Magic!

Because of a recent Chicago ordinance that has been flown under the radar like the bulldozers at Meigs Field, many gun owners will unknowingly be in violation starting in February. The following is my effort to be in compliance with the new restrictions. No, don't thank me. Just doing my part to keep us all safe. Click to enlarge:

Affordable Weaponlight Setup

One of the rules of gun safety is to always be sure of your target and what is behind it. Since most defensive uses of firearms occur at night, it follows that a good weaponlight is important. For those who can legally own a handgun, a flashlight in one hand and gun in the other works fine. For those limited to long arms, however, a compromise must be made.

Most long arms cannot (or should not) be fired one-handed. Thus, a light attached to the weapon is a good way to insure good control of the firearm and illuminate potential threats. Hey, you may say, doesn't this violate the other rule of gun safety? The one where you never point your muzzle at anything you don't intend to kill or destroy? Yes. It is not ideal. That's why disciplined trigger control, another rule, is vital. Keep your finger off the trigger completely until you're ready to fire. With an attached weapon light, your light and your muzzle are generally parallel. A headlamp may be the best option of all, allowing you to light up your target without covering it with your muzzle, but this may not always be realistic in an emergency.

So, with the caveat that the use of a weaponlight is a safety compromise, let me add that many of the best lights are quite expensive. Some feature a pressure pad activator on a coiled wire that's well-suited for someone with a semi-auto but could be obtrusive for those relying on the home defense standard, the pump shotgun.

A simple, fairly inexpensive setup I recommend would be this: an ATI magazine clamp, which can be found for $15 shipped on eBay, and a Brinkmann Maxfire LX, going for roughly the same (don't pay the MSRP). The clamp is simply a two-ended clamp with one end attaching to your barrel or tube magazine and the other end holding your flashlight. The Maxfire is a cheap version of the Surefire G2 with a click on and off instead of a twist. These are somewhat difficult to find but, again, eBay's a good source, with WalMart and Target apparently carrying them on occasion, too.

Prior to discovering the Maxfire, I tried a Mini Maglite 2AA flashlight with an LED and tailcap switch conversion. This gives you a more recoil resistant bulb and an easy-t0-activate switch, but the light is just too little for this purpose. Though the Maxfire is not quite as bright as a SureFire, it is close and will actually accept the same lamp assembly as many of the SureFire models.

If you've found other affordable solutions, whether weaponlights or other shooting gear, let me know!

Nov. 7th Referendum - Vote NO!

The following is a referendum that is on the ballot for the November 7th election:

"For the health and safety of children and the entire community, shall the State of Illinois enact a comprehensive ban on the manufacture, sale, delivery and possession of military-style assault weapons and .50 caliber rifles?"

Please keep an eye out for this if you live in Cook County and vote "NO." Though this wouldn't have the force of law, it would be considered by the lawmakers in Springfield when it comes time to vote on related legislation. This measure is overbroad and part of an incremental attempt to ban private gun ownership. It is a regurgitation of the Assault Weapons Ban that had no effect on crime and has rightfully expired.

Kid in a Candy Store

I recently had a chance to sample a fellow’s gun collection on a beautiful bit of private land. The fall colors were at their peak, and the air was cool with a slight mist. We had several guns to try out and more than enough ammo. The milk jugs never had a chance.

Here are the guns and some brief impressions:

Beretta Storm CX4, .45ACP—A light, polymer, semi-auto carbine with a futuristic look. Though initially skeptical of such an “attention-seeking” gun, I found it to be very accurate, quick-handling and comfortable to shoot. Its squared post front sight and large aperture rear sight made double-tapping four milk jugs in quick succession easy. The only downside is that the factory magazines take only 8 rounds, but it is a .45. The 9mm or .40S&W variants would have a larger capacity.

Bushmaster AR-15 type, .223/5.56mm—There are almost unlimited variations on the AR-15 platform. This model featured a full stock, fixed handle, iron sights only and a 20 inch heavy barrel. I did not shoot from a bench but found this to be very accurate. Because of its heavy barrel, though, it was a little front-heavy. I would’ve preferred this with a traditional rifle scope or red dot scope to maximize the benefits of the barrel. Recoil was negligible, and it felt a bit like shooting an air gun—partly because of the lightweight plastic construction and partly because of the springy sound of the recoil buffer that is heard through the stock with every shot. Overall a fun gun.

Ruger GP100 .357Mag. revolver—Very handsome gun with a stainless frame and nice rubber grips with wood inlays. I didn’t spend a great deal of time with this one, because I’d tried a .357 revolver before. It was interesting to see the great difference in point of impact between .357s and .38s fired through the same gun. The muzzle blast was not a problem as I was shooting outdoors. Good thing to note—a gun that’s intimidating indoors may be quite manageable in open.

Smith & Wesson .40S&W Scandium autoloader—Smith & Wesson makes a number of Scandium alloy guns. They’re generally much lighter than their steel counterparts and more expensive. As light as a Glock, I suspect, this slim gun shot quite well. Once I got a feel for it, I was able to do respectable groups, even shooting one-handed. Though recoil's supposed to be worse than a 9mm, the fact that I was shooting Magnums the rest of the time made this one seem quite tame, even in the lightweight frame.

Smith & Wesson Mountain Gun .41Mag. revolver—Ba-boom! This unusual cartridge was designed to fill the gap between the .357 Magnum and the .44 Magnum. Though the recoil would be less than a .44Mag. (which was part of the aim), it still generates twice the recoil of a .357Mag. in guns of equivalent weight and is adequate for hunting many large game animals. This gun was a pleasure to shoot. Big but comfortable, it had nice rubber grips. You have to hang on to it but, with a firm grip, it simply flips up a few inches and is easy to get back on target. Makes me curious to try the .44Mag. now—just not indoors.

Thankfully, I didn't embarass myself. (Or so I believe. I may well be the butt of jokes for weeks to come for some gaff that escaped me.) I have a standing offer to continue exploring this gun collection and enjoying this park-like space and look forward to taking advantage of it. I wish you’d been there! I truly mean it.

Logo?

I've been toying around with the idea of getting hats or shirts made for folks who'd like them. What do you think of this as a logo?

Lending Library

I don’t have a huge collection of gun-related books. I glean most of my knowledge from the Internet and magazines like "American Rifleman," "Field & Stream," etc. There are four books I’m going to post here, though. You may borrow one at a time if you’d like. If there are others who'd like to offer some books as part of the Plinkers Lending Library, let me know.

Boston’s Gun Bible by Boston T. Party

Publisher’s description—“Revised edition with 10 new chapters and over 200 additional pages. A complete firearms reference book with real-world information on law, politics, market forces, tactics, firearms type and usage. Test results and equipment rating charts help you select the right firearm for your needs. Learn how to buy and sell, how to avoid BATF stings, how to get quality training in safety and tactics, how to defend the 2nd Amendment and what's next in gun control. Chapter 32 is one of the most concise and stirring rebuttals to "reasonable gun legislation" ever written.”

My thoughts—This is an entertaining read. There’s a lot of good information here as well as some strong opinions, some worthwhile and others not. Though it covers many things, its biggest and most thorough coverage is of MBRs (main battle rifles), none of which I can own. Carbines, shotguns and handguns get minimal coverage. Still, there are many valuable tidbits in here and much that is just entertaining if you’re into guns at all.

NRA Firearms Sourcebook

From the NRA Store website—“Without question the most comprehensive review of technical gun knowledge, ballistics, safety and firearms history ever compiled into a single volume. Produced by NRA publications, this long-awaited compendium spans some 536 pages. No other book compares to the sheer volume of information compiled in the NRA Firearms Sourcebook.”

My thoughts—This thing is big, pricey and fairly dry. It’s good as a reference book but goes into such things as how various types of rifling are done and which metals barrels are made from. Not really a book I’d sit down and peruse for pleasure but will likely answer many firearms questions for you. Incidentally, this is not a illustrated guide to small arms. While there are some diagrams that identify the various parts and styles of firearms, you won’t find different makes and models.

The Poor Man’s Scout Rifle: A How To Guide by Bob Cashner

Publisher’s description—“Learn how to fashion home-built scout rifles from a variety of old military actions, from the 98 Mauser to Mosin-Nagant and the venerable Springfield. Each of the author's creations, built with common tools and easy-to-come-by parts, met most of the basic criteria for a scout/utility rifle yet cost him less than a quarter of what the commercial models would have. Ammo and shooting slings are covered in detail.”

My thoughts—The “Scout Rifle,” defined and popularized (though not invented) by Jeff Cooper, is currently only made by one manufacturer, Steyr, and costs more than $2,000. This book looks at ways for people of more average means or gunsmithing hobbyists to incorporate many of the same features for much, much less. This is particularly interesting if you’re sold on the “Scout” idea; not everyone is. It’s also fun if you just enjoy seeing how people have taken cheap guns and made them unique and tailored to their own particular tastes.

Principles of Personal Defense by Jeff Cooper

Publisher’s description—“This revised edition of Jeff Cooper's classic on personal defense is the best study of the guiding principles of survival in the face of unprovoked violence by human assailants. Cooper discusses the vital elements of defensive mental conditioning, including alertness, decisiveness, aggressiveness, speed, coolness, ruthlessness and surprise.”

My thoughts—This is not really a gun book, though Jeff Cooper is best known as a curmudgeonly elder-statesman in the gun world. This book is more about attitudes and how to think and behave in a defensive manner. It’s a quick read. You (and I) may not care for all of his ideas, but there’s some good stuff in here.

A Word About the NRA

The National Rifle Association gets a lot of bad press. Some of it is deserved. Most is not, unless you believe that the government is your mother and the military/law enforcement is your father. The NRA is a flawed organization that sometimes goes too far in defending gun makers and gun dealers and not far enough in promoting things like national concealed carry. But theirs is an incremental fight. Gain some ground here, lose a little there and hope that you've come out a little ahead at the end of the day. It is not a racist organization nor is it strictly a defender of "big gun business," though these corporations must be allowed to exist and to serve the market. It is, quite simply, the most effective and broad-reaching defender of our "right to keep and bear arms" going. If that changes, I'll put my money elsewhere.

While pushing for greater "gun control" is the current mental fashion, this country's founders did not intend for us to be "subjects" but citizens. We have the right and responsibility to defend ourselves and those without defenders and to fight tyranny should the necessity arise (may it never). You don't have to join the NRA (though it's a good idea and they include a great magazine) or quote Charlton Heston, but if you value your rights, do something about them. Get your FOID card, write a Letter to the Editor, email your legislators, introduce others to the shooting sports, etc. Thanks.

There's Nothing Like Shooting Outdoors

Indoor ranges are fun. You have the controlled environment, the CSI-style shooting range with paper targets on wire runners and the large assortment of guns waiting, like various Wonka confections, to be sampled. But there's nothing like shooting outdoors.

The first shooting I ever did was sinking cans in the Caney River (OK) with a bolt-action .22 when I was about five. To this day, I still take every chance I get to do some open air shooting. As is often the case, I got a chance just last weekend while visiting my parents and brother.

My mission was two-fold. First, I wanted to pattern buckshot in my shotgun. Second, I wanted to try out two types of .22LR ammo I haven't tried before.

Patterning buckshot. You may or may not have run across this term before, but it's basically figuring out where a particular gun puts a particular type of shot at a particular distance. Contrary to popular belief, you do have to aim a shotgun. While buckshot and birdshot will spread as it exits the barrel, it does not just immediately fly into this lethal cloud that seeks out whatever you will it to. So, I set up a large cardboard box top with a large silhouette target stapled to it (something you can only do outdoors). Then, from about 25 feet I fired a couple of slugs for warm-up. They went were they belonged. I then tried out the buckshot, aiming at the center of mass. Surprisingly, the spread was a bit higher than I expected but turned out to be good, at least for defensive purpose. Aimed at center of mass, the 20 pellets spread from armpit to armpit and sternum to chin. The shot cup/wad left a nice big hole as well, roughly in the "love handle" region. Very satisfactory.

Fun with .22. I have gotten in the habit of buying only CCI Mini-Mags for my .22. It's a little pricier than the bulk stuff, but it is super reliable, accurate and has as much oomph as one could need in a .22LR. But, I ran across a box of Remington Subsonics not long ago and also thought I'd give the cheaper Federal brand bulk stuff ($9 for 550 rounds) a try.

The appeal of the Remington Subsonics may be obvious. I was just curious to see if it would really make much of a difference in decibels and whether a 10/22 would cycle them. Well, I gave them a try. Very slightly quieter than the bulk Federal but nowhere near "silenced" or air gun levels. They did cycle just fine in my rifle and seemed accurate enough, though I was shooting standing and not doing precise bench tests. My conclusion: nothing particulary special but they work. Some argue that standard and subsonic rounds tend to be more accurate than the high velocity rounds like the Mini-Mags. I'll have to put that to the test at some point and see.

The bulk Federal ammo is just an amazing deal on the surface at less than two cents per round. In looking at the rounds, I noticed that the quality control wasn't particularly good. The metal jackets on the bullets were uneven at the base, appearing to overlap the shell slightly on some. In terms of accuracy, they seemed to do fine, though. Again, I wasn't doing rigorous scientific testing, but it wasn't difficult to keep all 10 rounds from each magazine in the black. I only had one failure to fire with this ammo. My 10/22 has been extremely reliable over the years, so this was surprising, but I think it's reasonable to assume that the problem was with the ammo and not the gun. Still though, for plinking it's a steal.

[Follow-up: I took the bulk Federal to the range and again had problems with it. One failure to fire, which did fire with a second strike, and one failure to eject. It's still a good deal, but I'd recommend it only for plinking and maybe only for non-autoloading firearms. CCI Mini-Mags have always been reliable and accurate for me.]

Schedule through December '06

August—Weeknight outing to an indoor range, likely Maxon or Gun World.

September 23rd—Outing to Kishwaukee Archers in Sycamore. A fellow Plinker has generously agreed to let us use the facility and a couple of his bows to try out archery (or revisit it on a much more advanced level than in our youth). This is a bit of a drive, but I'd like this to be a family outing with a cookout and some good time of fellowship.

October—To be announced...

November— Firearm instruction with professional (not me). I’m currently researching options and am looking for something reasonably-priced and geared toward the novice. I’d need to have a commitment in advance so we can reserve the instructor and space.

December—Indoor range outing, possibly holiday-themed (Grinch targets? Santa hats? Firearm-themed gift exchange?).

Update

Plinkers is not gone. It's just taking a breather while I adjust to being a new father again. Our next scheduled outing will be in August, but there may be an impromptu outing before then. We anticipate having something Plinkers-related every month starting this fall.

Even while we're not at the range, there's still fun going on behind the scenes in the area of researching guns and gun purchases. I'm eagerly anticipating the purchase of a .223 rifle this fall and have been discussing the pros and cons of a few models with another Plinker just recently.

If you're interested at all, I weigh in now and then on a very active gun forum called The High Road. My user name over there is Another Inkling, and it's a great place to read about 2nd Amendment issues and the whole gamut of subjects related to firearms. Even if you don't spend much time there, it can be a good place to get feedback on all types of questions you may have regarding various gun models, accessories, etc. If you decide to register and post over there, let me know your user name so I can see what you're up to.

Thanks for checking in. I look forward to hitting the range with you soon!

REVIEW: SIG Sauer P226

The first two handguns I ever shot were 9mms, but there’s never been a 9mm reviewed for Plinkers. Though I didn't need an excuse to try out a new gun, I rented the SIG Sauer P226 on our latest outing.

The P226 is a full-size, semi-auto handgun available in 9mm, .40S&W and .357Sig. The gun I rented was a 9mm and featured a stainless steel slide with a matte black Nitron finish.

The P226 is a double-action/single-action with a decocking lever and an exposed hammer. When you chamber a round, the gun goes into single-action mode with the hammer cocked and only a short, light trigger pull required to fire the gun. To carry the gun in a safer state, you can depress the decocking lever. This lowers the hammer safely and puts the gun into double-action mode with a longer, heavier trigger pull required to both cock the gun and fire the gun. Upon firing in double-action mode, the gun returns to single-action.

This gun feels great in the hand. It has nice stippling on the handgrip and the controls are all easily reached with the thumb of the shooting hand. A variety of magazines are available for the P226. The magazine I used was a double-stack 10-round magazine, but 15- and 20-round magazines are also available.

So how does it shoot? Great. It took me a couple magazines to get the feel for it, but I found that if I did my part, it performed very well. For this shoot, I went through two boxes of Magtech 115gr. FMJs and allowed my compatriots to go through a third. I found that when I was being sloppy or shooting left-handed (I’m a righty) my ten rounds would frame the target. In a secure stance, though, it was not difficult to put all ten in the black. The sights were fairly standard and allowed a decent sight picture while the weight of the gun and general ergonomics made recoil very manageable allowing for quick and steady follow-ups.

The fit and finish of the P226 were excellent. You can tell that this is a well-made gun. It’s no wonder this is a very popular gun with law enforcement and various government agencies. Incidentally, if a civilian wants one, they run from $700-900 depending on the configuration.

One final note—when the Department of Defense looked into replacing the .45 1911 back in 1984, two finalists remained at the end of the trials—the SIG P226 and the Beretta 92. Though both guns did extremely well, the Beretta apparently won out largely due to its lower cost. Maybe we’ll have to get our hands on a Beretta and do our own comparison.

Gun Registration: The Process

From a thread I began on The High Road.

Well, I just did my annual duty here in Chicago and renewed my gun
registrations. Here's the process, for those who are curious:

1. Obtain as many registration forms as you need from the Gun Registration Office downtown or your closest police station. Try to be civil when they ask why you need multiples.
2. Get a head shot taken (digital camera and printer works fine) and adhere two copies to each form.
3. Fill out each form (one per gun) with your driver’s license number, Firearm Owner’s ID number, home address & phone, work address & phone, serial number of each firearm, make/model, barrel length, magazine capacity and caliber/gauge.
4. Sign it twice on the front, then attest that you’re not a convicted felon or mentally ill on the back and have it notarized.
5. Write a check to the City of Chicago. $20 for one gun, $25 for 2-10 and, I believe, $35 for more than 10.
6. Enclose a copy of your Firearm Owner’s ID card with the check and registration forms and send it to the Gun Registration Office. Using Certified and/or trackable Priority is preferable as I’ve had three registrations “disappear” in the mail in the past couple years.
7. Repeat annually.

REVIEW: Ruger 10/22

If you’ve been on a Plinkers outing, you’ve fired this gun. I bought it when I was 10 years old with lawn-mowing money, and it’s been a workhorse ever since. Many cans, jugs, paper targets and one skunk have fallen to this trusty tool. It occurred to me that the Ruger 10/22 deserves a review here.

The 10/22 is a semi-auto carbine in .22LR and the most popular rimfire rifle ever made, with several million sold since its introduction in 1964. What began as a wood-stocked, blued steel carbine is now offered in 13 different flavors, including one in .22 Magnum. While mine is close to the original configuration with a dark, hardwood stock, blued steel and a barrel band, 10/22s can also be had with target barrels, laminate or synthetic stocks and stainless steel hardware from the factory.

At only 5 ¼ pounds and 37 inches, one of the first things you notice about the 10/22 is that it is light and compact. It handles quickly and fits comfortably. The innovative flush-mounted rotary magazine contributes to the clean lines. It’s a good size for young shooters or smaller adults but not so downsized that it’s awkward for people who take up a little more space.

The 10/22 is a semi-auto. This is all I’d consider as a youth. Though I started shooting with a .22 bolt-action at age 5, when I was ready for my own gun I wanted firepower! The gun came with Ruger’s clever, detachable 10-round rotary magazine, and this was fun. After a couple more lawns, though, I had to get a 25-round “banana” magazine. Precision shooting was fun, but letting loose with 25 rounds in short order is a thrill that’s hard to beat. Though I’ve since retired my 25-rounder to comply with local laws, I’d still recommend unloading a high-capacity magazine as fast as you can if you ever have the opportunity.

As I got older and got a bit of the GI Joe out of me, I became more interested in accuracy. Although the 10/22 can be made a true “tack driver,” the base model that I own is pretty good. I’m not going to be punching holes in quarters at 100 yards, but it is quite satisfying with iron sights at close range and with a decent scope a bit further. With good ammo, it’s quite consistent. I’ve heard that standard velocity ammo is the most accurate, but I’ve found CCI Mini-Mags (high velocity) to be utterly reliable, reasonably priced and accurate enough for my purposes.

Regarding reliability, I can’t recall ever having a failure to feed or fire with my 10/22. I’m sure it’s happened. I used to use the really cheap bulk ammo that comes in the little green “milk carton,” and I’m sure that I had a failure to fire at one point or another with those. I’ve never had a problem with CCI, however, and the design of the 10/22, particularly with the 10-round factory mags can be counted on.

It is not possible to write about the 10/22 without addressing customization. Though not everyone does it, I’d venture to guess that a large part of the 10/22’s appeal now is the fact that you can literally replace every single part of it with some type of upgrade or alteration. It’s not uncommon for people to pay $200 for the base rifle and put several times that into it. Customizing the 10/22 is not required, but it is fun. For many years, I made do with a leather sling and a $10 scope. In the past few years I’ve made a few changes to it but nothing too radical. If you’d like to know what I’ve done, I’ll paraphrase the grandparent bumper stickers that were popular years ago—“Ask me about my gun.”

As a side note, I’ve read that the Israeli Defense Force has used silenced 10/22s for crowd control and discretely dealing with dogs and have heard rumors that South Koreans have been issued 10/22s along the DMZ (perhaps someone could confirm the latter).

So, do I have any complaints about the 10/22? As it comes from the factory, the trigger’s a little stiff, the magazine and bolt releases are awkward and the little dovetail scope mount is wimpy. All of these you can live with or easily and cheaply improve with aftermarket parts.

[I’d be curious to hear the impressions of others, as well. Let me know if you like to offer a review of this gun or any other.]

Buying Your First Gun

Now that you’ve been on a Plinkers outing or have at least been keeping up with the quizzes and other communications, you may be toying around with the idea of acquiring a gun yourself (if you don't already own one). So what should you buy?

The Short Answer: If you’re new to shooting and can only buy one gun, go buy a .22LR rifle for $200. If you know the fundamentals, have some experience shooting and want an inexpensive multi-purpose gun, go buy a pump shotgun for $200-300 in 12 or 20 gauge.

The Long Answer: If you’re thinking of buying a gun and want a more involved recommendation, read on. There are many things to consider—the law, your purpose, your budget, the availability of parts and add-ons, where you can shoot your gun, and, in some cases, your spouse.

The law where you live will greatly impact the selection of firearms available to you. In much of Illinois, handguns are legal, but you may not carry them concealed on your person. In Chicago, handguns are illegal, even in your own home. If you live in Chicago and most of its suburbs, you will be limited to rifles and shotguns. Even within these categories, there are restrictions on barrel length, magazine capacity and other features. Generally speaking, you must be 18 or over, observe a waiting period of at least 24 hours, possess a valid FOID card and pass a brief background check. In Chicago, you're also required to register your firearms and pay an annual fee. Check your local laws for specifics if you’re unsure.

[A brief aside regarding gun laws: It might be wise to consider the political trends where you live. It would be a shame to buy a gun that you have to turn around and hand over to the police a year or two later. Semi-auto firearms of all sorts are often in the crosshairs here in Chicago. If you’re concerned at all, .22s are generally safe bets, and pump, bolt and lever action rifles or shotguns are less likely to be banned than semi-autos. Beyond that, join a gun rights organization and lobby your legislators.]

Within the choices allowed by the law—some type of shotgun or rifle—you have to decide exactly what you want to do with it. Do you want something strictly for home defense? Paper targets or pop cans? Clay pigeons? Hunting? Many firearms will multi-task to some extent, but it would be dangerous to use a rifle on airborne clay pigeons and using a shotgun on paper targets is simply not challenging. For our purposes, I’m going to look primarily at training and defensive weapons.

If you’re new to shooting, a gun for training purposes is a good idea. This may not be ideal for home defense or other purposes but will allow you to gain mastery of shooting fundamentals before moving on to other, more powerful and expensive guns. For training purposes, you want something that you can shoot often and cheaply. Something that doesn’t kick much and isn’t too loud is preferable, too, so you don’t develop a nasty flinch reflex. A .22LR rifle fits the bill perfectly. It also has the advantage of being allowed at indoor ranges where most long guns are forbidden to allow for more practice opportunities. Semi-auto .22s are fun; the Ruger 10/22 is a semi-auto and the best-selling by far. It is very reliable and endlessly customizable. Bolt-action rifles are more accurate and even more reliable, though I’ve never had a problem with my 10/22. Remington and Marlin both make excellent, reasonably-priced bolt-actions. Pump- and lever-action .22s are available too but not as popular. Good .22 ammo costs less than a nickel a round.

Another option for a training gun would be a pistol-caliber carbine. These are what they sound like—short rifles that shoot rounds intended for handguns. Though more expensive to purchase and shoot than your basic .22, they have the added benefit of being effective defensive weapons. The added barrel length maximizes velocities of pistol rounds, and there is a good selection of ammunition available. Some of the larger calibers may also be used for hunting small to medium game. Semi-auto carbines come in 9mm, .40S&W and .45ACP, while lever-action models can be had in .357Mag/.38Sp and .44Mag/.44Sp. More obscure rounds are also available, but stick with one of these. The cost per round will range anywhere from twelve cents per round for bulk 9mm up to a dollar per round for some .44Mags. Some firearms in this category are popular to ban, generally those that have magazine wells within the pistol grip (Uzi-style) instead of forward of the trigger guard. The Ruger Police Carbine and discontinued Marlin Camp Carbine are both semi-autos that are legal to own in Chicago. In lever-action, the Marlin 1894C and Winchester Model 94 Trapper and Ranger are good choices. These will range in price from $300 for used models up to $700+.

Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals of handling and shooting a rifle, you may decide that a defensive weapon is appropriate. While any gun is better than no gun in a pinch, handguns and shotguns are best for home defense unless you live on some land and foresee having to engage boogeymen at longer ranges. Since handguns aren’t legal in Chicago, we’re limited to shotguns and the aforementioned pistol-caliber carbines. Though each has its place, a shotgun can be a safer yet more powerful option.

In many ways, a shotgun is the most versatile weapon you can buy. Within its range limits, it can be used to hunt everything from ducks to deer to bears. You can shoot clay pigeons with it or defend your home. For defensive purposes, I would recommend a pump shotgun in either 12 or 20 gauge with a barrel from 18 to 20 inches. Semi-auto shotguns are nearly as reliable but tend to be much more expensive than pumps. Break-action single and double-barrel shotguns are utterly reliable, but the small capacity is a weakness. A good pump will give you anywhere from 4 to 8 rounds in the tube magazine and, loaded with buckshot or birdshot, improve your odds of hitting your target while being less likely than rifle rounds to penetrate walls and hurt bystanders. Recommended models include the Mossberg 500 (cheapest), Remington 870 (smoothest) and the Winchester 1300 (fastest). The Mossberg and Remington offer far more after-market options (barrels, stocks, sights, etc.) than the Winchester, but all are good guns and can be had for between $200-400 for basic models. The choice between 12 and 20 gauge is up to you. The 12 gauge is far more popular and allows for more shell options, but recoil can be quite significant. The 20 gauge offers about a third less recoil with about a third less power.

I don’t know your budget, but buying a good gun does not need to bankrupt you. Generally speaking, a good .22 can be had for around $200, a good pump shotgun for around $300 and pistol-caliber and hunting rifles from $400-700. You can spend a whole lot more in any of these categories, but these are good ballpark figures. (Any accessories would be extra.) There are some truly cheap guns out there, but spending a little extra for something that will last your lifetime is worthwhile.

One nice thing about guns is that they don’t lose much of their value if you maintain them properly. Some actually increase in value. To find a good deal, online auctions (like gunbroker.com) can be a good place to find discontinued or unusual models at a good discount. You still have to get them transferred to a local FFL (Federal Firearms License) holder, which involves a fee, but you might save quite a bit. Wal-Marts with FFLs (not all of them) also have good prices on guns, but their in-store stock is generally small and some folks have issues with Wal-Mart for a whole host of reasons. Sporting goods stores like Dick’s and Cabela’s offer a bigger selection but are usually a little pricier. If you can do it, buying through a (responsible) local gun shop is the best way to go. Their prices may not be the best on new guns, but they often carry a selection of used guns, unlike the big box stores, and tend to be much more knowledgeable and willing to negotiate. They also benefit the most from your support. You may buy directly from their stock or, in some cases, you might buy through a place like Gallery of Guns where you place a deposit online and the gun is shipped to a local shop. The local shop gets a cut this way but doesn’t have to front the cost of keeping such a large stock.

Although it doesn’t need to be a primary factor in choosing a gun, the availability of parts and accessories is something to consider. Even if you don’t have parts that break, you may decide that you want different sights, a more comfortable stock, a stronger firing pin for harder primers, etc. Picking a popular gun model will give you broader options for customizing and will increase the odds that you’ll have replacement parts for as long as you need them.

One thing that’s often not considered, because most locales are more gun-friendly than ours, is where you can shoot your gun. Shotguns and higher-powered rifles can’t be used at most indoor ranges, though they will allow handguns, rimfire (.22 &.17) and pistol-caliber rifles. There are some places around where you can shoot more powerful guns, but you’ll have to go out a bit further into the suburbs, at least as far as I can tell. If you have family or friends that live in more rural areas and will allow you to shoot while you’re with them on holiday or whatever, take advantage of it. Just make sure that whatever you’re thinking about buying, you’ll have opportunities to learn and enjoy it.

Last, but definitely not least, if you’re married, you must consider the thoughts and feelings of your spouse. If she (or he, if you’re one of our future female Plinkers) grew up around guns, it’s probably going to be a non-issue. If not, you may have a tough row to hoe. If your spouse is resistant to the idea, encourage dialogue. Allow her to express exactly what it is about gun ownership that bothers her and acknowledge that it is not something you take lightly. If you have not been on a Plinkers outing, go on one, then tell her about it. Then go on three or four more. Share your experience and offer to take her with you or to have her go in your place (if finances are tight or you’re just really bold). Let her read this blog. Express your desire to protect your family and your home and the need to have the tools and ability to do that. Demonstrate that you know proper gun safety (when you do) and plan to observe it always. If you enjoy shooting, let her know. It may take some time to win her over, and it may be a matter of compromise (“You can have one gun, but that’s it”), but if you are sincere and respectful in your approach, you improve your chances.

I hope you have found this to be helpful. I’d be glad to field questions about brands, models, whatever, and will even answer your spouse’s questions, if: a) you have one and b) you feel that that would be beneficial. Researching a gun purchase can be a great deal of fun. I hope that you enjoy the process as much as the purchase.

REVIEW: Ruger Mark II Government Target

This gun was an unexpected joy. Though I’ve shot .22LR rifles for years, I’ve never had the opportunity to try the little round in a pistol. It’s worth a try. Besides being inexpensive to shoot and non-punishing, it is super accurate. For these reviews, I typically run my targets out to about 10 yards, a realistic distance for real-world encounters. Suspecting that this gun was more accurate, I ran the target out to the end of the range, 25 yards, and proceeded to print a 10 round group in 4 inches. Nice! I guess if you pay $500 for a .22, you should expect it to do something special, but this was a surprise.

The gun is typical of Ruger Mark IIs (of which there are many flavors) except for its massive 6 7/8” bull barrel. This probably accounts for much of its 42 ounce weight. Yes, believe it or not, this slim .22 weighs more than the S&W 686, though I wouldn’t have guessed it. The gun we shot had nice rubber grips and handled well despite its front-heaviness. The trigger is a short, single action.

My only complaints are the poor controls. The safety is a switch that looks like a button; it’s not readily apparent when the safety is on or off. Obviously, you shouldn’t rely on mechanical safeties, but it should be more user-friendly. The slide release button is too small and the magazine is held in by an odd, spring-loaded catch. There was one failure to feed, as well, that bent a cartridge. Probably a conspiracy between the tight tolerances of a target pistol and a bum round.

This is definitely not a tactical pistol, but what .22 is? It is an excellent target pistol, and the idea that you could spend an entire afternoon shooting tight groups at 25 yards (maybe further—it was an indoor range) for $10-15 in ammo puts a smile on my face. Though the blued version is discontinued, a stainless version goes for around $500.

REVIEW: Smith & Wesson 686

This was my first revolver, and what an introduction it was. This is a substantial gun and, with contoured Hogue rubber grips, fills the hand nicely. It is stainless steel with a 4 inch barrel and weighs 40 ounces. It is double-action with an exposed hammer. For the sake of comparison, I bought one box of .357 Magnums (American Eagle 158gr.) and one box of .38 Specials (Magtech 158gr.).

After my initial impression of size and heft, I noticed the gun was a bit on the dirty side. It has seen lots of action. The fellow who checked us in picked this one out for me and said, “This is one of my favorites to blast away with.”

I started with the .38 Specials and was able to keep several cylinders-full in the black. No precision work on my part but respectable. My groups got tighter as I went along. Shooting in single-action helped greatly. (FYI: Double-action means that your long trigger pull cocks the gun, rotates the cylinder then fires a round. When firing single-action, you pull the hammer back manually, rotating the cylinder and cocking the gun. This reduces your trigger pull to less than a quarter inch and requires only a light short pull to fire the gun). Recoil was on par with light 9mm autoloaders I’ve fired before.

Once comfortable with the .38s, I loaded up the .357 Magnums. Though the cartridge is only a fraction of an inch longer than the .38 Special, it is the distance from pleasant to unpleasant. The recoil, report and muzzle blast are substantially greater—manageable, particularly in such a hefty gun, but not really a recreational round. I never felt as though I wasn’t in control, but I was able to shoot more accurately and more rapidly with the .38s.

As for the gun itself, it was well-made and had a good feel. You could tell it was up to the punishment. The cylinder didn’t drop out smoothly, though, and the ejector didn’t always clear all the empties. This is probably due entirely to the need for a good cleaning. The sights were simple and easy to see. The Hogue grips had a good feel and helped absorb and manage some of the recoil.

All in all, this is a solid gun that would last anyone a lifetime. Though too big for concealed carry, it could work well as a service weapon and has been rumored to have been used by Navy SEALS on occasion. It would be a good choice for a home defense weapon, though you’d probably want to stick to .38s for practice and only load .357s for emergencies. Prices run $550-600.

REVIEW: Maxon Shooter’s Supplies and Indoor Range

In our quest to find a perfect, close place to do our outings, our band of three merry men visited Maxon Shooter’s Supplies and Indoor Range in Des Plaines this past Saturday, the 25th.

Upon arriving, we found quite a line. The staff were friendly, for the most part, and efficient. Not quite as thorough as the GAT staff but not bad. The fellow who checked us in was carrying a firearm on his hip, something I’ve not noticed at the other ranges but a good idea. The three of us initially had to share one lane but each got our own as the crowd thinned out a bit.

The range was well-maintained. Lights and targets runners were all working, and the ventilation was good—we were able to taste our Portillo’s afterwards. The only complaint I had was that there were a few folks shooting high-power, centerfire rifles though the signs prohibited them. I chalked this up to them being friends of the owner, or some such thing, but they were way too loud for an indoor range.

The attached shop is on the small side, but they had a good assortment of guns and gear at decent prices. This may be a place to go to on a weeknight when a shorter drive would be more convenient and the crowd would be less. Our next outing will probably be to GAT Guns again, though we will likely alternate between GAT and other ranges and seek out some outdoor ranges when the weather warms up.

Eye & Ear Protection

If you plan on going on any Plinkers outings you’re going to need to buy, rent or borrow (limited supply) eye and ear protection. For your first outing, you may choose to rent or borrow equipment just to see if you like it. Beyond that, though, you’ll save money and insure your comfort and safety by buying your own.

Eye Protection—You’ll get the best protection from wraparound glasses designed for shooting or working with power tools. These are impact-resistant. They won’t stop a bullet but will keep sparks, fragments and Dick Cheney’s birdshot out of your eyes (maybe). Clear or yellow lenses are your best bet for indoors. If you wear prescription glasses already, make sure they’re impact resistant. Mine are and seem to work just fine. Shooting glasses that fit over prescription glasses are also available. Prices for eye protection range from about $6 up to hundreds of dollars. Aside from the glasses and goggles types of protection, I would also strongly encourage you to wear a low-profile baseball cap. These keep hot brass from dropping down the front of your glasses and the low profile allows earmuffs to be worn over them.

Ear Protection—For ear protection, you may use traditional earmuffs, electronic earmuffs and/or earplugs. Each type of ear protection is given a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR). The higher the number, the more protection you get. Generally, the closer you get to 30dB NRR the better. Electronic earmuffs work a little differently. When turned off, they work just like traditional earmuffs. When turned on, however, they will allow you to hear normal conversation but will suppress louder sounds (generally over 85dB). For indoor ranges, I’d recommend a combination of both earmuffs (traditional or electronic) and earplugs. Though you may be shooting a relatively quiet .22LR rifle, we don’t have any control over those around us. For outdoor shooting, you can tailor your protection to the firearm you’re shooting. When I’m shooting clays, I double up. With the 10/22, I wear plugs or earmuffs but not both. Plugs are cheapest, of course. Traditional earmuffs start at around $7 for lower NRR. Electronic earmuffs can sometimes be found for $20-25 but are often more.

Where to Buy—You can buy this stuff at most ranges, but the selection will be limited and prices will be higher. I’d recommend going online and buying them through an outfit like www.midwayusa.com or www.cabelas.com. Dick’s Sporting Goods and most Wal-Marts or Meijers outside of Chicago would also be good. Here’s a link that will probably give you the best selection at the most reasonable prices: Midway USA

Final Note—A few months back, I was running through a little drill with my 20 gauge pump in Indiana. A fellow thought it looked “wicked” and wanted to give it a try. I gave him the gun then offered him glasses and earmuffs. He declined the protection. Now, his ears didn’t start bleeding and he didn’t shoot his eye out, but this was reckless of him. Eye protection is a no-brainer, but good ear protection will actually make you a better shot. If you develop a flinch reflex early on, you will find yourself pulling off target when you pull the trigger and will really have to work to undo it.

Plinkers FAQs

Q. What’s a Firearm Owners ID (FOID) card?
A. The State of Illinois requires that every resident possessing or purchasing a firearm or ammunition have a FOID card. These cost $5 and are renewable every 5 years. The State Police takes about 3-4 weeks to process applications. This is a prerequisite to going on a Plinkers outing, but I will gladly provide you with an application, take and print your mugshot for the application and cover the fee if you’d like.

Q. Do I need a firearm to participate?
A. No. At least one rifle will be provided for free (mine), and we will rent other guns as needed at the range. If you’d like to purchase a firearm, I’d be glad to answer questions and offer my recommendations.

Q. What does it cost?
A. This will depend on many factors and could include range fees, gun rental, ammo, targets and ear/eye protection. Count on $10-20 on the low end (shooting my .22) to $30-50 (renting a gun and buying ammo at the range). Bring a few bucks for food. As much as I can, I’ll try to keep things cheap.

Q. What about eye and ear protection?
A. I have a couple loaners people can use. You can rent them at the range, too, for a few bucks. Basic shooting glasses (if you don’t wear impact resistant glasses already) and ear muffs or plugs can be had for less than $20. I’d encourage you to buy your own. Or win some through a Plinkers quiz!

Q. Do I need to have any experience?
A. No. Some ranges do their own introduction and safety briefing for new shooters, but I will also provide brochures on gun handling and safety and walk you through the safe handling and operation of the firearms we will be using. These outings are an opportunity to gain experience.

Q. What should I bring to a Plinkers outing?
A. Cash (see What Does It Cost?), your valid FOID card, your Driver’s License/ID and any protective gear you may wish to bring. I’d also recommend a baseball cap. It’s not necessary, but hot brass does fly sometimes and a cap helps keep them off your head and face.

Q. What firearms will we be using?
A. I have a Ruger 10/22 which you are free to use. It’s a semi-auto .22LR rifle. Beyond that, we will likely be renting firearms, and the selection will vary by range. Many only rent handguns, though they’ll allow you to use handguns or rifles chambered for so-called pistol calibers (9mm, .38 Special, .45ACP, etc.). You’ll typically find mostly semi-auto handguns (9mm, .380 and .45ACP) with a smaller selection of revolvers (.38 Special, .357 Magnum). You may also find some unusual pieces like the .454 Casull revolver or Desert Eagle .50AE we ran into at Bell’s Guns. You’re free to try these, but the ammo is generally quite expensive and the recoil and report will be…memorable.

Q. Is Plinkers sponsored by, or affiliated with, New Life Community Church?
A. No. Although the current pool of Plinkers is made up mostly of New Lifers, it is not a church-sponsored group/activity. That said, I do want to keep it edifying. Those looking to gamble or speak ill of their wives will end up walking home…from Elgin…even if they drove.

Q. Is Nate a gun nut? What’s his motivation?
A. I do not read Soldier of Fortune or flout the (ill-conceived) gun laws of Chicago. I generally don’t hunt (my prey has been limited to snakes and one skunk) but am not opposed to it. I enjoy shooting as a pastime, a sport, and want to share it with others. But I also believe that it’s a skill every responsible citizen should possess. Feel free to ask me questions.

Q. What will a typical outing look like?
A. We’ll meet and carpool out to a suburban range. When we get there, we’ll pay our range fees, rent guns and safety equipment as needed, and buy ammo for the rentals. Then we’ll go over proper handling of my rifle and any guns we rent and hit the range for 1-1½ hours, shooting paper targets. When we’re done, we’ll peruse the shop a bit then grab a meal together. After that, we’ll get everybody home. Depending on drive time, figure about 3½-4 hours.

Q. Are there any risks involved?
A. Yes. Shooting is loud and can damage your hearing unless you wear plugs and/or muffs. Shooting can also be a hazard to the eyes. The ranges are designed to eliminate ricochets, but there are hot shell casings and fragments which could be ejected by the firearm, either through normal operation or the rare mishap. Glasses protect the eyes. Wraparound glasses are even better. Additionally, lead dust, gunpowder and the solvents used to clean firearms are all toxic. Repeated exposure in a confined space could cause health problems, but indoor ranges are required to have good ventilation and our outings will not be frequent enough to cause you any problems. Just be sure to wash your hands afterwards, before you eat or use the restroom. Lastly, guns are obviously lethal weapons and should be respected. By obeying gun safety rules and keeping an eye on those around you, you can eliminate nearly all the risk. I’ve been shooting for 26 years and have yet to see an accident.

REVIEW: Kimber Stainless II

Let me start by saying that I put 100 rounds through this gun and would have gladly run through a few hundred more (on someone else's tab, of course). This is a sweet-shooting gun. Lots of power but very smooth and manageable.

The Kimber Stainless II is based on the classic 1911 or "Colt .45" design and is part of Kimber's Custom line. It is all-stainless with a 5-inch barrel, 8-round magazine and nicely textured rubber grip panels. The controls are in the usual locations for a 1911, but Kimber adds a beavertail grip safety. This requires the shooter to be gripping the gun before it can be fired and adds a measure of safety for those who carry their weapons "cocked and locked," with a round in the chamber and the safety on.

Having fired .380 and 9mms in the past, I was anticipating the more powerful .45 to be more of a handful. I was mistaken. Don't get me wrong--this gun booms--and that large bore leaves no doubt that this is a serious weapon. But, the recoil is more of a push than a punch, just as I've heard described before. It's actually quite tame, and the long heavy barrel makes barrel flip almost nonexistent. This, along with the short, single-action trigger, made quick follow-up shots easy and accurate.

Regarding accuracy, I am no marksman. I aspire to be, and have put in some time toward this aspiration, but I simply don't shoot often enough to have honed my skills. That said, my first 8 rounds out of this gun made a 6 inch group in the middle of the target at 7 yards. That's not significant if you're talking competition, but it's impressive if you think about it tactically. This is a gun that is more accurate than many people, including myself.

There was very little I didn't like about the gun. I liked the aesthetics, the history reflected in that design. I liked the trigger feel and smooth operation of the action. I like the simplicity of the magazine and the ergonomics of the grip. The only things I didn't like were the sights. They were black, front and back, and would be difficult to make out in low light. A white dot on the front sight would've improved the sight picture nicely.

If you have a chance to shoot the Kimber Stainless II, I'd highly recommend it. Though the 1911 design has been around for almost 100 years, Kimber's only been making them since 1995. But they seem to know what they're doing. The Stainless II can be had for around $800 and would make an excellent home defense (where legal), service or competition handgun.

For the record, I used Remington UMC Leadless .45ACP 230gr. ammo on this outing. There were no failures and the nearly half-inch holes they punched made it easy to ascertain exactly where my shots were going.

REVIEW: GAT Guns

When I lived in D.C., I had to do almost all of my shopping at the corner convenience store. Occasionally, I could get a friend with a car to run me to the supermarket, but it was generally too far and too unsafe for me to do via public transportation. Bell's Guns, where we did our first outing, is like that corner store. GAT Guns, on the other hand, is a supermarket.

Plinkers made an outing to GAT Guns of Dundee (near Elgin) this past Saturday, November 19. This was our second outing and, though we enjoyed ourselves on the first outing, we were not too impressed with Bell's Guns. GAT Guns was a much better experience.

GAT Guns is both an indoor range and an extensive sporting goods store, leaning heavily towards hunting and fishing gear. It's housed in a huge, 2-story stone building and is very well maintained. There were probably a good 6-8 staff working there and all were professional and helpful. The whole place was fairly busy, but it is big enough that it wasn't a problem.

The sign-in process was friendly but thorough. We each had to present our FOID cards, sign in one book and sign a waiver in another. I then had to open my gun case and have it inspected by the woman at the counter to ensure that it was indeed a pistol caliber or rimfire rifle. It's unfortunate that such extremes have to be taken, but I suppose it's better for us to endure this small inconvenience than for them to open themselves up to lawsuits by the all-too-eager.

The range itself is 25 yards long and is divided into two halves, with 24 lanes overall. All the lanes were in good condition with working lights and target runners. The air circulation seemed better than the last place, as I wasn't tasting gunpowder for the hour or so after leaving the range. A man even came in during our shooting and swept up the brass. Wow! You supposedly rent by the hour, but this turned out to be a soft time. Apparently, as long as it's not overcrowded and you keep buying ammo, you can shoot to your heart's content.

After perforating our share of targets, we perused the shop. I haven't seen a selection this large since I went to Don's Guns in Indianapolis as a kid. They had everything from decades-old Mausers to AK-47s (semi-auto) to the Barrett M82A1. If you're not familiar with this last one, it's an $8,000, .50 cal. rifle used in extreme, long-distance competition and by military snipers. Truly a beast. This part of the store was like a museum and a great place for gun enthusiasts to see all the models they've only read about. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Overall, GAT Guns was an impressive place and would be a great place for repeat visits. The one downside to this range is its distance from Chicago. Though I drove this route to work for about 3 months several years ago, I'd forgotten just how long of a drive it is.

REVIEW: Taurus Millennium PT138

Having never fired anything chambered for the .380ACP, I selected the Taurus Millennium PT138 for our first outing last fall. The .380 is essentially a shortened 9mm round and is known some places as the 9mm Kurz (Short). Though there is much debate on the issue, some consider the .380 the least-powerful round still effective for self-defense.

The Millennium is black polymer with a stainless steel slide. It’s intended for concealed carry (illegal in Illinois) and is both compact (6” long) and lightweight (19 oz.). With a double-stack magazine, it can hold 11 rounds (10 in the magazine plus one in the chamber) and is about 1 ¼” wide.

Shooting the Millennium was enjoyable. The grip is not rubberized but is textured and sufficiently wide to fill the hand. Trigger pull is long but fairly light and smooth. It is solidly built and operated flawlessly with the Independence Ammunition 90 grain rounds I was using. Independence Ammunition is not a brand I was familiar with but seems to be a decent plinking round intended to maximize the range's profit. A box of 50 ran $13; I found the same online for $8.50.

After a couple magazines to familiarize myself, I was able to consistently get 5-6" groups at 10 yards. Not stellar but tight enough for its intended purpose. Surprisingly, the recoil was not much different than a 9mm of similar dimensions I've fired, though muzzle flip was less in the .380.

For simple pleasure shooting, a heavier gun with a longer barrel would be a better bet. And a 9mm of the same size would be more powerful for defensive purposes. But if you find that you shoot the .380 more accurately or simply don’t need the extra power, this would be a good choice for someone on a budget. Although the Taurus Millennium PT138 is a discontinued model, it can still be found for under $300.

The Five Ws of Plinkers:

WHO: Anyone interested in shooting for fun. No experience required. Right now, this group consists of men only, but I’m not averse to including women in the future.

WHAT: Shooting for fun, or plinking*, generally with small caliber rifles or handguns. Food will follow. (*Some refer to this as plunking but…)

WHEN: Either monthly or bi-monthly, depending on the level of interest and eligibility (must have a Firearm Owners ID, or FOID, card).

WHERE: Shooting ranges in the suburbs. We want safe, affordable, well-ventilated and maintained ranges that are easy to get to.

WHY: For fun, fellowship, education and experience. Being able to safely handle and effectively use a firearm is a knightly skill which we, as defenders of “widows and orphans” and others without natural defenders, should acquire and develop. It’s also one which happens to be a lot of fun.