Aimshot LASER

I recently obtained a new Green LASER from a great online retailer, Grab A Gun  (GrabAGun.com). Check out their new website. Lots of great deals currently!

This is a AimSHOP 8150 compact green LASER.

I love this little guy for several reasons.

• It's very compact
• Mounting flexibility
• Adjustable aim point
• BRIGHT green LASER
• USB rechargable

The first gun I tried it on was my new 300 Blackout rig. The low profile and light weight was prefect for my new favorite rifle. It is so bright that it's easy for me to see even in daylight. It's flexible mount point system allowed me to attach it where rail space was tight.

Maybe my favorite thing about it is that it's rechargeable. It has a micro USB socket on the other side that you simply plug in and charge it up. No replacing expensive batteries!

I am reluctantly going to take it off the 300 Blackout so I can try it on my suppressed Glock 17. I hand mounted it on that gun briefly to see if it would clear the suppressor and it did, perfectly. I will be posting about that next week. I'll try not to gush like a little girl...

--I suspect I will end up with more that one of these!

  

AMMO REVIEW: Remington HTP, Jacketed Hollow Point Subsonic

 

I just found a new favorite 9mm ammo. Remington 9mm HTP Subsonic.

This jacketed hollow point 9mm ammo gives you the stopping power you need, with reliability.

These rounds contain the heavier 147 Grain projectile, even though it's a hollow point. This gives you the subsonic speeds without worries that light powder loads won't cycle your action. All this make it perfect for using with suppressors.

This Remington High Terminal Performance (HTP) ammo is high quality ammo. It has well crafted and very consistent components: primers, brass cases and a hollow point projectile. They will do the job with excellent controlled expansion and weight. They give me a great self defense ammo.

I ran a 500 round test with this ammo. I ran them through several firearms and was surprised more than once.

Glocks love this ammo. I tried the ammo in two different Glocks. Both ran great. My Glock 17 will eat any kind of ammo though. The Glock 17 is my daily carry firearm because it never jams and is high capacity. The HTP ammo is now my daily carry ammo. 20 rounds of 147 Grain, jacketed hollow point is a good tool. That says a lot with me.

I tried it next in my Smith and Wesson 539. I was very interested in this test because this gun is very particular about the ammo it likes. Especially hollow point ammo. It ran 100 rounds with no jams, great accuracy and function of the gun. The slide is tight on this gun. It hates light loads. Subsonic ammo had been trouble in the past.

That brings me to the other end of the bell curve. My Hi-Point 9mm is my least favorite, least reliable gun. It has the worst trigger I have ever felt. I can't actually believe I allow this turd to stay in my safe. There is no ammo made that won't jam in this gun. It's typical jam rate is about 1 in 6 shots will result in a jam. I have had a jam rate of 100% on some ammo. I ran 100 rounds through it.  Only 4 rounds jammed! Out of 100! Maybe it was because the gun had not been shot in such a long time I cleaned it right before taking it to the range. This made it the most impressive part of the test. I expected it to run fine in my Glock. It will shoot any crappy steel case cheep ammo. This says more. Wow.

Just for fun I ran three mags of this ammo through a friends full auto UZI. He warned me going in that the UZI had trouble with hollow point ammo on his feed ramp.

Open bolt UZIs are just odd to me. But damn, it's fun running a mag dump test. I did have two jams. As expected they stuck on the feed ramp. They cleared easy and the bullet nose was really damaged on the rounds that jammed. I saved the round and was going to take a photo for this post but I couldn't find it last night. I was amazed how well I stayed on target at full auto! Big fun!

The cost of the ammo is about $19 a box. This is an excellent price for the performance and quality you get. I got this ammo from Target Sports USA. They have FREE SHIPPING on ammo if you buy ammo by the case. I love that! My UPS guy does not love that! They have a really good selection of camping, shooting and other stuff for your gift giving!

--Don't forget you favorite Blogger!

Ammo Review

Anthony over at LuckyGunner.com sent over a couple boxes of ammo for me to test and review.

The first box is PMC Bronze .357 Magnum, 158 grain JSP.

The second box is PMC Gold Starfire .357 Magnum, 150 grain SFHP.

I used my Ruger SP101.

Both boxes shot flawlessly.

The photo of the target below was taken after the first 12 shots at 20 yards. All 70 shots ended up inside the 8 ring.

I was pleased with the results at 20 yards!

My friend NancyR gave it a try and found the recoil very manageable. If she had been shooting Zombies every shot would have been right in the sinuses.

I really like the PMC Ammo. The price is modest (when you can find it!) It has good quality and reliability. The Hollow Points make good defensive rounds.

--I recommend the PMC Ammo. Good stuff.

NancyR and the .357

Techna Belt Clip

For several months now I have been road testing the belt clip style accessory on my small frame backup gun. You can get these clips on Techna.com.

These things are like the clips on half my pocket knives. Keeps them from moving around. Overall I really like the clip. I have had a couple issues though which I will detail later. 

THE GOOD STUFF:

1) It is Very Inexpensive. 

Compared to holsters the clips are VERY inexpensive.  They are available for a variety of small autos with more models coming all the time. They also do not interfere with a variety of aftermarket LASER targeting packages.

2) It's Easy to Install.

This Youtube video shows just how easy it really is. Only took me a couple minutes.

 

3) It's Small.

There are times when carry options are very restricted by your clothes. These clips give you way more options, especially for women.

I have worn the clip inside the waist band of my swim trunks at the beach.

I have a pair of boots that it fits perfectly just in the top inside.

I often carry a backup gun on my offhand side. This clip works perfectly in my left hand pocket with the butt facing forward.

There are also other creative options, as you can see, in the photos to the right. She wouldn't let me take a pic of an inner thigh, stocking/garter, setup but I trust your imagination can get you there.

Done right the clip keeps it where you want it.

4) It's Simple.

When you are trying to minimize the bulk of the gun you are carrying you reduce the size of the gun and the size of the holster. You can't get much smaller than no holster.

Once you start exploring the options it gives you, you will be surprised how many different places and ways you can use the thing. I found a perfect stash spot just under the dash in my truck where I can put it when I can't carry it.

Techna.com actually sent me one for review. I liked it so much I actually bought a few more for other guns I have.

THE NOT GOOD STUFF:

1) The Lint Buildup.

After I began using the clip I discovered that I would end up with serious lint buildup inside my firearm. The lubricants would be leeched away and in some cases would end up resulting in feed jams on the second shot. This may be a problem for all pocket carry setups.  This was simply the first time for me to pocket carry in anyway.

I solved this problem by frequent cleaning. Even if it had not been fired. That stopped lint and kept it lubed.

2) Holster Constraints:

With the clip attached the gun will not fit in some holsters. Some are just fine.

3) The Clip Can Snag.

I was on a camping trip with friends and was wearing my usual summer clothes including cargo shorts. I had a backup gun clipped in my thigh pocket.

When I got up from a folding chair, the clip snagged on the chair and actually sprung from my pocket without my notice. When I turned to retrieve my soda, there it was, laying on the chair. The clip slightly bent. Not good.

If it had to happen, that was the right place. No harm, no foul, no embarrassing loss of a gun. No "splaining" to do. 

SUMMARY:

All in all, I recommend the Belt clip. It gives you options!

Shotgun Ammo Tests

So I have been trying to decide what kind of 12 gauge ammo to purchase in quantity. In the past I have simply purchased what was on sale at the time. I never did a performance comparison before, for 12 gauge ammo, that was all 00 Buckshot and specifically for self defense.

Mossberg 500

I ran this test with my Mossberg 500.

I picked the Mossberg for the test because it is the most reliable, stable, known quantity shotgun of all the ones I have in the collection. I wanted this test to be about the ammo not the shotgun.

All of the ammo below came from Lucky Gunner. Historically I have purchased Remington 2 3/4" standard 00 Buckshot. It's what was usually on the shelves and I never really thought twice about it. But I never bought it in quantity either. A box of 5 got me through hunting season with 3 shells to spare usually.

Here is what I compared:

• Winchester Ranger - 2 3/4" Low Recoil Law Enforcement Ammunition
• Sellier and Bellot - 2 3/4" SB Buck Shot
• Remington - Standard - 2 3/4" 00 Buckshot
• Remington - Magnum - 3" 00 Buckshot

In general every round performed flawlessly. I was going to post pictures of my targets but they were so similar in pattern (and so torn up) that I didn't bother. All were shot at 10 yards. The only notable difference was that the Remington 3" shells contained more buckshot, a noticeable amount more.

Remington - Standard - 2 3/4" 00 Buckshot

I started the test with these because they are what I have shot the most in the past. I was able to establish a baseline with these. Weather the target is paper, a deer or a knife wielding burglar,  these will get the job done!

Winchester Ranger - 2 3/4" Low Recoil Law Enforcement Ammunition

I had never tried low recoil 12 gauge rounds before. I was very happy. I personally don't mind recoil. I kinda like it actually. These rounds made me wish I had brought along a 20 gauge shotgun to compare kicks. It was noticeably lighter even though the pellet count and pattern were the same as the standard Remington 2 3/4" rounds. These would great if you were planning a long day of training. They would also be great in my other Mossberg 500 shotgun with a short barrel and pistol grip.

These are great for pump shotguns. I am not sure these would cycle my Saiga 12 gauge though.

Sellier and Bellot - 2 3/4" SB Buck Shot

These rounds performed just like the Remington standard buckshot. Recoil felt the same and the pattern on the target was the same. The most notable difference was the price. $1.00 a round vs $.60 a round.

Remington - Magnum - 3" 00 Buckshot

These shells kicked the hardest, as expected. I don't mind the recoil. My wife would NOT like bruises they would leave on her. At 10 yards the pattern on the target was about the same diameter but there was a lot more holes. This shotgun had a smooth bore and no choke. I understand that the pattern can be tightened up on these rounds with a full choke, extending the range. Great for hunting but not really an issue as defensive rounds at 10 yards.

I should also note that I could fit one less of the 3" shells in the Mossberg.

My conclusions:

I am surprised to discover that the Remington 2 3/4" shells I have bought the most in the past came in last in this side by side comparison. All functioned really well and I'd be happy to have any of them when the pending Zombie Apocalypse hits. Here is the specifics:

• For performance I like the Remington 3" Magnums the best. More lead per trigger pull. I swear the target looked like a whole mag from my Glock 9mm shot in one trigger pull. I am a big guy so the extra recoil doesn't bother me. I will use these when I deer hunt from now on.
• The Seller & Bellot 2 3/4" performed well AND has a great price point. I love value when I am looking to buy 1000 rounds. But not at the expense of performance. These performed.
• The Winchester Ranger Low Recoil rounds were great. At a price just under the Remington Standard 00. These would be sweet for special duty and you can be sure I will be ordering some.
• Note: I now have to try the Sellier & Bellot 3" Magnum shell.

I think my next tests will be a variety of low recoil 2 3/4" shells. Several manufacturers produce them now.

Maybe I will do a test to see what my Saiga 12 like to eat best!

I may do another side by side of several 3" 00 Buckshot brands.

Too much fun!

BTW, If you are, like me, looking for Buckshot in quantity LuckyGunner.com has multiple options at good prices. A quick peek tonight shows six different brands as low as $115 per 250 round boxes. 

--All and all good fun and I learned a lot. I think the UPS guy is gonna hate me now!