Tactical Gear Spring 2010

100 Pages·2010·21.14 MB·English

by  Kevin Michaloki

Morelli Defines The Civilian Operator’s Rifle
SPRING 2010
LIFE
LESSONS
FROM A
SSWWAATT
SSNNIIPPEERR
VALUE AND
PERFORMANCE:
.
DOUBLESTAR’S
HOT4 5

CCEENNTTUURRYY’’SS CC9933
AA CCOOPPYY OOFF AA CCLLAASSSSIICC
US $5.50
CAN $6.50
DDEEEEPP CCOOVVEERR OOPPTTIIOONNSS FFOORR 13
CCOONNCCEEAALLEEDD CCAARRRRYY
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Display until May 31, 2010
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Morelli Defines The Civilian Operator’s Rifle
SPRING 2010
LIFE
LESSONS
FROM A
SSWWAATT
SSNNIIPPEERR
6 ON THE COVER DVPEAORLUFU.EOB RAMNLADENSCET:AR’S
Doublestar’s 1911 HOT4 5
Doublestar’s version of the 1911 pistol is
A new look at a classic design 30
well-built and durable. For more on great
1911s log onto www.gundigeststore.com CCEENNTTUURRYY’’SS CC9933
8 AA CCOOPPYY OOFF AA CCLLAASSSSIICC
Think Like a Sniper DDEEEEPP CCOOVVEERR OOPPTTIIOONNSS FFOORR
CCOONNCCEEAALLEEDD CCAARRRRYY
Sniper skills can apply to everyday
life. By Dave Morelli
48 56
Live Fire Trainer Tactical Time
14 Check out the computerized video Keeping time on duty or on the
Century’s C93
training system that allows the use street is not for the meek.
This classic design is once again of live ammo. By Scott Wagner By Jerry Ahern
available to American consumers.
By Jerry Ahern 52 VZ 2008 60 Fit to Fight
If an AK-style rifl e is part of your Build a bargain basement
20
Back up the Kahr defense plan, consider the Czech workout center. By Gary Reichert
Looking for a good back-up gun. version. By Jerry Ahern
Look at Kahr. By Scott Wagner
24
Vehicle Tactics
Most shootings take place near a
vehicle. Train like you fi ght.
By Dave Morelli
28
A Civilian Rifl e
Which rifl e will serve your needs? 14
Here is a look things you might
need. By Dave Morelli
24
32
A look at the 5.7
FNH makes a great duo with the
FiveseveN Pistol and the P-90
carbine. By Scott Wagner
40
IWB for CCW
If you carry concealed for any
reason, consider IWB.
By Dave Workman 8
44
Kimber Strikes Gold
The Kimber Gold Combat is one
hot 1911. By Bob Campbell
4 /TACTICAL GEAR SPRING 2010
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GEAR
DON’T EVER THINK THAT YOU HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION.
KNOWLEDGE IS THE BACKBONE TO EFFECTIVE TRAINING. LUCKILY
IT IS ONE OF THE EASIEST THINGS IN THE WORLD TO SHARE.
700 E. State St., Iola, WI 54990-0001
[phone]
here is no shortage of cool stuff on the market these days. But remember
Editor | KEVIN MICHALOWSKI this: ballistic nylon and velcro won’t be worth spit if you don’t take the time
to train and keep your skills sharp. No one can do that but you. Cops and soldiers
Associate Editor | ANDY BELMAS
should know this. Th eir superiors should maintain a training schedule that pro-
Field Editors | DAVE MORELLI vides the minimum amount of training required. But remember, that is only a
JERRY AHERN minimum. Motivation goes a long way in making sure training is completed and
SCOTT W. WAGNER skills stay sharp. On the other end of the spectrum, you civilian CCW holders
TIGER McKEE reading this magazine should be training just as diligently. Just because you are
not a sworn offi cer, doesn’t mean you don’t need training. You do. Find it. Get it.
Graphic Designer | DUSTIN REID
Make it work for you.
Advertising Sales | MISSY BEYER x13642 I’ve written it before on these pages; this magazine is not here to train
BRUCE WOLBERG x13403 you. From time to time, as in this issue, we will off er training tips and provide
STEVE DONARSKI x13406 suggestions, but this is NOT a training manual. Take the information you see
here and apply it to your training program. Good training needs to be hands-
Advertising Assistants | MARY LUTZ
on and it needs to be repeated until it becomes second nature. And that’s not
BETTY AANSTAD
something you can do on the pages of a magazine. It takes some eff ort on the
operator’s part.
Copyright 2009 by F+W Media, Inc. Tactical Gear
Now this is where we get philosophical. Th e eff ort you put forth has a
and its logo are registered trademarks. Other
names and logos referred to or displayed in edito- direct impact on the quality of what you do and how you do it. You remember
rial or advertising content may be trademarked or the old adage: Th e more you sweat in training, the less you bleed in combat.
copyright. Tactical Gear assumes no responsibility
Th en there is the other: You fi ght like you train. I could go on all day with the
for unsolicited materials sent to it. Publisher and
advertisers are not liable for typographical errors list of cliche’s. But you get the picture. You have to put something in before you
that may appear in prices or descriptions in adver- get something out.
tisements. The possession, transportation and sale
It is the same with the knowledge and understanding of training techniques
of certain types of fi rearms and knives is restricted
or prohibited by federal, state and local laws. Tacti- and principles. One of the best ways to learn is to see what other people are do-
cal Gear and F+W Media Inc. rely upon the fact ing. We have a great resource for that. It is our Tactical Gear Magazine website,
that collectors, dealers, exhibitors, advertisers and
www.tacticalgearmag.com. Built as a community around forums where you can
manufacturers are expected to know and comply
with these regulations. exchange ideas and even fi nd others who are willing trade gear tacticalgearmag.
com give you the chance to quickly share ideas. You can learn from others, fi nd
Printed in the U.S.A.
books on subjects that interest you, converse with others on several topics and
generally take a closer look at who is doing what.
F+W MEDIA, INC. So, when you are done reading this edition, head to the web and check out
David Nussbaum, Chairman & CEO
www.tacticalgearmag.com. Log on. Get involved. Find help and get help. Share
Jim Ogle, Chief Financial Offi cer
what you know. It is the only way we can get better.
Phil Graham, Sr. VP, Mfg. and Production
Chad Phelps, Exec. VP, Interactive Media
Stay Safe,
Mike Kuehn, Director, Information Technology
Kevin Michalowski
F+W PUBLICATIONS, INC. MAGAZINE GROUP
David Blansfi eld, President Editor, Tactical Gear Magazine
Brad Rucks, Group Publisher
Jim Schlender, Publisher You don’t pick the day.
Jeff Pozorski, VP. Sales Th e day picks you.
Ken Greenwood, Business Planning
Corey Smith, Conference Director
6
Dave Mueller, Circulation Director
Susan Rose, Newsstand Director
Mark Lilla, Production Coordinator
COPYRIGHT © 2009 BY F+W Media, INC.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
TACTICAL GEAR IS A REGISTERED
TRADEMARK OF F+W MEDIA, INC.
SPRING 2010 TACTICAL GEAR/ 5
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❱ ❱ BY KEVIN MICHALOWSKI
T
here is not even a question, the 1911 plat-
form is simply the most popular, longest-
lasting pistol design on the planet. We are
coming up on 100 years and new companies are
still “breaking into” the 1911 market. Th e reality is
that business people do things to make a profi t and
the 1911 pistol still off ers profi t potential.
So that’s why it should come as no surprise that
DoubleStar Corporation of Winchester, KY, got
into the 1911 game a couple years back. Aft er many
years of making great AR-15-style rifl es, it was only
logical for them to move to produce an outstand-
ing handgun.
6 /TACTICAL GEAR SPRING 2010
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Functioning was fl awless, with no fail-
ures to feed, fi re, or eject. Working on
the assumption that reliability is man-
datory and accuracy is secondary, it was
nice to see that accuracy varied from
very good to outstanding. Hornady
TAP 200-grain bullets would provide
fi ve-shot groups at about one inch at
twenty-fi ve yards. Th e Wolf 230-grain
FMJ were creating about 3-inch groups
at the same distance.
Th e pistol comes in a very nice pad-
ded nylon 5.11 Tactical soft case with
separate compartments for the pistol and
magazines. It is supplied with an eight-
round magazine, and
will accept any brand
8 + 1 round 45 ACP with forged
of single-stack full-size
4140 steel frame and slide. Beveled
1911 magazine.
magazine well. Grieder match
trigger. Novak white dot sights. Th e DoubleStar
Strieder grips. Ed Brown memory 1911 is not a cheap
groove beavertail grip safety. Ed gun. You can expect
Brown extended thumb safety.
to pay anywhere from
Grieder extended magazine
catch. Flat checkered mainspring $1100 to $1500, but it is
housing. 5-inch barrel. a worth the price. Also
they can be a bit hard
to fi nd, so contact your
dealer early. Oddly if you are looking
for information about the pistol. You
won’t fi nd it at the DoubleStar’s website
www.star15.com. Th at seems reserved
for information about their AR-15s.
Read more! Th e Gun Digest Book of
Combat Handgunnery is available at
www.gundigeststore.com.
GEAR
Th is 1911 is DoubleStar’s fi rst hand- street. Th e trigger broke at just
gun of any type. It starts with a forged over 4 pounds with only a very
frame and includes some of the best little creep.
SPECIFICATIONS:
parts available. Th e National Match Th e ejection port is lowered
barrel is built to exacting standards and and fl ared and the slide has serra- Mfg Item Num: 1911
the Ed Brown beavertail grip safety is a tions at the front and rear; pretty much
Category: FIREARMS - HANDGUNS
perfect fi t for a fi ghting handgun. An- standard these days. Th e dust cover
Type: Pistol
other great touch are the grip sacles; is a one-piece, heavy-duty accessory
practical but still very good-looking rail, giving you a lighting or laser op- Action: Single Action Only
and off er an outstanding non-slip grip. tion, but preventing you from using a Caliber: 45 ACP
Th e panels are heavily-textured, but not standard holster. Still, there are many
Barrel Length: 5”
abrasive to the hand, providing a very good holsters on the market now for a
secure, positive grip. Th e front of the 1911 with a rail. Finding one should be Capacity: 8 + 1
grip frame and the mainspring hous- no problem. Th e pistol sports a matte Safety: Thumb and Grip Safety
ing are fi nely checkered, which looks black fi nish, and uses my favorite, the
Grips: Strieder
great and provides great purchase. Th e three-dot Novak sights. Th ey are rug-
trigger is lightened aluminum with an ged and easy to see. Sights: Novak White Dot
adjustable trigger stop providing an We tested the DoubleStar 1911 us- Weight: 36 oz
excellent pull capable of fi ne practical ing using everything from mil-spec ball
Finish: Black
accuracy at the target range or on the and high performance hollowpoints.
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❱ ❱ BY DAVE MORELLI
O
nce you have lived the in the shoes of a police-
man some habits stay with you long into our re-
tirement years. Th ese things last so long because
they were necessary for survival should things go hor-
ribly wrong. Th e habits us in a position of advantage so
we could deal with it. Some of the things I am talking
about are sitting in a restaurant so we can see the regis-
ter, the front door, and many of the patrons, or looking
into the bank before entering, stuff like that. I will always
be grateful for the habits I acquired from my training
and practical experience. By keeping up my training and
continuing the habits I feel more prepared as a civilian.
Th is is what the civilian concealed carry citizen
should aspire to in his or her training. Gun handling is
important but awareness and perception of danger will
give you an edge when the attack occurs and get you up
to speed to deal with it. I can’t go into a house with an
unusual fl oor plan and not think just a little how I would
attempt to clear it or at least identify problem areas. Th is
is not a psychosis but sound mental preparation. I also
fi nd that my sniper training has the same eff ect.
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I oft en think about the layout of a for the activity is there. Th is type of orga- tain it is unloaded and contains an inert
street and buildings fi guring the best nization assures essential equipment will snap cap if you think it will damage your
hides and advantages should a robbery/ be there when needed. fi ring pin. I have dry fi red without snap
hostage situation occur here or there, An important aspect of fi rst-shot ac- caps for as long as I can remember with-
where would be the hides a bad guy with curacy is the trigger. Having the smooth- out ever having a damaged pin but snap
a rifl e might use, and areas I might use est, crisp trigger with no creep is the fi rst caps are cheap insurance. I also live in a
for cover should the debris hit the fan. step in this area, but mastery of that rural area so I can point my rifl e out an
I am extremely fussy about tight groups trigger is the more important detail. As open window at a large tree that will stop
and am always trying to challenge myself I shoot a number of rifl es I try to tune the round. I do not recommend pointing
with precision shooting. I sit in a coyote them exactly alike as to type of rifl e. Th e the rifl e at anything unsafe should you
hide thinking about which way he will fi rst thing I do to my ARs is put in a accidentally send one.
come in and logging ranges much like I two-stage trigger like the Chip McCor- Folks in the neighborhood might
did on rooft ops watching the back of a mick or one of the other drop-ins from also think you are a bad guy lunatic if
bank. Th is type of thinking is more of a Brownells. My bolt guns are all in the 3- they see you pointing a rifl e out a win-
hobby for me these days but there was pound range with the same take up and dow and call the police. If this happens
a time when thinking about these things feel. Similar as they are, I practice with you have failed the mission because
was as important as a hostage’s life. them regularly. no sniper would ever position himself
My sniping profession is whittled Dry fi ring to practice trigger pull is an where he would be observed by anyone
down to long-range competitions and eff ective and inexpensive way to improve outside the hide. Th ink like a sniper.
varmint shooting these days but I still this area. It also doesn’t wear out the bar- Once I have snapped the cap I do not
think like a sniper when engaging in rel. I realize there are folks who dream of open the bolt for the rest of the training.
these activities. Th inking this way helps having the time to wear out a barrel but I just pull it up to cock the bolt and then
me and will help you, too. Every shot in the sniping game barrels loose their lower it. I know a round can’t get in there
I take is taken with all the elements in precision a lot sooner than you think. if it hasn’t been opened. Remember to
place for a fi rst-shot hit. If I am hunt- Competitive rifl emen feel privileged to check the rifl e for rounds in the chamber
ing with camoufl age it is impeccable to get 2500 rounds out of a barrel before both visually and by feel. Have no ammo
the surroundings, if the shot is long my the group becomes more like a pattern. around when training and once you quit
calculations are precise, and if I am on Some go before that. Sure it might be ad- training do not do one more dry fi re. Put
a stalk it is quiet and wind wise. Equip- equate for most shooting but not for the the gun up for the next time. Probably
ment is immaculate and well cared for guy thinking like a sniper. the safest way to train is to do the dry
and high quality cartridges are used I set up my dry fi re practice on a table fi ring at the range but this is not always
whether factory or painstakingly loaded back from a window looking outdoors. possible. Always think safety and re-
for extreme precision tolerances. Also, Be very careful because there is most member rifl e bullets go a long way and
the equipment is stored in some sort of likely no wall area in your house that will through much building materials before
pack; that if it is there all that is needed contain a .308 bullet. You must be cer- slowing down.
Snipers need gear. In order to get the fi rst shot
on target every time snipers come to the party
prepared for anything. This is a great philosophy to
adopt in all the rest of your endeavors. Like the Boy
Scouts: Be Prepared.
10 /TACTICAL GEAR SPRING 2010
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