Summer Fun With Guns

After a week of grading Advance Placement essays followed by several weeks of prepping for, then actual painting our house, summer break finally arrived for me! So, this week, along with some little "honey-dos", I finally got around to doing some projects of my own. Much of today was devoted to working on my ARs (yes, I said AR(s), which I'll write a separate post on), I got to spend some time with my favorite gun; the Walther PPQ.

The first order of business is to replace factory sights with some TruGlo "Nightsights"! 

This gives my main 9mm the same sights as my conceal carry piece, the PPS/M1. I really like consistency and having identical sight pictures is a good thing. At some point, I'll probably do the same to the Magnum Research MR9 "back-up" handgun as well.

 

In this image you can see a depiction of the M1 (aka Classic) magazine on the right vs. the M2 or the button (American) style release mag on the left. This is one of the reasons I use the MR9 as my backup gun. It's basically a Walther P99 and therefore uses the same mags. All that is awesome and fits my plan (personal obsession) well. However, it leaves one nagging issue that I wish was different.

Here's an image of the Kel-tec Sub 2000 like the one I picked up a couple of years ago. I really like it and it shoots well. I could wax eloquent about it for some time, but I'm going to go a different direction here. I bought it because it shares the 9mm that most of my guns uses. It's pretty much everything I want except for one thing. It doesn't take the Walther mags. The Sub2K actually comes in a wide variety of versions, ranging from S&W M&P, to Sig P226, to CZ75, to the Beretta 92/96 (which is the one I have) and of course the ubiquitous Glock 17 as well as the shorter gripped 19 version as well. No Walther. This is the price you pay when you choose based on what fits the best versus what's most popular! Currently, Kel-tec even makes a mag catch kit for the Canik TP9, so what gives? The M&P is easily the second most popular 9mm, and both the Beretta 92 and Sig have been around so long that they are considered standards. 

Surely the Walther is more popular than the CZ75 and Canik? There's actually a perfectly logical explanation as to not only why there's not a Walther version, but will likely never be one. 

So, here's the deal. There are actually 3 versions of the Sub 2000/9mm in production; a Glock 17 (the original) version and a Glock 19 version with a shorter grip to accommodate the shorter magazine for the "compact" and most popular Glock. Of course they are going to not only make something to match the most popular striker-fired of the most popular caliber (9mm) on the market! Then they make one other version for all the other 9mm handguns out there since pretty much everyone else's (non-Glock) mags are the same with the only difference being the shape and location of the magazine catch. One catch! All these magazines are roughly the same length; that of the old "full-sized" handgun along the lines of the Sig P226 and Beretta 92/M9. So, the issue for the Walther is that not only is that not the weird (really high) catch slot, but is too short for the grip of the gun since the PPQ is a compact along the lines of the Glock 19! So, what now, give up and just use the Beretta mags?

Heck no! I've got one more trick up my sleeve. If you'll look at the bottom of the grip, you'll see the finger cut-out to allow for a stuck mag to be pulled out. By comparing, it looks to me if I opened that area up more, maybe with a Dremel, I'll be able to get the shorter Walther mag up high enough to feed rounds to the bolt. But what about the PPQ/M1 mags with the "too high" catch slot?

I might have a solution for that as well. It appears that the Beretta have the "lowest" slot of all the ones that Kel-tec makes catch kits for......., and that if I turn it upside-down, it'll be in roughly the right location for the Walther mags! Now, it's going to require me to do some filing and maybe some "Southern Engineering", but what the heck? Ordering a catch kit is only $15! Stay Tuned!

"The Rifleman" Remake

Appropriately, the early 60's was a time for TV Westerns featuring a rifle toting lawman or bounty hunter. 1963 gave us "The Rifleman" starring Chuck Connors.....

And earlier, 1961 had given us "Wanted: Dead or Alive" with a young Steve McQueen. Of course, in reality, those shows didn't feature "rifles" per se, "The Rifleman" probably should have been called "The Carbine-man", but I'll have to say that it does lack the ring of the official title. And in the case of the McQueen show, that heavily modified Winchester can barely even be called a carbine. 

The "Mare's Legs" as guns of that type has come to be called have more in common with today's AR "pistols".  I was born in 1960 (and in Hong Kong), and not having moved to the United States until I was 7, in 1968. Never-the-less, like most boys of the era, loved Westerns and all things associated there-of. 

So, appropriately, and probably to no one's surprise, I've fallen hard for the Kel-Tec Sub 2000! Previously, I talked about how it was the missing "pistol-caliber carbine" that I'd been searching for, but that was on a conceptual basis.... Now that I've shot it, well.... I'd have to say that I'm completely smitten! Let me go through the reasons:

• ITts small, light, AND it even folds up to be even smaller. Really, 16" is ridiculous!
• It shoots like a dream! I put about 200 rounds through it without a hiccup. This included 4 different types of ammo, 2 of which were my own hand-loads.
• It was dead accurate out to 25 yards (the max  at the indoor range), and that was with the hard-on-old-eyes peep sights which I'm going to replace with a notch sight. When a red dot was mounted on it....., it was "too easy". 
• The previous owner had already upgraded the charge handle, trigger and trigger guard among other things and it felt awesome. 
• It was dead reliable while using 4 different types of magazines, including Beretta OEM, Mec-Gar (pretty much OEM), Beretta 35 round extended, and USGI M9 mags.

 

 

The previous owner had also put on the very common upgrade of the Magpul AFG on the lower rail. I ended up removing it because it felt awkward and I felt like it made the gun feel bulky which was contrary to the spirit of the design. 

In it's place, I put on the Magpul XTM hand-stop, which I love! It does the same thing, but is much smaller and lighter! 

And on the inch and a half of rail left, I mounted a Truglo MicroTac laser. It's the perfect size and weight for this carbine's intended purpose of a ready for anything carry-carbine.

The Modern Miniteman

As I approach my "gun goal", it's time to evaluate my situation. The intention of being a gun owner was and is not for it to be a hobby or a collection. That's a separate concept, and I'll get to that later. My purpose is the old 2nd Amendment goal of exercising my right to be armed and defend myself and my family if the need arises. I've extended that to include what might be necessary in the event of a temporary breakdown of societal norms (aka SHTF, WROL, etc). To that end, I've decided that I'd like to have the following weapons:

• Service Pistol: A pistol designed to handle defensive situations over possibly an extended period of time and therefore uses a "standard" caliber round and of sufficient power to stop an adult human. I have a Walther P99 with 9 magazines.
• Pistol Caliber Carbine: A carbine length weapon designed to use the same caliber ammunition as my primary pistol which would be easy to use by someone not as familiar with firearm use. I have a Kel-Tec Sub 2000 (Gen 2) chambered in 9mm and takes the Beretta magazines (7 mags). Beretta and Walther magazines can be interchanged with minimal modifications. 
•  Survival Gun: A general use, adaptable weapon that can be used in a variety of situations. I have a Fedarm SS-12, 12 Gauge single-shot with a chamber adapter for 9mm. I'll also be getting chamber adapters for 22LR and some other calibers as well. This gun has a synthetic stock, a paracord sling and folds down to roughly 18 inches.
• Battle Rifle: A full-sized main "battle weapon" designed to either offensively attack an enemy or fight off one or more concerted attacker(s) chambered in a standard caliber. I have an AR-15 clone in .223/5.56 NATO along with 14 magazines. 

It's in my plan to also get the following as time and finances allow:

• Home Defense Shotgun: In all probability, this will be a Mossberg 500, or Remington 870 pump shotgun in 12 Gauge. 
• Concealed Carry Handgun: 9mm "single-stack" handgun for ammunition commonality and adequate knockdown power. In all probability, this will be the M1 version of the Walther PPS.
• Small Caliber Small-game and Practice Handgun: 22LR, Walther P22. Similar handling characteristics to the P99.

That puts the count at 7, and that my seem like a lot of guns, but it's really not. Each has it's own specific job and none of them overlap. There's not really even a "back up" to each other. 

As you can see, the majority of the guns I own or aspire to own are "Minuteman" type guns. What does that mean? I own guns because I believe in being responsible for protecting myself, my family and being a sheep dog to my neighbors. And if it came down to it, I'd do what I'd be called on by my country if things went seriously out of whack. 

Note that all of my guns, whether owned or projected to purchase are chambered for "standard" calibers; that being 22LR, 9mm Para, 223/5.56 NATO, and 12 Gauge. These are rounds that are easy to get, cheap (relatively) to buy, and more easy to scavenge in case of a breakdown. These are serious considerations since, guns become fancy paperweights without ammunition! 

In addition, it's my intention that I have the capability to reload virtually all the calibers listed above...... with obvious exception of the 22LR of course since it's "Rimfire". Right now, I'm set up to do 9mm and 5.56, so I'm most of the way there. I just need 12 gauge. So, is there anything else that I need/want for completion?

•  An Smith & Wesson SW99. A backup/ Truck Gun with in everything but name (and price) is a Walther P99, in 9mm of course. These can often be bought for less than $250.
  
  
•  A 300 "Blackout" AR. There's a number of ways I could go on this. The main idea of a 300Blk being something with better knockdown power inside of 200 yards than the 5.56. I could go with a pistol length weapon or carbine length. Mostly, it would be a "hog gun". Technically, I already own it since I bought another Aero Precision lower receiver.
  
    

•  A Breakdown/Take-down 22LR for obvious reasons. The Henry AR-7 shown at the top would be over $100 cheaper than the Ruger AND espeically if the Ruger 10/22 is equipped with the Magpul X-22 stock.I guess, we'll see on that. 

 So, I guess, that's it. I'm halfway to an overall goal of 10 guns total, with three which that could be considered optional. They would give me that ability to do just about anything I needed to do. I seriously doubt that I would get into collecting. Not that I'm uninterested, it's just that they are simply too expensive! 

Sure, we own a Winchester 1873 in 38-40, but it's a family heirloom and will probably never be shot. Otherwise, these things just get into too much money and something a teacher-father of two just can't afford to get into. So, I'd have to say that I'm pretty satisfied in the progress to my goals as a Modern Minuteman.

The Missing Carbine Has Been Found

I grew up with the Family Circus and always got a little chuckle from the depictions of the path the little boy took to get to things. Probably because I saw a lot of it in myself. It's taken me a long time and a circuitous path, but I've finally arrived at my "pistol caliber carbine" destination. Below is the Kel-Tec Sub 2000.

  

 Yes, I'm aware that it's a little unusual.... 

..... and that's just the beginning. Yup, it does indeed fold in half. Opened, it's roughly 30 inches. Folded, it's about 16"!!! Let me go back to the beginning and explain my "philosophy of use" for this thing. 

• I wanted a carbine that takes my primary pistol round (9mm Parabellum) and preferably my magazine as well. 
• Something that most anyone can get better accuracy than a pistol..... and at a longer range. Around 25 to 75 yards; where a pistol leaves off.
• Something that can go most anywhere without being obtrusive...... oh, say like an AR, or even a case big enough to hold an AR.
• Something small, light and easy to carry as well as get into action.
• Modern, with the ability to adapt modern accessories.
• Relatively inexpensive. 

 

My original intention was to take the "Planet of the Apes" gun, otherwise known as the Hi Point 995 and add the forthcoming Hightower Armory MBS 95 "bullpup" stock making it about 26" overall. I got as far as spending $150 to pick up one on Gunbroker. Unfortunately, after a trip to the range, the reality of the pathetic 10 round magazine got me to thinking about other options. Then it got worse when I realized that in fact, the rumors of the ProMag 15 round magazines not working proved to be all too accurate. There is a fix.... kind of, but if you try, it, and it doesn't work, you're out of luck, since it involves disassembling the mag, and bending the springs! So, I did a little math in my head.I had $150 in the 995. Hightower Armory said the stock conversion would be between $200 and $250; so we'll say $225. That makes the outlay about $375..... and that's with a magazine that wasn't anywhere close to my Walther and still stuck with a 10 round max. I knew the Kel-Tecs run in the upper $300s and lower $400 so the total wasn't too far apart. So, what was the deciding factor?

Yup, mags, but not just any mags...... Beretta 92 mags. As it turns out, a number of gun manufacturers use mags that are very similar. It kind of makes sense right? Similar concept, similar number of rounds, same round. Here's what happened; as always, I was looking around at trying to find inexpensive magazines for my rather expensive Walther P99, the originals of which are $40+ each. Of course, Sig mags, or HK mags aren't any cheaper, but I came across an article talking about using mags from the Beretta 92f/fs. It's also comes in a variant called the M9..... getting the picture now? Yeah, that M9, the former sidearm of the U.S. military that was just replace by the Sig 320. So, there are all sorts of mags available cheap, but there's going to be more coming, as the military begins to dump it's warehouses! 

What does this have to do with my Walther P99? Back to my original story. Apparently, after a little modification, Beretta 92 mags can be used in the P99! So, this was the best of all worlds! I'd have a gun capable of using, quality, yet very inexpensive magazines, but have those same mags also fit my primary handgun! Is that cool or what! To test that, I bought a couple of extended 30 round Beretta 92/PX4 mags and tried them in my P99. They worked fine, except that I need to cut another retention slot in each one. 

So, back to the Kel-Tec Sub 2000. ......which by the way, is not without it's warts. It has a number of deficiencies which include build quality (sub $500 MSRP in today's world gets you a lot of polymer), and a few other random things. But never fear, if there's a firearm made in decent quantities, today's booming after-market has one or more solutions. And in the case of the Sub 2K, it's M-Carbo of St. Petersburg, Florida. I'm not going to get into an exhaustive list of their products here, but of particular importance are machined aluminum replacement pieces for the trigger parts which solves the common complaint of the trigger pull. Their extensive collection of replacement parts plays an important role in my decision as well. Did I mention that this gun is not only small (when folded), but only weighs 4lbs! So, what's the next step? Finding one for a reasonable price. 

Actually, for this gun, finding one has been a bit of an issue, although that has gotten better of late. The problem is that the Sub 2K mostly sells for retail and often for more than that. The full retail figure is $500, but supposedly, you should be able to find them for about $400. Then came the "hunt". I found that if a person was persistent, this carbine could be had for around $400 + or - online. Which means you'll have to tack on another $25 to $35 for shipping. Hard hunting can find a similar price locally, then you end up tacking on about the same amount in taxes. Which is where Gun Broker comes into the picture. I've found that you can find pretty much anything you want there, but you'll mostly pay the "typical" price. However, if a person is diligent and persistent, AND disciplined, he/she can find a "deal". In my case, the "deal" came in the form of a lightly used Gen 2 version, that came with a very reasonable $20 shipping charge, AND extras...... 

What extras? You may not be able to tell, but they can all be seen in this picture in some way. There's the M-Carbo bolt handle cover, aluminum trigger and trigger guard, a Magpul AFG (Angled ForeGrip), a recoil pad, an extra magazine, and a Kel-Tec soft case sized for the Sub 2000. There may be more, but I won't be able to tell till I take the gun apart. All-in-all, just the pieces I've been able to identify comes to over $150, so when I tell you guys that I got it for $385, plus the $20 shipping making the total $404.95, I'm just about busting at the seams over it! Add to that, the ability to take magazines I already own, I'd say that this is just about the perfect "go everywhere" long-gun for me.

Pistol Caliber Carbine Connundrum

I love "pistol caliber carbines" (PCC), actually, that's a bit of a lie. More correctly stated, I love sub-machine guns, however, if a person doesn't want to get involve in NFA (national firearms act) restricted weapons, the modern PCC is as close as the average person's gonna get.

In reality, I'd really love to own a Swedish "K", but Uncle Sam frowns on such things, so I'm left with the a regular carbine with at least a 16" barrel. 

Where I originally started was one of these......

.....which I intended to turn into one of these. Now on the eve of Hightower Armory releasing it's bullpup stock for the 995, I'm having second thoughts. Why?

Let's look at the decision making matrix and dissect all the factors involved. 

• I'm looking for a easy handling pistol caliber carbine capable of using the same ammunition as my primary handgun (9mm). This one is easy since the 9mm is the most popular caliber on the planet.
• I don't want to spend more than $500 "all in". This one is a little tougher, but definitely doable.
• I really want it to be compact and easy to carry around unobtrusively. Definitely makes things harder.
•  Oh, yeah.... I like interesting....

So, there you go. Not too bad. It needs to a 9mm carbine, (16" barrel, 26" long), cheap, shoots the 9 x 19mm and interesting. Then, let's look at the candidates:

• 1st, there's the "Planet of the Apes" gun, or the original Hi Point 995, 'cus I own that. It's very handy, it's cheap, shoots the 9mm and the Hightower Armory stock is coming soon, .....and should correct the ugly gun syndrome! Issues? REALLY hate the 10 round magazine limit! 
• 2nd, is the AR variant. We'll go ahead and get the elephant out in the open. They're expensive. I might squeak a home-build in under $500..... maybe. And the cheap self-build using magazine adapters tend to be a little unreliable.
•  3rd, is the "new" option (for me at least). That would be the Kel-Tec Sub 2000 folding semi-auto. It's very unusual and kinda cool. More on this later. 

There are others such as the new Ruger PC9, but they are well out of my financial range. And some like the Beretta CX4 Storm is out of consideration due to ugliness. So, let's look at the folding gun,shall we....

In 2001, George Kellgren, aka Mr. Kel-Tec brought out the original Sub 2000 (image is Gen 2). At the time, it was (and still is) a revolutionary concept, where you can take a semi-automatic carbine and give it the ability to fold in half, giving it an overall length of 16" folded and 30" open! That's a size that's easily back-packable. On top of that, the design comes in flavors to take magazines from several major handgun manufacturers such as Glock, Smith & Wesson, Beretta and Sig Sauer. Why did this even become a thing?

Here's the deal. You might have heard that Walther magazines cost an arm and a leg. So, I've been looking into using mags from other manufacturer's guns. One such gun is the Beretta 9x series of pistols, one of which is the 92 that our military calls the M9. As a result, you can often find these mags for them cheap, including the excellent quality Beretta branded 30 round extended mag as depicted above. When modified (eg, cutting a new slot for the Walther mag release), it can be used in my P99! Which mean that I'd be able to take a Sub 2000 set up for Beretta mags and use modified ones as interchangeable between it and my Walther. To me, that's extremely attractive! 

So yeah; something along the lines of this Gen 1 Glock model, but you get the idea. Right now, I'm very tempted to sell my Planet of the Apes 995 and save up for one of these!