Category: All About Guns

DEAR SANTA … WRITTEN BY JEFF “TANK” HOOVER

Post author By Grumpy
Post date December 13, 2023
No Comments on DEAR SANTA … WRITTEN BY JEFF “TANK” HOOVER

Credit: Karolina Grabowska via Pexels

Dear Santa, Since I’ve been pretty good this year, I’m asking for something on the huge size, present wise. Please don’t think me greedy, as this present isn’t for me, exactly. However, its impact will directly affect me, and others like me.

As stated, I’ve been good, despite owning numerous firearms, like millions of others. Funny thing is my guns, or those of others, have yet to break any laws. And we both know everyone says guns cause crime.

I’ve yet to see any gun commit a crime by itself during my 27 years as a cop.

Every gun crime needs a culprit using said gun to pull off their crime. Like millions of other concealed carriers, I have not shot, intimidated, flashed, nor threatened anyone with my gun. I carry merely for the protection my family and self. Even though I shouldn’t, I’d risk my welfare, both physically and civilly, when seeing a stranger at risk of great bodily harm or death. It’s just my nature, as it is with millions of other concealed carriers.

As proven, concealed carriers are first responders, stopping crimes on almost a daily basis. Yet, you never hear about these interventions simply because it doesn’t fit the narrative of today’s mainstream media.

The Gift?

The gift I ask for is common sense for all the non-believers out there. And they are plentiful. While most non-believers fail to believe in you, they believe by disarming me, and others like me, will make for a safer society.

Imagine that? Most non-believers think you’re a childish figment of the imagination, yet naively believe if all guns are outlawed, along with the declaration of more “gun-free” zones (slaughter zones, if you will), gun crimes will disappear.

We both know how foolish this is, and in fact, promotes more gun crimes, as criminals know their next victims are unarmed. Now who’s being childish for believing in fairy tales? We know nothing could be further from the truth. Those perpetually on your naughty list are evil with no regard for their victims. We know resistance is the way to deal with societies miscreants. It’s proven time and time again, more guns equal less crime. It takes a good person with a gun to stop a bad person with a gun.

If delivering a full load of common sense is too cumbersome, and I know it would be an exceptional load, as we are lacking so much of it, even a temporary load would be appreciated to demonstrate short-term effects it would have. Maybe people would develop some much-needed critical thinking skills seeing these temporary results and make them permanent? We can only hope.

Lastly, perhaps this dose of common sense would stop left leaning politicians from being hypocrites about gun control. But I doubt it. They talk a big game, yet when it comes to prosecuting criminals on gun charges, they are either dropped or plead away.

It’s much easier to disarm honest citizens in the illusion of doing something than prosecute and jail violent felons. Even our own president recently negotiated a prisoner swap releasing a known high-level worldwide gun trafficker and terrorist for a pot smoking, America hating basketball player. People are laughing at us for our lack of common sense.

Red Wagons

While you’re at it, besides the dose of common sense, how ‘bout a little red wagon for all the people getting a free ride? My hope would be they’d climb out of the wagon they’ve been riding in and start pulling their own wagon, seeing what it’s like to stand on their own two feet. I know some people need help, but too much of society wants a free ride when they’re fully capable of working. These people need to start pulling themselves, learning how good it feels to be self-supportive and self-sufficient.

The whole concept of “hard work” has been replaced with entitlements and instant gratification. It isn’t right. No one wants to climb the ladder anymore, gaining experience, work ethic and grit along the way. You can’t share wealth by taking away from hardworking people.

So, Santa, if you can see it in your heart to make the world a better and safer place, I ask you for these presents not for myself, but for the welfare our country, the way it was meant to be. God Bless and Merry Christmas!

All About Guns The Green Machine

THESE ARE THE PISTOLS THAT AMERICA’S GENERALS CARRY by Travis Pike

Post author By Grumpy
Post date December 13, 2023
No Comments on THESE ARE THE PISTOLS THAT AMERICA’S GENERALS CARRY by Travis Pike

Since the Revolutionary War, U.S. officers have carried pistols. Since World War II, generals have been issued a different sidearm from most of the military they lead, and nowadays most officers will be issued a handgun, especially if they are in a combat role. These small and mostly decorative handguns are known as general officer’s pistols.

Generals are very unlikely ever to find themselves in actual combat so they don’t need a rifle or a large handgun. General officers are also likely to be uncomfortable, as they are the soft hands in our military. Asking a general to carry a full-sized sidearm is often a step too far unless you’re General Austin Miller.

With that in mind, let’s look at the general officer’s pistols from World War II to 2022.

The Colt Model 1903 and 1908

M1093 general officer's pistol — Winston P. Wilson’s own Colt Model 1903 Automatic Pistol, Serial #569072 at Robinson Maneuver Training Center, Ark 2018. (Photo by Sgt. Patrik Orcutt/National Guard Marksmanship Training Center)

Supply issues are always a problem when a nation goes to war and World War II was no different. In this case, it’s plenty believable that generals were issued firearms that were alternatives to the M1911 due to supply reasons.

The U.S. military began ordering the Colt M1903 and M1908 Pocket Hammerless Pistols and issuing the .380 ACP Colt Model of 1908. When those became hard to get, they moved to the Colt M1903 in .32 ACP.

These two pistols are identical outside of their calibers. They are simple blowback-operated handguns that are fed from a single-stack magazine. They were called Hammerless, but they, in fact, did have an internal single-action hammer. The pistols featured a manual safety that doubled as a slide lock. They were much smaller than the M1911 and easier to carry. Outside of being the first general officer’s pistols, they were also used by OSS Agents.

The M15

To replace the limited and aging stocks of Colt M1903 and M1908 pistols, the armory at Rock Island began producing the M15 general officer’s pistols. Manufacturing began in 1972 and the pistols remained in production until 1984. These firearms used the same ammunition, magazines, and design as the M1911, which simplified production, but had their barrel trimmed from five to 4.25 inches.

The sights of the pistol were also a fair bit larger and they featured wood grips with nameplates featuring the individual general’s name and the slides read General Officer’s Model RIA.

The military made 1,004 M15 pistols and allowed generals to purchase their pistol upon retirement. The creation of the M15 led to the popularity of more compact M1911 pistols.

The M9 GO

The M9 General Officer’s Pistols are identical to a standard M9 with two subtle differences.

First, they had a serial number that began with the prefix GO standing for General Officer. Second, they had a second pair of grips that would feature a nameplate with the general’s name.

The M9 GO broke the tradition of smaller guns for general officers.

The M18 GO

As the SIG M17 and M18 began replacing the standard M9, the general officer’s pistols followed suit. Generals used the smaller M18 pistol, but it’s still identical to the M18 series in use by several branches. Like the standard M18, these guns have a coyote finish with either tan or black controls.

The M18 GO series features the GO prefix for serial numbers, and officers were allowed to choose their serial numbers.

The general officer’s pistols

General officers carry guns unique to their role. These firearms tend to be incredibly rare and generals tend to keep them after retirement.

Issuing these guns is an American military tradition that will likely continue long after I’m gone.

Feature Image: Maj. Gen. David Blackledge, left, commanding general of U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) hands newly promoted Brig. Gen. Ed Burley his custom Beretta M9 pistol. (DVIDS/352nd Civil Affairs Command)