Buy New or Used (Guns)

Some people buy only new cars.  Some people, like me, only buy used cars.  Buying a new car allows you to get what you want in regards to color, options, make, and model.  When you buy a used car, often times you have to compromise on many of those choices.  The plus side is that you save a good deal of money on depreciation, and you can choose a model with known reliability.  Purchasing guns presents many of the same types of choices.

There are numerous advantages and disadvantages to buying a new or used handgun.  I find it interesting, though, that the pattern in which people purchase cars pretty much follows how they purchase firearms.  For example, someone who buys only new cars will be more likely to buy a new firearm as opposed to a used one.  That's not always the case, but it seems to be that way more than not.

Some people avoid buying used guns like the plague.  I don't know why.  I guess they're afraid they might get cooties or something from the previous owner.  However, if you know what to look for, then buying a used handgun should pose no such cootie inducing problems.

Buying New:

Everyone loves that "New Car Smell", and new gun smell produces no less an amount of olfactory euphoria.  Plus, you get the exact make and caliber you want, and in some cases, even the color.  There is no compromising for the new gun only buyer.  The idea of an Idiot Scratch on their 1911 that was placed there by someone else sends them into an uncontrolled rage that can only be soothed by an episode of Matlock and a tall, cool glass of Yoo-Hoo spiked with Prozac.  No one wants that.

New guns allow you to also be on the cutting edge of technology.  If Glock were to come out with the G40 Pulse Cannon, you would be the first in line.  It's exciting and new.  Like love.  You've gotta have it.  And you'll pay for it.  However, sometimes, it isn't all you bargained for.  Like love.  It may be the most beautiful looking gun in the world.  Flawless finish, smooth operation, feels great in the hand, and sexy.  The gun, that is.  Not the girl you were just thinking about.  Then you find out there are little problems that pop up.  Maybe it fails to feed or eject.  Maybe there's something going on inside that isn't quite right either by way of design or manufacture.  It's kind of like meeting the girl of your dreams and then finding out that she can fart louder than you, and more often.  Much more often.  Really takes the shine off that new gun smell.

New guns are still a great way to get the most out of your firearm.  You'll be the beginning of its history.  You can also accessorize it the way you want.  It will quickly become a part of you.  At least for a while anyway.

Buying Used:

Like buying a used car, you can save a good deal of money buying a used gun.  The obvious reason is cost.  Like cars, most guns depreciate saving you hundreds of dollars on similar makes and models.  Guns are built to last, unlike some cars that I've owned in the past.  However, there is a lot of exploding and pressure that occurs inside firearm when it's doing its thing.  Guns need to be robust to take the pounding of sending a projectile downrange with authority.  Granted, there are also some firearms that I wouldn't trust to contain a sneeze, let alone rapidly expanding gasses spewing forth from the mouth of a 45 caliber shell casing.  However, for the overwhelming majority, guns are designed to handle the pressures.

Sure, you may have to compromise on things like make, model, and even color.  However, if you know what you're looking for, you can get a great gun at a great price leaving you more money for things like ammunition.   If you know what to look for, you can tell if a gun came from a good home, was well taken care of, and fed good ammo.   I mean, just because she's back on the market doesn't mean that she's not a great find.  Sure, you have to do some more work and not have set in stone the parameters of your relationship between you and your new firearm.  You can be just as happy with that more experienced model.

A great thing to look into is a factory refurbished or reconditioned firearm.  Most of these come from law enforcement or other similar agencies that are looking to either upgrade or just re-equip their forces.  Manufactures will buy back these guns, replace any worn parts, refinish the metal if needed, and then repackage it and send it back out to the marketplace with a factory warranty.  You still get a gun that is often times like new for a used gun price.  It's like sending Lindsay Lohan to a rehab and attitude adjustment program that actually works and getting something back that performs like new.


So, don't be afraid to go either route.  A new or a used gun can both bring happiness and satisfaction to all involved and become the beginning of a beautiful relationship.  One of respect, admiration, and hours of fun blowing stuff up.

When is Enough, Enough?

You see it.  You gotta have it.  It's no longer a want, it's a necessity.  We try to explain the logic to our significant others just like a child explaining the logic of having an XBox 360 AND a PS3.  Sometimes it works and we get that "look and a sigh" that we think is complete surrender, but really says "You're a doofus, but your MY doofus.".  We gratefully accept our Doofusdom and proceed directly to our favorite firearms merchant and plunk down our currency in exchange for the "last firearm I'll ever buy.  I promise!" firearm.

Why do we always need another gun?  What is it that compels some of us to throw logic and practicality out the window when it comes to buying our favorite sporting good?  Is there some magic dust that the manufacturers sprinkle over their products that causes us to become addicts?  I mean, it's not like buying a pair of shoes.

I think that guys have always like things that go "BOOM".  For instance, most guys like to bowl, and there are few things more satisfying that seeing those pins collapse with that resounding crash that only a strike can produce.  We also like mechanical things, and a firearm is a compact feat of mechanical engineering.  Combine the two, and a gun becomes an irresistible thing of beauty to own and behold.  I'm not saying that some women aren't into the same things, but the overwhelming majority of Mechanical Boom Producer Lovers are guys.

Then there is the Buddy Factory.  What's the Buddy Factor?  Well, if you have a buddy that you shoot guns with, chances are that you don't both own the exact same models.  He'll have some that you don't own and vice-versa.  You know where I'm going with this.  He lets you shoot his latest purchase.  You like it.  You don't have one.  Now, you HAVE to have one.  I mean, you can't go borrowing your buddy's gun every time you want to shoot it.  There's etiquette to consider here.  Even Martha Stewart would agree with me, so my wife should be fine with this.  On top of that, you can't get the exact same gun because that would be just uncool.  No, you have to get the next model up from your buddy's gun.  It's a never ending cycle.

Let's be honest.  We really don't NEED another gun.  We WANT another gun, or guns.  All you really need is a good shotgun, a home defense handgun, a concealed carry gun, a bolt action hunting rifle, a lever action rifle, a backup shotgun, a second home defense handgun for your wife, a .22 pistol for practice, a .22 rifle for practice, an AR platform rifle because they're cool, an AK variant rifle to complement the AR platform rifle, a double action (DA) revolver, a single action (SA) revolver, a DA/SA pistol, a SA pistol, a classic WWII rifle from each participating country's army, each in varying calibers.  So see, we really don't need that many guns.  Do we?  Now I need to go and complete my collection.

Buying Your Children their First Firearm

You rush through the isles of the store looking for that perfect Christmas gift to get for the kids.  You go to the toy store, the kid's clothing store, the pet store, the sporting goods store, the gun store... wait a minute, the GUN store?

Yes, the gun store.  Now, this is where you have to be careful.  What I mean by "careful" is that you're child probably isn't ready for that AK variant rifle that you've been eying.  That would be like buying a bowling ball for your wife that happens to fit your meaty paws instead of her dainty hands.  Remember, a child is going to be much smaller than you, and buying a .44 magnum for that sweet little 10 year old girl of yours probably isn't going to go over too well.

Purchasing a firearm for a child is a very serious thing.  It takes careful consideration of several different issues.  The first thing to consider is the maturity level of your child.  My daughter has always been older than she actually is.  I don't mean that she's acted older, but she's always thought like an older child.  As a consequence, we've had a tendency to treat her like she's older than she actually is.  My son, on the other hand, well... let's just say he's about where he should be.  You have to be sure that your child is going to do what you say, when you say it when it comes to operating the firearm.  Otherwise, you're creating a whole lot of trouble for yourself, not to mention a potentially dangerous situation.

Second, you need to consider the reason for buying the firearm for them in the first place.  I wanted my children to understand, respect, and know how to operate a firearm safely.  Daddy has guns in the house, and they need to know what a gun is really meant for, and what it can do if used improperly.  I don't want an accident ever to happen because my kids didn't know what to do when in the presence of a loaded firearm.  Children are curious, and I want to be able to show them everything they ever wanted to know about guns in a safe and controlled environment.

Third, you need to consider what type of firearm to get them.  Remember, it has to suit them and not you.  People who give a large caliber handgun to a small child just to see them fire it is just plain stupid.  It endangers not only the child, but also those around him.  It must fit them in both caliber and size.  If it's too much for them to handle, then it'll be neither fun for you nor them, and you might turn them off to shooting sports entirely.  That's definitely something we don't want.

There are a good number of youth firearms available on the market.  Most all of them are rifles.  I think this is a great place to start because rifles require two hands to operate, and the added weight will help tame any recoil there is.  In fact, you can start with something like a classic Daisy Red Rider like I did.  The operation remains relatively the same, and the sight picture is identical to an actual firearm.  Plus, the rules of gun safety still apply because as Santa so astutely pointed out, "You'll shoot your eye out, kid."

After my daughter demonstrated her ability to be responsible with a BB rifle, I decided it was time for her to graduate up to something a little more powerful.  I knew I wanted to start with a .22 rifle.  After much research and consideration, I went with the Crickett rifle by Keystone Sporting Arms.  It's a single shot, manual cocking, bolt action rifle that shoots well.  It was $99 plus tax at my local Wally World (they're about $109 plus tax now), and it's been a great little rifle.  I got the black synthetic with blued barrel, but they come in an assortment of colors and finish options.  This has worked out well for both of my children in showing them how to safely operate a firearm.  Due to the nature of it being single shot, it slows the whole process down to give you an opportunity to go over things like shot placement, trigger control, sight picture, and of course, safety.  Their rifle stays in the safe until we are ready to use it, and they don't know the combination to the safe.

Your children depend on you to keep them safe, and this is just one way that you can do that.  You'll also be spending quality time with your children to not only teach them the proper handling of a firearm, but also about lessons in life. 

5.56x45mm VS. .223 Remington

What?  Aren’t these two rounds the same?  Well, yes and no.  If you look at the case dimensions, they are identical in every way.  Right down to the angle of the shoulders.  However, aside from that, the differences are quite remarkable.  Let’s dive right into them, shall we?

First of all, 5.56mm brass will tend to be thicker than .223 brass.  Why?  Because NATO rounds are loaded to much higher pressures than civilian rounds.  For instance, NATO rounds are loaded to over 62,000 psi while .223 rounds measure around 55,000 psi.  That’s a pretty big difference.

Second, the leade is longer in 5.56mm chambers, and they are proof tested to take the higher pressure of the NATO round.  The leade is the measurement of the distance between the mouth of the cartridge and the point where the bullet engages the rifling.  .223 chambers have shorter leades and are proof tested to the lower SAAMI pressures.

So does that mean I can’t fire 5.56mm in chambers rated for only .223?  Technically, you can, but there is a big caveat.  Because the case dimensions are identical, a 5.56mm round will chamber and fire in a .223 rifle.  However, you run the risk of serious damage to your rifle, and major injury to yourself if you do so.  Rifles chambered for 5.56mm can safely fire .223 Remington ammunition safely, but it won’t be as accurate.

The differences are not limited to the chambers, but also to other parts of the rifle.  For instance, in an AR both the upper and lowers would need to be rated for 5.56mm and not .223 Remington only.  The only way to be sure is to read the owners manual to make sure that your rifle is rated for 5.56x45mm pressures to avoid undue wear and stress on your firearm.

Most new rifles (particularly Black Rifles) are all chambered for 5.56x45mm.  In fact, you might find it difficult to find an AR chambered in .223 Remington only.  For those of you who are interested in building an AR from a kit, I know for sure that the Del-Ton kits are chambered for 5.56x45mm, so there are no worries there.

Bottom line, you can fire 5.56x45mm in a rifle chambered for .223 Remington, but it isn’t a good idea.  No matter what the situation is, you always want to stay safe when shooting a firearm.  Whether target shooting, or self defense, the idea is to inflict more damage on your target than on yourself.

Tactical vs. Practical

In the world of firearms, there exists more add-on’s and accessories for our toys than for our wives wardrobe.  The 1911 and AR-15 are perfect examples of two of the most highly accessorized (or customized, if you prefer) firearms on the planet.  There are literally THOUSANDS of items available for both platforms that can transform your weapon from that boring, out-of-the-box plinker, into a massive, hulking, purveyor of doom.  Many upgrades do make the gun shoot better and more accurately, like match grade barrels and triggers, while others aid in target acquisition.  However, when does it become too much?  When does the ‘Coolness Factor’ overtake the practicality of the accessory?  I’m all for making your weapon shoot as well as you can make it, but do you really need that third laser/light combo on your battle rifle? 

Remember, the more things you put on a weapon, the more things you have to remember and think about.  Plus, that’s more things that can go wrong with the very thing that may be called upon to save your life.  Batteries die, but iron sights will always work.  Even after an EMP. 

Just food for thought.

When is a Springfield not a Springfield?

In January of 1776, Henry Knox, Chief of Artillery for the Continental Army, passed through Springfield, MA on his way to deliver heavy cannons captured at Fort Ticonderoga to General George Washington for use in the siege of Boston.  During his short visit, Knox was impressed with the town’s strategic location for America’s War for Independence.  A year later, Springfield became the location for the principal arsenal for the northern states during the war.  The site was used for everything from the assembly and repair of small arms, to the manufacture of wagons, saddles, fuses and cartridges, as well as a storehouse for powder and other instruments of war.  Eleven years later, in 1794, the National Armory at Springfield was established by President George Washington.

For the next 192 years, the Springfield Arsenal would be the birthplace of such famous weapons like the 1903 Springfield and the M1 Garand, as well as machinery like the Blanchard Lathe which allowed for faster production of wooden stocks.  However, in 1968, amid controversy, Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara closed the armory that was established by our country’s first President for all time.  Not another firearm would ever come from its hallowed halls, and none have come forth since.

That same year, Elmer C. Balance registered the trademark “Springfield Armory” for his new company that made civilian versions of the venerable M14 in San Antonio, TX.  Shortly thereafter, he sold his company to the Reese family.  The new owners expanded the line into handguns, particularly the M1911 with tremendous success.  The company was eventually moved to Genesco, IL where it resides today.  It has no association or connection to the original Springfield Armory other than the name.

Although their M1A rifles are manufactured at the Illinois facility, all of Springfield Armory’s handguns are all manufactured by different companies in other countries in accordance to Springfield Armory’s high standards.  Their M1911 derivative pistols are manufactured by IMBEL in Brazil, and the XD series pistols are Springfield Armory stamped HS2000’s manufactured in Croatia.  Springfield Armory also boasts on of the finest 1911 custom shops on the planet.

So, when Springfield Armory says that they’re “The First Name in American Firearms”, that is true.  But what’s in a name?  In this case it’s history, tradition, and good old American ingenuity.  Fortunately, Springfield, Inc. seems to be continuing that tradition just fine.

Don’t you think?

Our Friend B.O.B

You are awakened in the middle of the night from a sound sleep by the wailing of sirens blaring through the stillness of the cold night air.  You glance outside your window and see mayhem in the streets as people scramble to gather whatever belongings they can quickly shove into their waiting vehicles.

In a panic, you huddle your family together and order them to collect anything they can carry and meet you at the minivan in two minutes.  You rummage through your closet and find an old gym bag buried behind your pile of dirty underwear.  You empty the sweat stained socks and rancid shorts that have been stagnating in it for weeks, and make a dash to the kitchen.  You quickly fill the bag with whatever you can find and run to your waiting family. 

You drive off for destinations unknown, and after a while, you stop to try to gather your senses.  You assess the situation by first determining what supplies you were able to scrounge together.  Your daughter managed to grab her favorite hairbrush and her iPod.  Your son had the presence of mind to put on a dirty t-shirt, and your wife grabbed her purse and an extra pair of shoes.  You rip open your bag and see that you've equipped your family with a butter knife, a dead flashlight, and a can of green beans.  On top of that, you HATE canned green beans.  Anxiety and despair begins to envelop you as you see the terrified look on your family's faces.

In the distance, a mushroom cloud blossoms...

Granted, this is a worst case scenario, and a B.O.B would definitely come in very handy.  However, things don't need to get this bad for a B.O.B to be very useful.  While the concept isn't new, the recent political climate has caused more and more people to put one together, or at least strongly consider doing it.

Now, there are plenty of paranoid gloom and doomers that are preparing for the end of civilization as we know it, but paranoia and the belief in instant annihilation are not requirements to have a B.O.B.  Floods, hurricane warnings, tornado warnings (though, you should really stay in your house for that one), and power outages are just a few of the more mundane reasons to have some sort of bug out bag at the ready, especially if you live in a more remote area devoid of neighborly support. 

So, the question remains.  If you do have a B.O.B., does that mean that you are some sort of extremist freak that’s expecting the imminent end of the world?  Not at all.  In fact, if you do a search on YouTube for “bug out bag”, you’ll end up with over 3,000 results of videos on how to put together your own B.O.B.  There you will find everything from those that have already purchased land in some remote area to those that have nothing more than a first aid kit and a good flashlight.  Whatever your thoughts are on SHTF and WROL, it’s not a bad idea to have some basic supplies ready to go in case of an emergency, whether natural, or not so natural.

So, it looks like B.O.B. is our friend after all, because a true friend is always there when we need them the most.