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Top 5 Best Mossberg MC1SC Holsters

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best mossberg mc1sc holsters

I’m a huge fan of the Mossberg MC1SC concealed carry pistol. It’s small, easily concealable, reliable, accurate, and very ergonomically correct. But, this isn’t a pistol review, you can read that here. Instead, this is about holsters. More specifically, the best Mossberg MC1sc holsters that I’ve found, to date.

For starters, support was slow from the holster makers of the world.

I guess many people were sort of just blind sided by the fact that a company who has only made shotguns and rifles for the past 100 years just jumped back into the handgun game.

Support is picking up, and I can say that Mossberg has hit a home run here with this little gun. I’m a big fan, and plan to buy the test model Mossy sent out to me.

So, that begs the question, then:

What are the best Mossberg MC1sc holsters?

Best IWB MC1SC Holster —

Clinger stingray v3

Clinger V3:

I’ve got one of these holsters for a few of my favorite guns, and it’s a staple in my house. I recently went out to the USCCA’s Concealed Carry Expo, and this is the setup I brought with me. It’s really comfortable, and makes just about any gun disappear on my body.

This is possible due to the fact that the forward most clip is attached to a piece of flexible leather. Because it’s hard Kydex on the other clip, it pulls the holster inward to your body more.

Visit their website for more information.

best mossberg pistol holster

There are also different cant positions, the Kydex is formed really well, and it offers excellent retention. For the money, you really can’t go wrong and they don’t pay me to say this.

Best OWB MC1SC Holster —

best mossberg owb holster

DeSantis Gunhide

I’m a big fan of being comfortable and you really cannot beat the comfort of an OWB (Outside the waistband) setup. I usually get a lot of strange looks when I tell folks that I OWB carry such a small gun in the 3 O’clock position, but it makes perfect sense when you think about it.

The small guns are easier to conceal outside your pants, than the bigger ones are. So, when I’m walking around my house and I’m all about being comfy, I’d rather do it in my pocket or outside my waistband. It’s just that simple.

The DeSantis Thumbreak holster works well for this. I have to admit that this is one of the first setups I have had that required a thumbreak, but after practicing with it a few hundred times it has become second nature to me.

That thumb break, by the way, really helps to ensure that some psycho won’t steal your gun if they see it on your body.

Best Anything Holster —

JM4 Quick Click Carry:

The quality that comes with JM4 Tactical is second to none and you’ll find me wearing one of these holsters on my body any day of the week.

I own several different sizes, but don’t have the right size for the MC1SC just yet.

I called this the best anything holster because you can use it to go on a jog, wear it to work, or around town. Doesn’t matter. Reason why, is because it’s magnetic and doesn’t require a belt to attach to your pants.

As an added bonus, the magnetism also helps retain the gun inside the holster. It’s a win win, and again, I own multiple of these. It’s a staple in my house.

You can read my full review on this one, here.

Best MC1SC Pocket Holster —

sticky holster
Note, I’ve been using the wrong size because I’m cheap. It fits, but is a little big in the MD-1.

Sticky MD-4:

This gun/holster combo is just barely good enough, size wise, to fit in my pocket. I find that the SIG Sauer P938 or a j-frame sized revolver is the perfect size for my pocket, and the MC1SC is just a bit bigger. However, on those days where I’m too lazy to strap on, I have stuck this pistol in my pocket and Sticky’s MD-4 works great for it.

Because it’s a bit bigger than other micro compacts that fit easier in the pocket, this setup may not work with all pants pockets. I have really big pockets on my clothes because I’m a really big dude. Think, 6’4″ and over 300 pounds. My clothes are bigger than the average and I like and shop for big pockets.

You can read my Sticky Holster review, here.

Best MC1SC Belly Band —

brave response holster

Brave Response Holster:

If ever there was a high quality belly band style holster, it’d be the Brave Response. It doesn’t use any sweaty-ass neoprene like ALL of the competitors, and, therefore, cleans up easier. I mean, it is machine washable.

This is my setup for those rare occasions where I go for a run or do other types of workouts as I try to lose this last 85 pounds of post Marine Corps jelly.

best mossberg mc1sc holsters

If you’re into running, you can read up more on the other holsters I recommend for running.

Conclusion:

Mossberg makes a great pistol, and I think they’re here to stay, as far as making handguns is concerned. This thing is just a winner. As time passes, there will undoubtedly be more support for these guns. Time will tell who jumps on board, but these are the best Mossberg MC1SC holsters I’ve found, to date.

Best Gun Holster For Runners

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best gun holster for runners

What’s the best gun holster for runners?

I don’t exercise as much as I should. However, I do find myself on the treadmill downstairs from time to time, as well as treating my knees to some good old fashioned torture testing while jogging around the neighborhood.

Being that people generally suck and animals are unpredictable, I always carry a gun on my person, even when I go running around the neighborhood or on the treadmill.

In fact, there is a bit of a stigma about people being attacked while running, as they’re distracted and unaware of any lurking baddies willing to hurt you.

So, while some people think I’m crazy for wearing and/or recommending a gun holster for running, bad stuff can happen to decent people at any time–to include on your jog.

Unlike other websites who try to tell you what the best jogging holsters are without trying them, I actually have experience with all the holsters on this list, minus the fanny pack, which is something a good friend of mine uses and I trust his opinion.

Here are my top pistol holsters for runners.

Best Gun Holster For Runners – Brave Response:

brave response appendix
Brave Response Appendix. The best choice for concealed carry joggers.

The Brave Response holster is number 1 on this list for a reason. The rest of the “best jogging holsters” really limit the size of the gun you can carry on your body for self-defense. Not so with the Brave Response because it doesn’t require any other clothing to work.

If I had to call it something, this would be the “best belly band holster for running.”

I have carried everything in my Brave Response Holster from a 5″ Coonan 1911 to a small J-Frame, and it works well. I own both versions of the Brave Response, the classic (linked to above), as well as the newest addition, the Appendix holster. Both are great.

This is kind of like a belly band, but isn’t, if that makes any sense, but doesn’t use any neoprene.

By the way, I feel as though any holster manufacturer who wants to be taken seriously should not use neoprene. If you’re like me, neoprene up against your body is a recipe for wetness because it doesn’t breathe well.

Backside of the Brave Response Appendix

The Brave Response Holsters are made of this shark skin cloth that breathes very well.

Also unlike the other holsters on this list, this one can be cleaned a lot easier. It’s machine washable. So, if you sweat like a boar in a bacon factory like me, this is right up your alley.

(I’m working on the Brave Response review)

JM4 Tactical QCC:

best gun holsters for runners
Here are two of my Quick Click and Carry Holsters. The one on the top (left) is the Roughneck. The other is called the High Ride. Both are great.

The JM4 Tactical QCC holster is perfect for jogging because, unlike a traditional concealed carry holster, no belt is required. This holster does not have a traditional clip. It utilizes leather and rare earth magnets that are SUPER strong to not only attach the gun to your body, but retain the gun inside the holster.

This IWB gun holster was originally designed for people who only wear active type clothing like yoga pants, basketball shorts, etc. I’m friends with the owners, and own 5 of these holsters. They’re that good and very highly recommended.

In fact, being that a lady helped invent this one, I’d consider it the best women’s gun holster for running–and no I’m not female. I do know a few ladies who do use this holster for running, horseback riding, and other jumpy and bouncy tasks. They all love it. 

My advice here, is to use a smaller gun because a pistol that’s too heavy can begin to sag the pants down a bit. Something like a Glock 43, SIG P365, or S&W Shield is perfect for concealed carry running. (here is my JM4 review)

Sticky Holster:

My personal MD-1 Sticky Holster that I've owned for a few years. I think it's time for a new one.

I have gone jogging with a Sticky Holster in my pocket before, and have a friend who has tied her drawstring around it in such a way that she can carry it in the appendix position while jogging.

I have not done the second method, though know how it is done. What I have done, though, is jog around like a whale with legs with a SIG Sauer P938 in a Sticky Holster in my pocket.

This is not my preferred method, but it does suffice if I can only afford one holster that needs to serve multiple purposes.

The main takeaway here, is that the gun/holster combo has to be small enough to fit in your pocket, and you need pockets big enough to make sure the gun doesn’t bounce out while you’re jogging.

(here is my Sticky review)

5.11 Tactical Fanny Pack:

The fanny pack holster is a funny one, but it totally makes sense if you’re looking for the best jogger’s holster. In normal day to day life, people may look at you kinda funny if you’re wearing one of these antique devices.

But, when you’re working out, the fanny pack holster just makes sense and nobody will give you a second look.

Why? Because it’s actually responsible for people to carry an ID, some cash, etc., on them even while jogging around town or on the local trail. Because you don’t want to carry that stuff in your hand, the fanny pack just makes sense.

And, when coupled with a fanny pack gun holster like the one pictured above, it makes even more sense because you know you can get to your gun in a decent amount of time should you feel the need to defend yourself against man or animal.

This option is designed to carry a gun and spare mags in case you really find yourself up that creek, and it’s reversible for left handed shooters, and right handed.

The key takeaway here, is to make sure that your holster fanny pack is meant to be a holster, which helps to distribute the weight of the gun better as well as aiding in draw stroke speed.

Here is a link to the 5.11 Tactical one pictured above.

Concealed Carry While Running – Conclusion:

There is a ton of bad advice out there concerning concealed carry holsters for runners.

I decided to write this article to dispel some of the garbage I saw being spewed from people who have clearly never actually tried running with a shoulder holster or wide clipped appendix carry Kydex holster that requires a BELT.

Both of which don’t make a lot of sense, by the way. So, what’s your preferred holster for running? Let me know in the comments below.

Polymer 80 Glock Review and Head to Head Glock 17 Comparison

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polymer 80 vs glock 17

Polymer 80 Glock Review

Building your own gun is like a bug. And once you get that bug, you can’t get rid of it. I built a few 80 percent lower receivers with a variety of different methods and have also drifted over to the Glock side of the market.

I’m not a huge Glock guy so I was tempted and torn between doing a 1911 or a Glock for the longest time. Finally, I settled on a Poly 80 Glock build, assuming it would be an easier and more affordable means to build a handgun. I was not wrong.

With some careful shopping, I was able to build a Polymer 80 Glock for about 350 bucks.

It’s not the fanciest build but I like it. Specifically, I went full sized with the PF940V2 frame kit and a Glock LAV edition slide with Ameriglo sights and an FDE finish. I used Glock OEM lower parts with an OEM extended magazine release and an extended slide release. The PF940V2 comes with a jig, as well as the bits to finish the build.

Polymer 80 Jig:

The jig is simple and proprietary. This is what it looks like:

The jig is made of plastic and is really only good for one use which is why there is one included with each 80% lower bought from Polymer 80.

And here is the finished product with a fully assembled pistol that started out as an 80%:

polymer 80 glock review

In comparison to an 80% AR-15 build with an abundance of many different brands of jigs available for you to use, the pistol comes with the one you’re going to use.

Speaking of AR-15 jigs, the one I recommend is the Easy Jig Gen 2. It makes the job so much easier than any others I’ve used.

You don’t have that selection with the Poly 80 Glocks. The real question is, do you need it? Seriously, after you finish your first you realize it’s pretty damn easy. The included Jig is more than suitable to finish that pistol.

On to the Throw Down

Building the gun is child’s play, and way easier than other builds I’d done. I used a dremel, drill, the included hardware, as well as a punch and some hand files. It was an easy build. The first thing I wanted to do was see how it compared to a standard Glock 17.

Ergonomics

Is one better than the other? I will say the Polymer 80’s frame is much more comfortable for me. Especially when compared to Gen 3 and 4 guns. I abhor finger grooves, a lot, a metric ton of abhorrence. The best thing about the Gen 5s is their lack of grooves. The Polymer 80 frames also lack finger grooves and come with more aggressive stippling if that’s your thing.

The grip angle is also completely different. The polymer 80 frame uses an 18-degree grip angle which is identical to a 1911’s grip angle. Glock’s standard angle is 22 degrees.

I personally find the Poly 80 grip more comfortable, but this is subjective to the end user.

Polymer 80 also incorporates a real beaver tail into their frame. No need for those goofy grip adapters Glock makes. I mentioned I’m not a Glock guy and that’s because Glocks of all sizes give me serious slide bite. The Polymer 80 frame does not.

Lastly, Polymer 80 incorporates a high undercut in the trigger guard and I find it to be very comfortable and allows me to assume a proper grip. In terms of accessing the controls, I can’t find a measurable difference between the Polymer 80 and the Glock 17.

Firing Range

On the range, all the comfort factors really do come into play. I find myself enjoying shooting the Polymer 80 more than the stock Glock. I do have a better degree of control over the gun, and I feel recoil and muzzle rise are tamed a bit more than the Glock.

Accuracy wise you are looking at nearly identical practical accuracy as far as I can tell. I see no major differences between either gun. The same goes for running reloads, fixing malfunctions, and similar tasks. Both guns are predictably similar in most tasks.

Reliability

Here is where we have the biggest departure. The Polymer 80 has proven reliable, after lots of work with a hand file and lots of working the slide. It took a lot of time just to get it to cycle a round or two.

If it came down to choosing which one I’d risk my life with, it would be the stock Glock OEM gun.

Building a Polymer 80 is fun, but I know I’m not a professional gunsmith. I’m just a dude with a dremel. The Glock made by Glock would be a much better choice for any serious use. Polymer 80 does manufacture a 100% frame that just needs you to stick parts in. I’d be more comfortable carrying that than one I did myself.

Aftermarket

Part of the appeal of Glock’s is the aftermarket. It’s massive, and hell the Polymer 80 is technically part of that aftermarket.

You still have lots of choices for parts and pieces for the Polymer 80, but it does limit you to Gen 3 and below. Also, numerous Glock holsters will not accommodate the Polymer 80 due to frame design difference as well as the use of a true Picatinny rail. A stock Glock will offer you a slightly larger aftermarket.

Should you do a Polymer 80?

If you approach building a polymer 80 with the right idea it’s an awesome project. It’s fun, easy to do, and you learn a thing or two. You can make an awesome gun for the range, or even competition. However, if you need a serious defensive firearm I’d suggest just buying a real Glock. Polymer 80 Glocks are purely for hobbyists.

You can learn more about buying one here at Brownells.

Bushnell TRS-25 Review: The Best Red Dot Sight For The Money?

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bushnell trs-25 review

Bushnell TRS 25 Review, Is it the best red dot sight for the money —

Cheap Optics. Two words that when put together make me cringe, especially when it comes to cheap red dot optics. Most are junk, better suited for Airsoft guns than actual firearms.

I’m a big proponent of hobby grade optics for hobby grade guns. I’ll never say you need an Aimpoint, Eotech, or Trijicon for every gun you have, but some guns are just made for fun and affordable optics are a perfect pair.

With this being said there are tons of optics made from Chinesium that are going to fall apart very quickly and be a total waste of money.

However, I’ve found one sub 100 dollar optic that isn’t hot garbage and that’s the Bushnell TRS 25. It’s a serious contender for the title: best red dot sight for the money, at least if you’re in the market for a more affordable option.

best red dot sight for the money

The TRS 25 is a compact red dot optic designed to be lightweight and easy to use. As of this writing, it’s priced at less than 60 bucks on Amazon. Typically an optic for less than 60 bucks is going to be garbage but after almost 4 months of use, I’ve been impressed.

The TRS-25 has been around for a while now, and it used to be priced right around a hundred bucks. I was timid then, but once the price dropped to 42 bucks I finally pulled the trigger. 42 bucks isn’t a lot of money.

My pocket knife cost more than that. A few boxes of defensive ammo costs more than that. And, the cheapest 80 lower jig I have actually costs less than that.

In those last few months, I’ve tossed it on an AR pistol, and now a CZ Scorpion and have been impressed by its overall performance.

The TRS 25 – What’s in the Box

The optic comes with a built-in Picatinny mount that is very low which is why it swapped from my AR to my Scorpion. Higher mounts are available, but the Scorpion needed an optic anyway.

The 25mm objective lens is well suited for smaller guns but is big enough to be quick to get on target. The Bushnell TRS 25 has a 3 MOA red dot, and 11 brightness levels. The dot is crisp at most intensity levels, but from 9 to 11 the dot begins to have some blur to it and loses that crispness.

best red dot sight for the money

It weighs only 3.7 ounces and is 2.4 inches long and will fit on the most compact of guns. The lens has a slight, bluish tint to it but is not darkened in any way. You also get a battery, an Allen wrench, lens covers, and a lens cloth.

How Does it Hold Up?

The TRS 25 is not trying to be anything other than a simple, reliable, best red dot sight for the money. It’s not a duty grade sight, and it’s not designed to be used for any kind of combat role.

It’s a solid little tool meant for the range, for training, and maybe even for hunting. In those roles, it won’t disappoint. Just don’t expect it to help you take Fallujah.

cz scorpion

As a red dot sight, it is faster and easier to use than iron sights. Zeroing it is a quick and easy affair and you’ll be ringing steel before you know it.

The dot allows you to quickly transition between targets and to get on target with some blazing speed. Out to 150 yards I could see and hit a steel USPSA target with my AR pistol. The dot is plenty sharp for engagements out to 200 yards and beyond.

The Dot is rather dim on any setting below 7, with 7 and 8 seeming to be the sweet spot for bright days. As an added benefit they don’t compromise the dot’s sharpness.

The view through the optic is nice and clear, especially for this price range. There doesn’t seem to be distortion around the edges. It’s not Aimpoint clear, but it’s clear enough for the best affordable red dot for the money.

It’s held zero with both 5.56 and 9mm without issue. Could it be used for larger calibers? For sure, but I didn’t have anything crazy to test it on. The biggest downside is the battery life. It advertises 3k hours, but that’s optimistic.

That would be 125 days continuous use and I’ve already swapped batteries once in 4 months. I also don’t leave the optic on constantly.

Final Verdict?

If you need a hobby grade optic for plinking then go for it. The TRS 25 works wonders in that category. Stop buying absolute trash optics and spend a hair more for the TRS 25. It’s priced around 50 bucks and that’s hard to beat. It’s not perfect, and not special, but it’s reliable and ultra-affordable.

M16A4 Clone: Aero Precision Review

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Aero Precision m16A4

Aero Precision Review: M16A4 Clone

Smaller is better is the current attitude with weaponry inside and out. The military is loving shorter rifles with the M4 ruling, and the MK18 is the choice for Spec Ops dudes around the military. The Army is even adopting a new SMG in small numbers.

The civilian industry also loves small guns, look at guns like the Scorpion, the MPX, super small ARs, and guns like the Mossberg Shockwave.

Smaller is better according to many, and with good reason. What’s not to love? They’re easy to maneuver, lighter in weight, etc.

However, I’m starting to grow fond of full sized rifles. Not carbines, but rifles.

Maybe it’s nostalgia, but I’ve found the traditional AR-15 to become more and more appealing. I wielded the M16A4 for most of my Marine Corps career, and at the time I didn’t respect just how awesome that platform was.

aero precision review

This was brought about by being out at SHOT Show and my time spent at the Aero Precision booth. They had several full auto variants of the AR, including an M16A4 clone.

When I picked it up and let burst after burst fly down range I was hooked. I relearned some things I had forgotten about the full-length rifle and knew I needed one. Aero Precision was happy to send me their M16A4 clone, sans full auto capability.

After a healthy amount of lead slinging I can report that my lust for a full-length rifle is satisfied.

What Makes the Full Sized AR-15 Great?

Smaller rifles are obviously the more popular choice for the AR-15 platform. The 16-inch barrel MForgery is the standard these days. These rifles are lighter, more maneuverable, and in the civilian world, this is as low as you can get on a rifle without paperwork.

The United States military has more or less settled on the M4 with the USMC holding out until 2015.

m16a4 clone

The M16A4 is likely still in armories and issued out to troops, especially in reserve units or in non-combat MOSes. However, it’s front line service is likely over for now. But there are still some major advantages to the M16A4, and rifle length ARs in general:

  • They maximize the velocity and range of the 5.56 round
  • They are softer shooting, lower recoiling weapons
  • Higher velocity means more energy downrange
  • Less muzzle rise means faster follow up shots

Like anything AR-15 related you have plenty of choices in full sized rifles. I like the Aero Precision model because I trust them to make quality parts for one. Second, it has most of the markings of a real M16A4.

If you wanted to go the full M16A4 clone route a lot of the work is already done–including the burst indicator, property marks, and M16A4 markings.

m16a4

Typically to get these markings you’d need an 80 percent lower, a guy with a laser engraving machine, 100 bucks, and some patience. With Aero, here they are, hot and ready.

The Aero Precision M16A4 Clone

Of course, while it wears the markings of an M16A4 it’s not technically complete. It still needs a quad rail from Knights, an ACOG, and a PEQ 15 or 16. However, this is a solid base for you to start an M16A4 clone.

In my case, I didn’t want to necessarily go full bore M16A4 clone. I wanted a reliable and well-made rifle length AR-15 that’s also affordable.

The Aero M16A4 clone is perfect for that.

It comes complete with a standard M16 carrying handle with all the crazy controls and adjustments that go beyond most iron sights that’re easy to adjust and zero. 25 yard zero targets are very popular and make it easy to get and keep your sights on target.

m16 carry handle

I found the Aero M16A4 to be near laser accurate. With iron sights, and shooting in the prone position I was stacking 3 shots into one hole on my zeroing target. Sure it’s only 25 yards, but that’s still more consistent than my issued M16A4 ever was.

Soft shooting is an understatement. This is a true poodle shooter. Recoil is nearly nil, as is muzzle rise. You really forget how comfortable a full-length rifle is, especially compared to something nutty like a 7.5 inch AR pistol. It’s nowhere near as loud or concussive either.

While the rifle is longer and heavier, I still find rapid snapshots easy. When it comes to drills like the Mozambique drill I found the softer shooting, lower recoiling M16A4 clone quicker and more precise. The rifle glides between targets with ease and barely moves between shots.

End All Be All?

The M16A4 and 20-inch rifles, in general, aren’t the be all end all of rifles. The M4 has been adopted and appreciated for good reasons. The ability to maneuver the weapon is more valuable than what the full-length M16A4 offers.

The reduced recoil and muzzle rise are nice, but so is a lighter and shorter rifle and I can see why the military has made the switch.

At the same time, I can appreciate the rifle length AR-15 as the warhorse it is. The Aero M16A4, in general, appears to be the perfect mix of quality and price for my goal, and it’s also available and easy to find.

If you are looking for your next project, and are partial to the AR platform, give the rifle length model a chance. It’s not for everyone or every purpose, but I think it would surprise you.

Shop Aero Precision’s store, here.

Brownells also has complete M16A4 Clones in stock.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

12 Gauge Federal Flightcontrol Review

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Shotguns … I do love them and I’m always on the lookout to find new ammo. The versatility of shotgun ammo is one of the best things about this platform. You can swap between buckshot, slugs, and bird, as well as specialty ammo that’s both effective and fun. I always like to experiment with different types to serve different purposes.

Today we are looking at Federal Tactical 12 gauge, with their flight control wad.

This particular ammo is designed to have a tight pattern. The purpose for tight patterning buckshot, at least for me, is to get a round that can reach out and touch a target beyond normal buckshot range. In certain roles I want the effectiveness of buckshot without the risks of slugs.

Slugs tend to penetrate quite a bit, and sometimes I want lower penetration along with the spread buckshot offers. Will the Federal Tactical 12 gauge with Flightcontrol be that round? Let’s find out —

The Federal Tactical 12 Gauge Specs

There are several Federal Tactical 12 gauge rounds, but this particular load is the affordable and easy to find 00 buckshot. I understand they also produce a Number 1 buck that I’d love to try. The 00 Buckshot is 2 ¾ inches, and packs nine pellets and has a velocity of 1145 feet per second. In bulk I can purchase the ammo for a little over 50 cents a round, so for shotgun ammo, it is affordable.

The idea behind this ammo is simple: Increase the effective range of buckshot without the need for chokes. Most police and tactical shotguns come with a cylinder bore choke and barrels from 14 to 20 inches in length.

This is an affordable alternative for Law enforcement, especially if slugs are not permitted for duty use. The Federal Tactical 12 gauge line is widely available and from a trusted ammunition company.

Patterning

To keep things simple I used a Cobra Tac 2 with an 18.5-inch barrel and a cylinder bore choke. I moved from 10 to 15 to 20, and finally 25 yards with the ammo to see how it patterned. I can tell you about it, but I’d rather show you.

At 10 Yards

What a Punch to the Mouth

At 15 Yards

Still a nice, tight and devastating pattern.

At 20 Yards.

We are starting to open up a bit, and the wad did a lot of damage to the target, but the pellets landed.

At 25 Yards

We are finally starting to see the ammo open up, but the pattern is still impressive.

At 50 Yards!

So I didn’t pattern the Federal Tactical 12 gauge at 50 yards. Instead, I used a steel target and shot a little video. 2 out of 3 rounds struck the tiny steel popper at 50 yards.

Are you Not Impressed?

I am very impressed by the Federal Tactical 12 gauge. It certainly fulfills my requirement for a mid-range round for my shotgun. Outside of patterning well, they are also very pleasant to shoot. The reduced recoil design makes them very easy to use and handle.

When it comes to rapid fire, the rounds make the shotgun very easy and downright pleasant to shoot. The muzzle rise is insignificant as well, and even after firing dozens of shots it was still comfortable. I remained unbruised and unbeaten.

The Federal Tactical 12 gauge with Flitecontrol wad is an impressive 12 gauge load and delivers what it promises. I have confidence that I could hit a man sized target out to 50 yards with at least a few pellets.

Springfield Armory EMP 1911 Review

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springfield 1911 review

Springfield Armory EMP 1911 Review

I’ve owned the pictured Springfield Armory EMP 4 since they first came out a few years ago. The model has gone through a few different changes since then, including a contoured grip to help the concealed carrier hide his or her gun better.

I have to be honest, this is one of my favorite guns in my collection, and with good reason. The sad part, is that my wife took it over as hers, because she shoots it so flawlessly.

The skeletonized trigger on this Springfield Armory 1911 is exactly what you’d expect in a modern day iteration of John Moses Browning’s crown handgun achievement. It features a light, crisp pull that moves straight back. No bells, no whistles and exactly what you’d expect.

A trigger like this is precisely why my wife loves this gun. You see, I fell into the bad advice trap early on that said, buy your wife a DAO (double action only) revolver. They’re easier to shoot because they’re just point and pull. Horrible advice.

The main reason why people give such shoddy advice, is because “women can’t manipulate a slide” on a semi-auto handgun, or so I’m told. I soon found out, once I got home with my wife’s shiny new 38 special revolver, that if she can’t manipulate a slide, chances are good that she can’t accurately pull the trigger on a DAO revolver, either.

So, we went to the gun range and tried out a ton of different guns for her. Her favorite, to my dismay, is my 9mm 1911. She shoots it very well, and I’m confident that she can use it to defend herself and our children should she ever need to.

I’m just happy she found a gun she liked, and I guess she’s not the only one. This handgun won the Women’s Innovation Product of the Year award from the NRA. Though I do want to say that it’s not just for ladies, as I know plenty of dudes who carry one of these, as well.

We’ve put a combined 5,000 rounds through this semi-auto 1911 pistol with only a few malfunctions that were due to some horrible green lubricant that solidified at the range, on one cold, Pennsylvania day. Leading up to that day and since then, we’ve had no issues.

This is the epitome of a reliable defensive handgun–regardless of what the 1911 haters out there have to say about this platform.

It’s not picky on ammunition flavors and will eat just about anything. My complaints on this 4″ barrel 1911 are limited, but we’ll get to that in a moment.

If you’ve ever handled a 1911 before, the ergonomics are what you’re familiar with, with the exception of an ambidextrous safety mechanism–which is a feature that more guns are coming from the factory with these days.

However, as an added benefit, this is a beautiful pistol.

The black, satin finish on the aluminum frame, stainless steel slide, and Cocobolo grips help the pistol stand out from all others that may be in the vicinity. It’s a looker, and it handles well.

1911 grip
Up close on the Cocoblo Grips and front strap texture.

This 31 ounce pistol chambered in 9mm really helps mitigate any felt recoil, so the more sensitive shooters out there will be able to better tolerate shooting for extended periods of time.

Even better, this Springfield Armory 1911 ships with three 10 round magazines giving you the option to carry 31 rounds after you bring it home. Please note that these are the options for the 9mm version, but there is also a .40S&W model that I haven’t shot much. My opinions are solely based on this 9mm version.

The barrel on this 1911 is what I’d call a match grade bull barrel. It has a 1:16 twist rate to spin that 9mm bullet and get it on target. Here’s an up close picture of the muzzle:

Any Springfield Armory 1911 review would be incomplete without telling you the things I dislike about this pistol. I’ve never seen a gun that was perfect, and this one is no different.

My biggest drawback to this pistol is the fact that I need a tool to take it apart. It’s a small tool that I’ve lost a while ago. On the plus side, a paper clip does work just fine and is usually what I use when it’s time to pull it apart to clean / lubricate.

The sights are great. Something that I enjoy, but many 1911 folks don’t, is a fiber optic front. They make for faster target acquisition for me. And, if my memory serves me correctly, which it might not be, the EMP 4 comes with a red one installed, but also comes with an extra yellow one if you prefer.

I do love my Springfield Armory 9mm 1911. It’s accurate, reliable, easy to carry with good holster options, and is pretty. As an added bonus, recoil is very minimal for you sensitive shooters. What more could you ask for with an MSRP of $1,177, likely found under $1,000 in the store?

Check out our in depth pistol caliber ballistics chart, next.

A Classic Returns, Colt King Cobra Review

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colt king cobra review

Colt King Cobra Review: Some History —

In 1836 Samuel Colt filed a patent for a device to mechanically index the cylinder of a firearm, and thus the modern revolver was born. The Colt Patterson revolver was the first in a long line of revolvers produced for military, police, and civilian use that stretched nearly 170 years.

Models that carved their notch in firearms history and lore include the 1847 Walker Colt, the Colt Dragoon, the 1851 Navy Colt, the 1860 Army Colt, the 1873 Single Action Army (Peacemaker), the Colt Lightning and Thunder models, and the Colt New Service Revolver. In 1950 Colt released the first of what have become to be known as the “Snake Guns,” the Colt Cobra.

For the next 55 years Colt produced models like the Anaconda, Diamondback, Cobra, King Cobra, Viper, Boa, and what has become to be known as quite possibly the finest double-action revolver ever made, the Colt Python. Unfortunately, the last of Colts D/A revolvers, the Python and Anaconda were retired for good in 2003. The only revolver available from Colt since then has been the Single Action Army from the Colt Custom Shop.

Since then Colt D/A revolvers have only been available on the used market and the “Snake Guns” have become so collectible that they have been priced well out of the range of the hoi polloi, with prices of Pythons starting at $2500 and rocketing into the stratosphere from there.

No joke, as I type this, I checked the auctions on Gun-Broker and found a blued Python with an opening bid of $75k. The fact it has zero bids restores my faith that we haven’t all completely lost our minds.

In 2017 Colt finally heard the market and at Shot Show they re-introduced the Colt Cobra, a 6-shot snub-nose D/A revolver (<– they have the Cobra in stock as of this writing) specifically aimed at the civilian concealed carry market. It has an MSRP of $699 but I have found them online for a bit less, putting them in the higher end of the market but not out of reach.

Since then Colt has released a few other models in the Cobra line including the Classic Cobra, the Cobra TT, and the Night Cobra. For Shot Show 2019 Colt, had another addition to its line of revolvers, the newly reintroduced King Cobra.

colt king cobra
The new Colt King Cobra. The stainless finish is attractive and practical.

I was lucky enough to be able to shoot the King Cobra at Industry Day at the Range and was fully impressed with it, enough so that it made my Top 5 list of new products from Industry Day. Colt’s Sr. VP of Commercial Business, Paul Spitale was nice enough to give me a full description of the King Cobra after I shot it and I remember coming away thinking I had to have one of these.+

After searching the inter-web for the last 4 months trying to pin one down, I had given it a rest since the only King Cobras I could find were on auction sites with bids well above the MSRP of $899 (<–they randomly have them in stock at $899). I was in one of my local gun shops looking to waste my lunch hour when I spied something familiar in the display case.

king cobra
The Hogue grips provide a solid hold and do a good job of dampening felt recoil.

There, tucked away among the Taurus, Ruger, and S&W revolvers was the object of my feverish dreams from Shot Show, the Colt King Cobra and the price was right. I asked the clerk if I could take a look at it and he handed it over. After looking it over for about half a heartbeat I told him I would take it. It was probably the easiest sale he had all week.

And of course, I couldn’t help but tell you all about it in my Colt King Cobra review, as follows:

Colt King Cobra Review:

Once I got it home and unboxed it, it was time for cleaning and inspection. The King Cobra comes in the standard Blue Colt hard case with literature and lock. I took some measurements of the revolver and they are listed below.

Height: 5 inches

Length: 8 inches

Barrel Length: 3 inches

Width: 1.4 inches (Cylinder)

Weight: 28 ounces

It is roughly the same size as my Ruger SP101 with the exception of the 3 inch barrel and according to my scale they both weigh in at 28 ounces empty, which is weird because in the hand the Ruger feels heavier (I had to weigh them twice because I thought I had screwed up the measurement the first time).

The roll-mark on the barrel reminiscent of the original. This is a true “Snake Gun”.

According to my Wheeler Trigger Pull Scale, the single action trigger comes in at an average of 4 lbs 14 oz after 10 pulls. Unfortunately, I cannot accurately tell you where the double action trigger comes in due to the fact my trigger pull scale is maxed out at 8 lbs, so I can tell you it is above 8 lbs.

That said, the trigger on the King Cobra is amazing. The double-action trigger is exceptionally smooth during take-up without any hesitation or grit and just a light stacking right before the break. The break is crisp with almost no over-travel. The single-action trigger has zero creep and breaks like a 1911.

I have owned and currently own several D/A revolvers from Charter, Taurus, Ruger, Colt, and Smith and Wesson and the trigger on the King Cobra smokes them all. It is without a doubt the finest factory trigger I have ever shot in a double action revolver.

The King Cobra has a deeply recessed crown. Notice the hole for the set-screw that retains the front sight blade.

I was told that they have a couple of Pythons in-house at Colt and that when they were designing the LL2 Linear Leaf Mainspring trigger they started with the Python trigger as a starting point and refined it from there to come up with a world-class trigger. If that is indeed how it happened, then kudos to the engineers because it is indeed world-class.

The sights on the King Cobra are fixed with a groove in the top-strap and a black blade up front with a brass bead set on it. The front sight is replaceable with a set-screw that loosens up to remove the front sight from its base. It is the same set-up as on the Colt Cobra and Brownells has a fiber-optic and Tritium front sight available online.

The brass bead on the front sight makes it easy to pick up the sights in a hurry. Tritium and fiber-optic front sights are also available.

The fit and finish on the King Cobra is outstanding. Colt advertises the finish as brushed stainless, but under close examination it appears to be bead blasted. Either way it is a very attractive and durable finish. All of the corners and edges have been broken over so there are no sharp edges and the cylinder crane to frame fit is so nice it is almost seamless.

The next day I loaded up some old carry ammo and some practice rounds I have had lying around for a bit and headed off to my local indoor range, Sportsman’s Lodge. I was pretty excited to find out if the King Cobra shot as well as I remembered it from Shot Show. I was not disappointed.

The fit is exactly what you would expect from a company that invented revolvers.

I shot a mix of ammo in .38 Special and .357 Magnum for my Colt King Cobra review that follows.

Magtech, .357 Mag 158gr FMJ Flat

Federal, .357 Mag 158gr JSP

Hornady, .357 Mag 125gr FTX

Liberty Civil Defense, .357 Mag 50gr Copper HP

Precision One, .38 Special 158gr JSP

Armscor, .38 Special 158gr FMJ

Federal, .38 Special 125gr Hydra-Shok

Speer Gold Dot, .38 Special +P 135gr JHP

I figured that would give me a good idea of how the King Cobra would group with different types of ammo, as well as give me a good idea of what my carry ammo would be in this revolver, since EDC was the main purpose for me buying it.

My first group of defensive drills. Started with Double Taps and moved on to Failure Drills.

Firing at ranges from 7 to 25 yards the revolver did well considering the rudimentary sights. It grouped well at closer ranges, which should be expected. What was surprising was how well it did at the 25-yard line where I only dropped 4 out of 15 rounds out of the body of the target. For me that is pretty good shooting considering the 25-yard line has always been my kryptonite and the reason I never qualified above Sharp-Shooter with a pistol in the Marine Corps.

Grouping at 25 yards.

Once I finished with grouping, I fired several strings of failure drills and the groups with the .38 Special were pretty impressive. They did open up a bit with full house .357 Magnum loads but I was still able to keep them in the vitals.

It should be noted that all of my firing was done double-action since that is precisely how it would be employed in a defensive situation. Also, because I was so impressed with the D/A trigger I wanted to see how well I could shoot it in D/A mode for my Colt King Cobra Review.

The King Cobra is easy to control and get back on target during a failure drill, mainly due to the Hogue Over-molded grips that soak up the majority of felt recoil and even did a good job of taming the 158gr .357 Magnum rounds. For a revolver that only weighs 28 ounces it was surprisingly easy to control and not uncomfortable to shoot.

Failure Drill at 10 yards with Hornady .357 Mag 125gr FTX. This was my best with full power loads.

I must say that I am truly impressed with the way the King Cobra performed with all of the ammunition that I brought with me. Of all the ammo I tested I got the best groups with the .38 Hydra-Shok and the .38 +P Gold Dot ammo. They performed well during the failure drills and gave me the tightest groups from 7 to 15 yards.

My best drill of the day. The King Cobra is really forgiving with the Gold Dot .38 SPL +P.

So, it looks like my carry ammo of choice for the King Cobra will be the Gold Dot 135gr, at least until I can get my hands on some Buffalo Bore .38 Special +P 158gr LSWCHP to try out. By all accounts it is an outstanding load and I will update this once I have tried it on for size.

The spacing on the cylinders is perfect for using speed strips. Not as fast as a speed-loader but, easier to conceal.

Colt has done an outstanding job of diving back into the D/A revolver world, those of us who lament being too young to have experienced the heyday of the “Snake Guns” now have the opportunity to see what we could only read about in magazines.

I would put the King Cobra in the same class as the Ruger SP101 and the Kimber K6. In factory stock condition however, the King Cobra goes straight to the head of the class. This is mainly due to the best factory D/A trigger on the market, that takes this from a really nice gun to a truly outstanding one.

colt king cobra review
If you like wheel-guns, this EDC would be hard to beat. The Colt King Cobra, Galco Combat Master holster, and 2 reloads in Bianchi Speed Strips.

Colt definitely has a winner on their hands with the King Cobra and the reintroduction of “Snake Guns” should make a lot of Colt fans very happy.

While at Shot Show talking with Colt VP Paul Spitale about the King Cobra, I had to ask the obvious question (one I am sure he has been asked a thousand times at this point), “First the Cobra and now the King Cobra, can we expect to see a Python coming any time soon?”

Paul just smiled and started telling me about the engineering that went into the LL2 trigger, which I will point out, wasn’t a “Yes.” But it wasn’t a “No” either, and I for one can’t wait to see what Colt does next.

This wraps up our Colt King Cobra review for now, but we will update it periodically as I shoot it more.

A Classic All-Around Rifle, The Mini 14

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A pair of Rugers. Top, Mini 14 Standard 183 series. Bottom, Mini 30 Tactical, 580 series.

Some firearms hold a special place in our hearts due to their service to the country, the M1 Garand, the M1911 service pistol, and the M16 are examples of those. Others are legendary due to their use by lawmen and outlaws in our history, the Colt Peacemaker and Thompson Submachinegun are notable names.

Then there are firearms that were made famous in TV and movies, Dirty Harry’s Smith and Wesson Model 29 and Sonny Crockett’s Bren Ten definitely make the list of famous TV and movie guns.

From 1983 to 1987, every week I would tune in to NBC to watch one of my favorite shows. The A-Team, a show about former Green Berets wrongfully accused of a crime they didn’t commit.

The show starred notable actors George Peppard and Mr. T, but for me the real star of the show was the rifle they used every week to put the bad guys out of business, the Ruger Mini 14.

mini 14
The Mini 14, lack of mounting location for Ruger scope rings identifies this as a Standard Rifle.

In the late 1960s Bill Ruger and firearms designer James Sullivan designed the Mini 14 based on the M14 service rifle. It used a short stroke, gas piston and fed from a detachable box magazine.

The Mini 14 Standard was first introduced in 1973 with the Ranch Rifle model coming in 1982. Ruger also produced a select-fire version of the Mini 14 called the AC-556 for military and police use.

Bill Ruger was gambling that with the adoption of the M16 and production of 5.56 NATO ammunition for the Vietnam War, the round would have staying power.

It seems that he was right considering the 5.56 NATO round is currently the second longest serving service rifle round next to the 30-06 Springfield. It has also been stated that Bill Ruger believed that had his timing been different, the Mini 14 might have supplanted the Eugene Stoner designed M16 as the U.S. Military service rifle.

The Mini 14 easily field-strips into 4 main sections for cleaning.

The Mini 14 was marketed in both blued and stainless-steel versions of the Standard and the Ranch Rifle.

The most popular and most collectable version was the Mini 14 GB with its side folding stock in both blued and stainless. The folding stocks sometimes show up on sites like Gunbroker and sell for almost as much as a new Mini 14.

In 1987 Ruger took another shot by releasing the Mini 30, a 7.62x39mm version that capitalized on the cheap surplus ammo that was flooding into the U.S. at the time. The Mini 30 soon became a favorite of hunters that lived in states with caliber restrictions and could not use .223 for hunting large game.

Field-stripped Mini 30 Tactical.

It was not all rainbows and lollipops for the Mini 14 in the early years however, the earliest production models were chambered in .223 Remington and were not suitable for use with 5.56 NATO ammunition due to differences in the chamber pressures between the two cartridges. This was quickly corrected in later rifles.

Also, one of the chief complaints about the Mini 14 was its lack of accuracy, which was mostly due to its pencil thin barrel. Initial grouping would be around 2 MOA, however when the barrel heated up, group size would grow to 4-5 MOA.

Once the thin barrel heated up it was more susceptible to barrel whip which is disastrous to accuracy, but companies like Accu-Strut made rail attachments to stiffen the barrels bringing groups back inside of 2 MOA.

Close up of the thin “pencil barrel” of the early Mini 14. Note the aftermarket flash hider and front sight assembly.

In the early 2000’s Ruger did a re-design on the Mini 14/30 line to improve accuracy and address some of the other issues with the guns. The standard model was dropped all together and the Ranch Rifle became standard, with Tactical and Target versions being added to the line.

Ruger added a heavier tapered barrel in 2007 to further increase accuracy, this feature is found on the 580 series and later rifles.

The heavier barrel on 580 series and later to reduce barrel whip and improve accuracy.

In addition to the .223 and 7.62x39mm offerings, Ruger has offered the rifle in .222 Remington, 6.8 SPC, and .300 Blackout. The .222 was introduced in 1984 and was discontinued a few years later in the late 1980s, the 6.8 SPC was introduced in 2007 and was dropped in 2012.

The .300 Blackout was introduced in 2015 and is currently in the Ruger catalog. All models are available in blued and stainless.

I have been lucky enough to own a few examples of the Mini 14 over the years and can attest to the good and the bad of them. I currently have a 183 series Mini 14 Standard and a 580 series Mini 30 Tactical rifle.

My Mini 14 is one of the most reliable rifles I have ever owned, it runs on any ammunition that I have on hand. I have run 55gr Lake City surplus, 62gr green tip, 55gr Wolf Steel case, and some .223 handloads that a buddy of mine gave me.

I have owned the rifle for about 6 years now and other than punching the bore once in a while and occasionally some lubrication I have done nothing to it. It is as it came from the factory other than the flash hider that a previous owner added.

The trigger on the 183 series Mini 14 has a short take-up that is smooth with a crisp break right at 5 lbs. I would guess this is due to it being well worn in over the years as the newer ones I have shot are no where near this nice.

With open sights the rifle groups around 4-5 inches at 100 yards, which is exactly what I would expect. Not bad for a rifle that is nearly 40 years old with “lord knows” how many rounds through it. Its not a precision rifle but it is definitely “Minute of Bad Guy” and that is what it was meant to be.

3 5-shot groups at 100 yards. 3 different loads. The flyer at 6 o’clock is part of the group at 12 o’clock. It must be a jerk behind the trigger.

The Mini 14 has been in service with several law enforcement agencies and militaries around the world during its lifespan, as a matter of fact the Mini 14 has been in continuous use by the San Bernardino Sheriffs Department since the Norco Shootout in 1980.

My Mini 30 Tactical shoots minute of deer, and has been outfitted with a “GI” type rear sight from Tech Sights because I severely dislike the new factory rear sight.

They are adjustable for windage and elevation without having to loosen and tighten screws like the ones from the factory. It is every bit as reliable as my Mini 14 having been fed a steady diet of the cheapest Soviet ammo I can find.

The trigger on my Mini 30 has a rough, gritty take-up and it breaks at 6 ½ lbs. The break is crisp and the reset is short, but there is a definite difference between it and the older Mini 14.

I would say there is definitely room for improvement on the trigger, but for a rifle that is meant as a scout/patrol rifle it is more than adequate and judging from my Mini 14 it will probably get better over time.

In previous years it was my rifle of choice for stalking deer in the thick woods here in Eastern North Carolina. It is short, light, accurate, and with Hornady Black ammo I have never worried about a deer getting away.

5 shot group at 50 yards from a sandbag rest. My best group of the day, yes that is a 3 shot cloverleaf hole.

Either of these rifles would be outstanding choices for patrol/scout rifles. They are light, easy to maneuver, and accurate enough to engage man-sized targets out to 200 yards.

The Mini 14/30 also has the benefit of being equipped with wood stocks in the Ranch Rifle models, which would keep you off the skyline of your hoplophobic neighbors should you live in a state that is less than 2A friendly.

A good way to spend my lunch hour.

If I could only own 1 rifle, it would most certainly be a Mini 14. It truly is a rifle for all seasons.

The Hornady Rapid Safe Shotgun Wall Lock

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hornady rapid wall safe

The Hornady Rapid Safes are designed to fill the gap between safety and rapid access to your firearms. A home defense weapon should be secured, but also be easily accessed. With this in mind, how do you find a compromise between safety and access?

The Hornady Rapid Safe series is attempting to provide an easy solution to a complicated problem. The Rapid Safe series includes options for handguns, shotguns, and rifles. Today we going to talk about the Hornady Rapid Safe Shotgun Wall Lock

How The Rapid Safe Shotgun Wall Lock Works

This safe is no bigger than a textbook in width and length, although it’s thicker than most. (Unless that book is a classic Western Philosophy.) The safe only locks around the receiver of the shotgun and can be opened via 3 different methods.

The RFID Bracelet

The first is the old and reliable key lock. Twist the keep and the safe pops open. It’s simple, not the fastest means, but is a reliable, nonelectronic manual means to access your firearm.

The Rapid Safe Shotgun Wall Lock also has a programmable key code that the user can plug in and open the safe a little faster than the key. There are only four different buttons and they are massive in size so they are quick to hit.

Lastly is the RFID portion of the kit. The Shotgun Wall Lock comes with a wristband, key fob, and sticker that all have a mini RFID chip that can be programmed to open the safe. Simply scan the RFID chip over the control panel of the safe and it opens in a flash.

The safe can be mounted vertically or horizontally and simply needs to be screwed into a wall.

How Safe is It?

If you notice the trigger is exposed, so is this a safety issue with the Rapid Safe Shotgun Wall Lock? No, actually Hornady seemed to prepare for this issue by adding a bar on the inside of the safe. This bar goes into the action of the gun.

The only way to mount the shotgun to the safe is to open the action and put the bar through the action. The gun cannot possibly be fired in this safe.

hornady rapid safe inside
Notice the bar to make sure the action is opened.

However, this means you’ll need to close the action to ready the weapon. I leave a round on the liftgate, so all I need to do is push the pump forward and I’m ready.

What’s great about it

First, it’s fast and easy to access. I scan the RFID or I toss in the combo and boom, I have the gun in my hand.

I’ve used the RFID chip, Keyfob, and wristband over and over, and it’s never failed to open. Even quick scans or partial scans seem to open the safe without issue.

The keypad is illuminated so it’s easy to find in the dark too. The large keys are easy to access in the dark, and the safe flies open. It doesn’t slowly open, it literally shoots open.

Electronics can fail, and the power can go out. In that situation, the safe does implement a battery backup and a manual key option.

The safe is safe, the gun can’t be fired, and it fits a wide variety of shotguns. No issues with my Mossberg 590 or Remington 870.

What I don’t like about it.

It’s not perfect. It will basically only fit a shotgun that has zero accessories. Any side saddles or optics are going to be a no go.

The safe can’t close and the shotgun won’t fit. So that is bummer because I’m a big fan of red dots and side saddles on home defense shotguns. It also doesn’t fit my Mossberg 930 with the extended charging handle. It’s very size picky.

Would I buy it Again?

Yes! I actually bought the Hornady Rapid Pistol safe as well. It’s not perfect, but I really like it. It does blend safety and access very well. The Hornady Rapid Shotgun Wall Lock is also affordable and comes in at under 200 bucks. If a shotgun is your home defense go-to, this safe is for you.

My pistol version is where I store my EDC before bed, and I think the AR variant will be coming in down the road for my 80 percent lower AR pistol, so stay tuned for that.