Springfield Armory M1A

I recently found a Springfield Armory M1A. A gentleman was just trading it in so I waited for him to complete his deal then jumped on the M1A! I found it was made in 1996 and had been sitting in a gunsafe ever since and had never been fired. I still got it at a used gun price. I've looked for a good deal on one of these for sometime and it finally happened. In order to preserve the walnut stock I purchased a USGI synthetic. It was OD originaly. I picked up some RustOleum paint in woodland camo colors. The paint was meant for painting ATV's, hunting trucks etc but it worked very well on the stock. I used a matte spray to protect the finish.
This rifle shoots like a dream. I had been told that these guns are not very accurate. I found otherwise! I set a target up at 100 yards and out of 10 rounds six went into a one inch bullseye. I am more than pleased. I consider this one of the finest military rifles ever made!

Rock River Custom AR15

My newest addition is this Rock River Arms AR15. It has a Yankee Hill free float rail system, a national match trigger and a medium gas system which makes it more reliable and is easier on the gun over time. The barrel is 16 inches heavy profile. The trigger pull is just under 4 pounds and is a two stage type. The barrel is a chrome lined Wilson Combat. The chamber is also chrome lined for greater durability and easier cleaning.
My scope is a Leatherwood ART 3×9 (automatic ranging and tracking). This scope is intended for use with the 5.56 or .223 round on the AR platform. I also have an EoTech 512 Holographic sight for use up to 100 yards. Beyond that and the Leatherwood goes on. I’m going to add a front and rear iron sight set as well as a single point sling. Later I’ll probably change the stock for a Vitor type and put a Magpul grip on it.
I have only been out once and shot about 50 rounds. I found that it is shooting approx. a 2 to 2 1/2 inch group at 200 yards. The barrel is factory lapped so it needs no break in time.

Rock Island Tactical

I purchased a Rock Island Tactical about two months ago. To say I'm satisfied would be an understatement. This gun has to be the best kept secret in the world of 1911's! These fine guns are made in the Phillipines on old Colt machinery. Not only are these guns of high quality and very accurate but they have the best possible customer service ever available for any gun. The president and CEO of North American sales is on www.m1911.org each day taking care of any rare problems and providing answers to any questions owners may have.
The RIA started out as a straight military 1911 and proceeded from there to a combat commander model, officer model and finally, at this time, the Tactical model which has all the modern enhancements people look for these days. 38 super caliber is available as well. All of this for $389. Now most people may say that at that price it has to be junk. This comes from regular users and of course those who would never buy a 1911 unless it cost at least $1000. They are missing out on a fine gun. The gun comes with a very well done parkerized finish and is supplied with a Novak magazine. Mine has about 500 rounds through it of many brands and bullet configurations. I have not had one malfunction of any type. After firing 50 rounds at 10 yards you have one hole about 2 /12 inches by 2 1/2 inches. Very good accuracy.
I wanted mine to have a two tone finish in Snow Grey and Matte Black. I used Lauer spray on and bake finish. It looks great! Durability is suppossed to be very good. Time will tell.
If you get a chance to buy one of these guns you will not regret it!
Grips are by www.mil-tec.com and are called G-10. These have the "1*" logo made popular by former SWAT officer and now gunwriter Gary Paul Johnston.

As of 04/07 I have 1000 rounds through it and no malfunctions. The finish is holding up very well. The prices have increased to $425 to $459 depending where you purchase it. It's still a bargain.

S&W Gunsight 1911

I recently purchased this S&W Gunsight version 1911. It's a lightweight frame with forged slide. I changed out the grips for a set made by Mil-Tac knives called G-10's. They provide an excellent grip no matter the weather. The mainspring housing was a MIM part that I changed out with an Ed Brown "Snakeskin" type. Coupling the grips,MSH and skateboard tape on the front strap and you have one solid grip all around.
After shooting 250 rounds through it I experienced no malfunctions of any type. The ACT/Novak mags that come with the gun are excellent. They are very smooth and feed correctly everytime. I intend to use these mags on all my guns from now own. I plan on buying Wollf mags which are the same thing with the exception of having a Wollf spring. I also like the Novak sights which have a brass bead on the front sight. I find this really easy to pickup especially for those of us over 50 years old:-) I highly recommend this gun especially for daily carry.

The LawDog Files: New Years Resolutions

The LawDog Files: New Years Resolutions

Milt Sparks The best Holsters Made!

   The two holsters pictured are the 55BN on the right and the "Heritage" on the left. The 55BN is an old Bruce Nelson design which at one time was made by Bianchi as the Askins Avenger. Milt Sparks created this variation which rides high and is pulled tightly into the body by the belt loop on the back of the body of the holster. With the FBI cant it's very concealable as well as being very comfortable. The fit is excellent with no concern of loosing your gun during strenuous activity. It's been my favorite holster since 1980. The "Heritage" is also an old Bruce Nelson design updated my Milt Sparks. It is very comfortable to wear all day long. The construction is such that there are no uncomfortable spots anywhere on the holster. The mouth of the holster is reinforced such that it will not collapse with the gun removed. This is true of the 55BN also. The materials and production method are so good that you can reasonably expect the holsters he makes to last many, many years. They are the best holsters ever made!
 Of course he offers mag pouches as well as belts and other accessories also of the highest quality.

Sig Revolution 1911

The Sig Revolution is the next generation in the Sig 1911 series. All parts(with the exception of a few from Wilson Combat) are made by Sig. This has improved the quality of the series and has certainly made it the most accurate out of the box mass produced 1911 on the market today. The rail is a nice touch with the exception of it making it more difficult to find leather holsters for concealed carry. Most holster makers are begining to make them.
This 1911 will shoot 2 inch groups from a rest at 25 yards. It's construction and quality is flawless. I have shot over 800 rounds without a single malfunction. It's one heck of a 1911! 

Springfield Armory "Champion"

I have been looking for one of these for many months. These as well as all Springfield Armory 45's are hard to come by. I found this one that has had less than a box of ammo through it. I was delighted to say the least. It has the light full size frame and steel slide. It's a joy to carry and the 4 inch barrel makes concealing it a snap. I found with the bull barrel it's as accurate and easy to shoot as a full size government model. It has Novak night sights, ambi-safety with the two tone finish. It was worth the wait! This is a keeper!
You can't have to many 1911's :-)

Kimber Eclipse

 

Kimber Eclipse .45 Cal. I really like the two-tone finish. It's also very durable as well as practical. When sighting all you see is flat black with no glare. Overall the gun looks very classy. This finsih has been copied by Springfield Armory and others. Standard features are Meprolight night sites, national match trigger, barrel, 30 LPI on the front strap which provides a good grip without being abrasive. It's a very accurate gun at all distances! 

Walther P990 .40 cal

My son and I sometimes swap guns out for a few months just for grins. This is one of them. A Walther P990 in .40 Cal double action only. I actually like the double action only option. Being an old revolver guy it feels natural to me. As all Walthers, and German guns in general, they are all very well made with meticulous fit and finish.The ambidextrious mag release is a nice option that I wish more makers would use. This one is very well placed at the base of the trigger guard. It can be operated with the index finger without changing your grip. Overall a nice pistol.

DPMS M4

This is the same DPMS as seen below. The difference is worth noting if for no other reason than the fantastic customer service I recieved from EoTech. The sight on the other M4 picture broke. I sent it off to EoTech last Wednesday I recieved a brand new sight today (Tuesday). Less than one week to handle a return is great and what amazes me more is the replacement with a new sight instead of fixing the old one. I mentioned I would rather have the 65MOA/2MOA dot instead of the diamond reticle I had. They obliged my request without question. Hats off to EoTech quality and service!
My son supplied me with the ammo carrier vest after he went to ACU's. Wyvern makes excellent equipment.

S&W Model 19 and FN HI Power

 

This is just a general picture but it shows a S&W Model 19 that I have had for 27 years. This old gun has gone down many a dark alley and building search.
The other at the bottom of the picture is my FN Hi Power which I plan to do some customizing on. I've already done the trigger job. I just need to add better sights and an extended safety. Call it a work in progress:-) 

C&S Series 70 Colt After Adding Beavertail & Flat Mainsping Housing

This is a Wilson Combat drop-in beavertail as well as a Wilson flat mainspring housing. Granted the drop in beavertail is not as good a fit as filing the area for a custom fit. However, the cost is $27.95 compared to $95.00 for a custom fit. In addition I really don't want to cut the frame on a series 70! Wilson and C&S make the best aftermarket parts in my opinion. Yea, I know most people probably don't like the skateboard tape on the front of the grip. Granted it's not as pleasing as a fine checkering job but we get back to not cutting on that series 70 frame!

Cylinder & Slide Colt Series 70 Commander

This is a Colt series 70 Commander customized by Cylinder & Slide. There are way to many improvements to list but needless to say it shoots like you would not believe. C&S really does magic with a 1911. I'm adding a beavertail grip safety and flat mainspring housing to make a more comfortable grip at least for me:-) Grips are by VZ grips. these are fantastic grips made in three types of finishes and come in several colors of Micarta. I also use what I believe to be the best mags around also from C&S.

DPMS M4

This started out as a standard DPMS AR15 carbine. I added all the accessories to make it an M4. I added a new stock, single point sling, front light mount with Surefire light, rail foregrip as well as a vertical foregrip. I also put a Tango Down rear grip on it and added Magpul's to all my mags. Last but certainly not least I mounted an EoTech holographic sight. The only thing left is to add BUIS.

DPMS Lo-Pro AR15

This is my favorite AR15 from DPMS. It' the Lo-Pro model with a 16 inch Douglas match barrel. I fitted it with the Leatherwood ART scope. This rifle shoots 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards! The Leatherwood line of scopes have their own interesting story. Created by an Army officer to cure the deficiencies in then current scopes the ART stands for automatic ranging and tracking. Measurement scales are viewable as you look through the scope so that you can gauge the size of the target then adjust the ring for distance. The scope can be set for the type of ammo you are using from 17 HMR to 375 H&R magnum. Just set the cams per the simple instructions then lock the cams and your ready to go. DPMS supplies a hard case and two mags with the rifle. A fine rifle with great balance.

Colt Series 80 45 & Sig GSR Revolution

On the left is the Sig GSR Revolution which is Sigarms version of the 1911. A very fine gun as well as being one of the most accurate 45's I have ever shot. While not an eaxact copy of the 1911 the internal workings are the same. Only the slide is a variation from the original. On the right is my series 80 Colt 1911. I've customized it by adding Novak low mount sights, trigger job and Wilson Combat match trigger.

Savage 10FP

This is my Savage 10FP in .308 (7.62X51 NATO). I put a Choate Ultimate Sniper stock on it right after I bought the gun. This is an excellent stock with many features not available in most other stocks. It has multiple adjustment settings and will accommodate any accessory made for Anschutz rifles. This rifle is one of the best rifles out there for long range shooting and will shoot sub MOA groups. It's also one of the most affordable rifles you will find. It also has the Accu-trigger which is user adjustable from 1 1/2 pounds to 6 pounds. This is one great rifle!