Wenger’s take on “don’t grab, let it drop” – Last week in The Tactical Wire (another of our free email wire services, available here), we reported a rumor that the shooting fraternity lost another member, this time allegedly due to grasping for a fumbled gun as it dropped. Associate Stephen Wenger has addressed this on the Safety component of his information website.
“A caveat to this rule (Rule 5 – Maintain control of your gun) concerns dropped guns. As suggested above, most modern handguns of good quality are designed not to fire when dropped and people have shot themselves trying to catch guns that have slipped from their hands. If you do momentarily lose control of a firearm, it's generally safer to let it fall to the ground. Unfortunately, as discussed above, there are still some handguns on the lower end of the price scale - typically mini-revolvers and inexpensive pistols - that may not be drop-safe. (Instruction manuals - typically available on the websites of manufacturers - will usually mention such things as firing-pin safeties. You may also want to do an internet search for lawsuits and settlements to help determine which brands have had issues, even with firing-pin safeties - such as those that require engagement of the thumb safety for full protection.) With those handguns, it's really a toss-up as to which is the greater risk - try to catch a falling gun or letting it hit the ground.”
In a note to me, he went on to agree that repeating safety concerns is critical --
“In WWII, there was a saying in the US Army that there's always 10% who don't get the message. Then there are those who forget the message. I repeat many of the same messages in my comments in the Digest, in small part because I occasionally pick up new members and in large part because years of experience have shown me that many people read selectively, have short memories or both. Safety lessons can't be repeated too many times.”
In short, let it drop.
I got a report by phone from Bryan “with a Y” Eastridge about a new snub. As we’re both retired cops – though he’s still working through retiree FTO with Darryl Bolke – snub revolvers have a strong appeal. He alerted me to the fact that Lipsey’s had another exclusive offering, this one from Ruger – the LCR in 32 H&R Magnum.
So what’s the big deal? For $120 more in cost and 3.1 ounces in weight, you can have the LCR in 327 Federal Magnum.
Why more weight? Tell me you haven’t shot the 327 Federal Magnum without telling me you haven’t shot the 327 Federal Magnum. Besides the power differential – the blast and recoil – the Monolithic frame of 400-series stainless steel of the heavier LCR can better take the beating from the larger cartridge than the lighter aluminum frame of the new 32 H&R revolver.
Firing the 327 Federal Magnum in 2007, in its infancy, from a 28-ounce 3” SP-101 was no real joy. There was a lot of blast and recoil was surprising. Federal said that there was 20% less recoil than the 357 Magnum with a 100-grain bullet achieving more than 1,300 fps. I’ll take their word for it.
The 32 H&R isn’t so stout, but these are lighter guns, meant for regular discreet carry.
Meanwhile, I just received new aftermarket magazines configured for GLOCK pistols and any firearm that takes that magazine format. These are from XTech Tactical, who announced the standard and extended capacity Glock compatible magazines last week.
I just got mine and haven’t gotten to try them live fire yet. They fit, lock open and drop free from real, original GLOCK pistols and a close approximation of the same. These are steel reinforced polymer magazines that look suspiciously “Glock-ish,” but very nicely finished. I’ve not had them to the range yet, but stay tuned for performance evaluations.
The MAG17-17 is the standard G17 size and the MAG19-15 fits the G19-class firearms. With an individual price (as of now) of around $25, these aren’t cheap range magazines. The firm reports that they use a proprietary Delrin-blend “no-stick” follower, an enhanced baseplate with side cuts for extraction (if needed), steel-reinforced body and a 17-17 stainless spring.
I’ll be interested to see how they work.
— Rich Grassi