Sidearms & Scatterguns Guns and coffee

[Joelski]

 

[MJF]

1968 27-2 3.5"
There's definitely something very special about the older Smith's....
View attachment 7871105

Love the 27!

 

[MJF]

I'm really loving the 365XL

 

[Downtown]

Wise choice of leather. I've been a satisfied customer of Milt Sparks for years. Bought my first Summer Special just before Milt retired and Tony took the reins. Good company still today.

 

[MJF]

It has become my favorite. It's amazing how comfortable it is. I have " the comfortable ones" with leather and padding, and they feel bulky and huge. Even a 1911 disappears in a Summer Special.

 

[DubfromGA]

Wise choice of leather. I've been a satisfied customer of Milt Sparks for years. Bought my first Summer Special just before Milt retired and Tony took the reins. Good company still today.

Absolutely rock solid products.

My first move with any new config of pistol is to get a SS2 for it.

I have VM2, 55BN, Criterions, 60TK but the SS2 remains my favorite.

It has become my favorite. It's amazing how comfortable it is. I have " the comfortable ones" with leather and padding, and they feel bulky and huge. Even a 1911 disappears in a Summer Special.

You are gonna be really well set up with your Sig in that SS2.

I wear the SS2 in G19, P365, HiPower, commander and government sized.

Depending on different factors, I'll wear it anywhere from 1:00 to 4:00. Hugely versatile.

 

[paulL01]

Not sure if I've posted this or not. If I have, I apologize. The good folk at Simply Rugged in Prescott, Az., made me this. It's their Sourdough Pancake Holster w/ their optional Chesty Puller Suspension System. I gotta say I was - hell, I was amazed at how nice it is & furthermore just how incredibly comfy that Chesty Puller Suspension System is. But, nore than anything the quality, fit & finishof the holster. My 27-2 fits just perfectly. I ordered it with the Hammer Strap & you have the option to put it on and take it off when ya want. The holster itself, I ordered it in Oxblood w/ a Celtic Knot, Basket Weave & Border Stamping. And, it's far & away the best holster I've ever owned. And, what really makes it so nice is that being a Pancake - it's super easy to re-holster. Anyways, I love it. Here's some pics.

 

[MJF]

Wow, that is a very, very nice holster!

 

[paulL01]

Wow, that is a very, very nice holster!

Thank you, sir.
The hardware on the suspension system is heavy duty - top notch as well.
I appreciate the kind words

 

[Longrangeprecision762]

You don't see these everyday. Franchi SPAS (Sporting Pump Auto Shotgun) 12 with folding stock with the metal "hook" butt stock.
The "Sporting Shotgun" was added to the nomenclature of the shotgun to avoid the notion is was a tactical firearm that was
was prohibited by the 1984 BATF firearm ban; mine shown is one year pre-ban. There are several butt stock variations that were offered, but the metal folding "hook" is the
the desired collectible.

A cult following of the shotgun after being featured in the movie "The Terminator" with Schwartznegger. It took 10 years but I finally cobbled together all the possible accessories for the shotgun. The pump mode was desirable to shoot riot soft rubber rounds. It had a recall for the original lever safety which could fire the round when taking "off" the safety; a factory recall involved cross-bolt safety replace the lever style. One of the interesting "accessories" was a 2-piece "muzzle diverter" that screws on to the end of the threaded barrel and transforms the shot pattern into
a lateral (horizontal) pattern for a higher probability of humanoid target hit; purchased it new from the Spas12.com site for $1300 last year, a few years ago I paused @ $500 bucks, bad idea! in retrospect. This one shown has about one box of shells thru it. I authored a technical manual on the lever v. cross bolt safety mechanisms just for fun. It is a very clumsy shotgun to manipulate and I would never consider picking it up for self-defense.

A little mind-numbing back story on the "muzzle device" historical development.
A variety of shotgun muzzle devices have been tried over the years to enhance their effectiveness in a defensive role. One item that comes off often is "Duck Bill Spreaders" most seem to originate in the early 70's. Crane Lake is often cited as were their origin and cited has being used by the SEAL's in Vietnam and by the Air Force Security Forces.

In each case they are cited as being regulated for use with #4 buck shot. Relative reference manuals from the early 70's reveals #4 buckshot was the preferred load for LE-military shotguns.

Crane Lake is often cited as such prototype muzzle devices used by the SEAL's in Vietnam and the Air Force Security Forces.

A&W muzzle in "The Police Shotgun Manual", by Roger H. Robinson, 1973. Mr. Robinson includes many high speed photos that were provided by A&W Engineering of shot loads coming out of the A&W duck-bill device; photos show the diverter to be very efficient at pattern modification

At 10 yards a 7 1/2" H x 29" W pattern with #4
At 30 yards a 25" H x 96" W pattern with #4.
A claimed a 22% reduction in recoil an diminish the muzzle flash to that of a .38 special at night.
A slug can be used as well, imparting two grooves on either side of the slug with a reduction in projectile yaw.
According to Swearengen in _The World's Fighting Shotguns, the US Air Force Directorate of Security Police in the mid-1960s developed a requirement for a spreader choke that would produce a wide elliptical shot pattern. This horizontal pattern spread was supposed to increase the hit probability from a shotgun on a moving target.
The Air Force request went to Frankford Arsenal for action, at the time Frankford was working on improvements to the military shotgun in general. Early experiments at producing a spreader choke were less than successful- the chokes split, patterned poorly and in various ways failed to produce te desired result. Ultimately Frankford ordnance engineer Charles A Greenwood developed the duckbill choke in answer to the Air Force requirement. It was subjected to a good deal of laboratory and field testing.
The original duckbill choke was simply a sleeve with a long V-notch cut on either side, the apex of the V toward the rear. The top and bottom of the sleeve were compressed toward the center line at the muzzle, constricting the emerging pattern of shot in the vertical plane and forcing it to spread horizontally. The sleeve was permanently brazed onto the barrel so that it would not be blown off or rotated by firing the gun.
Early examples of duckbill- equipped shotguns were deployed to Vietnam in the hands of Marines and Navy SEALs. It was found that the open V- notches in the muzzle of the duckbill hung up badly on vegetation as the shotgunner tried to move through thick growth, so the duckbill was modified with a ring around its muzzle to exclude vines and branches. It was discovered that the spreader device worked as advertised, but in reality what was needed in a fighting shotgun was a way of producing dense, lethal patterns.
Spreaders in field testing produced patterns five feet high and twelve feet wide at 30 meters with #4 buckshot loads. At 40 meters, patterns were six feet high and sixteen feet wide. At 40 meters an average sized man would only be hit by a couple of pellets. But with a standard cylinder bored barrel shooting approximately a four- foot circular pattern at 40 meters, some 60% of the shot would strike an average man- sized target.
Still, the duckbill choke had its adherents, among SEALS especially. Development on the idea continued for several years. Clifford Ashbrook and Wilson Wing of Kexplore, Inc. in Houston, TX developed the A&W Diverter in the late 1960s using mathematical concepts, and received patent protection (# 3,492,750) in February 1970.
The HK 512 gas operated 7+1 shotgun, it was manufactured by Franchi for HK under a contract to supply an elite force in Germany (GSG9), i.e. the "Anti-Terrorist Shotgun" . A production over run of 270 units which were imported into the US, employing a shot diverter that creates a rectangular spread .
.
View attachment 7820705View attachment 7820706View attachment 7820707View attachment 7820711View attachment 7820713View attachment 7820714View attachment 7820715View attachment 7820716View attachment 7820717

I have wanted a SPAS12 since seeing J.P. in the theaters.

 

[strikeeagle1]

^^My original one had the Lever style safety that was recalled. I acquired a new cross-bolt safety trigger group to install when it is to be used.

Although the primary safety on ANY firearm is muzzle direction, never let a friend shoot the Franchi SPAS 12 with a lever styled safety.

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0cdaa4_952e6a62edc84135a0113b9964845d33~mv2.gif

I authored a technical Manual on the differences between the two types of trigger groups. If anyone has a question related to the different trigger groups I would be happy to offer some guidance.

 

[gopherslayer]

I don’t just shitpost on here. Some people might think I do but far from the truth. Even have video LOL!

First upper I ever built. DPMS MK12 barrel. The sleeper of their time. Wish I’d have bought a few more.

They’re out there

There they are

 

[Jackomason]

Just got back from Canada, brought home a bunch of Tim Hortons coffee but also got a renewed sense of freedom. First thing I did when I got state side was grab a P320 X Compact.

Happy Saturday everyone.

 

[strikeeagle1]

^^What trumps Bible, great Coffee & a comfortable Sidearm? God, Country, Corps.
When deployed and reflecting on life, read the Good Book end-to-end more than once.
Standing By.

 

[strikeeagle1]

Found this as-new HK MARK 23 .45 ACP "KI" date code (1998) with 3-layer Maritime finish in the correct cammo soft case. Only model of HK barrels that has metric right-hand threads. In 1991 U.S. SOCOM began R&D for an offensive handgun weapon system (OHWS) with subsequent trials and prototypes with HK & Colt bidding. The military Mk23 U.S. SOCOM .45 entered service in 1996, later that year production and sales for civilian Mark 23 / MARK 23 's began. The military kit included Knights suppressor and Insight Technology LAM (Laser Aiming Module) Model 100 attached via a rail adapter that fits the HK universal rail style and secured in place with a thumb screw threaded into the front of the trigger guard. Crane Naval Weapon Station commissioned London Bridge Training (LBT)in Virginia Beach, VA to spec design Mk23 canvas holsters that also had a pouch for the suppressor; black ones were issued first. A Capital City Firearms (CCF) commissioned development of a 4-prong Accurizer flash suppressor was designed by German engineers that increases muzzle velocity 6-9% resulting in tighter 25 meter groups and reduces flash signature 80%.

Similar size and slightly lighter than this early production .357 Desert Eagle.

It completes my HK .45 bullpen for now.

 

[iceng]

 

[gopherslayer]

Time to blow the dust out of her. 78 for a high with light and variable winds. Should be a good day. If the woodchucks would cooperate…

 

[DubfromGA]

Not sure if I've posted this or not. If I have, I apologize. The good folk at Simply Rugged in Prescott, Az., made me this. It's their Sourdough Pancake Holster w/ their optional Chesty Puller Suspension System. I gotta say I was - hell, I was amazed at how nice it is & furthermore just how incredibly comfy that Chesty Puller Suspension System is. But, nore than anything the quality, fit & finishof the holster. My 27-2 fits just perfectly. I ordered it with the Hammer Strap & you have the option to put it on and take it off when ya want. The holster itself, I ordered it in Oxblood w/ a Celtic Knot, Basket Weave & Border Stamping. And, it's far & away the best holster I've ever owned. And, what really makes it so nice is that being a Pancake - it's super easy to re-holster. Anyways, I love it. Here's some pics.
View attachment 7897528View attachment 7897529View attachment 7897530View attachment 7897531View attachment 7897532

Awesome Simply Rugged leather !!!!!

 

[paulL01]

Awesome Simply Rugged leather !!!!!

Thank you, sir. I take that as a mighty fine compliment, coming from you. You have a many a fine leather holster that I've saw.

 

[paulL01]

Awesome Simply Rugged leather !!!!!

Btw, if you dont mind me asking, & if I have already, please forgive me.
But, I thought I had saw a Tucker Gun Leather Holster you had. I've been seriously considering have them make me a holster for my 27-2 3.5" - if you do have one, how well do you like it?
Thank you.
-Paul

 

[pmclaine]

Btw, if you dont mind me asking, & if I have already, please forgive me.
But, I thought I had saw a Tucker Gun Leather Holster you had. I've been seriously considering have them make me a holster for my 27-2 3.5" - if you do have one, how well do you like it?
Thank you.
-Paul

Not the guy you are asking but I have an HF1 with mag/light carrier and belt.

The leather is extremely robust.

I infrequently wear mine favoring Garret kydex but if I want to open carry and be leather proud it would be my Tucker.

 

[DubfromGA]

Btw, if you dont mind me asking, & if I have already, please forgive me.
But, I thought I had saw a Tucker Gun Leather Holster you had. I've been seriously considering have them make me a holster for my 27-2 3.5" - if you do have one, how well do you like it?
Thank you.
-Paul

I do.


I have an HF-1 for 5" 1911, an HF-1 for WC EDC X9 and one of their IWB smooth leather out-smooth leather inside adjustable clip models for 4.25" 1911 (and the EDC X9 fits, too).

They are each really well made and very comfortable.


















I can't remember the model name for the IWB model, but it can ride a different heights & cants. Very versatile.









The HF-1 model tucks a 1911 in fairly close and rides somewhat on the high side. I like them.





I also really like the Milt Sparks 55BN for such OWB carry.















Most often, though.....like today....it's a Milt Sparks Summer Special 2 in front of my hip....right where my craptastic right shoulder can draw well from.....rides low, affords a full grip and is supremely comfortable whether driving, walking, etc.

 

[iceng]

Guns and coffee.. and i notice the kershaw knife.

 

[paulL01]

DubfromGA,
Thank you! Those are super nice.
I just have a couple other questions, if ya don't mind. Did you have either or both Tucker & Milt Sparks lined with leather & if you were to choose your favorite outside the waistband or belt holster which would it be?
I'm looking for Supreme Fit & Comfort ( who ain't, right? Lol) the finish on my Smith's are really nice- I mean I understand that any holster will produce some wear eventually, but I'm sure you know what I talking about.
Thanks, man.

 

[The_Bergermeister]

Second Cup... Seemed fitting for the day.

My_Stuff

• The_Bergermeister
• Sep 11, 2022
• 1

 

[OldSF MJT]

I’ll play.

View attachment 7492470

NICE kit! Your EDC setup?
Old SF

 

[Darkside-Six]

NICE kit! Your EDC setup?
Old SF

Yeah. Still rocking it.

 

[jff_stvns]

 

[Badfinger]

Making the Glock 19 more concealable:

I purchased a new takeoff grip frame and cut it down to G26 size.

 

[DubfromGA]

DubfromGA,
Thank you! Those are super nice.
I just have a couple other questions, if ya don't mind. Did you have either or both Tucker & Milt Sparks lined with leather & if you were to choose your favorite outside the waistband or belt holster which would it be?
I'm looking for Supreme Fit & Comfort ( who ain't, right? Lol) the finish on my Smith's are really nice- I mean I understand that any holster will produce some wear eventually, but I'm sure you know what I talking about.
Thanks, man.

Comfort is so subjective.

I had some disc surgery a few years ago and it flairs up with some types of carry.

There are days when I find OWB comfortable but most days IWB is my preference.


I didn’t opt for any special lining on holsters. I simply will accept the wear on the finishes.

I wish I could offer more help.




EDIT:

Went to the "holster drawer" and grabbed some OWB and took a look.


I may have been wrong on the leather liner option comments above.

None of my Milt Sparks OWB holsters have smooth interiors.

The Tucker HF-1, however does look like I opted for the smooth interior:







The HF-1 has a fairly high ride height and is spread out nicely over your belt. Seems to lighten the gun somehow. The design does a good job of tucking the butt in closer to your side, helping with concealment (if that is a concern).








Sparks 55BN is a classic OWB, I like it on range days for sure. Med-high ride height. As you can tell, however, the loop spacing is close together....you'll feel a 5" steel-framed 1911 location on your belt more than you do with that well spaced Tucker.








Another Sparks OWB I've been messing around with is their 60TK. It is the highest riding leather I own. Loop spacing is wider than the 55BN, which is nice as it has the pistol elevated above the belt so much.

 

[Jackomason]

Making the Glock 19 more concealable:

I purchased a new takeoff grip frame and cut it down to G26 size.

Nice, I went with the xiphos. Just about got a Agis but realized I don't need the spare mag all that often but I'd rather have the second clip... can't say it's too comfortable but it conceals my Xcompact well.

 

[Ric O'shay]

Afternoon Coffee, Why Not?

 

[paulL01]

Comfort is so subjective.

I had some disc surgery a few years ago and it flairs up with some types of carry.

There are days when I find OWB comfortable but most days IWB is my preference.


I didn’t opt for any special lining on holsters. I simply will accept the wear on the finishes.

I wish I could offer more help.




EDIT:

Went to the "holster drawer" and grabbed some OWB and took a look.


I may have been wrong on the leather liner option comments above.

None of my Milt Sparks OWB holsters have smooth interiors.

The Tucker HF-1, however does look like I opted for the smooth interior:







The HF-1 has a fairly high ride height and is spread out nicely over your belt. Seems to lighten the gun somehow. The design does a good job of tucking the butt in closer to your side, helping with concealment (if that is a concern).








Sparks 55BN is a classic OWB, I like it on range days for sure. Med-high ride height. As you can tell, however, the loop spacing is close together....you'll feel a 5" steel-framed 1911 location on your belt more than you do with that well spaced Tucker.








Another Sparks OWB I've been messing around with is their 60TK. It is the highest riding leather I own. Loop spacing is wider than the 55BN, which is nice as it has the pistol elevated above the belt so much.

My goodness, that Tucker HF1 is NICE!
I'm gonna get one. It's looks fantastic.
And you sold me on how she rides too!
Seriously, thanks so much for taking the time to help me.
-Paul

 

[Badfinger]

Nice, I went with the xiphos. Just about got a Agis but realized I don't need the spare mag all that often but I'd rather have the second clip... can't say it's too comfortable but it conceals my Xcompact well.

View attachment 7955554

I also like the Xiphos but for my Smith & Wesson M&P.

 

[DubfromGA]

My goodness, that Tucker HF1 is NICE!
I'm gonna get one. It's looks fantastic.
And you sold me on how she rides too!
Seriously, thanks so much for taking the time to help me.
-Paul

Absolutely my pleasure.

I think you will be comfortable & well served by the Tucker. Make sure you discuss with them what type front sight you use.

If not the default may be close cut and have your gun digging out its own channel.

 

[paulL01]

Smith & Wesson 27-2- 6" Full Target Model that left the S&W Factory in November 1977

 

[paulL01]

Circa's '68 & '77
Both Smith & Wesson model's 27-2
The 3.5" version is an S Prefix that left the S&W Factory in April of '68
The 6" Full Target Model (3T) left in Nov. '77
Gotta say fellas, I get more joy, fun, and just everything better outta these two old 6 shooters than I do any other gun I've ever owned. There's a real magic to these ole gals. Really takes ya back in time - if your old enough to remember those times. Heck, I was in Kindergarten when the 6" Full Target left the factory & my parents weren't even dating when the S Prefix left the factory- but, I absolutely very well remember these guns from the late '70's thru the early 80's - heck, everyone swore by Smith & Wesson. My dad was a Combat Firearms Instructor & shot a lot of PPC matches back then. I loved watching the matches which were always dominated by Smith & Wesson. Lol, I could go on and on fellas.....lemme just post this pic & thank yall for letting me share them.

 

[cattleman99]

I’ll leave this here

 

[strikeeagle1]

I prefer the shorter barrels. Under the mattress, I have this as-new collectible Smith & Wesson Model 27-2 .357 magnum with 3.5" barrel, highly polished blue finish, walnut diamond checkered Magna grips, adjustable rear sight barrel pinned / cylinder chambers recessed (P&R'd), desirable "S" series serial # (modern hammer block style), case colored hammer & trigger mfg early to mid 1960's, inside grips matching #'s to frame serial # mfg. date 1964-65. A S&W historical letter describing the provenance of the Model 27.

 

[paulL01]

Yeah, I LOVE my 27-2 3.5" S Prefix

 

[jbell]

It's not exactly a side arm but I did build it to be small, light, packable, and easy to shoot offhand so why not...

 

[pmclaine]

It's not exactly a side arm but I did build it to be small, light, packable, and easy to shoot offhand so why not...
View attachment 7957377

I love your Willy…….

 

[Simonsza1]

I love your 8274, best ever made

It's not exactly a side arm but I did build it to be small, light, packable, and easy to shoot offhand so why not...
View attachment 7957377

 

[strikeeagle1]

I like to take this WC AR9 to the field to eradicate pesky 9-banded armadillos.

 

[OldSF MJT]

Having a cup of French roast with a couple old friends: The Browning BDM my wife gave me for our 25 wedding anniversary in 1998 & the mug I got from the 5th Group S-2 when I was mobilized for Enduring Freedom back in 2001-2002 (I was the Bn Intel Det NCOIC).

Old SF

 

[paulL01]

View attachment 7956200I’ll leave this here

Yeah....can you please elaborate on this one?
That's a very interesting piece.

 

[cattleman99]

Yeah....can you please elaborate on this one?
That's a very interesting piece.

Hi Point C9 9mm that I hydro dipped in a film called "oil spill" and hundred dollar bills.

 

[jbell]

LGS finally got a P322 in, looking it over with my morning coffee. It seems like a nice little rimfire pistol.

 

[deltawiskey]

LGS finally got a P322 in, looking it over with my morning coffee. It seems like a nice little rimfire pistol.View attachment 7968139

I've been looking around for one of these...let me know if it's not worth buying .
DW

 

[pmclaine]

LGS finally got a P322 in, looking it over with my morning coffee. It seems like a nice little rimfire pistol.View attachment 7968139

Looks like it has the "drop in" FCG......is the lower the same as as a centerfire caliber.....can a center fire become a .22 with the addition of a slide?