Big Dot sight!
I went two-gun on the Gunsite Robot target. It was quite an experience but I confess to never having seen the laser on "Robo's" t-shirt - I was looking at the sights! So much for good ideas. The Lasergrip still serves a valid purpose and the overmold unit on the LCR does keep the recoil abuse at acceptable levels.
We tried the Hornady Critical Defense 110 grain +P load in .38 Special and the Critical Defense 90 grain load on ballistic gelatin. The bullets were fired through denim and padding before striking the gel. Both loads expanded and traveled 11-13" in our overcooked media.
The +P .38 load gave velocities in the low-to-mid 900 fps range, as did the 90 grain CD load fired from the Ruger LCP.
This was an interesting and very informative experimental workshop in microguns. If we get to do it again, I'm recommending more small guns and perhaps more gear providers who have unconventional ideas in the carry of small guns. The venue, Gunsite, was perfect for this occasion and continues to lead in experimentation and study of gear and technique.
 Editor faces down robot target with his second Ruger LCR at Gunsite. The empty first gun is still in his right hand. Photo by Paul Markel. |
As I implied in my piece on Tuesday and as Mr. Shepherd stated in his piece in Shooting Wire, we were to learn a couple of things. One, these guns are capable of more power, accuracy and their users capable of greater dexterity relative to their operation than we expected. Two, these are not the guns we'd prefer to possess if things got loud and tenuous - unless they were backing more severe firepower.
And I don't necessarily mean backing up another handgun - if there has to be shooting for real, put me in the camp of preferring (a) to be somewhere else, or (b) having a rifle/shotgun, plus a service handgun and a backup - along with friends so equipped!
As I'd noted, we got hits on steel out to twenty yards or so. That was about the least of it. The Ruger LCP is a micro-.380, very small gun for the load, with no real sights to speak of. To say that hitting a mark at any distance is a matter of some celebration is an understatement. However a little practice is a dangerous thing.
Eventually, Bo Wallace, designer and gunsmith for XS Sights, was shooting steel at around fifty yards with the LCP! He didn't hit steel every time but he hit it quite a bit. His skill at finding and focusing on the tiny front sight while he carefully pressed the tiny gun's trigger without altering his grip ensured his success. As Gunsite's Giles Stock would express, "If they find out you shot them with a .380, they're going to be irritated!"
I found out in the daylight simulator that the Ruger LCR with the XS Sights Standard Dot was far superior to the factory front sight model. That resulted in my seizure of the LCR equipped with the Crimson Trace Laser Grip for some of my later duels. I feel the Ruger LCR with Standard Dot and CTC Laser Grip is about as good a format as you could ever get that small gun - and I'm the one that tried the Scrambler with its ca. 60-yard targets with an LCR and prototype Big Dot sight!
I went two-gun on the Gunsite Robot target. It was quite an experience but I confess to never having seen the laser on "Robo's" t-shirt - I was looking at the sights! So much for good ideas. The Lasergrip still serves a valid purpose and the overmold unit on the LCR does keep the recoil abuse at acceptable levels.
We tried the Hornady Critical Defense 110 grain +P load in .38 Special and the Critical Defense 90 grain load on ballistic gelatin. The bullets were fired through denim and padding before striking the gel. Both loads expanded and traveled 11-13" in our overcooked media.
The +P .38 load gave velocities in the low-to-mid 900 fps range, as did the 90 grain CD load fired from the Ruger LCP.
This was an interesting and very informative experimental workshop in microguns. If we get to do it again, I'm recommending more small guns and perhaps more gear providers who have unconventional ideas in the carry of small guns. The venue, Gunsite, was perfect for this occasion and continues to lead in experimentation and study of gear and technique.
Skill Set: Favorite Holsters
by Tiger McKee
When it comes to holsters there is a lot of personal preference involved, and you may have to go through a few until you find what fits your needs. However, that doesn't mean you want to spend a small fortune and end of with boxes full of old holsters that don't work for you. So since a common question from students is about holsters I thought I would mention my three favorites.
When it comes to leather, Milt Sparks (http://www.miltsparks.com) is always my first choice. I've been using them for about twenty years now and have never experienced a problem. For concealed carry I use their "Summer Special," an IWB (inside the waistband holster.) My first one lasted fourteen years before I had to replace it.) The BN55 is another Sparks holster that sees a lot of use, on and off the range. Both of these holsters have a metal band around their mouth so the holster doesn't collapse when the pistol is removed, which means you can re-holster easily. This is an essential feature for me, especially on an IWB holster.
Alan Miller, who runs Aholster Company (http://www.lefthandholster.com) makes all my kydex gear, and I wear his "Belt Holster" more than any of the other holsters I use. I met Alan when he came to Shootrite as a student. He brought some of his samples, and sold about five holsters to people, including me. Through the years he's continued to grow as an artist, and makes everything from belt, IWB, and pocket holsters to mag pouches to go with them. The great thing about Alan is that he runs a small operation that provides excellent customer service. When you place an order you can speak to him, he lets you know your holster is about ready, and you'll get another notice when it ships. This service, along with his great products, is what keeps me coming back. (Keep an eye out for a holster Alan and I have been working on together specifically designed to hold up to the tortures of training/practice.)
Renegade Holsters makes the "Cozy Partner" ankle holsters we use. One of my instructing mentors Ray Coffman - a lot of you will remember Ray from Thunder Ranch, Texas - showed me the Renegade ankle holster, I wore it for a day with a snub-nose revolver, and ordered one the next day. Renegade doesn't have a website, which is kind of cool I think, so you'll have to find a retailer that sells their gear, or call them at (602) 482-6777.
Should you need a holster with retention capabilities, but without the bulk of a traditional duty holster, you can't beat Blackhawk's Serpa holsters. They come in enough variations that you can hang one anywhere, even underneath your desk, and they offer duty holsters up to Level 3 retention. This holster is seeing a lot of use, in high-demand environments, and it's holding up well.
These are some of the holsters I've found that work for me, and that I suggest to others. Now it's up to you to find what works for your application. Just keep in mind that a good holster, belt, pouches, and such will cost some money, but this stuff is just as important as any other piece of gear you use.
Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy, located in northern Alabama, author of The Book of Two Guns, a staff member of several firearms/tactical publications, and an adjunct instructor for the F.B.I. (256) 582-4777 www.shootrite.org
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When it comes to leather, Milt Sparks (http://www.miltsparks.com) is always my first choice. I've been using them for about twenty years now and have never experienced a problem. For concealed carry I use their "Summer Special," an IWB (inside the waistband holster.) My first one lasted fourteen years before I had to replace it.) The BN55 is another Sparks holster that sees a lot of use, on and off the range. Both of these holsters have a metal band around their mouth so the holster doesn't collapse when the pistol is removed, which means you can re-holster easily. This is an essential feature for me, especially on an IWB holster.
Alan Miller, who runs Aholster Company (http://www.lefthandholster.com) makes all my kydex gear, and I wear his "Belt Holster" more than any of the other holsters I use. I met Alan when he came to Shootrite as a student. He brought some of his samples, and sold about five holsters to people, including me. Through the years he's continued to grow as an artist, and makes everything from belt, IWB, and pocket holsters to mag pouches to go with them. The great thing about Alan is that he runs a small operation that provides excellent customer service. When you place an order you can speak to him, he lets you know your holster is about ready, and you'll get another notice when it ships. This service, along with his great products, is what keeps me coming back. (Keep an eye out for a holster Alan and I have been working on together specifically designed to hold up to the tortures of training/practice.)
Renegade Holsters makes the "Cozy Partner" ankle holsters we use. One of my instructing mentors Ray Coffman - a lot of you will remember Ray from Thunder Ranch, Texas - showed me the Renegade ankle holster, I wore it for a day with a snub-nose revolver, and ordered one the next day. Renegade doesn't have a website, which is kind of cool I think, so you'll have to find a retailer that sells their gear, or call them at (602) 482-6777.
Should you need a holster with retention capabilities, but without the bulk of a traditional duty holster, you can't beat Blackhawk's Serpa holsters. They come in enough variations that you can hang one anywhere, even underneath your desk, and they offer duty holsters up to Level 3 retention. This holster is seeing a lot of use, in high-demand environments, and it's holding up well.
These are some of the holsters I've found that work for me, and that I suggest to others. Now it's up to you to find what works for your application. Just keep in mind that a good holster, belt, pouches, and such will cost some money, but this stuff is just as important as any other piece of gear you use.
Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy, located in northern Alabama, author of The Book of Two Guns, a staff member of several firearms/tactical publications, and an adjunct instructor for the F.B.I. (256) 582-4777 www.shootrite.org
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