Graham Baates

Hardened Arms: Crucible and Linear Muzzle Compensator

December 23, 2018 by Graham Baates Leave a Comment

Last year we got to take a look at the LumaShark from Hardened Arms. That rail system included two built-in flashlights which rode nicely integrated to the hand guard. Hardened Arms is at it again with finding new ways to improve the AR15 for law enforcement and personal … [Read more...]

Copper Basin Takedown Backpack, Comfortably Discreet: Graham Baates Video

Gear Reviews

Copper Basin Takedown Backpack is Comfortably Discreet: Graham Baates Video

August 23, 2018 by Graham Baates Leave a Comment

Copper Basin has a bag specifically designed for the Ruger 10/22 Takedown. We don't own a Ruger 10/22, but were willing to take a chance, besides with a bag so well-built, how could we go wrong? Copper Basin has a bag specifically designed for the Ruger 10/22 Takedown. … [Read more...]

Smith & Wesson has been updating and upgrading their lineup over the last year. The M&P 2.0 series quieted previous complaints about texture and trigger. We showed you the new Shield 2.0 in November. The Bodyguard hadn't been updated and fans of Browning's .380 ACP began to feel left out. Smith & Wesson heard those cries and has released a handgun that seems perfectly modeled for the non-operator types. Winged slide of the 380 Shield EZ The .380 Shield EZ is aptly named. The pistol has been made easy to operate. Starting with the largest concern for new shooters and those with reduced strength is the slide. While styling looks just like the other M&P 2.0 models the rear of the slide has subtle wings to aid in sling-shot style racking. The action follows the standard Browning locking system which is a rare find for the caliber. Thanks to the locking system the recoil spring is soft enough that I was able to rack the gun with a finger! I don't advocate doing that with a loaded gun, but tried it as a test to just how easy the gun is to rack. The external safety is easy to engage or disengage from either side. The grip safety threw the internet into a frenzy, but deactivation is easy and it serves as simple insurance for those who might carry the gun in a purse or bag. Another interesting feature is in the two included magazines. Clearly numbered magazines with thumb assist. The magazines feature a thumb knob like one might find on a .22. While not the most comfortable thing to push on, it does serve to assist in loading. The slide release/lock also feels to be more pronounced than normal. As stated earlier everything about the 380 Shield EZ is easy! The video above provides some more details on the gun. One more fun note: The 380 Shield EZ is hammer-fired! An internal hammer eliminates any of the negatives about hammer-fired guns and still provides that nice and clean break that we all love about the action. No mush from a striker, no risk of lint or filth preventing the hammer from striking. See the video for how Smith & Wesson managed to fit that system into this new design. For those of you who love to look at numbers, the specifications below are directly from the 380 Shield EZ product page. SKU: 11663 Model: M&P® 380 SHIELD™ EZ™ Manual Thumb Safety Caliber: .380 Auto Capacity: 8+1 Barrel Length: 3.675" / 9.3 cm Overall Length: 6.7" Front Sight: White Dot Rear Sight: Adjustable White Dot Action: Internal Hammer Fired Grip: Polymer Weight: 18.5 oz / 524.5g Barrel Material: Stainless Steel - Armornite® Finish Slide Material: Stainless Steel - Armornite® Finish Frame Material: Polymer Purpose: Concealed Carry, Home Protection, Personal Protection

Pistol

Smith & Wesson M&P .380 Shield EZ: Graham Baates Video

August 22, 2018 by Graham Baates Leave a Comment

The .380 Shield EZ is aptly named. The pistol has been made easy to operate. Starting with the largest concern for new shooters and those with reduced strength is the slide. While styling looks just like the other M&P 2.0 models the rear of the slide has subtle wings to … [Read more...]

Pistol Caliber Carbine

Jard J68 Pistol Caliber Carbine Fun: Graham Baates Video

August 21, 2018 by Graham Baates Leave a Comment

The Jard J68 is made from a simple formula. Pistol-caliber carbine = fun. Bullpup = handy. Pistol-caliber carbine bullpup that accepts Glock magazines = Jard J68. In other words, I'm really looking forward to some trigger time with the Jard J68. Jard is a company based in … [Read more...]

Holsters

Holster Selection: Things to Consider

August 18, 2018 by Graham Baates Leave a Comment

During my 1,900 hours as a defensive shooting instructor one of the dominating questions I was asked was about holster selection. In my experience this is the hardest one to answer. I have good news and bad new for you: The perfect holster match for your body shape, selected … [Read more...]

Rifle

DoubleStar10B Bat Rifle: Graham Baates Video

August 17, 2018 by Graham Baates Leave a Comment

DoubleStar has been stealthily crafting some incredible rifles. Their Midnight Dragon not only looks cool, but has given us the best ten-shot grouping we've ever accomplished when mixed with Nosler ammunition. Aside from accuracy and build quality, part of what sets DoubleStar … [Read more...]

Pistol

Shots Fired! Llama MicroMax ~ VIDEO

August 16, 2018 by Graham Baates Leave a Comment

The Llama MicroMax is a 1911ish pistol scaled down for a different Bronwing cartidge, the .380acp. We first took a look at this compact firearms in an earlier article. Like most guns chambered in .380acp the Micromax is blowback-operated which requires a careful balance of … [Read more...]