Firingline

KimSon Handicraft Co. grips from the Republic of Vietnam are great grips and always get noticed. However, it is noteworthy to inform your readers of my experience with KimSon. Worth the wait? Maybe for some, but not for most. I placed my order in March 2008 with a prepayment of $240 for four sets of grips. One was a custom set made from water-buffalo bone with abalone inserts. The work is exceptional, and the grips are beautiful. The only caution was the time of delivery. Even though they promised a delivery of 45 days, it took eight months and at least 45 emails to get my grips. Also, all four sets for different 1911 models had to be adjusted with a file to make them fit.

Just a comment on your review of the 1903A3 Springfield rifle. I fully understand you test the rifles as you buy them, and that's the way it should be. And I agree about the jolt the 1903A3 gives you. Anyone who wants either a 1903 or 1903A3 as a shooter would be well served to either find one with the full pistol grip "C" stock as opposed to the straight stock you tested, or the semi-pistol grip ("Warthog stock") that many are found with.

In his book Greatest Handguns of the World, Massad Ayoob says about the Colt Woodsman 22 LR series of pistols, "The big weakness I discovered over the years in the Woodsman was that it was capable of unintentionally firing when subjected to violent forward or backward inertia with a live round in the chamber, even if the thumb safety was engaged."

I really like the fact that Gun Tests does not have advertisements in the journal. It has been refreshing to read articles without having to flip past several ads for products I'm not interested in. However, lately I've noticed that your publication has been making reference to products you are using during tests. In the New Polymer Forties article, you reference a Falco holster, Caldwell pistol rack, and LED rope lighting from LockdownVault.com. Seriously, rope lighting? I understand if costs are rising, and this is a way of making ends meet (or profit), but these product mentions are almost comical. I'd rather see an ad or two instead of this. Otherwise it's a great publication!

As a longtime subscriber, I've really had it with Scout-style rifles. Nothing against Ray Ordorica's recent series of Scout reviews, but the concept has proven to be a market failure. I know Jeff Cooper sits next to Jesus in heaven. Being dead has its advantages — ask Elmer Keith or Jack O'Connor! I would note, that at age 69, I read everything these guys and their contemporaries wrote when it was 'new.' The original Cooper Scout was a concept looking for a home at a price, as I recall, of $3,500. By the time Cooper's Scout hit the street, any competent AR builder could build an AR-10 in 308 Win. that was just as light, held more ammo, shot faster and as accurately for a lot less money.

As a longtime subscriber, I've really had it with Scout-style rifles. Nothing against Ray Ordorica's recent series of Scout reviews, but the concept has proven to be a market failure. I know Jeff Cooper sits next to Jesus in heaven. Being dead has its advantages — ask Elmer Keith or Jack O'Connor! I would note, that at age 69, I read everything these guys and their contemporaries wrote when it was 'new.' The original Cooper Scout was a concept looking for a home at a price, as I recall, of $3,500. By the time Cooper's Scout hit the street, any competent AR builder could build an AR-10 in 308 Win. that was just as light, held more ammo, shot faster and as accurately for a lot less money.

Like many others, this really excellent article refers to the presumed suitability of the shotgun for home defense, particularly the 12 gauge. Frankly, unless the defenders all have donned appropriate ear protection, the shotgun's blast (especially 28 gauge and up) probably will 'take out' their hearing and, of course, permanently disable any unfortunate pets. Therefore, not only is the pistol-caliber carbine more appropriate, the best would be subsonic, especially a 45 like those covered, equipped with a silencer. An alternative would be a suitable sidearm, also silencer-equipped. For home defense, it's worthwhile to go through the Federal hoops to obtain a silencer or silenced-firearm.

Like many others, this really excellent article refers to the presumed suitability of the shotgun for home defense, particularly the 12 gauge. Frankly, unless the defenders all have donned appropriate ear protection, the shotgun's blast (especially 28 gauge and up) probably will 'take out' their hearing and, of course, permanently disable any unfortunate pets. Therefore, not only is the pistol-caliber carbine more appropriate, the best would be subsonic, especially a 45 like those covered, equipped with a silencer. An alternative would be a suitable sidearm, also silencer-equipped. For home defense, it's worthwhile to go through the Federal hoops to obtain a silencer or silenced-firearm.

I just received my July issue and read the article, 'Aluminum, Polymer, and Steel 45 ACP Semiautos Square Off.' For the uninformed, the reviewer has unfairly evaluated the Glock 36. He mentions the G36 magazine is thicker than that for the 1911. What is probably more important for personal defense is the pistol width. The max width of the Glock itself is nearly a half-inch less than that of the Colt. He expressed 'caution' for the unsupported chamber in the Glock barrel, as it is a concern, stating that '+P loads should be used sparingly.' This is downright misleading. Documented personal experience and online forum comments from actual Glock owners would summarily refute such a ridiculous assertion.

I just received my July issue and read the article, 'Aluminum, Polymer, and Steel 45 ACP Semiautos Square Off.' For the uninformed, the reviewer has unfairly evaluated the Glock 36. He mentions the G36 magazine is thicker than that for the 1911. What is probably more important for personal defense is the pistol width. The max width of the Glock itself is nearly a half-inch less than that of the Colt. He expressed 'caution' for the unsupported chamber in the Glock barrel, as it is a concern, stating that '+P loads should be used sparingly.' This is downright misleading. Documented personal experience and online forum comments from actual Glock owners would summarily refute such a ridiculous assertion.

I read the May issue of Gun Tests and it was excellent as usual. I have a question regarding the Scout rifle test. I've read where the magazine on the Ruger Gunsite Scout was made by Accuracy International. I did not read this in the article, so my question is: Have you heard or read the same thing? If this is the case, my next question would be to Ruger: Why use a magazine by Accuracy International, which is a excellent firearms manufacturer, instead of a M-14 mag, or an Armalite mag, DPMS mag, or an FN FAL mag? I figure that using an alternate mag maker would possibly correct the difficult feeding problem you encountered during the test with the Ruger.

I read the May issue of Gun Tests and it was excellent as usual. I have a question regarding the Scout rifle test. I've read where the magazine on the Ruger Gunsite Scout was made by Accuracy International. I did not read this in the article, so my question is: Have you heard or read the same thing? If this is the case, my next question would be to Ruger: Why use a magazine by Accuracy International, which is a excellent firearms manufacturer, instead of a M-14 mag, or an Armalite mag, DPMS mag, or an FN FAL mag? I figure that using an alternate mag maker would possibly correct the difficult feeding problem you encountered during the test with the Ruger.