Sunday, December 21, 2014

Glock Upgrades


So I thought I'd say a few words about the upgrades I do to my Glocks on a regular basis.  I've got a few that I consider my go-tos, and I wanted to throw those out there.  First though, I need to push out one over-arching thought: upgrades are to enhance a gun that already works for you.  If you have a gun that doesn't function for you without upgrades, you may have the wrong gun to start with.  That's not to say that there aren't special cases that may need things like a better mag release or slide release, but ideally you should be able to perform the basic functions (loading, unloading, firing) without any upgrades.

With that said, here are a few of my favorite upgrades:

Vicker's Extended Mag Release: I use a Glock Gen 4, and even though I think the larger ambidextrous mag release is a massive improvement over the Gen 3 and earlier models, for me, having the extended release makes it that much easier to conduct mag changes.  It's simple to change out, and I have had no problems with accidental releases.  It's also rounded, which makes it a little easier on the fingers for repeated mag changes.

Ghost, Inc 3.5lb Rocket Connector: Even though it's advertised at 3.5lbs, I'm pretty sure that was measured on a Gen 3.  Due to the changed geometry of the Gen 4 trigger, I feel that this connector produces more of a 4-4.5lb pull, although I don't have a way to measure it (for more info on the changed geometry and its effects, read up on the Glock "dot" connector).  I personally don't like a carry gun with less than 4lbs, but that's me.  The thing I like most about the Rocket is the overtravel stop.  It takes hand fitting, but it's not terribly time consuming and really makes a difference on my follow up shots thanks to a faster trigger reset.  Also, on two of my guns I've polished the internals, but when last I spoke to Ghost, they advised not to polish when using their connectors, so I'm going to forgo the polish job for the time being.

Ghost, Inc Complete Spring Kit: I only use this kit in specific scenarios, such as an IDPA match.  While it definitely reduces trigger pull and makes my follow up shots faster, the lighter weight springs actually interfere with some of the safety functions of the Glock, at least in my experience.  I never use these springs for carry.  They do have a heavy-weight striker spring for "more reliable ignition," but I've never had an issue with the stock spring, so I don't use that particular spring.

Grip Force Adapter: Having seen the effects of Glock slide bite, I like having a beavertail on my Glock.  My first two Gen 4s didn't come with the beavertails that the new Gen 4s do, so I bought these.  Not only do they provide the protection of the beavertail, but they also change the backstrap geometry just enough to help with the weird Glock "high front sight" syndrome.  On my newest Gen 4, I'm going to try the factory beavertail first, and then switch to the Grip Force if I don't like the stock one.

Ameriglo Hackathorn Sights: Let's face it, while the Glock sights are functional, most people I've talked to hate them, some quite passionately.  My personal preference in sights runs to plain black rear with some sort of Tritium front.  I like the Hackathorns because the front Tritium vial is surrounded by a bright orange painted ring, which immediately draws your eye to the front sight, day or night.  Also, they have a nice ledge on the front of the rear sight for one-handed manipulation.

So hopefully I've thrown out some products that may interest you for your Glock.  I'm quite happy with all of these products, with the occasional exception noted.  I do want to re-emphasize the fact that these are upgrades.  My Glock will run quite handily without any of them, but they do enhance its operation for me.  You'll have to be the judge of what enhancements (if any) you want on your gun.


X Echo 1 is a 10 year veteran of the US Coast Guard, where he has served at various units including the International Training Division and Maritime Security Response Team.  He has held qualifications including Deployable Team Leader/Instructor, Direct Action Section Team Leader, and Precision Marksman – Observer.  He has deployed/instructed on five continents and served in quick reaction force roles for multiple National Special Security Events in the US.

Monday, December 8, 2014

Concealed Carry Responsibilities



In my last post I spoke briefly about what I view as a gun owner's responsibilities. In this post I'd like to throw out some of my views on the responsibilities of a concealed carrier. Just as gun owners have the responsibility to know the safety rules, store their guns properly, and know the legal and technical aspects of operating their gun, we as concealed carriers have additional responsibilities that we should be mindful of.

1. We have the responsibility to be life-long learners. Just as it is important for the average gun owner to be competent with their firearm, it is far more important for a concealed carrier to train. In general, the concealed carrier is going to find themselves in far more confusing and dynamic scenarios than someone who hunts or target shoots. There is a plethora of training available from individuals and schools throughout the country, and there is always something to be learned. Just as a carpenter, plumber, metalworker, or other tradesman needs to stay on top of their trade, so does a concealed carrier. In between classes, read.  Read scenarios, news reports, and trade magazines, anything you can find and assimilate those tools and lessons learned into your toolbox.

2. We have the responsibility to ensure our mindset is correct. I've seen way to many people on gun boards posturing as if carrying a concealed firearm suddenly makes them a hero or makes them invincible. A firearm is a tool, nothing more, nothing less. It endows no special powers, and is a last line of defense against death or serious bodily injury. It does not allow you to suddenly travel in areas you would normally avoid, nor does it supersede the need to use good personal safety or home security practices. It is a tool for a specific need - defense of life - whether yours or someone else’s.

3. We have a responsibility to be the most courteous people around. I cannot emphasize this enough. This applies to everyone around us, whether our fellow citizens or the authorities. If you've spent any time on YouTube, you've seen videos of concealed carriers deciding to be royal jerks to law enforcement. Laws governing notification of law enforcement vary from state to state, but giving a cop a heads up is usually a good idea. Most (not all, but most) street level police officers in my area are supportive of concealed carriers, but just as you expect them to treat you with courtesy, they deserve courtesy as well. Just because you don't have to notify them, doesn't mean it's not a good idea to give them a heads up. When it comes to our fellow citizens, we also have a responsibility to be courteous and avoid provoking a confrontation. Sometimes there is a guy who's going to start a fight no matter what, but usually, we have a chance to avoid a fight through one technique or another. Driving, sports events, even a visit to the mall has the possibility that there will be a confrontation, but many times simply apologizing or walking away is a valid tactic. Even if you are in the right, it doesn't mean you have to win every argument when the cost of winning the argument is possible escalation. In Virginia, whether or not you were at least partially at fault in "provoking the difficulty" changes the requirements for when you can and cannot use deadly force in self-defense. If you are not at fault, you have no duty to retreat, for example. If you were at least partially at fault in the provocation, you are required to retreat as far as safely possible.

I've found that by and large, concealed carriers are a good bunch of people to be around. But we are all human. We have our good days and our bad days, and sometimes we get a little cranky or complacent. This is intended primarily for the new concealed carriers, but hopefully it rings true for those who have been carrying for a while as well.


X Echo 1 is a 10 year veteran of the US Coast Guard, where he has served at various units including the International Training Division and Maritime Security Response Team.  He has held qualifications including Deployable Team Leader/Instructor, Direct Action Section Team Leader, and Precision Marksman – Observer.  He has deployed/instructed on five continents and served in quick reaction force roles for multiple National Special Security Events in the US.

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Rifle versus Pistol



I love stalking gun owners on Facebook and Instagram.  While I'm sure that sounds plenty creepy, I love to see pics of people out enjoying the right to keep and bear arms, and I love that people are taking time out to do some serious practice.  More and more, though, I notice that a lot of pictures are full tactical gear with a carbine.  This isn't necessarily a bad thing (carbines are an important part of your tool kit, as is your tactical gear if you choose to own it), but I sometimes wonder if the emphasis in recent years on the "combat carbine" has skewed our collective perception of practical training/practice needs.

The vast majority of my practice time is devoted to the pistol.  There are two main reasons behind this: 1) pistol skills are harder to maintain than rifle, and 2) probably greater than 75% of the time I may need a firearm, I'll have a pistol on me, not a rifle.  I base reason (1) on my own personal observations as well as discussions with professional trainers (both the NRA kind and the funny green beanie kind).  I went almost a year and a half with no rifle practice other than zeroing two carbines.  After only two days of dedicated practice, I had my rifle up to about 80% of where it had been at the MSRT, and I think I could have gotten it back up the rest of the way with another day or two.  I contrast that with my pistol skills, which noticeably degrade after about a month off the gun.  Also, if you've ever been through specialized firearm training that involves both pistol and rifle, they usually start with pistol and once you have a good foundation, they move you on to rifle.  The pistol is simply less forgiving and harder to run effectively (for most people) than a rifle.  Reason (2) should be fairly obvious for most people in the continental US.  Very few locales allow you to carry your carbine when you go out for lunch.  More and more allow you to carry a pistol though.  Unless I am somewhere that prohibits concealed carry, I have a pistol on me.  The only time I pick up a carbine is to go to the range.  It therefore stands to reason that we should devote the majority of our training time to the firearm that we will be the most likely to use.

Now, most of my concern regarding the focus on carbines is anecdotal, I'll admit.  My Instagram stalking is hardly scientific.  It could be that full kit and carbine just makes for a sexier pic (which it does, I'll agree).  And I'm certainly not going to argue with people that choose a carbine for home defense and want to stay proficient, or people who just want to blow off some steam and have a good time with friends at the range.  I just wanted to throw it out there: in my opinion, it is far more important to train with the firearm you are most likely to use (including immediate action, reloads, and flashlight work) than it is to spend a lot of time training for a zombie full kit and carbine apocalypse that is far less likely.

My $.02, feel free to disregard.


X Echo 1 is a 10 year veteran of the US Coast Guard, where he has served at various units including the International Training Division and Maritime Security Response Team.  He has held qualifications including Deployable Team Leader/Instructor, Direct Action Section Team Leader, and Precision Marksman – Observer.  He has deployed/instructed on five continents and served in quick reaction force roles for multiple National Special Security Events in the US.