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.)