License To Carry

I almost feel like this when I say "License To Carry", but that's not really it. It feels funny saying it, and it's not because, this was my least favorite Bond of them all! Last weekend, I took the Texas "License to carry a handgun proficiency course" and now I have a "certificate of training". This is what's necessary in Texas to be licensed by the state to carry a handgun, either "open carry" or "conceal carry". Of course, there's still come paperwork to be done, but I've done it and soon, I'll be fully legal to carry a handgun around (unless, it's an illegal location such as a school etc.). Why would I do that.

It's mostly because of this. Well actually, let me start from the beginning. I'm not afraid of bad neighborhoods and bad people. I've lived in New Orleans and Chicago. Been to Cabrini Green and regularly went to the St. Louis No. 1 Cemetary in New Orleans which is literally right up against the projects. But the stuff represented by the imagery above scares the "Dickens" out of me (aren't you glad I didn't use another Bond title Living Daylights as a pun here). There are more and more groups (of both side) which are advocating violence and concepts of anti-authoritarianism. I just don't want to turn the corner in the wrong place at the wrong time and be in the wrong situation with no recourse. 

So now, this will be me. Which gets me to the gun itself. Although, I'll start by packing my Walther PPQ which is what I have. However, I don't see it as being the optimal solution. It's just too big for the summer months here in Texas where shorts and T-Shirts are the norm. Eventually, I'll get around to picking up something that's smaller, lighter and more conducive to every day carry. 

Right now, the front-runner is this: the Walther PPS, M1 (or "old") version with the paddle mag release. It's a single stack (read thin) with a much shorter grip making it way easier to conceal, which is after all, the name of the game!  I will have to get over the awkward proportions and general ugliness, but I don't want to have to develop a different muscle memory for a magazine change. I'm a paddle-release guy and will probably continue to be that unless I switch primary handguns. 

Whichever way I go, I know I'll feel a lot better out and about with my family in today's increasing unstable society.

"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.

Defending The Castle

Although I recently replaced my Walther P99 Gen 1 with the new PPQ, it really isn't that change which has led to this post. Yes, I was in fact, using the P99 as my primary home defense weapon, it certainly wasn't an ideal choice...... it was what I had. But now, my end goal for the "home defense" weapon of choice is coming in. It's the Mossberg 500 "Persuader" shotgun in 12 gauge!

Basically like the one pictured here except that mine has the "ghost-ring" sights. Why? If you've ever looked at the business end of a 12 gauge shotgun, you know why. It doesn't matter whether you have it loaded with a 300+ grain slug, 9-pellet "buckshot" or the #4 Shot that the FBI says is the most effective; this gun will deal with most any home defense situation that doesn't require an AR. I wanted the 18.5" version because it's short and easier to maneuver in a house, and in that use, the 2 more (7 vs 5) cartridge full load isn't going to make a difference whereas, not knocking it into stuff will! 

In all probability, I'm going to keep mine loaded with #1, 2, or 4 shot as the first two in the tube, with "buckshot" after that, just in case. This is to give the gun a heavy hitting first 2 shots, while limiting the chance of jumpy discharges from going through walls with unintended consequences to a minimum. I figure, by the time I get to the 3rd round, I'll be more specifically trying to get something serious dealt with! Do I intend on doing anything to upgrade the gun?

Not too much, but a few things such as the all-important weapon-light. For a defensive firearm intended for "clearing" a house, I'd say, it's a "must have". 

Another will happen item is the Magpul SGA stock and fore end. This stock, because, it has a number of removable pads to allow for a shorter pull and overall length. And the fore end  so that I can use the M-Lok slots on it for attachment making for a cleaner gun overall. 

I might also add a "heatshield" because I like the way they look and are inexpensive, but that's pretty much it. I don't want a ton of stuff on it. In fact, I'm not even sure that I want to add a cartridge holder to the receiver. So, that's about it. This is going to stand in a corner and take over for the Walther as the silent sentry in our house.

How To Play The "Long Game"

There was a running back who played for the Dallas Cowboys back in the old days, named Walt Garrison. It was said of ole' Walt, that if you needed 3 yards, you gave the ball to Walt and he got you those 3 yards, ..... however, if you needed 7 yards and gave the ball to Walt, he'd get you 3 yards..... What's my point? That was the old days where scores resembled baseball games of the 90s and coaches believe that only 3 things can happen when you pass; and two of those were bad! So, we'll just say that scoring was a long drawn out process.

In adherence to that principle, I bought a gun..... Yeah...., that's a gun. OK, here's the story. When I originally bought/built my AR15, some things were done out of expediency. Like the "complete lower" that I was able to pick up for $135. It wasn't everything I wanted, but it had good bones (a Aero Precision Gen 1 lower). I just wanted a complete AR for an affordable price. But, in the end, I'd like to have is my dream gun. So, last month, I bought a Gen 2 lower for less than $50. The plan is, over time, I'm going to build up the "dream gun" with all the parts in it that I really want, then switch the upper when it's finished. What all is going to be in this super gun?

Other than the, "next gen" lower, it's going to be built around an ALG Defense, Advance Combat Trigger (ACT). Which is "Mil-spec", but better, cleaner and lighter. That's the most expensive piece at about $70, but I'm going to use better, or more advance parts for each little piece in the lower. My plan is to have an ambidextrous safety, a Magpul BAD lever to allow bolt release from both sides as well as upgraded springs everywhere. I also plan to use either the JP Industries silent buffer or something similar to it. 

I'll finish it all off with an Aero Precision billet, enlarged trigger guard. At that point, the lower end of my M4 "Recce Carbine" will pretty much be done. So, why would I do it this way? 

Touchdown! Here's the concept. When I get the new lower completed with all the upgraded parts, and I move the carbine upper over to it, the left overs will essentially be another complete lower. Here's the important piece (legally that is). When the old lower was bought, it was transferred as a "frame" only and not as either a "rifle" or a "pistol". Therefore, I should be free to rebuild it as pretty much anything I choose, as long as it's not an NFA item). What I'd really like to have is an AR pistol in chambered in 300 Blackout. 

The "philosophy of use" for a 300 Blackout (or AAC) is to have a cartridge that is more effective on targets that are relatively heavy and dense (eg. Feral Hogs) out to 150-250 yards. This particular cartridge starts life as a cut-down 223/5.56 and thus fits an AR bolt-face and will fit in AR magazines as well. However, it's opened up to take a .30 caliber bullet thus giving it great latitude in construction for a hand-loader especially. Given the construction of the case, it's a chambering that does well in sub-carbine (<16")_ length barrels.My intention is to use a 10.5" barrel.

So, in actuality, I'm doing two builds at once. Both will be able to use the same magazines, the same bolt carrier groups and accept the same accessories as well. One will be a carbine and the other will be a pistol. I just can't mix up the uppers and lowers or I'll have an SBR and run afoul of the NFA! The M4 style "Recce" carbine will be in .223 Wylde and therefore capable of good accuracy with either the .223 or the 5.56 out to 300 yards and beyond. The pistol in 300 Blackout will be good from "close quarters" out to 300 yards and more capable of taking down heavier game. 

The Mobile Plan: Is That Hardware In Your Toolbox?

It seems like we aren't ever home. That's because, we aren't..... my family is in "those years"......, meaning that time when the kids are between the ages of 10 and 16, when we as parents are constantly on the go. Besides both my wife and I working in different towns from where our home is located. We also take our kids to their swim practice in another town as well for 4 evenings a week as well as Saturday morning. That doesn't take in account the in-season before school practices 5 mornings a-week or any meets on weekdays or weekends. Suffice to say that we're spending a lot of time traveling around in our vehicles. All this means that we have to be prepared to deal with any eventualities when we're out.

As an aspiring "Prepper", my single greatest fear is something like this happening when we're away from home. And it appears that the potential for social unrest is becoming increasingly possible, if not probable! Politics and beliefs not withstanding, I have no intention of being caught in something like this. But I live outside Dallas. Sure, that's better, than say Philly, Detroit, or LA, but it ain't Colorado Springs or Bartlesville, OK either. So, just in case; I need to have a plan. 

My first order of business is to get my License to Carry (LTC here in Texas). As soon as I get a free weekend, I'm going to take the class so I can carry a sidearm with me. My intention isn't necessarily to always carry a sidearm. After all, I'm a school teacher and we can't have them on campus. But I want to make darn sure that I can at least legally have one in the vehicle with me that's fully loaded and ready to go. 

 

The second and main part of my plan is to have one of these in my vehicle at all times. It's a Rigid brand tool box that's been customized to hold one or more firearms along with ammunition. These things are rugged, stealth and don't take up a lot of space. The smaller sized one can have 2 layers of foam and therefore should be able to hold not only a handgun, but my Kel-tec Sub 2000 as well. 

The concept isn't to have enough firepower to fight it out. That's a stupid idea! There's always going to be somebody that you can't out-gun. Then what? The idea is to have enough fire-power to either get yourself free from the situation and get home, or at least encourage the bad people to leave you alone and move along.

Let's All GROW UP and Look At The Real Issue

Recently, one of my family members wrote something on Facebook in support of an assault weapons ban which points out that the founding fathers never conceptualized something such as the AR/AK of today when they penned the 2nd amendment. And you know what...... they didn't.

Because they were thinking of something along these lines.... What's my point? In 1787, the Kentucky long-rifle was the most advanced weapon of it's day! So yeah, he made an accurate, yet historically misapplied argument. So, what then is the issue? What they didn't envision was the 20th/21st century breakdown of the American family and the detrimental affect it would have on the development of our youth. 

Last week, I taught a unit on the era of the late industrial age and nationalism. And staring me right in the face was the answer to our national crisis. One of the generally accepted societal effects of the time was the lengthening of "childhood" and the delaying of "adulthood". You might as well just go ahead and say it, at a time in which our children are less mature, we are placing them increasingly in situations where they can, and do make more adult decisions. 

It's almost a mantra in today's society that if a person is old enough to die for their country, they are old enough to ___________; you fill in the blank. I for one say that, that is a load of crap! And after 20+ years in education, I know a thing or two about teens, because I've seen a thing or two, or four! Ask pretty much any grown adult and you'll find the same answer. Teenagers are getting LESS responsible and mature, NOT more! 

The reality of the industrial revolution is that increasingly, kids stayed in school (and home) till they were at least 18. In fact, it's been mandated. Prior to this era, "kids" went to work by the time they  were 14-15 years old, or got married and had children by 18. You can ask any parent; no single event changes a person more than having kids! My belief is that the only reason American society hasn't experienced the detrimental effects of this issue earlier was World War II.Not only was it a time far less removed from the previous era of forced maturity. It forced an entire generation of boys/young men to go into the military, then suffer the travails of a war! 

Ask any sociologist when American society took a marked turn toward increasing teen destruction,... go ahead. Yeah, pretty much any will tell you that it's the post WWII era. ....and it's gotten progressively worse, with today's coddling helicopter-parent creating the low-water group of today. OK.... I'm I going to just bitch or do I have an idea?

Yup, I sure do! If 21 is the drinking age, then, lets make it the age for EVERY judgement critical thing in society. Why do you think they had to up the drinking age 21? Because 18 year old's are great decision makers right? OK, but what about the military you say? I say that 18 is fine because, in the military, virtually everything dangerous is meticulously training into you AND supervised by 1 or more of the toughest and most experienced veterans put in charge of anyone anywhere....., the Drill Instructor or Sergeant..... and they are overseen by even tougher and more experienced Chiefs, Master Sergeants etc. And while I'm at it, I'd push the voting age back up to 21 as well! And one more thing; let's go ahead and enforce the laws we have why don't we!?!

That's it..... that's all I got today.

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.