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Gun & Gear Reviews
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Gun & Gear Reviews
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Video Review: "Advanced Fighting Pistol - Close Quarters Combatives" from ITC
Gerard Valentino
Innovative Tactical Concepts is a first rate training school headquartered in Richmond, Indiana and run by Brian LaMaster and Tim Davis. Brian has a long record of tactical training and is also a black belt in several different martial arts. Co-Founder Tim Davis is a member of the Richmond, IN police department and is also a longtime member of their SWAT team. Both are well qualified to pass on their wisdom. In a perfect world everyone would have access to taking one of ITC's excellent classes in person. However, since that is not . . . keep reading
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LED Flamethrower Flashlights: "Do I Need That Much Light?"
Tim Thorstenson
LED technology is changing rapidly, and one emerging result is "flamethrower" flashlights capable of 500 lumens and more! With ordinary tactical lights offering from 60 up to perhaps 250 lumens of output, it can be tempting to draw a fast and firm conclusion -- either "gotta have it!" or "don't need it!" -- based on the numbers alone. But it is always wise to explore a new technology carefully before either embracing or dismissing it. Depending on your specific needs, the new thing can ultimately prove to be either a lot more or a lot less useful than it initially appeared. . . . keep reading
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Real World Carry Gear:
Kimber Jet Protector, Wiley-X Sunglasses, Hitchsafe, Quikclot, Proton PRO
Duane A. Daiker
This month's column reviews an unusually wide variety of high-quality self-defense and personal safety related products. Each item reviewed is thoroughly evaluated under real world conditions. Kimber JPX Jet Protector Kimber's JPX is not your average pepper spray. This is an actual pepper spray gun, capable of delivering an impressive payload of OC with aimed fire reaching well beyond the typical distance of a physical confrontation. One of the drawbacks of traditional OC delivery systems is that you have to be very close . . . keep reading
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Magnum Research Micro Desert Eagle:
Pocket Pistol That Performs
Duane A. Daiker
Usually when I write a review of a firearm, I try to figure out where it fits in the market. When I saw the Magnum Research Micro Desert Eagle at the SHOT Show, I had trouble immediately figuring out where this gun fits. It is not the smallest .380 on the market, although it may be the shortest overall length. It is certainly not the lightest pocket auto, but it's not the heaviest either. It is not the cheapest, but it's far from the most expensive. In short, I wasn't immediately sure what would make this gun stand out from the competition. . . . keep reading
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Battery Power!
What You Need to Know About Rechargeable Batteries
Tim Thorstenson
Tactical flashlights are obviously a very important aspect of armed self-defense, but one can also encounter laser sights, "red dot" scopes and night vision equipment without getting away from the basic topic. And it is not much of a stretch to argue that things like two-way radios and even GPS units can play an important role in the overall preparedness of many members. Of course, this leads to a need to feed all of these devices -- which can get expensive. In many situations, rechargeables can save the user some money in the long run. Perhaps more importantly, they can also enhance the reliability of our tools. Modern rechargeables can be "topped off" (charged before they need it) with few or no ill effects, so it is possible to insure that your emergency devices are always fully loaded -- something that can be hard to do with disposables. . . . keep reading
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LED Flamethrower Lights: the Details
Tim Thorstenson
In the May/June 2009 issue of Concealed Carry Magazine, we examined "flamethrower" LED flashlights that provide 500 to 800 lumens (and more) from reasonably compact packages. The purpose of this article is to examine these flashlights and the related technology in more detail. There are a large number of choices available and more are likely to turn up with time, so it is very helpful to realize that they are all based on the same fundamental technology. As a result, they all work within certain limitations and offer similar capabilities in terms of raw lumen output. Because of this fact, other performance considerations -- such as . . . keep reading
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Holster Review:
Slide Guard from High Noon
Kathy Jackson
Sometimes it seems the whole world is full of poorly-made holsters. We've all seen them: loose, floppy things that could never hold a gun securely, let alone remain concealed as you move around. Or poorly constructed work that's guaranteed to fall apart if you actually use it, day in and day out, the way a holster is designed to be used. Or uncomfortable designs apparently constructed solely to make the point that concealed carry is an unpleasant sacrifice one might make under extreme duress, but wouldn't bother with otherwise. Fortunately, the world is also full of quality workmanship and intelligent designs, if one only knows where to look for them. Take, for example, the Slide Guard holster . . . keep reading
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2009 SHOT Show: Great New Gear
Duane A. Daiker
The 2009 SHOT Show was held from January 15 to 18 in Orlando, Florida. "SHOT Show" is an acronym for the "Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show," and is the premier annual gathering of the shooting industry (www.shotshow.com.) Over the course of four days, manufacturers, craftsmen, service providers and other players in the industry show their wares and strut their stuff for industry insiders. The SHOT Show is not open to the public; attendance is limited to those directly involved in the shooting industry and to media representatives. For many manufacturers, . . . keep reading
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Choosing a Quality Holster
RK Campbell
I don't peruse yard sales and flea markets in search of a good holster. Selecting the proper load bearing harness for a handgun deserves thought and consideration. Holsters are not throwaway items, but investments. Although the armed professional would do well to adhere to the one pistol dictum (always carry the same handgun in the same position in order to increase your survival quotient) , for most of us, reality dictates that we carry the handgun in a different manner in different situations. Our particular carry may be dictated by climate. I do not carry in the same manner in South Dakota in January and Arizona in July; it just ain't natural. A sport coat is practical in some circumstances and a pulled out T-shirt is in others. Most of us choose a large gun for one . . . keep reading
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Palm Pistol: Defense for Elderly and Disabled Shooters?
Carolyn Boyles
In early December 2008, Matt Carmel of Maplewood, New Jersey made history by having his invention, the Palm Pistol, considered by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a Class 1 Medical Device and his company, Constitution Arms, designated as a Medical Device Establishment. A week later, after a myriad of worldwide publicity claiming the invention had been approved, the FDA rescinded the device's registration, claiming the original action was done "in error." In a statement to medGadget Carmel said: "Based upon agency information, correspondence, and verbal instructions, we were led to believe the Palm Pistol was . . . keep reading
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Armed Senior Citizen:
Reliable Concealment Holsters for the Street and the Range
Bruce N. Eimer, Ph.D.
I am unabashed to proclaim freely that I am a Glock lover. I own Glock pistols in most calibers, and I believe there is a place for each of them. In the same way that Glocks are reliable, no frills, survival tools, there is a line of holster products on the market that also fits the same category. These holsters are simple, functional and reliable rigs for your Glocks, or for practically any other make and model of handgun that you may own. The company that makes these holsters is Fobus, and this article will highlight their unique products which are designed for both the street and the range. However, first, permit me . . . keep reading
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Gun Review:
Ruger courts concealed carry market with ambidextrous SR-9
Todd Burgreen
When I viewed Ruger's SR-9 for the first time, my reaction was positive. The SR-9, Ruger's entry into the polymer framed, striker fired, semi-automatic pistol market, is aesthetically pleasing, combining a brushed stainless slide with a black polymer frame. The adjustable three-dot sights are well done, with a hood around the rear sight to prevent snagging when drawn from under clothing, and the gun comes with a standard built-in picatinny rail under the dust cover. The SR-9 is a high capacity design allowing room for 17+1 rounds of 9mm. The stainless barrel is slightly over 4 inches long, with two machined areas at the front and . . . keep reading
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Video Review: Combat Shotgun AND Only Hits Count (Awerbuck)
Rev. David Beeson
I became a little worried when I began watching Louis Awerbuck's The Combat Shotgun. His presentation style was quite dry, and normally a dry teacher equals a boring video. My fears quickly abated, though, and in the end I was quite pleased with this production. He covers a wide range of material, and I dare say that if I had to suggest just one combat shotgun video, this would be the one. That doesn't mean the video is without fault, though. Only five minutes into the DVD Awerbuck makes a classic firearms instructor blunder. He discusses four shotguns, only one of which appears to be stock. The other three are highly modified, and Awerbuck declares most of these modifications to be essential. I strongly believe that . . . keep reading
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Review: Smith & Wesson SW1911PD - A Modern Old Gun
Gerard Valentino
There are plenty of gun writers making a living writing about the iconic American handgun -- the 1911. The gun is a staple of the firearms industry and purists dedicated to the tradition of the 1911 have expectations about what constitutes a perfect adaptation of the legendary sidearm. Drastic changes to the iconic gun have often been met with derision by traditionalists who gravitate to its history and brilliantly engineered ergonomics. When Smith and Wesson entered the 1911 market they did so in a decidedly non-traditional manner. They used an external extractor, which is seen as an abomination by the aforementioned purists who claim the original internal extractor design is far more . . . keep reading
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Here's what our members are saying ...
"Your website and magazine have many helpful articles and most importantly, an opportunity to hear from like-minded people who take self protection seriously.For many of us that carry it has been both an "evolution" from thinking about carrying to a full-time commit-ment and a "revelation" that we can enjoy freedom to protect our loved ones from attack.
Norbert Quenzer
Delmar, NY
U.S. Concealed Carry addresses absolutely every self-defense issue of concern to intelligent Americans today, provides vital information regarding products, services and organizations relevant to concealed carry and communicates critical self-defense information.
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Irmo, SC
I am writing to express my complete satisfaction with U.S. Concealed Carry. I find your no-nonsense, real world focus, to be a refreshing change from other gun publications. I found the CCM Profiles to be especially good. It was good to see other concerned citizens speaking out on CCW matters. It makes the rest of us feel less like “gun nuts” and more like a community of concerned and squared away citizens.
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Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Just a quick note to let you know that I really appreciate what you are doing and the courage it has taken for you to be “just a regular guy” who cares enough to do something worth doing! You are to be congratulated for your commitment and your convictions. Both have motivated me to do all I can to “spread the word” and to “protect our rights.”
Rev. Dr. Richard J. Wagner
Canal Winchester, OH
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