WED | DECEMBER 1, 2021

"Today’s misguided decision makes it crystal clear that the Ninth Circuit will not respect the Constitution until the Supreme Court requires it to. Rather than following the binding Supreme Court’s D.C. v. Heller and McDonald v. Chicago opinions, the Court of Appeals again used legal gamesmanship to avoid the constitutionally required result just as it has for over a decade."
APEX Ammunition announced that its Upland Bird TSS shotshells are now shipping. These hand-loaded, ultra-high-density Tungsten Super Shot loads deliver exceptional performance in a non-toxic round.
Beginning at 6:00 PM Eastern on Friday, December 3, a 24-hour marathon is being held on YouTube to support Knife Rights.

One of the best ways to improve long-range shots, be it for waterfowl or upland game, is to have a quality choke tube, such as those from Trulock Choke Tubes.
1791 Gunleather is now offering a Kydex IWB holster designed to fit GLOCK’s 43X MOS pistol.
The FLETCH holster from Galco is a belt holster with a retention strap. It has a reinforced thumb break for security, firing grip accessibility for speed, it has double-stitched seams for durability, and it covers the trigger for safety.

ALPS OutdoorZ is expanding its line of outdoor apparel to include two new stylish and functional garments just in time for the cold weather season. These include the Element Hoodie and the Shield Jacket.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation revealed that the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System processed 687,788 background checks during the week leading up to and including Black Friday. FBI’s NICS recorded 187,585 on Black Friday alone, ranking it among the Top 10 Highest Days for NICS checks and a .50 percent increase from Black Friday 2020 (186,645).
Primary Arms has announced a new partnership with renowned professional shooter Gabby Franco as part of the new Primary Arms Pro Ambassador Program.

Christensen Arms announced the launch of the Christensen Arms University Elite Dealer training and product review program.
Big Daddy Unlimited announced a partnership with BioXcellerator, a leader in regenerative medicine, to offer a sweepstakes that will provide one stem cell treatment to a deserving veteran.
For a second consecutive year, RISE Armament has received the Gold Medallion Award from the HIRE Vets Medallion Program. The program recognizes employers for their efforts to recruit, employ and retain our nation’s veterans.
Christensen Arms announces the launch of the Christensen Arms University Elite Dealer training and product review program.
On November 23, 2021, the Hon. Judge John P. Schlegelmilch of the Lyon County, Nevada District Court stated he would be issuing summary judgment in favor of Polymer80, Inc., in their lawsuit against the Nevada Governor, Nevada Attorney General, Director of the Nevada Department of Public Safety, and others. The judgment would invalidate and bar enforcement of major portions of Nevada Assembly Bill 286, on due process grounds under the Nevada state constitution.
TriStar Arms offers Bristol side-by-side shotguns featuring elegance at an achievable price that doesn't deter field use. The English-stocked, color case-hardened model and the gold-adorned, laser-engraved Silver model are available in a fifth gauge, 16 gauge.

High Speed Gear announces the Core Cummerbund accessory to customize the Core Plate Carrier. Available in a variety of colors, the Core Cummerbund comes in three different sizes based on the body-type of the user.
The DeSantis Uni-Tuk, #206, is the latest in the Pegasus Kydex by DeSantis line. It has a precision-molded Kydex front married to a back component which is an all synthetic and a “breathable” platform.
Samson Manufacturing is accepting online orders for the Black B-TM Folding Stock for the Ruger 10/22. The Black B-TM Folding Stock is manufactured to the same quality specifications as the classic stainless model, giving it the designation of an "Officially Licensed Product" by Ruger.

HeadHunters NW, an executive recruiting firm focused on talent acquisition for the shooting, hunting, and outdoor industry, was a recent guest on the GUNS Magazine Podcast episode #106, Getting Hired in the Gun Industry.
U.S. LawShield, America's largest provider of Legal Defense for Self Defense coverage, presents an informational video describing five reasons for people to get their license to carry in Texas.
The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation has been awarded a multi-year grant by the Vista Outdoor Foundation, supporting its initiative of volunteer coach education specific to the shooting sports and youth development.
Sootch00’s Holiday Gift Guides feature his top picks across multiple categories and include reviews of each product.
Gun Talk Media is pleased to announce the details of their High-Cap Christmas Giveaway, offering entrants fourteen days of different prizes, ranging from ammo to handguns to rifles to optics, and everything in between.
From Wednesday, December 1 through Sunday, December 12, Apex is running its annual ’12 Days of Apexmas’ sale offering customers 12% off their orders at ApexTactical.com. Use the discount code APEXMAS2021 at checkout to receive 12% off (some restrictions apply). Shipping is free and each order will receive a free commemorative Apex ornament, while supplies last. Orders over $100 will also receive a free Apex Swag Pack.
As supply-chain challenges have made fulfillment more difficult than ever before, Shooting Industry’s three-part 2022 New Product Showcase launches in the December issue with new-for-2022 options dealers can look to stock in the new year from nearly 60 brands.
RECOIL Magazine, a publication of CMG West, LLC, has released its latest issue, number 58. The issue features a column on Tim Pool, a look at the DC Project and their pro-2A activities as well as some custom builds.
Shoot United is "a dynamic initiative designed to promote all that’s wholesome and healthful about the shooting sports."
Bear & Son Cutlery will appear in an upcoming feature on Manufacturing Marvels on Fox Business Network tonight (December 1, 2021) at 10:30pm ET / 9:30pm CT.
Shooting USA covers the Rocky Mountain Airgun Challenge -- 100 yards of tiny targets for the best rifle shooters to attack with air power.
This week, Guns & Gear covers the Crimson Trace RAD family of red dot sights, SIG SAUER's ambi M400 Switchblade, Ruger's 10/22 custom shop rifle in a left-handed model, and the Pegasus Veiled Partner and Variable GRD ambi-holster from DeSantis Gunhide.
 

Today's feature is from our companion service, The Tactical Wire.

Handguns come in all shapes and sizes. Most models are produced with varying barrel lengths. This is another factor to consider when choosing a pistol, especially for concealed carry. Does barrel length matter, and how long a barrel do you need?

These days I carry revolvers, unless I’m on the range teaching. I also carry concealed, even when teaching. For concealed carry, you either dress to cover what’s in the holster -- or the clothes you have to wear determine what you carry. With revolvers I can choose the size pistol I need for that day and still have consistency. Big or small, all my revolvers require the same manipulations and trigger stroke.

Smith & Wesson has always produced a wide variety of barrel lengths for their revolver models, although not all the different lengths are still being manufactured today. There were J frames with 1 ¾” barrels – a “snubby” - K and N frames were built with 2” “snubby” barrels, 2 ½”,2 ¾”, 3”, 4” and much longer.

You could get a revolver with a barrel as short or as long as desired. For sports like target matches, the longer the barrel the greater the sight radius – the distance between front and rear sight. This translates into a more consistent sight picture and improved accuracy on target. The shorter the radius, the more difficult sight alignment becomes. For hunting game in the field, long barrels add velocity to the handgun round, which is always a good thing. Longer barrels make carry and concealment more difficult.

Shorter barrels are easier to carry and conceal. But, as mentioned above, the short sight radius makes it more difficult to obtain and hold a precise sight picture. It isn’t impossible; with plenty of practice you can hit silhouettes at one-hundred yards with some regularity. This is way beyond the range usually seen in self-defense shootings, although there are exceptions. At danger-close distance you don’t need a whole lot of precision to place effective hits in the threat.

You also don’t need a “Dirty Harry” handgun. It’s heavy and difficult to conceal, especially if you’re not six-feet or taller. For my size a four-inch barrel is the maximum, and then only in colder weather with bulkier clothing.

The Model 66’s I regularly carry have 2 ½” barrels. They conceal easily and are balanced well; they “feel” good in my hand. I also have several pistols with 3” barrels in both J and K frame pistols. All of these can be shot efficiently at close range, and still provide the accuracy needed to hit at longer distances.

A longer barrel does add some velocity to the bullet. An advantage we have today are rounds specifically designed for shorter barrel revolvers. There are lightweight, fast moving bullets that are designed to expand, expending their energy in the body. New powders create less muzzle flash and recoil.

What barrel length do you need? That will require some experimentation to discover what feels “right” to you. Luckily, with all that’s available today it shouldn’t be a problem to find your pistol.

Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy. He is the author of The Book of Two Guns, AR-15 Skills and Drills, has a regular column in American Handgunner and makes some cool knives and custom revolvers. Visit Shootrite’s Facebook page for other details.

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