Dawson Precision is perhaps best known for their 1911 style race guns.  They build beautiful guns on the STI 2011 frames for competitive shooting in IPSC .  While known for those 1911′s they also make accessories for a lot of other guns including the Glock.  This picture is of the DP Ice Magwell on a Glock 17L.  As you can see it would certainly aid as a funnel for faster reloads.  The magwell comes with a replaceable plastic insert that is designed to make the transition from the magwell to the frame flawless.  Cost is $72

Can you see why they call it a funnel?

The photo below shows a standard mag with the DP Glock extension installed.  This adds about 4 rounds of 9mm to the mag.  It also makes it easier to load and reload as you are shooting at the range.  They cost $32.95 and come with a new spring.  We can modify the follower for you so they function reliably when we install the base pad.

So, are you ready to bling out your Glock?

I had the opportunity to teach an NRA First Steps class Friday to two of my friends.  When I woke up Friday morning I was a little concerned about my “rain or shine” policy because it was nasty weather.  By the afternoon things had cleared up, and we were fortunate enough to have a wonderful day at the range.

One question that was asked was, “what type of gun should I get?”  As you know there are several great options for someone looking for the all around gun.  I’ve argued before that the Glock 19 may be my favorite Glock.  You won’t go wrong with any of the S&W M&P line or the Springfield XD.  When I mentioned one of the guns above, my friend said he didn’t know why, but he just didn’t like the gun.  That reminded me that you must never believe the hype because the worst gun is the gun you didn’t like but you bought because someone talked you into it.

When you look to buy a gun there are some undeniably better guns than others.  However, with the top makers you really can’t go wrong.  Find one you will be happy with, trust, proud to own, and excited to shoot.  You won’t be disappointed.  Do not buy a gun because JeffJeff2@mcc told you to.  Do not buy a gun because American Handgunner had it as a feature.  Research your options and buy what you like.

By the way, I really put the Wild Things Tactical Soft Shell through the paces.  It was raining, windy and about 40 degrees all day.  Expensive stuff, but it works!

I’m often asked, “Is it worth it to modify my Glock frame?”  This question normally revolves around stippling the frame or texturing the frame to give it a unique and better grip.  I think this is a great modification on several levels.

1. It gives a better grip than is currently available.  I’ve tried A-Grip, Hogue grip sleeves and they don’t seem to cut it for me.  Stippling or texturing the frame will increase your grip on the gun and it won’t add any bulk to the gun.  This is especially good for those of us with smaller hands.  Another thing we can address is getting a higher grip angle by relieving the trigger guard.

2. We can do as much or as little as you like.  My personal gun has a lighter treatment.  I like stippling for memory of grip.  Both sides of the frame are stippled for my thumbs forward grip. Others like the full treatment.  Some simply want the natural checkering removed and improved.  From $20-$200 its up to you.

3. It definitely gives you a unique gun.  For those of you looking to customize that Glock one more way this is a great way to do it in an attractive way.

Check out the AR-15 pistol grips.  A definite improvement.

We recently updated our MCC Release info in the store to include the following:  The MCC Extended Glock release will not fit any Gen 4 models or the Gen 3 36.  They are completely different.  This is one area that Glock changed when they went from Gen 3 to 4.  We are sorry if this causes any confusion.  Please keep this in mind if you are thinking about ordering them.

I was teaching a TN Handgun Permit Course last weekend when the unthinkable happened; a Glock malfunction.  I was using a very old 1st or 2nd generation magazine that I had not tested in a long time.  Bottom line is that I got 2 stove pipes in about 10 shots.

I can’t stress this enough.  If you are going to carry a gun, you need to MAKE SURE IT RUNS!!  Don’t think it runs.  Take the time to run your carry rig with the ammo you are going to use on the range for extensive testing.  Had that mag been in a CCW situation it would have been bad news.

Things have been a little crazy lately.  I’ve been out of commission for a little while with some sickness, and then I had a birthday sneak up on me!  I don’t normally buy a lot of stuff for myself related to guns except at Christmas and when my birthday rolls around. This year I spent sometime thinking about it and decided to get the Minotaur MTAC holster.

One of our instructors got this holster a couple of years ago, and then another one of our guys bought one for a Glock.  After trying theirs on, I knew it would only be a matter of time before I had one of my own.

My favorite way to carry is normally a J-Frame in pocket carry with a homemade leather holster.  It is simple, effective and I can forget about.  Having done this for too many years to count, it feels natural to me.  My favorite way to carry a semiauto is to carry Inside the Waist Band (IWB).  IWB is the most concealable method for CCW carry.

For years I have carried a 1911 this way, but couldn’t find a way to make it work with my Glocks.  The one issue that most people deal with carrying IWB is that the butt of the gun tends to want to fall towards the ground.  I constantly feel like I am pushing the butt of the gun up.

Enter the Minotaur MTAC.  It is made with a leather backing for comfort against bone and skin, but it has a kydex holster that locks the gun in place well and allows one handed reholstering.  It also has adjustable belt clips that allow the holster to lock into place and eliminate the gun butt drop problem described above.  It does a great job of holding the gun secure, and it sucks the butt of the gun high against your body.

With a vest or outer garment this holster is rock solid.  But the best news is that with a polo type shirt it is totally viable.  I now have a go to holster for my Glocks, even my 17 which I never thought would make a great carry gun. As a final note, you can change Kydex bodies to allow you to carry all your favorite guns.

I did a recent interview for Guns.com on Law Enforcement Agency purchasing practices.  Check it out here.

I did a little work on a Glock 30 SF over the last week.  Everything went well except that I ordered Crimson Trace Laser Grips for it (they don’t make them for the SF).  I was having a miserable time getting them to line up with the sights when I realized what I had done.  So . . . . if any of you out there have a Glock 30 or 29 that is NOT an SF model.  Let me know and I will sell you these for what I have in them.  Hint: substantial savings for you!!

One of the things that I get asked every week is how to choose the right handgun for someone.  If that person is simply going to keep the gun at home for personal defense the answer is easier to discover.  However, if they plan on carrying the gun for CCW or off duty  work the answer isn’t as simple.  It’s kind of like asking what clothes you need to buy this year.

Obviously for off duty carry the main goal is to have a firearm available if you need one.  This has led many to buy very clever little guns.  These do fulfill this first rule by always allowing you to have a firearm available no matter the weather or dress code.  To me this is the last option gun.  Great in a pinch, but you wouldn’t want to stake your life to it.

I can already hear the chorus of boos from the last paragraph, but let me explain.  If you took that gun to one of our advanced classes you would quickly find that it is not sufficient to complete all the tasks well.  The diminutive size, lack of sights and quality controls make it hard to run well.  I am sure there is an exception to the rule, but not many of you would choose that when you have the opportunity to carry something larger.

When the weather and dress code allow a larger gun I will always opt for one of my 1911′s.  I conceal this gun well IWB with my body type.  Some of you won’t be able to do that with your body type.  You must find a way that works for you.

When the weather gets cooler, and I don’t have to take off my coat as much, a full size or compact Glock is my choice.  Again, my body type makes this gun uncomfortable for IWB carry, so I need a longer coat and the right situation.

The point is that you must experiment.  My first choice would always be my Glock because I have shot it so much in competition and carried as an LEO, but it isn’t always practical for me to use it.  You will probably have to start with one firearm, but be ready to add one or two more to make the best of all situations.

Dave asked a great question that I have never thought about addressing on the blog concerning holster fit issues when using Big Dot’s on a Ruger SP101.  Our experience has been that this isn’t an issue.  While they are a big front sight, they are not so big as to cause holster fit issues in most cases.  Since we started doing the conversion several years ago, we haven’t had anyone inform us of an issue.

In fact, we install almost as many of these sights on Glocks as we do the SP 101′s, and the experience has been the same.  They seem to work out just fine.

I would like to hear from some of you on this subject.  If you have been using Big Dots on your SP 101′s and have good holster that works for you, post it in the comments.  Also, if you are aware of any holsters not suited for this combo, let us know that as well.