Bothersome MHS Dilemma

As you may or may not know, the Modular Handgun System (MHS) is the process of researching and testing an of-the-shelf, commercial pistol to replace the current sidearm of the United States military. The Beretta M9 has been the primary sidearm since 1985 and is due to be replaced within the next year or so. The trials have commenced and some of the media has decided to interview some of our soldiers and ask their opinion as to what should be the next military sidearm.

Now, before I go any further, I need to clear the air about one thing: I am not a soldier. I have not served in the U.S. armed forces. My hat goes off to all of those who've made sacrifices for our country. However, most of the people that I know personally in the military don't know much about guns. I know what you're thinking; "The guys and girls in the military must know everything there is to know about guns." They know how to operate their own tools very well, outside of that, they all seem to come out of the military knowing only a couple things about guns, and they are:

• The Beretta M9 sucks
• We should've kept the Colt 1911 .45
• I want a Glock

If asked why.....

• Why does the M9 suck?
• "The slide is known to break and injure the operator."
• "The parts feel cheap and can cause jamming."
• Why keep the 1911?
• "It's a legend. It also shoots a .45 which is more effective than a 9mm. Just one shot can kill 5 terrorists."
• Why a Glock?
• "Because it's the best weapon in the world and never jams. Everyone knows that."

Sounds a little funny doesn't it? Let's start by looking at the claims against the M9. In the 1980's, an early model M9 did indeed brake and the slide came off and hurt a Marine. There was only one instance of this happening.... almost 30 years ago. Yet many soldiers believe that this could happen to their sidearm today. The model used today has many improvements over the one used back then. As for the jamming, you can thank the U.S. Government. To cut military costs, the U.S. Government decided not to buy M9 magazines from Beretta, and buy them from a third party instead. Surprise, surprise! The magazine caused all kinds of failures in the gun - which made our soldiers blame the gun itself. We've since switched back to Beretta magazines, but those off-brand ones are still floating around.

Why keep the Colt 1911? I mean, I will not argue the weapon's history. It's a beautiful piece that shot the almighty .45 ACP cartridge. But I seriously doubt that a soldier would rather give up their 16 -round 9mm magazine for an 8-shot .45 ACP. The FBI recently decided to switch back to 9mm after using .40 S&W for years, this is because new expanding 9x19 ammo is so good, it's proven to be just as effective as the .40 with the right loads, they value the greater capacity, and it causes less wear and tear on service weapons. There has been talk of the military using expanding ammo, and if this happens, you can forget any talk of a larger caliber. 

Why do Marines want a Glock? EXCELLENT QUESTION!!! I don't know if I can answer this, but I'll try. Let me go back to my original story. The media has decided to interview some of our soldiers and ask their opinion as to what should be the next military sidearm.  Their response was somewhat comical to me. 

One (newly enlisted) soldier stated "The Beretta just felt cheap and poorly made" and then he goes on to say, "I prefer a Glock 17 or 19. Those or the .45 variant."

Really guy? You think the all-metal, Italian-made weapon feels cheap and your comeback gun is a Glock?!? The Glock doesn't even have a fully-supported chamber! I bet he doesn't even know what this is or what one looks like! Nor does he know the model number for the .45 variant. All he knows is that he "wants a Glock 'cause it's the best." So many people that come out of the military feel this way. And I CANNOT for the life of me figure out why they believe this. If you're wondering where all this frustration is coming from, just check out my first-ever blog post. 

But I do agree that it's time for a weapon that is a little more modern to take the reigns. Sig Sauer has an entry, Beretta has a new gun, FN has a new gun, and Ruger might enter their new gun in the trials as well. And I suppose if Glock wants to enter...I can't stop them. I guess we'll just sit back and see what happens.

Suing a Gun Manufacturer

As you may have heard recently in the news, the parents of the children that were tragically killed in the Sandy Hook Shooting are now attempting to sue Freedom Group for the damage that their rifle caused while in the hands of Adam Lanza on December 14, 2012.

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Right off the bat, I'd like to say that few of us will EVER know the pain and suffering that the parents of these children are going through, and we hope we'll never have to. Whatever my opinion may be on this matter, those inflicted have my deepest sympathy. 

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I'll keep my opinion on the matter brief. The gun manufacturer (Bushmaster - whose parent company is Freedom Group) cannot, and shouldn't, be responsible for the actions of the individual who used their product to inflict harm. The shooter, Adam Lanza, is the only one who committed a crime and is the only one that should take responsibility for his actions. However, many say that his mother, if she were alive, would also take responsibility because she was the original owner of the rifle. But in my opinion, those who are filing the lawsuit are doing so because they believe that these weapons "should" be banned. As it stands today, an AR-15 is legal to own and legal to produce by manufacturers, like the one in question, who have the proper licensing.

A lawsuit will not succeed unless the company in question has done something illegal or if there was negligence with the production of the item. It is also stated everywhere and known by EVERYONE that an AR-15 should be handled with care and that any misuse of the firearm can result in severe injury or death. Bushmaster has complied with any and all regulations set forth by the U.S. Government. They would not be able to produce their products otherwise.

I feel strongly that the parents of the Sandy Hook victims are not satisfied, and cannot be satisfied, until they see someone being punished for their actions. However, since Adam took his own life along with his mothers', the parents are left with a sense of injustice. They feel that in order to move on with their lives, someone must be to blame; someone/something that is still alive. But the hard truth is, this lawsuit is absurd. This court case is like blaming Ford for the damage caused by their vehicle in the hands of a drunk driver. Anyone with half a brain can tell you that the person is to blame, not the car. How is this scenario any different? Cars cause many more fatalities in the United Sates than the AR-15 rifle. How about blaming the alcohol for getting a person drunk? This list goes on and on. The blame game will never cease until money is exchanged...and I hate saying that.

I have a small feeling of distrust with these parents. We've all seen it time and time again, where the affected attempt to profit off of their misfortune. I'm not saying that this is, in fact, the truth. But it's become so commonplace in America, I can't help but think that may be a reason for the lawsuit. Especially since this case is just now being brought to our attention - 3 years afterward. I apologize if this is not the truth. I am only speaking my mind.

I'd love to hear some opinions.

Kimber K6

This is definitely an interesting twist. Kimber, the 1911-obsessed gun company, has decided to enter the revolver market. The K6 was introduced at the SHOT Show a few weeks ago and now has been the talk of most gun publications.

This compact package weighs in around 23 ounces unloaded, has a 2-inch barrel, and is available in .357 Magnum (of course, it will also shoot .38 Special). The K6 also has several grip configurations. 

This pistol is definitely for those who enjoy the "air-weight" line of guns and don't mind dealing with some heavy recoil. While I can appreciate what Kimber is doing with the K6, I still have a hard time thinking that it's worth the $900 MSRP. There are many revolvers with the same level of quality that are $200 - $300 less than the Kimber. Before I jump to any more conclusions, I need to see one for myself, and preferably shoot it.

SHOT Show Update

I apologize for not "live-streaming" the SHOT Show like I intended. There ended up being way too many products for me to be as thorough as I wanted to be. So after I'm done gathering more information, I'll be posting a product summary of the most anticipated products. I'll also be introducing something that has also been needed... PICTURES!!! But I'm not going to leave you hanging, here's a quick summary of something that was introduced at the SHOT Show that will make any AR person drool.

The Smith and Wesson Sport 15 has been a solid and reliable weapon for someone that is new to the AR platform. Even someone who is an experienced AR shooter knows not to disrespect the S&W Sport 15. At a price point around $700, it's very tempting. And now, it's getting even better!

Introducing the M&P Sport II. This new rifle has all the features of the original AR, but now has a forward-assist and a dust cover. Not sure if it has optics out-of-the-box but it at least comes optics-ready. But that's not the best part! By far the best part about this particular rifle is that it costs EXACTLY the same as the first generation M&P Sport. This gun received some pretty major upgrades and it can be yours for the same price. Do you need any more convincing?

P.S. - I am reviewing my notes and will be writing about the hot items from SHOT. Check back soon for more updates.

*UPDATE: There seem to be a lot of people selling the first-gen model of this gun at great prices! If you don't care too much about these new features, grab a first generation Sport 15 while you can! Prices won't be much better than they are right now.

Executive Action on Guns

Executive action should never be taken to undo rights set forth by the Founding Fathers and the Constitution of the United States of America. This action would break any oath the president swore before taking office. It was intended that if any president were to break their oath of office, that they be removed from their position.

... something to think about.

I don't know what Obama has in store for us over the next week, but we better be prepared for anything.

Am I Ready to Carry?

So, with everything that has been going on lately with terrorist shootings and possible political restrictions on firearms, have you been thinking about obtaining a carry permit and carrying a pistol for the first time? If so,  that's great! Having guns in the hands of knowledgeable law-abiding citizens is always a good thing. Here's a short check list of things you should know before you carry:

• Obtain a gun specifically for concealed carry. Lots of manufacturers advertise that their gun is is the "best of both worlds," or "two guns in one."  This means they can be used for accurate distance shooting at the range AND small enough for concealed carry. I don't like that. It's a "jack of all trades, master of none" scenario. You are better off purchasing a handgun that excels and is fantastic at being a concealed gun rather than getting one that is only okay at being both. Choose the weapon for the job at hand. Plus, buying a gun for a specific purpose only opens up the door for you to purchase another gun for ANOTHER purpose later ;)

• Take a class on situational defense. This will not only teach you the best ways to carry your gun, but how and when you should use it if it ever came to that. This will also help you know what kind of accessories (laser, light etc.) you should equip your pistol with. There's no point in carrying if you don't have the confidence or skills to defend yourself if the time comes.

• Don't be persuaded to buy something you don't love. I can't stress this enough. Go and hold everything you can and do as much research on a pistol as you can. If it meets all of your criteria, get that gun. Don't be persuaded at the last minute to purchase something you didn't have your mind set on. For example, you have your mind set on a S&W Bodyguard .380 semi auto pistol and you walk in to your local gun shop. You ask to see the gun that you've held numerous times and spent hours researching. You've seen reviews and videos and so far, every feature you want on a CC gun is on the S&W. But when you ask to see it one last time before purchasing, the sales associate says "Take a look at this Glock 43 instead, it's much better." and hands you that one. It doesn't feel near as comfortable and lacks a couple of the things you love about the Bodyguard. But now you're doubting your original decision and take the side of the store clerk because "He knows best." Now you have a gun that you're not excited about. It's not as comfortable, you don't like the sights as much, and you hate the trigger. But the man said 'it was the best'... DON'T DO THIS. Don't ever doubt yourself if you've done the research. If there's a gun that you want and you've taken the steps to research it, buy that gun! You'll be happy you did.

• *Note: The Glock 43 is a fine pistol that has had nothing but great reviews. This is a fictional example made to emphasize a point.

• There are places that don't want you to carry a firearm on their property. I will ask that you obey their request if the sign is posted for everyone to see. However, if a sign is not out in the open, don't ever ask a person inside that store if it's okay to carry your firearm there. The default answer will most likely be 'no.' Most of the time your concealed gun will be concealed, but in the off-chance that an employee does see your pistol and they ask you to leave or remove it, be cooperative. While it's unfortunate that you won't be able to defend yourself in this location, you can at least show that person that law-abiding gun owners and friendly and cooperative.

• Know the carry laws of your state and all the states that you may travel to. People are getting arrested left and right because they have a permit from one state the the neighboring state will not acknowledge. Take precautions.

• Practice with that weapon.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season. But more than anything, I want everyone to have a safe holiday season. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all! 

The Gun Laws that Won't Work... At All!

In reaction to, sadly, another incident that occurred in California last week, I thought I would post about some issues that will most likely be a hot topic very soon. I have already written about some of the gun control legislation that could work, but here are some of the things that have been proven completely ineffective at controlling gun violence.

1. Ban on standard capacity magazines. I refuse to call them "high-capacity" because most guns have over a 10-round magazine that come as standard. Having a "low-capacity" magazine of only 10 rounds does absolutely NOTHING to prevent accidents like this happening. It is purely a feel good law to make people feel like the government is taking action. The only thing this law does is prevent law abiding citizens from being able to defend themselves more effectively. Plus, this only proves the point that criminals have no intention of obeying laws in the first place.
2. More gun-free zones. It has been proven time and time again that gun-free zones are magnets for horrible crimes. People want "common sense" gun laws, so why is this so difficult for people to believe that criminals flock to these places where it is easier to commit a crime? No guns = no resistance. It is the exact same reason why mass shootings don't happen in places where people could fight back. Robbers (at least the smart ones) don't attempt to steal from a home with armed residents inside.
3. Assault weapon ban. "Assault weapons" are already banned in California. So the recent shooters did what any criminal would do, they BROKE THE LAW. I'm not saying we should all walk around armed with an M4, but its goes to show that the laws that are currently in place do nothing to stop crazy people from doing crazy things.
4. Gun Confiscation. Despite what the New York Times says, this is the worst possible solution. Explanation is not needed.

Laws that have remained untested:

1. Expanded background checks. President Obama mentioned this when he addressed the nation after the attack in San Bernardino. While I don't mind expanding the background checks, Obama spoke about preventing people that are on the "watch" or "no-fly" list from purchasing a firearm. While this sounds good in theory, there are many people that have been put on this list without their knowing, or accidentally, and there is NO way to remove yourself from it. You can't even look your name up to find if you've been put on the list. There have been senators that have been put on this list and to this day, we don't know how it happened. Until we can get this process sorted, expanded background checks via this method won't do us much good. 

What does this mean?

It means that we need to do our best to make sure that everyone knows that this was an act of terror caused by terrorists. It was not caused by the guns they used. It's an injustice to those that were lost if we blame the tools more than those who committed these atrocities. As horrifying as these acts were, we should learn from this experience and adapt. California has all of the laws that gun control advocates want, and it did not matter. 

My recommendation to my readers would be to purchase a firearm that you feel comfortable using. It could be a shotgun, pistol, rifle of any caliber. Go once a month to the range nearest you and practice loading, unloading, and handling the weapon. If you don't know where to start, sign up for a firearms introduction class. At home, make sure you have a safe place to store it so that you can retrieve it fast but also keep it safely away from those whom you don't want to have access to it. If you were on the fence about buying a firearm for any reason, now is a better time than any to take action.