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.