Suggestions for Ruger

I originally wrote this a year ago and just got around to sending it to my favorite gun company Ruger.  Hopefully they build a few of my ideas so I have some new things to buy.

Dear Ruger,

As a shareholder, owner of a half dozen Ruger handguns, and regular action shooting competitor; I have a few product ideas I would like to share with the company. These products could be stand alone products or part of a new marketing focus on competition shooting.  All of these product ideas are slight variations of existing products to reduce development costs.  If these models were given some designation like S&W does with performance center, they could be sold at a premium price with only minor additional production costs.   Competition shooters often are willing to spend more on firearms and buy new firearms just to participate in different sports or classes.  We often spend hundreds to thousands on custom gunsmith work to get our guns just right.  Competition models that cost a little more but save the trip to a smith are likely to sell well. 

My first product suggestion is based on my own customized SR1911.  A SR1911 can be made competition specific with as little as a change in sights, grips and a mainspring housing / magazine well.  Competition shooters seem to prefer a fiber optic front with a plain black rear sight. Adjustable target or Novak style rear sights are desirable as well. This idea could be taken further and justify a higher price point with additional modifications.  Front cocking serrations, more aggressive serrations, front strap checkering or dimpling, and more aggressive grips are all desirable while adding minimal costs.  This competition model could ship with an 8 and a 10 round magazine to show its flexibility. If care is taken to comply with IDPA rules this pistol could be perfect for popular classes in each sport(limited, limited 10, single stack, custom defensive pistol). 

A second suggestion is to expand the caliber selection for the SR 1911.  I believe that a 9 mm in either basic or competition configuration could be a nice variation of an existing product.  40 S&W,  10mm and 38 super would also be possible with only changing a few parts. 

My third suggestion is to make a version of the redhawk revolver to compete with the S&W 625.  The 625 currently dominates the world of competitive revolver shooting.  Your existing model KRH-45-4 could be the base model for a gun chambered in 45ACP with full moonclips. The hogue grips and adjustable rear sight are perfect but a change to a fiber optic front like the one ones used in the new SP101 models would be in order.  I believe that this model could be brought to market at a lower price than the 625 and would make a great product addition.  

My last suggestion is for a 3gun specific SR-556.  3gun competitors often prefer a longer 18" or 20" barrel or a short 14.5" with a pinned muzzle brake.  Heavier barrels, fluting and chrome lining all help with high round count stages.  The flash suppressor should be changed to a compensator or muzzle brake.  Lightweight tube style fore ends like the one used in the carbine model are perfect but a longer tube could be used for a longer barrel.  Iron sights on this model could be the offset sights that are now popular in tactical optics devision.  Dueck defense and XS make examples of this style sight.  All features listed are specific to the upper which simplifies manufacturing and makes the stand alone upper a good product as well.

Thanks,

Dan 

P.S. While I'm dreaming I want a 2.5" barrel 9mm moonclipped gp100 with fixed night sights and wood grips.

Lack of posts

Sorry for the lack of new posts recently.  I have had a perfect storm of events keeping me away from posting and writing.  A week in the hospital, busy season at work, moving in with my girlfriend and not getting to shoot much.  I have been able to shoot a few steel challenge matches recently and am getting back on the range more as fall comes back.  More posts to follow.

IDPA Monument Beach 6/1/13

Last weekend I attended one of my favorite local matches.  The Monument Beach club had an IDPA match.  I shot my custom Ruger SR1911 in CDP.   Due to heat cover was not required which was a good thing but after the match I was sunburned to a crisp.  I used my red Comp-Tac paddle holster and mag holders and together with the SR1911 everything worked perfectly.  Due to a score card mistake I was scored with the SSP class but if my score is moved to CDP I was 2nd of 4 and 14th of 30+ overall.  I used the contour camera and the videos linked below are from the match.


Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Stage 4

Stage 5

Stage 6

Steel Challenge Monument Beach 5/19/13

Yesterday afternoon the Monument Beach club ran its first Steel Challenge match.  This was also my first time at a match of this type so I brought both the Ruger MKIII and the SR1911.   When I saw that about half the shooters had rimfire guns I did some math and realized that shooting the 45ACP would cost me about $75 while the .22 would cost less then the matches $10 entrance fee.  Shooting plates at high speed is fun and having 5 runs at each stage and dropping the lowest score only increases the enjoyment.  The match moved along quickly with no taping or painting targets.  I had 4 magazines and quickly realized a 5th would make things significantly easier but gun people are always helpful so magazines were reloaded for shooters as they were shooting.
I was shocked today to get the results and find myself 3rd overall out of 16.  Brian almost won with a stock Ruger SR22 but Sam and his open class .22 1911 won the day.  I plan to come back for the match next month with a 5th magazine and some sunblock... and possibly a hat.

IDPA Monument Beach 5/4/13

This was my first shooting competition that I had my contour camera and also the first since I got this crazy blogging idea.  I shot my customized Ruger SR1911 with a Comp-Tac paddle holster, twin mag pouch, and belt.  I had a couple brain farts and a couple weapon malfunctions but shot well enough to place second of 3 in class and 14th of 28 overall.  The filming was done with a Contour camera on a headband mount. Below are the videos.

Stage 1

http://contour.com/videos/watch/monument-beach-idpa-stage-1-5-4-13

Stage 2
http://contour.com/videos/watch/monument-beach-idpa-stage-2-5-4-13

Stage 3

http://contour.com/videos/watch/monument-beach-idpa-stage-3-5-4-13

Stage 4

http://contour.com/videos/watch/monument-beach-idpa-stage-4-5-4-13

Stage 5

http://contour.com/videos/watch/monument-beach-idpa-stage-5-5-4-13

So your gonna buy your first gun

So you have your shiny new class A "unrestricted" license to carry, or live in free American, and have decided to remain unarmed no longer. After hours of internet drooling, renting guns at a range, or trying friends guns you have decided to buy your first handgun.  The next question is what do you buy with it.  There are some items that are mandatory and some that are optional and can be ordered later.

Mandatory:
-Gun ...
-Carry Ammo - You can't throw the gun at an attacker. 1 box minimum but a few boxes are better to ensure function and that it shoots to point of aim on the sights.  I like Critical Defense rounds for carry but any modern defensive round should work.
-Practice Ammo - Most modern guns do not need a long break-in period to be reliable. You do however need to learn how the gun handles and get some practice in with the new gun so getting a few boxes of FMJ or other inexpensive range ammo is a must. 100-500 rounds or more.
-Safe - You don't need a big safe or even a fancy one to comply with safe storage laws but you do need to lock the gun up.  A handgun size lockbox can be had for under $30. I believe MA law requires ammo to be locked up too. The best option is an ammo box.  The free lock that comes with the gun can be used to secure ammo.
-Eye and Ear Protection - These can be upgraded later but basic sets can be $10-20.  Your hearing and eyesight are priceless.

Optional:
-Holster - Holsters are nice to have and absolutely essential for carrying a firearm.  If u can't find a suitable holster in store, you can find plenty on the internet.
-Extra Magazines or Speedloaders - Every semi auto needs 2 magazines but not all come with 2.  3-5+ magazines are needed for competition.  For revolvers a speedloader is not necessary but are super helpful and 2-5 should be obtained for carry or competition.
-Cleaning Supplies - This needs it's own article but basic kits are available in stores or you can get a boresnake, solvent, and lube.

Now go shopping and then to the range!

Gun Stuff

This will be an index for reviews of gun stuff that does not fit elsewhere.

Under Construction!

EDC

Every Day Carry Items
The decided focus of this blog is on guns but I have a bit of a fetish for EDC stuff like knives, lights, tools and other stuff that I fill my pockets with.  This page will be an index for items I choose to review that are not necessarily gun related.

Under Construction...

Belts

Belts:
The belt is the foundation for carrying anything heavy on your waist, especially a gun. A good belt is strong and supportive. A good belt supports the weight of the items carried and redistributes the weight evenly around the waist. I listed belts before holsters because I feel like it is the most important piece of gear when it comes to carrying a gun. A good belt can make a full size 1911 and a hip full of magazines comfortable for a day of competition. A bad belt can quickly make even the smallest gun a chore to carry. There are a ton of companies making good gun belts this list is in no way exhaustive just a way to share what I have tried. Any reinforced or double layered belt will work and finding one that is just right is half the fun. I will list a few recommended belts and eventually turn this post into an index for my reviews of belts.

-Crossbreed Holsters Gun Belt is my favorite belt now and I wear it every day even if I am not carrying. 2 thick layers of leather support the weight of the gun while still flexing enough to be comfortable. Velcro lining allows for the use of totally stealth holsters. A full review will follow but this belt is highly recommended.

-Comp-Tac Kydex Reinforced Contour Belt is another fantastic option. I have one and use it for competition and occasionally for carry. This belt has 2 layers of leather over a Kydex core. This plastic core supports heavy loads without requiring the belt to be tight. Another full review will follow on this belt but it is also recommended.

Holsters

Holster:
Holsters are the critical component that enable us to safely carry and use firearms. Every time a handgun is carried it must be in a holster. One would assume that the most important quality of a holster is how it attaches the firearm to the user but that is only the secondary function. The primary function of a holster is covering the trigger so that there is no chance of a negligent discharge while carrying. Just ask Plaxico Burress why you should not stick a loaded gun down your pants with no holster. While it is absolutely critical to use a holster, there is no perfect holster for every situation. A retention holster favored by a police officer is terrible for competition. Many excellent concealment holsters would actually be unsafe at an action shooting match. Most competition holsters would be impractical for daily carry. Most gun owners soon find that they have more holsters than guns to put in them and the holster drawer is always overflowing. I will categorize holsters by type, construction and purpose. Holsters are usually Inside the Waist Band (IWB), Outside the Waist Band (OWB), or other.  Construction for holsters varies from nylon and leather to plastic or kydex.  Hybrid  holsters combine multiple materials to get the best out of each material.

I will use this page as an index of holster reviews as I write them. For now I am just listing what I have used and will link the reviews as I write them. I have a drawer full so inspiration for posts is not lacking.

Inside the Waist Band:
Kydex:
-Comp-Tac Infidel

Leather:

Hybrid:
-Crossbreed Supertuck
-Crossbreed Mini-tuck
-Crossbreed Appendix
-Comp-Tac MTAC
-Comp-Tac Neutral Cant

Nylon:
-Blackhawk! (lol seriously I knew it wasn't a good idea when I got it but everyone goes cheep once)

Outside The Waist Band:
Kydex:
-Comp-Tac Paddle
-Comp-Tac International

Plastic:
-Fobus

Leather:
-Galco

Hybrid:
-Crossbreed SnapSlide

Other:
This will be a home for other holsters such as pocket holsters, ankle rigs or any other holster that is not near the waist.
-Uncle Mikes

The List According to Dan

This post is a work in progress as the list changes and I try more guns I will update the list. As I posted in my previous post "For a new handgun to be sold in Mass it must first be on "The List".  Once a gun makes it on to "The List" it must also then comply with the "Attorney General's Regulations".  In this post I am going to go through The List by manufacturer and note what can be purchased, my thoughts on these guns if I have shot or own them, as well as any links to specific reviews that I will do for guns on The List. If you have experience in MA with any of the guns I have never seen please post in comments and share for other readers.

Armscor:
Several entry level 1911 pistols from this manufacturer are on the list but I have never seen one in stock at a MA dealer or shot one so I have no opinion.

Auto-Ordinance:
Entry level GI style 1911. I have seen these available in stores but have not shot one yet. Manufactured right here in MA!

Beretta:
The 92fs is on the list and purchasable in MA along with a few other models. The more modern, desirable pistols such as the nano are not yet on the list but we can hope they make it some day. The army likes the 92 enough to have it as their standard M9 pistol.

Browning:
A couple .22 models are on the list but I have never seen them in stock in a store and I am not sure if they are fully compliant with other regulations.

Charter Arms:
Several .38 and .44 models are on the list. I have seen the .38 specials in stock on shelves and they appear to be a decent alternative to S&W or Ruger for a carry revolver but it seems there is really only one mass legal model with a bunch of different paint jobs. The MA compliant model is a 5 shot with an exposed hammer. It would be nice if Charter would get the DAO hammerless model on The List as well as some of their other models but I am not holding my breath.

FMK:
This is a fairly generic 9mm that is on the list and compliant as far as I know. I have never seen one in the wild or at a dealer so I am not sure what to think of it yet.

Glock:
This is one of the biggest sore spots for gun enthusiasts in MA. My understanding is that while on the list Glocks do not meet all the regulations and as such they cannot be sold new in MA. It is possible to buy used Glocks in MA but expect to pay a premium.

Heckler & Koch:
A few models have made it to the list and I have even seen the P30 and P30L in stores but I have not shot one yet.

ISSC:
Several ISSC .22 models are on the list. They are similar to Glock pistols but in .22 so they make a good trainer. I have not yet seen one in a store or shot one so I am not sure on compliance.

Kahr Arms:
Another MA produced gun. A bunch of models are on The List but only about 4 are actually compliant with the regulations and are MA purchasable. The PM9, P9, PM40, and P40 models with external safety and chamber indicators are MA compliant. Kahr pistols have very nice triggers for carry guns and I hope to someday own a PM9 of my own so I can post a full review. The PM9 is on my short list of good MA compliant carry guns.

Mauser:
Seems that this gun was made by Sig in the early 2000s. Since it is discontinued its existence on the list does little for new gun purchasers.

Para-Ordinance:
Para has a ton of models on the list but few models on the list are still produced. All guns from Para are 1911 variants and some are quite cool but I have never seen one stocked at a store. I have shot a couple Para pistols and both were nice variants on the 1911 style.

Remington:
Remington has recently brought out a new line of 1911 style pistols. They are reasonably priced (for a 1911) and available at dealers. I shot one and it seemed like a pretty nice mid quality 1911. My only complaint with these 1911s is that they have a series 80 safety mechanism that impacts trigger pull and complicates take-down a bit.

Seacamp:
I have seen the tiny .32acp Seacamp pistol before and it would indeed be easy to conceal. It would be nice if the .380acp model was added to the lineup as .32 is a very small round.

Sig Sauer:
Sig makes fantastic guns and does a good job of getting their most popular models on The List. The P220, P226, and P229 are in service with police and military all over the world. I have a good friend with a P226 and it is a fantastic full size pistol. Sig also has a portion of their 1911 line on the list and available in MA. The one area of confusion with Sig are the DAK trigger models on the list. These DAK models are on the list but the trigger pull is too light to be compliant with the regulations so they cannot be sold in MA. I am hoping the next list adds the P290 and P938 as they appear to be good conceal carry options as well as the full size p227. I will return to this section and expand on it for each mass compliant model and eventually write a review of the P226 I have access to as well as the P250 on the nightstand next to me.

Smith & Wesson:
S&W is one of the best known revolver manufacturers in the world and they are made right here in MA. A large percentage of the revolvers they make are on The List. Some of the best MA legal 1911 pistols are from S&W and I hope to one day own one of the bobtail commander E series 1911s. The S&W M&P line in full size is popular with police and in compact is popular for conceal carry. The S&W Shield is a fantastic option for a slim 9MM (or 40 if you are a little crazy) for conceal carry and is currently one of the most popular options for carry available in MA. The bodyguard .380 is another conceal carry piece and it is tiny. I hope to eventually get a shield to test and will write a review of the smith revolver I have as well.

Steyr Arms:
I have only seen one of these in the wild in mass and it was being used extremely effectively in an IDPA match.

Strayer Voigt:
Go check out the web site for these guns. http://www.sviguns.com/ They are just so awesome. Not sure exactly what configuration is MA compliant but if you can afford to order one of these beautiful 1911s you can probably afford a second house in a free state where you could purchase any gun you like....

Ruger:
Ruger does a great job of getting its handguns certified for sale in MA. The SR1911 series is a great mid range 1911 with all the options that used to be custom. My custom 1911 started life as a SR1911 and is a fantastic single stack or CDP class competition pistol. The SR9C is one of the best options for a MA legal carry gun in my opinion and I will write a full review for mine at some point in the future. The LCP and LC9 are no longer mass compliant but I got my LC9 when it was so I will write a review of that as well. Ruger revolvers have well earned reputation for being bombproof and almost all are compliant. The LCR would be another standout for conceal carry from Ruger that I hope to own someday and will post a review when I do.

Walther:
Walther used to be distributed by S&W who did a good job of getting models on The List. The PPK is a conceal carry piece that is guarenteed to make you feel like James Bond while carrying it but is outclassed by many newer designs. The Walther .22 is popular and shoots well but I have no experience with the rest of the Walther line.

What can I buy?

The most common question for guns in Mass is also unfortunately the most complex.  Can I buy _____? Is it legal for me to buy ___? Where do I find a list of what is legal? What should I get for carry? or competition?

Unfortunately for us in mass there is no simple answer which is part of why I am writing this blog.  

Long guns are easier to understand but the basics of it are that you can purchase any long gun you wish as long as it complies with all federal laws as well as the now federally expired but still valid in MA "Assault Weapons Ban." I will write a whole post some time and link it here explaining how the assault weapons ban still applies here.  The basics are that we can still purchase most long guns as long as they do not have any "scary" features like shoulder things that go up or bayonet lugs.

Handguns are much more restrictive in Mass.  For a new handgun to be sold in Mass it must first be on "The List".  Once a gun makes it on to "The List" it must also then comply with the "Attorney General's Regulations".  I believe the previous link has all the regulations but seriously Mass is some confusing shit so please do not consider me a substitute for real legal advice.  The regulations change from time to time as do the interpretation of said rules so what may be legal to purchase at the time of writing may no longer be legal to purchase new.  A perfect example of this is my LC9.  When it first came out it made it on The List and was available for purchase in Mass.  I purchased one and carry it regularly.  A few months after being declared mass legal it was determined that that the LC9 did not meet one of the regulations or requirements so it was removed from the list and cannot be purchased new in Mass anymore.  The gun is still legal for me to own but you cant buy one new in a Mass gun store.  Makes since right?

The hardest thing to understand legally is the notion of Pre-Ban.  Any long gun, handgun, or magazine that was owned in Mass before the law that made it illegal to sell new now may still be owned as long as it can be proved that it was infact owned before the law went in to effect that banned it.  This concept of pre-ban creates a giant grey area for what can legally be owned.  Pre-Ban normal capacity magazines can be owned as long as they are date stamped or otherwise provable that they were from before the ban date.  Many handguns that are not on the list are available used in stores and many full featured rifles are available on the used market.  Almost all gun owners will eventually end up with some items that fall into this category but I strongly feel that for a first purchase or for self defense you are better off not starting with items that are totally legal and not in this grey area.

Hello World!

Hi, my name is Dan and I like guns.  I have too little room in my safe and way too many keys on my key ring.  I am also trapped behind enemy lines in the peoples republic of Massachusetts for now.  I guess that gets the confessions out of the way while I introduce myself.
I am writing this blog to share my experiences with shooting and carrying a gun (and other fun stuff).  I have no professional experience with guns and so far little professional training.  What I do have is a MA class A LTC, a few years of experience with owning and carrying a firearm, some action shooting experience, and a desire to share the knowledge I have gained with friends.  I have a number of real life friends who are just starting down the path of gun ownership and I hope I can share what I have learned with them as well as anyone who finds my little corner of the interwebs.  
I will try to limit the scope of this blog to guns, accessories, tools, every day carry items, and shooting competition.  All items reviewed will be items I have purchased with my own funds at retail price.  If I get any kind of consideration or free gear for reviewing something I will make obvious mention of it when I review it.  Finally before I start posting anything I have to add a disclaimer.  I have no legal training and am not qualified to give legal advice.  I will discus some legal stuff from time to time especially with regard to what is legal to own or not in mass.  This stuff is confusing and can change without notice in Mass so I will do my best to keep the site up to date and correct but I cannot be held responsible if you break the law.  Please listen to your FFL dealer and read the laws yourself to make sure what you do is legal when it comes to guns.