A Follow up to Caliber Restrictions

Yesterday I wrote about caliber restrictions for License to Carry training, and later that same day, I found that Green Light Shooting published a video regarding the ".22 Long Rifle for Concealed Carry?".



Coincidence?  Yes.  And definitely worth watching and sharing.

Removing the Caliber Restrictions - Texas License to Carry

With all of the news coverage on Constitutional Carry and lowering the 4-year licensing fees, you may missed Texas SB 263, a bill that would remove the .32 caliber minimum for handgun proficiency.  I support this bill, and hope to see it become law later this year.

Currently applicants have to complete the range portion of the License to Carry training with at least a .32 caliber handgun.  While it sounds reasonable, this restriction has made it difficult, for some with physical limitations to complete the course.  I recall a former student that had wrist surgery from months prior, and could barely handle the low recoil impulse of a diminutive .380 ACP.  The range did not have a .32 caliber rental, so the student worked through the pain and completed the course with what they had.  A less than enjoyable experience.

While I would never actively promote a .22 caliber firearm as a primary self-defense weapon, it can get the job done.  During my law enforcement career, I saw the effects of .22's and .25's on the recently expired.  They wouldn't have been any "dead-er" with a .32 caliber or larger bullet.

Shooting fundamentals and safety are the same, no matter if it's a .22 or a .32.  For the economically challenged, the cost savings could mean the difference between taking the course now, or putting it off until after they become a victim.



The bill has passed through 3 of the 7 stages, passing out of the Senate and on to the House.  I encourage you to reach out to your representative this week and ask for their support of this bill or the companion bill HB 403.

Anno Gun Rotam -- The Year of the Wheel Gun

Revolvers, wheel guns, six-shooters (or even five-shooters).  No matter what you call them, they have seen a resurgence in popularity this year.  One of my favorite radio shows, "Tom Gresham's Gun Talk", even went so far as declaring this the "Year of the Revolver" after manufacturers took the bold step of introducing so many new models.  If you can't find a revolver that fits your needs this year, you must not be looking very hard!

Ruger is leading the pack in 2017 by delivering their GP100 in a 5-shot .44 Special and a 8-shot Redhawk in .357 Magnum.  There is also a new LCRx revolver out in 357 that is finally making it through the distribution channels.

Smith & Wesson introduced a Performance Center Model 986 in 9mm with a titanium cylinder and a 2.5 inch barrel, blurring the edges of what we refer to as a "snubbie".  For more exotic tastes, you can try the 7.5 inch 460VXR revolver or a 3.5 inch S&W 500.


Six shots is sometimes better than five!  Colt surprised us with the return of the Cobra in stainless steel.  With an MSRP of $699, it will be a bargain compared to the much sought-after "snake" guns like the Python.  But it remains to be seen if it will actually hit dealer shelves anytime soon.  Drop me a line if you see one in your local gun shop.  I will definitely be on the waiting list at my LGS.

A purely anecdotal representation of revolver popularity is that my orders for LCR and J-Frame IWB Kydex holsters is double that of all my semi-auto holsters combined.  An increase in these holster orders can mean two things:  customers are buying more revolvers, and customers plan on carrying them.

If you are even remotely considering carrying a revolver, I recommend that you read and put into action the skills described in Protect Yourself with your Snubnose Revolver, by Grant Cunningham.  Labeling him a gun prophet might be extreme, but there is no doubt that this year was the perfect time for the release of his book.  A renowned instructor and revolver aficionado, Mr. Cunningham has the rare ability to translate his thoughts into the printed word.   While I may not agree with 100% of his concepts, he challenges me to think through my own techniques, particularly on front sight focus.

The NRA Annual Meeting is just a few weeks away, and I fully expect to see more guns introduced just in time for summer. 

P.S.  If you have a hard time finding the new Ruger revolvers at your local shop, give my friends at The Gun Rack a call at 956-213-GUNS

What to expect in our Texas License to Carry Class

With the 2017 Texas Legislature looking at reducing the cost of a License to Carry from $140 down to $40, there has been a resurgence of interest in our classes.  If you have been thinking about taking this class, the following should help ease your mind and dispel some myths regarding this course.

The class is fast and easy.  The complete course time is only 4 to 6 hours.  We typically do the classroom session first and save the range activity for the end.  Both the classroom and range are indoors, so weather shouldn't be a factor.

This is not a high-speed, low-drag, tacti-cool class.  If you are looking to dress up and play wannabe special ops, this ain't your class.  Our training is designed for the everyday guy or gal that wants to learn about how and when to protect themselves from a violent attack.  Holsters are not required, and in case you were wondering, "tucking and rolling" with your guns is NOT allowed on the range.

Dress comfortably.  At least four hours of our training will be in the classroom (with regular breaks), and we will finish our training at the indoor range. We will provide eye and ear protection for your use.  If you have your own, feel free to bring them with you.  If you are looking to purchase a quality set of ear muffs, I highly recommend the Peltor brand from 3M.

Be sure to wear a shirt or blouse that covers the chest area and shoes that cover your feet (no sandals or flip-flops).  Hot brass falling between your toes is something that you never want to experience.

There is a short quiz at the end of the classroom session.  Don't panic, it is super easy.  The 25 questions on the test are true/false and multiple choice.  We cover everything you need to know in the class.  If you don't pass (which is extremely rare), you can re-take the test.

The range portion of the class is fun.  We put into action the shooting fundamentals learned in the classroom.  New shooters will get one-on-one instruction as needed.  Safety is more important than speed, so we take as much time as needed to ensure everyone leaves the range with the same number of orifices they had when they started the class.

Don't leave without getting your training certificate!  The CHL-100 training certificate is required by the state before they will issue you a license, so be sure that you get it before leaving the range.  During the course we will talk about the process to apply for your license, but feel free to ask any additional questions you might have.

For class schedules or questions, please
give us a call at 956-213-GUNS or email lea@tgrtexas.com

See you on the range!

Don't Go It Alone...Invite Your Neighbors

It's amusing to watch all of the "prepper" shows on TV that expound the virtues of self-reliance and survival during an societal implosion.  You can go it alone, or shelter in place with your family, but I propose that you build a much stronger solution with your neighbors.  This doesn't just work for the end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it scenarios, but it can be a valuable force multiplier in stopping burglars, home invaders, and common everyday hoodlums.

Step 1:  Get to know your neighbors

In order to build a team, you have to know your players.  In my neighborhood I have retirees, medical professionals (a HUGE benefit in an emergency), engineers and homemakers.  Each person may have something to contribute in a crisis.  Even if a person can't move around, they can be excellent lookouts and coordinators for the group.  Be fully aware that not everyone has the same ideals or political values, so it may take some work on your part to get them prepared for a crisis.  We live in a hurricane zone, so I tend to discuss storm preparedness more, and doomsday scenarios less.

Step 2:  Communications

Almost everyone owns a cell phone.  During an emergency, however, they can be rendered useless if the towers are damaged or the switching network is overwhelmed by a disaster.  During 9/11, voice calls ground to a halt, and text messaging was barely useable.  Capacity and quality have improved since the last decade, but you need to have some alternatives.

CB radio:  Limited range, but widely monitored by truckers.  Mobile radios work OK, but handheld versions tend to be bulky and go through batteries very quickly.  It's not the most family friendly environment.

FRS/GMRS:  The handheld versions of these radios are popular and can be purchased at most any department or sporting goods store.  Don't believe the claims on the packaging -- in your neighborhood, you may only get a one or two mile range.  The Family Radio Service doesn't require a licence and you will likely find someone talking on a channel in most cities or neighborhoods.  The General Mobile Radio Service does require a license, but you can run much higher power mobile radios and you may even find a repeater system that let's you talk for over 20 miles.  If you want to setup a local communications group in your neighborhood and practice disaster drills, these radios might be your best option.

Ham Radio:  Amateur Radio is by far, the most versatile communications platform in an emergency.  You can study online and test with a local ham club to get your Technician license.  This will give you the capability to use a handheld or mobile radio to communicate locally via repeater systems.  These repeaters may cover a city, county, or may even be linked across a large geographic area.  If you upgrade to a General license, you get access to the HF (high frequency) bands that expand your communication range to other amateurs world-wide.   I am licensed, and my two childen got their licenses before they hit their teens.  I'm working on getting my neighbors licensed so we can share in the benefits.  Teach them how to join weekly "nets" and build your skills together. 

Step 3:  Take them to the Gun Range

The single best way to get to know your neighbor is to take them to the range and teach them how to shoot.  You might just create another gun aficionado!  When the excrement hits the oscillator, having a neighbor that can provide mutual security for you and your family is priceless.  I have converted many who were adamantly anti-gun into frequent shooters by taking the time to explain the responsibilities and rewards of gun ownership.  The most effective way to win them over is by training one-on-one.  They will ask more questions, and you will have more productive conversations.  Be sure to "buy the first round" and pay their way on the first visit, even if it's just a box of .22's.  Many of my neighbors ended up taking my Concealed Handgun course and getting licensed to carry.

Step 4:  Keep Your Group Small and Manageable

Too many members lends to apathy and dissent.  If a catastrophe strikes, you don't want to find that a neighbor isn't pulling their own weight and draining resources.  By frequently re-evaluating your core group, you can identify and replace any weak links.  True friends are willing to help even if there is nothing for them to gain.  Don't disclose EVERY resource that you have available so you want become a target for theft or burglary.  If you are sitting on a huge stash of food, bragging about it may cause others to rely on you and not build up their own rations.

In conclusion, I want to point out that humans have historically survived in groups.  For better or worse, we will have to deal with other humans in any apocalyptic scenario.  Better to choose, build, and prepare that group now rather than have it forced upon you in the future. 

Best of luck on your preparations!

It's 2014 - and Yes, I'm Still Carrying an LCR

I opened up my old blog site and realized just how long it's been since I've posted anything.  Many things have changed, but one thing has remained the same -- I still carry an revolver and it's still a Ruger LCR.

Now don't get the idea that I am a one-gun-only kind of guy.  Baby Glocks, Kahr's and Springfield XDs' (the slim models) have been in my carry rotation, but as I get older, I've found that every millimeter of thickness and every ounce of weight can make a difference in daily carry.  A 5-shot revolver just carries SO much better!

So here are some things that have changed over the past few years:

Holsters - I became frustrated with trying to fit production holsters to my body, so I now make my own custom Kydex holsters for all of my handguns.  An unintended consequence is that other people started liking my holsters too, so I now make them for Shooter's Alley Gun Range.  Drop me a line if you need more info on holsters for semi-autos or revolvers.

Sights - My eyes are not the same when I was a young deputy sheriff in Louisiana.  Low profile black sights just don't stand out enough for me to acquire a flash sight picture.  An XS sight has now been installed and I keep kicking myself for not doing this sooner!  It's a bright white ring for daytime use and a clear green dot in the darkness.

Lasers - In the late 90's I had first-hand experience with how beneficial a laser could be in dealing with a violent criminal.  During a felony traffic stop at an interstate rest area, one of the passengers in the suspect vehicle refused to show his hands.  An internal guiderod laser on my duty Glock was pointed directly at his upper chest.  He saw it...I saw it...His empty hands were now raised above his head.  When we searched the car, I found a pistol on the floorboard right where he had been sitting.  A simple beam of light may have been the difference between a shootout and going home unscathed that night.  One of my LCR has Crimson Trace grips, and this is my preferred nighttime carry.

Ammo - My carry ammo is most definitely Corbon DPX.  It just works.  For my practice ammo, I am now experimenting with some .38 handloads using polymer coated Bayou Bullets over a powder-puff charge.  When demonstrating shooting fundamentals to a new shooter, you can really eliminate the intimidation factor of recoil and noise by using a cartridge that has enough energy to poke holes in targets but not bruise the hand.  They're green, but this isn't to please the "greenies".  It's actually a lube/coating that helps keeps your shooting dust and smoke to a minimum.  Check out their site.

More posts to come.  I will try not to stay away so long from the blogosphere!

Ruger LCR .357

The LCR .38 Special has been one of my favorite carry revolvers as of late. The only issue I had was that the Crimson Trace grips which I preferred to utilize had significantly more "bite" than the Hogue factory stocks. This gun was a perfect weight for carry, but just a little too light for me to shoot with this grip/gun combo.

Earlier this year, Ruger announced that they would be producing a .357 Magnum version of the LCR, but instead of using aluminum to shroud the barrel and compose the upper frame, they would use high strength steel. Would this added weight solve my dilemma? I just had to find out.

I finally got my hands on one in November and have been shooting and carrying it for a couple of weeks. Obviously there was a few more ounces of weight, but not so much that it created a burden during extended carry. The factory Hogues were also improved with a scalloped hardened plastic area just behind the cylinder to allow for the use of speed loaders. The rear of the barrel shroud, just in front of the cylinder, is now angled in an apparent effort to redirect the blast from the cylinder gap. The cylinder itself is beefed up a bit to handle the magnum cartridges, but other than these small changes, its very similar to the original LCR.

As I mentioned earlier, my goal was to utilize Crimson Trace grips on my carry gun. Fortunately, the ones that came with my .38 switched out easily with the .357 (the the new Hogues fit the .38 flawlessly). A quick trip to the range allowed me to adjust the laser to point-of-impact.

So far, I have shot around 300 rounds of various types of ammo, including Winchester PDX1, Corbon DPX, Federal Hydroshocks, and Winchester FMJ's. No malfunctions occurred, primer hits were solid and centered, and accuracy was more than acceptable. Yes, these were all .38 Special rounds, and yes, I will eventually test it with .357, but for now, this is an ideal .38 with upgrade capability.

The opening and closing of the cylinder was a little stiff, but improved as the gun broke in. I did find one minor annoyance -- the roll pin holding the front sight was protruding a few millimeters and created a sharp edge on an otherwise snag-free revolver. A tap with a punch remedied this in short order.

Overall, this has the makings of a great carry gun, laser grips and all. The price is much better than the Scandium .357 Smiths and the recoil is definitely more reasonable. I'm looking forward to sharing more about this gun in the near future.