Summer brings about its own issues for gun enthusiasts.  We don’t like sweating while we shoot.  Fogs glasses and makes ear muffs uncomfortable.  I don’t like touching hot guns.  I really don’t like sunburns.

Perhaps the hardest thing is that some CCW adjustments need to be made.  For me the summer generally means a J-Frame.  I have a hard time with a full size anything.

I would love to have the readers thoughts on the subject.  Leave us a comment about how you beat the heat and still get to the range or carry when summer rolls around.  The comment that strikes me the best (totally subjective because it is summer and I’m bored) wins a MCC hat and patch.  They aren’t much but its something.

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

Just wrote a new article on Guns.com on cleaning.  You can see it here.

I have recently been invited to join the staff at Guns.com as a writer.  I will be writing from a gunsmithing, training and product review perspective.  If you haven’t seen their site, you definitely need to check it out.  They are going to be the premier online gun magazine.

One overlooked area of CCW is practice from concealment.  Many times we are forced to shoot at indoor ranges that prohibit drawing our firearms for obvious reasons.  With that in mind, it is important to refresh yourself on the draw stroke from concealment at home.

Make sure your gun is unloaded, and you have removed the ammunition from the area of practice.  I like to stand in front of a mirror at first to visually correct any flaws.  Make a few practice draws at about 1/2 speed.  Then begin to move up in your speed.

If you haven’t tried this live fire in a while, take your time at your next range outing.  Go slow and work up always remembering that smooth is fast.  This will go along way to help you if you ever need to draw in real life.  Practice and stay sharp!

Many people think that putting a gun in a gun case is a great way to offer protection to the gun.  This is certainly true traveling to and from the range where the gun’s finish might get dinged or scratched while driving.  What most people don’t know is that long term storage in a gun case will eventually cause your gun to rust. 

The cloth that most cases are made from is actually a moisture attractant.  It will grab moisture from the air and cause the gun to oxodize while it is stored.  This week I gave out some advice to a friend that had this happen, and I also replaced a barrel that was ruined from storing the gun in a soft sided case. 

The best way to protect your gun for storage is to store it in a safe that has a climate control device.  I have used golden rods for years.  They emit a small amount of heat that keeps the safe’s temperature steady.  This does not allow condensation to form in the safe.  Make sure you have one of these in your safe if your safe is in a garage or other room that is not climate controlled.  As always put a light film of your favorite gun oil on the gun to prevent any moisture build up. 

If your guns are in a soft sided case, get them out before it is too late to save their finish.  Rust on a gun is like a cancer; it very seldom is eradicated without major, invasive procedures.

I have worn paddle holsters for years in various configurations of Kydex and leather.  Most of the time it was one of the inexpensive versions from Uncle Mike’s for IDPA.  They are great for the person who lives in civilian life where there are places that the firearm is not allowed.  Need to go to the post office?  Take of the holster and leave it in the car.  They are very easy to get on and off once you get the hang of it.

The thing I noticed the other day was how uncomfortable they are.  I was driving around enjoying Christmas lights with the family and my Sig 229 was riding in a Safariland paddle holster.  The Sig wasn’t the problem, but the plastic paddle was wearing out my hip.  It just reminded me how much more comfortable leather is in that respect.  No problems with the back of the holster making you tender.

I also was reminded how simple it is to conceal with a belt holster whether IWB or standard.  The paddles offset the holster away from the torso making me feel like I am wearing a brick under my coat.  With a belt holster the butt of the gun is pulled in to the torso making a more concealable option.

Paddles are fine, but leather is going to be my choice.

I just returned from Ukraine this week after being there for a conference with some people from my church.  We had a great time with our friends over there.  Much like last time, I took some gear that Woolrich was kind enough to supply for testing.  Be watching for the review soon.

We continue to be busy with SP101 stuff right now as well a the usual swing into the SM-1 shotgun package.  The newest thing we have been working is an SM-2 package that is really cool for the 870 using a pistol grip.  Be looking for a video on that one really soon.

One thing I am always reminded of as we return from a trip like this is just how unique it is to be an American.  Of course I think our way of life is generally superior in thought and practice than most of the places I have visited, but that is because I grew up here and that is all I have ever known. While they have gun rights in the countries I visited on this trip, it is hard to get them.  Kind of reminds you of New York’s restrictive laws.  The thing that I always return with is the gratitude towards freedom.  Freedom of speech.  Freedom of religion.  Freedom to protect ourselves.  The responsibility to vote to keep these freedoms.

Don’t forget that next week is important for all Americans.  Make sure you participate.  Glad to be back.

I had a friend who was pulled over the other day for making a U turn at the top of a hill in a park.  Might sound petty, but Law Enforcement will often make a stop on what you think is a minor violation to make sure you are a squared away driver.  If your license and registration come back clean, most of the time you will get off with a warning.

During the course of the stop my friend failed to mention that he had a concealed weapon in the car.  He has handgun carry permit, but it didn’t cross his mind to alert the officer.  The database informed the officer that he was a CCW Permit holder.  You can imagine the officer’s level of frustration when he returned.  He gave a stern warning and a lecture about proper procedure.

I want to remind all of our readers that Cops are generally (yes there are a few who are not, but then again there are gas station attendants that aren’t cool either so get over it) cool if you let them know.  Cops aren’t afraid of guns they know about.  If you are pulled over, immediately alert the officer when he approaches your car, make no sudden movements and wait for instructions.

In some places the law requires you to inform the officer.  In others it is not required, but I promise your stop will go a lot better if you are considerate of the officer’s safety.

We are truly in the dog days of summer in Nashville.  The heat has been unrelenting over the last few weeks.  This week we have seen highs near 100 F.  For those of you that use Kydex, you need to be mindful of leaving your holsters and mag pouches vehicles.

One of the greatest improvements in Kydex has been the ability of holster makers to offer a thinner material that makes the holsters less bulky and easier to use.  Most of the makers have done a good job balancing the need for sturdy material with the newer thicknesses.  The downside is that they will curl up or deform if left in your vehicle.

Kydex can be shaped and manipulated by using a heat gun for a few minutes.  Think of your car as the ultimate heat gun.  If it is hot, take your kydex with you.