Making New Year’s resolutions is an annual tradition, and it’s never too late to start. One of the most common is to lose weight. This is one of my resolutions, though not in the usual way. Let me explain.
I have a pretty fair collection of firearms. I shoot all of them occasionally, and don’t consider any a safe queen. They are all tools and I’m not in love with any of them.
Over the course of 2017, I carried—to name a few—a Nighthawk Custom Hi Power, several different 1911s, a SIG P229 Legion, an S&W M&P M2.0, a Ruger SR9c, a Glock 19 at a training course, and a Ruger LCR.
Think about that for a minute: single-action autos with manual safeties, striker-fired pistols with no external safeties, a striker-fired pistol with an external safety, an SA/DA pistol with a decocker, and a revolver—all with different manuals of arms and different trigger pulls.
In a high-stress situation, the differences could result in a split second of confusion and possibly a miss. And the bad guy also has a vote on who wins and who loses.
What does this have to do with slimming down? Quite simply, in 2018 I plan to limit my everyday carry handguns to the ones that point the most naturally for me, that I shoot the best, and that have similar trigger pulls and the same manual of arms. Opinions vary, but for me this is a 1911 and the Hi Power.
Sticking with the same EDC platforms will also permit me to use similar ancillary gear—holsters, mag pouches, and light pouches—that will allow for a more consistent drawstroke.
I’ve also simplified my “truck gun” selections. A Winchester Model 97 shotgun with loads that will pattern well out to 35 yards, and a Winchester Model 94 .30-30 that will take care of problems out to at least 100 yards will ride in a Big Sky overhead roof rack.
These are mostly intended for predators and varmints of the four-legged variety but are suitable for nefarious critters that walk on two legs as well.
Dinosaur guns? Maybe, but all have proven histories spanning at least 100 years.
And remember, there were two types of dinosaurs—grass eaters and meat eaters. I choose not to be a grass eater.
Until next time, stay low and watch your back.
