PocketGunsAndGear

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A review and helpful tips blog focused on guns, ammunition, and shooting gear.Bruce Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12285261715973097051noreply@blogger.comBlogger378125
Updated: 1 month 2 weeks ago

Federal Premium 9mm +P 147 Grain HST Tactical Ammunition Test

Mon, 12/15/2014 - 15:55

Two years ago, I tested this load from both short and long barrels into bare gel.  The results of both tests were very good, and I had good intentions of getting back to run additional tests with this load through clothing barriers.  My initial tests can be found here.  While I had good intentions, I never did get back to retest this load until two weeks ago.  I was working on another project at the time and discovered I had ammo, gel, and a Glock 17 so it was time to do the long overdue comprehensive retest.

Test Pistol:

Don't Settle For A Tie. Ask For the 2015 Ballistics Calendar

Sun, 12/07/2014 - 00:32
Yes, it's that time of year again when spouses and children start asking for Dad's Christmas list.  I'm not a fan of the annual ritual, but I've learned from experience that failure to come up with a list can lead to gifts like socks, ties, and sweaters ending up under the Christmas tree with my name on them.  I've also learned that if I can keep the list small and fill it with affordable items there is a really good chance I'll get most of them.   

Nathan Boor is a friend of the blog, and also the owner of Aimed Research.  You may remember his guest blog post on high-speed ballistics imaging from June 2013.  Nathan captures some really cool high-speed stills and video in the pursuit of his work.  Aimed Research has a YouTube channel showcasing some of Nathan's work.

TRUGLO MicroTac Green Laser Review

Thu, 11/20/2014 - 12:55

TRUGLO MicroTac Lasers

The TRUGLO MicroTac is available with red or green...

Ruger LCR 9mm Review - The Pocket 9mm for Revolver Fans

Wed, 11/12/2014 - 20:14


See All Ruger LCR Revolvers Here

For those that follow the blog, you know that many of my gun reviews include a personal backstory.  Ruger's newest LCR, in 9mm Luger, happens to be one of those handguns...

Springfield XD Redesign Update

Tue, 11/11/2014 - 11:15















Springfield Armory Revamps the XD Line of Handguns?

Tue, 11/04/2014 - 16:51

I'll admit to being a fan of the original XD line of pistols.  Particularly the Tactical 5" models in 45 ACP and 40 S&W.  I'm quite intrigued by the email from Springfield that arrived in my in-box a few minutes ago.  Let the speculation begin.

I'm thinking the XD line could be heading down the path of the Gen 4 Glock with new grip textures and possibly interchangeable backstraps as found on the XDm and XDs lines.  Regardless, the update to the line appears to be quite significant.

For me the most telling hint so far came from the webpage title when you sign up for future email updates.  The page title currently displays XDMOD2.  Feel free to add your guesses on the new XD Model 2 in the comments below.

Will we have to wait for SHOT 2015 to find out more?

SIG SAUER Elite Performance 40 S&W 165 grain V-Crown JHP Multi Shot Terminal Test

Mon, 10/27/2014 - 14:25
Last January, SIG SAUER launched their own line of ammunition.  In the mad rush to be the first to publish tests on the ammunition, I ran a test of the .357 Sig and .40 S&W back in May of this year.  I published the 357 Sig test right away, but the .40 S&W test sat for several months before I had the chance to publish it.  Part of the delay was caused by the need to re-shoot some of the test when my initial denim test shot passed through the gel block and was lost in the berm.  

SIG has targeted their Elite Performance ammunition to the personal defense market.  The ammunition features SIG's proprietary V-Crown jacketed hollow point bullet, Techni-chrom coated brass cases, and low flash propellants.  It's currently available in .380 Auto, 9mm, 40 S&W, 45 Auto, and naturally .357 Sig.  I was pleasantly surprised to see Sig's Elite Performance ammunition with retail prices similar to other...

Glock 42 MagGuts +1 Conversion Kit Review

Sat, 10/11/2014 - 18:11

Corso Inc. is a Florida based company that develops new internal parts (guts) for handgun magazines.  The kits are sold under the MagGuts brand name.  By swapping out the magazine internals, with the MagGuts replacements, you can add one additional round to the magazine capacity without negatively impacting magazine reliability.  Unlike most other products that increase magazine capacity, MagGuts kits are designed to add capacity without changing the overall magazine length.  MagGuts offers kits for several different handguns.  In addition to the Glock 42 magazine kit reviewed here, they also have kits for most of the popular single stack 380 Auto pocket pistols.  Their complete product line can be viewed and ordered on their website.

The Glock 42 MagGuts kit consists of a replacement spring and new...

Ted Nugent Ammo 9mm American Defender 115 Grain UHP Tests

Thu, 09/25/2014 - 15:52
Way back in January of 2012, I wrote up a blog post about Ted Nugent Signature Ammunition.  Developed in conjunction with Pierce Munitions, I have to believe that they are the current producer of the ammunition tested here.  I'm making an educated guess simply because the Pierce website has active links to the Ted Nugent Ammo website/webstore.  I picked up a box of the 9mm American Defender load last year and it's been waiting in my stash for testing ever since.

A 9mm Ruger LCR - Yes Please!

Mon, 09/22/2014 - 14:21


Long story short, I missed my chance to purchase a 9mm revolver back when Smith was making them.  I opted for the 38 Special revolver instead.  If you know how 940 Centennial prices have progressed over the last 20 years, you know what a goof up that was on my part.

I never did get my 9mm revolver, but still would like to have one someday.  I came close to picking up a used SP101 9mm from a local store once, but it didn't have a box or moon clips with it.  I always thought the LCR platform would be a great fit with the 9mm.  Now Ruger has delivered, and I guess I better start saving my money to buy one.

The specs are up on the Ruger website.  Not sure why, but it's listed as the heaviest of all the LCRs.  Maybe that's just a typo.  It's also listed with an MSRP that's $70 more than the .38 Special +P LCR.

Ruger Mark III Target - Must Have Upgrades for Fun and Competition

Sun, 09/21/2014 - 17:31
I fell in love with the Ruger Mark III Target Model 10159 the first time I saw those beautiful wood target grips.
I'm a long time fan of the Ruger Mark II 22LR pistol.  In my opinion, there is no better all around 22LR pistol for target shooting, general plinking, and even small game hunting.  Ruger updated the Mark II design and came out with the Mark III, which for me was a huge step backward in many regards, but did move the magazine release to a better location.  The Mark III also included several other upgrades to help it pass muster for sales in States with special firearm requirements.  I'm specifically referring to the LCI (loaded chamber indicator), Magazine Disconnect, and Internal Key Lock.

I had...

Federal 9mm 115 Grain Hi-Shok JHP Tests - Standard Pressure and +P+ Performance Comparison

Wed, 09/03/2014 - 09:13

OR

Federal has been producing both of these 9mm loads for a very long time.  From my own personal experience, the first 9mm I ever purchased was a Ruger P89 that was current production and new in the box when I purchased it in early 1991.  At the time, I was a handgun novice and the counter clerk suggested a box of Remington UMC 115 grain FMJ and Federal 115 grain Hi-Shok JHP (9BP) as starter ammunition.  That was the first of countless boxes of 9BP that I've purchased over the...

Glock 42 Ammunition Testing

Wed, 08/20/2014 - 17:11






Taurus Model 85 View Review - A Clearly Different Revolver

Thu, 08/07/2014 - 23:06


At first glance, it may be easy to dismiss the Taurus 85 View as a gimmick or novelty handgun because it is so much different than anything else currently available in the stores.  Keeping an open mind, I recently spent several weeks with the sexy Brazilian import to see if the revolver was worthy of the $599 retail price Taurus has established for the View.  By the time I was done with the review, I had a new appreciation of how clearly different this Taurus was from any other model 85 revolver I have ever handled.

The -est Factor

Buffalo Bore 380 Auto +P 90 Grain JHP Clothing and Clear Gel Terminal Tests

Sun, 08/03/2014 - 16:43
Several weeks ago I posted an update on the status of the blog and mentioned that I've stopped taking ammunition donations because I've got so much stuff here to test and so little time to spend on producing the tests.  Every so often someone hits me with a request at the right time and I agree to do a request test.  Brian D. inquired about testing this specific load from Buffalo Bore while I was in the process of putting together an ammunition order so thanks to Brian for providing the ammunition for this test.

Buffalo Bore has designated this load as 380 +P.  380 +P is not a SAAMI industry standard ammunition pressure classification and is forbidden for use in many 380 Auto pistols (check your owner's manual).  It does generate higher pressures, and velocities, so please make certain it is safe for use in your pistol before...

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