The Beretta Pico

A Beretta Pico (Bottom) with a J-frame S&W (Top)

Recently, a friend of mine bought a Beretta Pico and gave me the opportunity to shoot it enough to provide a quick overview. The Pico is an ultra-compact, polymer framed, double action only pistol chambered for the .380 ACP cartridge. Weighing a little less than 12 ounces, it competes with the likes of the Ruger LCP, the Remington RM380, S&W Bodyguard, Taurus 738 TCP, and Kahr CW380. According to Beretta, it is the thinnest .380 ACP on the market.

The Taurus PT-22

A Taurus PT-22 shown with high velocity ammunition. Taurus 

advised against the use of high velocity ammunition in the PT-22

Years ago, I had a Beretta 21A Bobcat in .22 LR. It was a delightful little pistol that I sadly let get away. Light in the pocket with usable sights and acceptable short range accuracy, it was a great companion when roaming the woods or fishing a pond. It was also fairly reliable, cheap to shoot, and just plain fun. While I did not consider it a primary defensive weapon, it was accurate and reliable enough to serve the purpose, providing that it was fed with agreeable ammunition. Yesterday, I shot what appeared to be a Bobcat clone: the Taurus PT-22.

Pistol Gripped Shotguns

This year, the Mossberg 590 Shockwave got some attention in North Carolina because there was some question as to whether its 14 inch barrel classified it as a weapon of mass destruction. This has since been resolved and the Shockwave, as well as the new Remincton 870 TAC 14, appear to be selling pretty well. While 14 inch barreled pump shotguns with pistol grips are relatively new to the general market, shotguns like the Mossberg 500 Cruiser and the Maverick 88 Special Purpose with 18.5 and 20 inch barrels have long been available so equipped.  

Mossberg 500 AG 12 Gauge with C-LECT Choke

I wrote "The Mossberg 500 Special Purpose Persuader for Defense and Survival" back in 2011. At that time, the Mossberg 500 had been around for fifty years. It still remains popular and rightfully so because it is rugged, versatile, and inexpensive. As of 2013, over 10 million had been produced.  My first experience with a Mossberg 500 was in the guise of a Western Field Model 550 CD 20 gauge with a C-LECT Choke in the late 1970s. It belonged to a fellow sixth grader and, though I was rather young, it did not take long to realize that the C-LECT Choke offered a remarkable improvement over the fixed choke of my Stevens Model 67 B.

Blackhawk Speed Classic Holster

I've long been a fan of revolvers, have carried many, and I still find them perfectly viable for self defense. I like break front holsters because they are secure and yet offer a fast, uninhibited draw and I have used several over the years. I recently noticed that Midway USA had the Blackhawk Speed Classic holster on sale and promptly ordered one since it is advertised as being compatible with 2" J-frame Smith & Wessons, Taurus 85s, and Ruger SP 101s. As is typical of the excellent service that I have always received from Midway, the holster arrived before it was due and I was not disappointed in the least.

Revisiting the Smith & Wesson Model 940

The Smith & Wesson 940 is a hammerless, J-Frame revolver that was built on the new Centennial platform between 1991 and 1998. During its relatively short life, four versions were made: the 940, 940-1 with an improved extractor, and the 940-2 on the magnum J-Frame were produced in 9mm Luger. The 940 PC was a limited run of three hundred Custom Shop models chambered for the .356 TSW.  The .356 TSW was a 9x21.5mm cartridge that offered ballistics similar to the contemporary .357 SIG. When moon clips are used, 9mm Luger cartridges, which are 9x19mm, can be used in the .356 TSW since the shorter cartridges headspace on the clips.

The Walther P22

Introduced in 2002, the Walther P22 has led a somewhat controversial existence. While a cursory glance at online reviews might indicate various feeding issues (especially with standard velocity ammunition) and a host of fixes and improvements, it also appears that many owners are absolutely satisfied and find the design to be reliable.  Over the years, it has been improved upon and it seems like most of the controversy has arisen in earlier production pistols and bad magazines.

Secession was not Treason

Today, an editorial appeared on the Los Angeles Times condemning the practice of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs flying Confederate flags at "...some national cemeteries on Memorial Day and on Confederate recognition days...."  (Confederate flags have no place flying over national cemeteries) The article claims that the Confederate Battle Flag "...remains a potent symbol of white supremacy, racial intolerance and oppression..." and that "[t]he U.S. government should not be flying the flag of the secessionists whose traitorous actions more than 150 years ago posed the most serious threat to the nation’s existence. Of course, a passionate attack on the institution of slavery and its related economic system follows. 

Diversity in the Southern Ranks

In his Fourth Debate with Stephen Douglas, Abraham Lincoln stated: "I will say then that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races, [applause]—that I am not nor ever have been in favor of making voters or jurors of negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with white people; and I will say in addition to this that there is a physical difference between the white and black races which I believe will forever forbid the two races living together on terms of social and political equality. And inasmuch as they cannot so live, while they do remain together there must be the position of superior and inferior, and I as much as any other man am in favor of having the superior position assigned to the white race." (Delivered at Charleston, Illinois on September 18, 1858.)

The CZ 75

Introduced in 1975 by Česká Zbrojovka, the CZ 75 is one of my favorite pistols. It is all steel and, at 39.5 ounces, it is rather heavy for a handgun chambered for the 9mm Luger cartridge but it feels much like a Browning Hi-Power in the hand and the weight renders recoil negligible, even with +P+ cartridges. Double action, with a decent trigger from the factory, it is incredibly accurate out of the box and capable of groups that are less than two inches at 25 yards. 

The CZ 52

The CZ 52, made by Česká Zbrojovka (CZ) is a single action, short recoil, semi-automatic pistol chambered for the 7.62x25mm (Tokarev) cartridge. Used by the Czech military from 1952 until 1982, it has a very strong action which is reliable, with the exception of a rather fragile firing pin. However, this fault can be easily corrected with a replacement from Harrington Products. 

Revisiting the 9mm Luger Cartridge

A CZ 75 BD in 9mm Luger with Hogue tulipwood grips.

I can remember when it was almost sacrilege to carry a pistol chambered for the "puny and ineffective" 9mm Luger (9x19 Parabellum) cartridge. Published experts and gun shop sages were quick to point out a long history of ballistic disappointment, including over penetration and failures to stop. Those who rejected conventional wisdom were likely to be dismissed with an arcane warning that went something to the effect of: "Well, it's your life."

Some criticism of the 9mm Luger is not without merit. Introduced in 1902, the cartridge was originally loaded with a 115 gr. truncated cone bullet at a relatively high velocty of 1,200 FPS. For much of the Twentieth Century, non-expanding, FMJ and lead bullets were standard loads for handguns and small to medium bore handguns became notorious for providing poor to marginal stopping power. This reputation still haunts the 9mm Luger today and it has been further fueled by lackluster performance of the non-expanding M882 NATO cartridge used by the U.S. Military because expanding bullets are prohibited in international conflict  by the Hague Convention of 1899.

Political Correctness is a Trojan Horse for Marxism

The following was penned by a good friend of mine, Fr. Richard Pumphrey, a well spoken, Anglican priest who is Southern in ways, habits, and character, though he hails from Illinois.

To be fully aware of the insidious encroachment of a philosophy called political correctness, or more rightly Cultural Marxism, it is beneficial to have lived in a time when the notion was regarded as ludicrous if not absurd. The fundamental premise is quite simple, it represents a virtual gagging filter placed between the thoughts of an individual and the vocal expression of them. Quite simply it is a social conditioning designed to seriously limit free expression and the exchange of ideas. 

State Sovereignty and Secession

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do.  --The Declaration of Independence

The "Civil War" was Fought to Impose Political Slavery

Lysander Spooner, a lawyer and entrepreneur from Athol, Massachusetts, was an ardent Abolitionist who believed that slavery was unconstitutional, supported John Brown, and influenced Frederick Douglass.  He also advocated violence against slaveholders:

We specialty advise the flogging of individual Slave-holders. This is a case where the medical principle, that like cures like, will certainly succeed. Give the Slave-holders, then, a taste of their own whips. Spare their lives, but not their backs.  (A Plan for the Abolition of Slavery)

Those who have been indoctrinated to believe that the War Between the States was a moral war, prosecuted by patriotic and benevolent Abraham Lincoln to end slavery, would be surprised at the summation of the Northern principle behind the War that was penned by this vigorous Abolitionist during Reconstruction.  In 1867, in his introduction to No Treason, No. 1, Spooner wrote:

The Southern Origins of Memorial Day

Memorial Day originated as Decoration Day, a national day of remembrance for Union soldiers killed during the War Between the States.  It was proclaimed by Maj. Gen. John A. Logan, Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, " ...for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion..." in General Order No. 11.  It was first celebrated on May 30, 1868.  

The Colt Police Positive Special

Recently, a friend of mine acquired a Colt Police Positive Special, First Issue which was made around 1924. It is distinguished by its Colt Positive Lock hammer block safety; hard rubber grips; narrow, half moon front sight; substantially curved front strap; smooth trigger; and smooth top strap.  Introduced in 1907, it incorporated a longer cylinder and slightly larger frame than its parent, the Police Positive, to accommodate the length and pressure of the .32-20 and .38 Special cartridges which are more powerful alternatives to the .32 Long Colt, .32 Colt New Police (.32 S&W Long), and .38 Colt New Police (.38 S&W). Built on what became known as Colt's D Frame, the petite Police Positive Special weighed just 23 ounces with a four inch barrel. Eleven ounces lighter than its primary competitor, the Smith & Wesson Military and Police Model (later designated the Model 10) it quickly proved popular with police and civilians alike.

A Misguided Infatuation with Lincoln

Yesterday was Abraham Lincoln's birthday and many made note of it, extolling his virtues on social media sites such as Facebook.  This included conservatives and Tea Party activists like Sen. Jim DeMint and Sarah Palin: folks who typically embrace Christian ideals and limited, constitutional government.  Why knowledgeable people uphold Lincoln as an archetype of Christianity, liberty, or constitutional government is beyond me when history proves otherwise.

Lincoln was not a Christian though he attended church services and was familiar with Scripture.  As a matter of fact, he mocked ministers, denied the deity of Christ, claimed that Jesus was an illegitimate child, and disavowed the divine inspiration of the Bible. While it is claimed that he consecrated his life to Christ on the field of Gettysburg, John Matthews stated:

The Smith and Wesson 3rd Model Hand Ejector in .32 S&W Long

The Smith and Wesson 3rd Model Hand Ejector in .32 S&W Long was produced from 1917 until 1942. A further refinement of the I-frame series of revolvers introduced in 1896, it continued the evolution of S&W's first model that incorporated a swing out cylinder.  With more petite dimensions than the J-frame, which is the foundation of the immensely successful S&W Chief's Special, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Model Hand Ejectors are delightful to own and shoot.  They also carry well in a belly band.

The Marlin Glenfield Model 25

Today, I stopped by a pawn shop and spotted a Marlin Glenfield Model 25 on the rack.  With its scuffs, abrasions, and surface rust, the pawnbroker did not seem to believe that it was very valuable and, for $75 out the door, I took it home.  He seemed happy to have sold it and I was quite pleased to get a great rifle for such a small sum.