Gun Review: Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro Comp 9mm Pistol
Springfield Armory has just released the latest version of the Hellcat Pro pistol, the Hellcat Pro Comp. Springfield’s taken their 15+1 Hellcat Pro (which comes with an extended mag for 17+1 capability) and, well, comped it. The 3.7” hammer forged steel, Melonite-treated barrel is interrupted by an integral compensator (hence the Pro Comp name). The […]
Skill Set: Law Enforcement and Pistol Mounted Optics
The wave of the pistol-mounted optics is sweeping across the law enforcement landscape nationally. Is that a good idea? I’m not sure that matters. PMOs are here to stay, regardless of the level of police agency adoption. The question that should be raised is, “What’s the smart way to do this?” As an example, a […]
Rule 5: Lock it Up
I come from an era when people left their houses unlocked, as they did their cars, often leaving the keys in the ashtray or under the floor mat. Dad did that and I asked what prevented someone from taking his car. “Why would they do that?” was his response. Because people steal things…routinely and historically. […]
DGU Chronicles: Learning From the Mistakes of Others
I’m forced to keep track of defense gun uses and firearm-related accidents as part of my job. I keep an eye out for issues that become “learning moments” for me as well as for others. One way to do that is to subscribe to blogs, news aggregators and to follow people who, like me, see […]
It’s Still a Thing: Shooting The Original Smith & Wesson M&P40
Just over 18 years ago, I joined a number of writers on a trip to the Smith & Wesson factory for the introduction of a new law enforcement pistol. The first of a line of newly manufactured “Military & Police” branded handguns, it was a striker-fired semi-auto chambered for the .40 S&W cartridge. Why the .40? […]
Random Thoughts About Systems and Personal Defense
The smart money bets on creating and maintaining systems and worrying less about setting and attaining goals. That’s an idea that was stolen from a famous cartoonist-turned-pundit. His idea is that goals can be self-limiting and can prevent you from seeing further opportunities when they arise. There’s truth in that, but it’s also applies to […]
Behold: The Smith & Wesson Ultimate Carry J-Frames in .38 Spl and 32 H&R Magnum
By Rich Grassi Last week, I attended a gathering of the grey beards in Louisiana to participate in the hard launch of the Smith & Wesson Ultimate Carry revolvers. It seems that Smith & Wesson has been in product development stages of many of their product lines for decades. When they got a new handgun product […]
Gun Review: Colt King Cobra Target .22 LR
If you look at the selection of .22 LR double action revolvers, you’ll see that we’ve gone from a few available – the Smith & Wesson M617 and 317/63 models and a few Rugers (LCR, SP101 and, until recently, the GP100-22). But more makers have been stepping forward and Colt has returned to the game […]