There are a number of items that have come and gone during my adult life as a ‘gunnie’. The Snik holster, and The Randall (Mirror-Image) Left-Handed 1911 are two examples.
A third would be the Auto-Mag. An early effort to put revolver-powered cartridges into a semiautomatic frame. With a larger capacity, of course. 🙂
As with it’s revolver counterparts (the S&W Model 29 and Colt Anaconda) it’s designed primarily for hunting. But you know some fools (and larger folks) will carry them concealed.
Because they can!
The Firearm Blog had this, recently (in part):
If you’re even passingly familiar with Clint Eastwood’s portrayal of Dirty Harry then you’re also familiar with his trademark .44 Magnum (the – at the time – so-called most powerful handgun in the world). And if you’re familiar with “Sudden Impact”, the fourth movie in the Dirty Harry series, maybe you also know about the Auto Mag. Or perhaps you know about the Auto Mag because it’s a badass pistol we’ve been promised another chance at more than once since its movie heyday. So where do things stand as of now?
First, a little company-related background. The original Auto Mag went out of production more than three decades ago. Manufacturing costs apparently outweighed sales profits which eventually led to the pistol’s initial demise which led to a revival as a collector’s item complete with higher price tag. Many attempts were made to keep the gun on the market but in 1982, it all came to a grinding halt. Then, last year, a private investor decided to get involved. They purchased the rights, plans, and even leftover components before setting to work bringing back the Auto Mag. Now, as we edge into the fall of 2016, it looks as though progress has indeed been made.
As of August 2016, Auto Mag is an officially registered trademark. The company is offering the lucky devils who already own Auto Mags their refurbishing services and caliber conversion kits will be offered soon as well. What calibers? We don’t know yet, but you can be sure we’ll let you know when we do. As for future Auto Mag owners, your day will come once the prototype is complete. Firearm manufacturing has come a long way since 1982 in more than a few ways, meaning the new company has to take everything into consideration from metallurgy to machining.
One good move Auto Mag has made is the choice to bring Laura Burgess Marketing (LBM) in to handle the media and marketing side. Marketing matters far more than many people realize – more than even some companies even seem to comprehend – and LBM is a solid choice. LBM will undoubtedly do their part to spread awareness of the pistol’s impending resurrection and will also keep us in the loop regarding future developments.
I don’t expect to see this pistol hit production-ready status until year’s end, but it’s worth the wait. I, for one, am looking forward to trying my hand at the Auto Mag. Who’s with me?
You can keep an eye on the Auto Mag by visiting this link: https://read.automag.com/
Some years back, Jeff Cooper was asked what would be the purpose of making such a firearm. His answer? To sell, of course!
Yesterday’s post was about the FBI adopting the Glock 17M.
This showed up in my email today from TFB (The Firearm Blog) in part…
BREAKING: Glock 17M Recalled By Police Department
It looks like the new Glock 17M pistols are already experiencing some teething problems with the design changes. There are reports that Indianapolis Metro Police Department has halted issuing the new duty pistol due to problems during dry fire training. The recall comes after the pistols were supposed to be issued on July 31st, but delayed till August 15th due to unknown problems.
The Firearm Blog’s source within the department declined to be named and only spoke on the condition of anonymity about the problems. Our source stated that the slides were falling off during dry fire training due to a potential issue with the recoil spring assembly and/or the slide lock. IMPD has recalled all issued Glock 17Ms to include the one that TFB was leaked photos of due to the problem.
The Firearm Blog’s source within the department declined to be named and only spoke on the condition of anonymity about the problems. Our source stated that the slides were falling off during dry fire training due to a potential issue with the recoil spring assembly and/or the slide lock. IMPD has recalled all issued Glock 17Ms to include the one that TFB was leaked photos of due to the problem.
We have not received any more information about the flawed recoil spring assemblies at this time. TFB called Glock to ask for comment on the recall of the pistols and response at the time of publication. We also called IMPD’s media relations team, they have not returned our request for comment about the recall either.
My initial impression is there is a flaw with the slide lock springs, and the issue should be easily correctable. We shall see what happens in the coming weeks. I hope they identify the issue quickly so that these officers can get their new sidearms.
Phil Note: I recall many years ago our just issued Glock 17’s were recalled. It took about six weeks to get them back in service.
Every new model has bugs, or so we are told. It’ll be interesting to see how (or if) the federal law enforcement bureaucracy deals with this.
I still want one. Of course, I still want a few hundred other firearms, too. 😦
Rumors abound twixt the Internet regarding the FBI choosing a special Glock 17M as their next duty gun.
At a glance, we can see that the rumors that the gun will be sporting a magwell appear to be confirmed. There was talk that the Glock mothership in Austria wasn’t too keen on adding a flared magwell for whatever reason. I would love to hear the rationale behind that one. The most interesting thing about the 17M below is that it appears to be a Gen 4. This seems to give the rumor that we will see a Gen 5 around SHOT 2017 more weight. The list below was leaked by an officer attending the Glock 17M/19M training, it appears that he hit the nail on the head.
- A new tougher finish
- Changes in the rifling
- Longer recoil spring assembly
- Reinforced forward notch for the recoil spring assembly
- A smoother trigger similar to the G42/43
- Flared magwell
- No finger grooved
- Changes in the safety plunger
- Ambidextrous slide release
- Magazines have an extended front lip
- Magazine well cutout
The caliber aside (going to a 9mm, based on DOD tests), I have an interest. My first ‘carry gun’ was the FBI issue back in the 80’s – A S&W Model 65 ( aka a stainless 13), bull barrel 3″ .357. I like gov’t issue model guns. They have usually been tested, and the belief is they will ‘do the job’.
Of course, this revolver was before the FBI Massacre (1986), after which it was decided semiautomatics were the way to go.
While I still believe plastic has no soul (unlike walnut and steel), I have owned three Glocks (17, 26, and 30) and found them to be adequate machines for the task at hand.
And, as usual, I’ve no funds to acquire ANY new firearms, so, a 17M is just pipe dream…
in part from The Firearm Blog
I’m having a bit of an identity crisis.
I was born white, which makes me a racist.
I am a fiscal and moral conservative, which makes me a fascist.
I am heterosexual, which makes me a homophobe.
I am non-union, which makes me a traitor to the working class and an ally of big business.
I am older than 55 and semi retired which makes me a useless old man.
I think and I reason; therefore I doubt much that the main stream media tells me, which makes me a reactionary.
I am proud of my heritage and our inclusive American culture, which makes me a xenophobe.
I value my safety and that of my family; therefore I appreciate the police and the legal system, which makes me a right wing extremist.
I believe in hard work, fair play, and fair compensation according to each individual’s merits, which makes me anti-social.
I, and my friends, acquired a good education without student loans and no debt at graduation, which makes me some kind of odd underachiever.
I believe in the defense and protection of the homeland by all citizens, which makes me a militarist.
Please help me come to terms with this, because I’m not sure who I am anymore!
And now I don’t know which bathroom to use anymore….
H/T Doverthere, Theo Spark
Back when I was newly married (I’m now long divorced), my then wife was interested in finding ‘couples friends’. Basically, other couples we could hang with and share interests with. Socialize.
Instead of the more common I had my friends – she had hers.
Thankfully, this post is NOT about that!
I am most fortunate to have a small cadre of good friends. Some of whom happen to be couples. I am not currently part of a couple (my landlord being an ex gf is the closest I get) 😦
But recently, two of my ‘couples friends’ have come to my aid and comfort!
After my last scheduled medical procedure, wherein I was advised at the last minute I would owe a substantial co-pay up front, and I had to reschedule for lack of funds, one of the couples came through with the necessary amount! (Customer Service, Part Cinco)
I finally go in for that procedure this morning. Out-for-the-count @ 1130. Thank you, Dear Friends!
(Hopefully, I’ll be back in my blogging chair again tomorrow…)
Last week, yet another couples friend advised me they were going shooting at an air-conditioned indoor range. And asked me if I would like to accompany them!
Being of limited resources, I rarely get to go shooting, anymore. I jumped at the opportunity.
We got to go yesterday to C2! A very nice range, staffed by young, pretty people. And I was just required to bring my eyes & ears and whatever firearm. (I also found some ammo, although they kindly offered to share theirs!) Thank you, Dear Friends!
Often, I remind you to hold your family and friends close, and tell them you love them, because one never knows…
I’m taking my own advice, today, just in case something happens.
I Love You Guys!
(But don’t print or reveal anything untoward whilst so doing…)
(from Brock Townsend)
I think that we’ve got to reign in what has become an almost article of faith that anybody can have a gun anywhere, anytime. And I don’t believe that is in the best interest of the vast majority of people. . . . carrying guns in public places. . . .” — Hillary Clinton, May 6, 2016 at the National Council for Behavioral Health
Surprise! A new report that was recently unveiled proves that the liberal fear of gun owners is completely and utterly unfounded.
The report, which was titled, “Concealed Carry Permit Holders Across the United States 2016,” covered a number of gun issues including the rise in gun ownership and the connection between gun owners and crime. While the entire report is well worth reading, there was one section in particular that is catching the attention of many 2nd Amendment advocates. The study examined data from Texas and Florida, two states that most accurately reflect the nation at large, and found that concealed carry holders are not just less likely to commit a crime than their fellow citizens, but they’re even less like to commit crime than police officers!
Concealed handgun permit holders are extremely law-abiding. In Florida and Texas, permit holders are convicted of misdemeanors and felonies at one-sixth of the rate at which police officers are convicted.
The study also found other important correlations between American gun ownership and crime.
Yeah, the very ill candidate is wrong again. Who knew?
As reminded to us by Tamara
“We have a lot of people outside our house, yelling and shouting profanities,” he said. “I yelled at them, ‘Please leave the premises.’ They were showing a firearm, so I fired a warning shot and, uh, we got somebody that got hit.”
“Someone was shot?” the operator asked.
“Well, I don’t know if they were shot or not, ma’am,” he told her. “I fired my warning shot like I’m supposed to by law. They do have firearms, and I’m trying to protect myself and my family.”
This dude messed up by the numbers, killed a man, and wrecked his life and his family’s life, in addition to those of his victim and his victim’s family, all because he was stupid and believed a lot of the sort of BS self-defense advice you pick up from well-meaning ignorant morons in gun stores and on the internet.
Folks, self defense with a firearm is no joke. This is life and death stuff right here; it literally does not get more serious than that. With great power comes great accountability.
I think it was Jeff Cooper who said warning shots were tactically unsound. First, they alerted the bad guys as to your exact location. Second, they wasted a possibly valuable round of ammunition. He recommended generally against them, but if one absolutely had to, put one into a solid backstop or an advancing assailant. THAT should get their attention!
My initial CCW instructor taught us to remember every round sent downrange is a potential million-dollar lawsuit.
REMEMBER those Four Rules (see sidebar)
(Guffaw in AZ does not dispense legal advice. Find your own lawyer, and get training and liability insurance!)
There seems to be a love/hate thing whether or not your average gunnie likes Heckler & Koch (H&K). Most folks seem to hold an opinion, and it’s either completely positive or completely negative.
(In the interest of full disclosure, I owned an H&K 91, semiautomatic knockoff. Which means (maybe) as the receiver was NOT of original German manufacture, I didn’t actually own one (?) For the record, I loved her! She took all the original accessories, including magazines.)
Never had an H&K pistol, though…
I’ve known two guys who did. One, the late, great Bob Hall, who owned (and carried) several P7 single-stacks over the years. And one of my students whom I met @ TMCCC. He had a USP in .40 S&W, which he bought before we had really begun training.
He liked it (having nothing to really compare it to.)
I probably would have directed him to another brand and caliber…
John Wilson (of wilsonblog) posted recently regarding his unabashed love for his USP, in .45 ACP.
He concluded: But even with those minor problems the USP is for me. I trust my life with it every day of the week. That says everything.
Of course, we have the counterpoint oft mentioned in the Internet, of their dearth of customer service. And that quirky thing of how does one pronounce Heckler & Koch, without offending at least some folks? (different opinions about with regard to proper pronunciation).
Would I own one? Perhaps. But, as I’ve no funds – even the lesser expensive on my list have to wait.
(from The Firearm Blog, in part)
The last few months in the US have been pretty tumultuous if you have been watching the news. Without getting too political, we have seen terror attacks, hate crimes, and a multitude of other criminal activity. It is truly unsettling and has a lot of people on edge. Some people want to scream gun control or make other arguments, but I digress. What is interesting is what firearms some Americans think should be legal or illegal. Vox, an internet news site, tried to delve into that exact topic.
Vox teamed up with Morning Consult and tried to ask the question of firearm legality. They asked 2,000 people whether certain firearms should be legal or illegal merely based on appearance and their name. The infographic below is very telling. The less it looks like a hunting firearm and the more scary it appears lead whoever they surveyed to believe it should be illegal!
Results from 2,000 people surveyed on whether certain firearms should be LEGAL or ILLEGAL [Credit: Vox/Morning Consult]
You get some interesting, and maybe not surprising results, when you start to identify respondents by their political affiliation. Vox and Morning Consult took it a few steps further by dividing results from their survey by gender. Their full story and results can be found HERE.
Yeah, regardless of what the polls think (democracy), I will keep my guns and, if at all possible add more.
BECAUSE MY INDIVIDUAL NATURAL RIGHTS ARE NOT UP FOR DEBATE OR PLEBISCITE!
aka, the rifle who never was(?)
My friend Murphy’s Law recently acquired a piece-of-ordinance that sparked a memory for me.
The Fabrique Nationale de Herstal Fusil Automatique Léger, aka FN FAL
(or sometimes colloquially pronounced fin’fall)
Regular, long-time readers know I got into riflery late in my gun ‘career’. My focus had largely been police and self defense oriented arms, until Bill Clinton’s assault weapon ban came to be. (#$&%^(@!)
Then, as the almighty government told me I was not allowed to have a particular sub-set of firearms, I had to have one. Or two. Or more!
Friends gifted me with a semi AK copy. Eventually, I acquired three more, in AR configuration (and one parts AR carbine in 9mm, which was never completed.) And magazines, ammunition, cleaning tools, slings and other acoutrement.
Followed by a domestically-assembled H&K 91 clone. And an M1 Garand.
Yeah, I’m a completionist!
But, I never did acquire an FN. Heard stories from shooting buddies who had, and the guy who owned Royal Bookstore (a Belgian emigre’ who became an American citizen and fought in Vietnam.) And read about them in Cooper’s Gunsite Gossip.
Of course, you know the end to the story. Burglary, 800 pound safe stolen – with all her contents.
So the FN would have been gone, regardless.
😦
