So, what to do? I had purchased a holster from Tucker Gun Leather for my HK USP Compact. That gun and I have long since parted company, and the holster went with it. But, I thought I’d give Tucker around run. I had great service from them before, and my experience this time around was no different.

I purchased the Texas Heritage.

I chose this model because it received favorable reviews, even though the most common complaint is that it is difficult to re-holster. There is no extra leather on the mouth of the holster. This makes it very thin, but it doesn’t provide any rigidity to keep the mouth open. Very rarely do I have a need to remove my gun from its holster, unless I’m taking it off for the day. I do plan on shooting this gun in some local IDPA tournaments, but I typically don’t wear IWB holsters for that particular application.

Since I’ve received the holster (after a shorter than expect wait), I’ve had the opportunity to carry this fine gun in a variety of situations.  Summer in St. Louis means that it’s sweltering. T-shirt weather for sure. In the past that would have meant that I was carrying my snub-nosed .38. I had no issues carrying under a t-shirt. When paired with a good belt (I buy mine from The Belt Man), it pulls the gun in tight.

I’m sure it helps that there is about 80 pounds less of me inside that waistband, but I don’t feel like there is a bulge off my right side. The clips, and the rough side of the hide help keep this holster in place. It stays rock solid on my belt with no noticeable shifting.

I couldn’t be more pleased with this holster. It makes me anxious to try the VM II when it comes, but honestly, I don’t see how it will improve on what I have now, other than aesthetics. But it’s an IWB holster, who cares??? Either way, I’ll continue to wear this holster, and we’ll see how it wears over the coming months. If I find anything negative, I’ll let you know. I’ll be sure to do a side-by-side when the VMII arrives.

At this point I am essentially a “new” gun person, even though I owned a shotgun (and no, I didn’t vote on the democratic ticket). I knew that I wanted a .45 for my first handgun, so I looked at handguns from all the well known high volume manufacturers, like Ruger, Sig, and Glock. I was easily distracted by the glitz and glitter of the gun mags, so much so that for my first handgun, I eventually succumbed to the XD marketing campaign. 13 rounds had to be better than 7 or 8, AND it was 1911-like (the grip safety), AND it was the NRA 2006 Gun of the Year. Well hell, what was I supposed to do?? I bought it.

Now, don’t mistake, this is a decent gun. It fits my hands nicely, and shoots well too. I never understood why Springfield touted the match-grade barrel in the the XDm, because my XD would easily punch ragged holes out to 15 yards if I was doing my job. I do like this gun.

But I never was completely “wowed” by it.

I still wanted a “metal” gun.

For the record…I have owned several “all metal” guns. I have a Smith & Wesson snub nose revolver, and a Browning Buckmark. But I think I still get harassed about it because I was also distracted by an H&K USP Compact, and there’s that Glock 19 that I bought for a song that Matt is still bitter about.

I decided a couple years ago that I would fix this problem. It was time for a 1911. I knew I wanted a Colt, but the new prices are just stupid, and finding a used one…forget about. When Ruger announced their new 1911, I was intrigued (don’t forget how I ended up with the XD). I figured if the gun was “good enough” I was going to jump on it. I always said that my next gun purchase was going to be the confluence of being at the right place at the right time with the right gun for the right amount of money, provided I didn’t get distracted.

Well, I kept my eye on the prize, and found “The One” on Saturday, during a chance visit to a gun store that I rarely frequent.

Clean, no evidence of being shot a lot, and a couple minor scratches, for about the same price as the new Ruger 1911.

I put about 150 rounds through it yesterday, and it was every bit as accurate and reliable as my XD, chewing up everything I fed it, factory ball ammo, hollow points, even my reloads.

Yin & yang. The top Commander is the first handgun I ever shot. The bottom is mine.

Right place, at the right time, with the right gun, for the right amount of money.

Now I have to find a good IWB holster. Any suggestions?

Range report hopefully tomorrow, or I might have to call in sick to work on Monday…….

As you can see from some of the pictures, there were hanging chairs, moving platforms, and fake helicopters to shoot from. I have to hand it to the match directors, they really know how to run a match. It’s always very well organized, they show lots of creativity when setting up the stages. There always seem to be a good mix of stages ranging between fast and furious, to slow the hell down and make the shot.

Lot’s of prizes were given out, 6 1911′s we given away, including one that was raffled to raise funds for the club’s kid program. I didn’t win one, so I guess I’m back to saving my pennies and nickels for that Colt I’ve been lusting after.

I’m not getting to shoot as much these days as I’d like, too many other competing priorities. My final score is evidence of that. But it’s still a good time for me and the boy to hang out. One of these days I’m going to get a pistol in his hand and let him have a go at this stuff….

Also, a big thanks to the guy who lent me a 1911 to shoot at this match. It’s a sweet shooting old gun, and since I haven’t come up with any good blackmail photo’s of you, I’ll be returning it to you shortly.

The past two years I’ve brought my son, who is now 8. I like bringing him because this group of guys reinforce what I’ve been teaching him. This year was no different. The big highlight for him was graduating from his .22 to something a bit more….. stout.

Last July, I gave him a single shot H&R .243 rifle. He wanted to go deer hunting last year, but just was too intimidated by the recoil of the rifle, and so, he never shot it. Our agreement was, and still is, that he couldn’t shoot at deer until he had gained my confidence with his gun handling and accuracy. I let him carry it in the woods, but, no bullet, and definitely, no shot on a deer (not that we saw any, but that’s a different issue).

Matt’s dad brought an M1 Carbine, and we managed to convince my son that he needed to shoot it. But fear of the recoil got the best of him. So we talked him into holding the gun to his side and pulling the trigger. I held on to the gun as well, but mostly to help him be more confident. Bang…. Bang…. BANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANG *Big grin* I think we got him! 75 rounds later, we were out of ammo.

Now that he managed the M1 Carbine, we talked him into trying his .243. Same routine.

Notice the smile:

It wasn’t long before he was whacking away at targets with my AR 15

and later busting water bottles sitting in a tree with his .243

I’m proud of that little bugger for conquering a fear. He hasn’t stopped asking me when we’re going back to the range, and I can’t wait to take him.

This first batch isn’t the prettiest in the world, but they work. I’m selling them for $10 a pop, $5 shipping regardless of the number ordered.

If you have any interest in cheap but functional mag holders, check out my listing on Ebay.

Once Gun Broker starts their fixed priced listings, I’ll move them over there…

On Gun Broker now: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=226505475

To quote the eloquent Wayne Campbell:

When you know what you want, everything else is only a distant second….

I chose to go with the Hornady Cam Lock Bullet puller, mainly because that’s what the local Bass Pro store had in stock. You have to buy a collet for the caliber of bullet you want to use.

The setup is not terribly difficult. Remove the cam-lock assembly from the die body, insert the collet, and then screw the cam lock assembly back into the die just enough to hold the entire assembly together.

Screw in the die body until the bottom is flush with the press.

Next raise the bullet into the die until the case mouth meets the bottom of the die. With the cam lock lever lowered, screw in the cam lock assembly until you feel it touch the bullet. Open the cam lock (lever straight up and down), and screw in the die about 1/4 turn. Tighten the assembly in place.

Lower the cam lock lever, you should feel some tension as you do this.

Lower the ram, separating the bullet from the case.

You will probably have to adjust how deep you seat the cam-lock assembly, and how tightly you close it. Too much pressure, and you will mark up the bullet; too little, and you won’t pull it out.

In my opinion, definitely better than in impact puller.

Of the 4 sheriff departments we’ve queried, we’ve had four different answers. One allows you to download the form and just copy your credentials to the back of the form. Another let’s you photocopy their form, but they would like for you to fax your credentials and an outline of your class to the records office. The third mentions a state form that you need to fill out but provides no link to it. The forth wants their form notarized which outlines your credentials.

What does Missouri State law require?

1) That I be a qualified instructor according to the criteria in the law,
2) If requested, make the student’s records available to the sheriff,
3) Maintain those records for 4 years,
4) Have no more than 40 students per class, and 5 students per safety officer during the live-fire portion of the class.
5) Cover what is legally required for the training in an 8 hour class.

I have no problem with making myself known to the sheriff’s department ahead of time. If we’re going to require Missouri residents to go through some prescribed training in order to receive their concealed carry endorsement, it stands to reason that Missouri would also require me to do the same as an instructor. While I wish we had adopted the Vermont or Alaska style of permitting, this is what we have, I can’t change that.

But once I’ve met those requirements, doesn’t it seem reasonable to have a standard process for registering yourself as an instructor?? Grumble, grumble. I find it even more ironic that the county which fought the implementation of the law to have the easiest process.

Now that I’m good and frustrated, I’m off to the license branch to finish renewing my Missouri permit. You Hoosiers with your fancy lifetime permits don’t know how good you have it……..

I had decided on using Sierra 180gr GameKings in my .30-06. I bought my box earlier in the year, and I haven’t been able to find them since. Cabela’s has been out of them, as well as my local reloading shop. I loaded up the 19 I had left, plus 5 Sierra 180gr ProHunter’s. I mistakenly bought the box of ProHunter’s a while back, so thought I’d just try them on top of the same load I was using for the GameKing’s just for grins

The GameKing’s have always shot well enough for me, but I would always throw one or two shots out of the 5 shot group, but generally would stay within a 2″ group. Good enough I suppose, but we all know that the jagged hole is like a hit of crack. So after I get everything zero’d for my chosen load, I pull out the 5 Game Kings.

​

All 5 in a one inch circle at 100 yards. Thank you Mr. Crack dealer.

In case you’re wondering:
45.7 grains Varget
CCI Large Rifle Primers
Remington Cases
180 gr. Sierra GameKing ( or ProHunters in this case)
OAL: 3.340″

Use at your own risk……. If you blow up your gun….it’s your own fault.