Re: Firing Line, February 2023
Todd, I have owned and fired the original LCP and also the LCP II. When the LCP Max became available a few years ago, I immediately bought one, and it’s been my EDC ever since. As a security team member at my local church, I’ve spent many hours firing and practicing with the Max at the shooting range (ball ammo and Hornady Flex tips). Never had any trigger issues whatsoever, though the very small pocket gun isn’t always easy on the hand! I consider my hands and fingers to be normal size, though maybe somewhat smallish. Perhaps Harold in your Firing Line complaint has oversized hands and fingers? But seriously, my Max trigger shoots just like my older LCPs, which is to say, no pain or pinching. — Bill
Re Downrange, January 2023
Dear Gun Tests: Noting the increase in people interested in protecting themselves made me smile. Although I live in a Constitutional Carry state, every few years I like to take a course that updates me regarding new laws and attitudes. The last course I took brought up the need for “concealed carry” insurance. It emphasized the need for such insurance, emphasizing the high likelihood of litigation should you use a firearm while protecting yourself. I thought that this would make a excellent article or even series of articles for your magazine, and I would appreciate your addressing the issue. You do such a great job evaluating firearms and accessories that I (as well as others) would look forward to your addressing the need and nuances for litigation insurance. Thank you for such a great magazine. I look forward to each monthly issue, and I hope you include the litigation insurance topic in future. — Alan
Hey Alan: We have covered this topic a couple of times in the past. In a May 2018 Special Report, “Buying Self-Defense Insurance: Important Factors to Consider,” attorney Gordon Cooper, did a big overview of how to buy these policies in a general sense. Because the terms of policies and coverage can change, we didn’t get into specific policies. Cooper’s advice on how to assess these services would still be valid today. Also, attorney Michele Byington, authored “10 Things Gun Owners Get Wrong About Their Self-Defense Rights” in the November 2017 issue. It covered topics we’ve all heard about self-defense shootings that you might want to know. I am actively considering future articles on the topic. — Todd Woodard
Re Firing Line Query, January 2023
Your reader Dave wished to replace old grips on a S&W pistol. The best man to see is gunsmith Larry Feland. Reach him at Larry Feland’s Gunsmithing, 17102 Houston Drive, Cypress, TX. — Sue
Thank you, Sue. I knew the Gun Tests readership would come through with an answer. —tw
Car-carry options
Hello Todd and Staff. I have a suggestion for a future review by you and your excellent team, and I would also like to see input from your readers as well on their solutions to my problem. I usually carry my firearm IWB. But when I travel in my vehicle for extended trips, it gets uncomfortable. So I take it out of the holster — and then what? Lay it on the console? Under the seat? In my coat pocket? An alternative holster inside the vehicle? What’s the best option here? Now it’s time to stop for gas/eats. I’m not going to leave my baby in the car, and I want to have her near and dear while brushing shoulders with the local clientele inside the Git-N-Go. So now I gotta re-insert my unit back down my pants while seated in my car, hoping like hell I don’t blow my Johnson off in the process. I’m open for suggestions to improve this process as well. Thanks to you and your staff on publishing a great magazine. Keep up the good work. — Ken
Hey Ken: We looked at this in the article, “Driving Holsters Compared” in the February 2020 issue. Bob Campbell wrote in that article, “The first choice for driving use seems to be a crossdraw model. Offering a holster that rides on the front of the body rather than behind the hip, the crossdraw is suitable for use when seated. The crossdraw has advantages of access and comfort when driving. You are not sitting on the holster, and it doesn’t dig into the ribs. We found a number of suitable scabbards that are a good cross section of what is available. They were tested by the raters during long drives, road trips, and daily commutes. We also drew from the holsters a minimum of 100 times during the test. We rated them on the balance of speed and retention as well as access.” We rated the Galco Gun Leather Switchback, $46, as a Best Buy. Of it, Bob wrote, “The Switchback’s layered ballistic nylon cell with foam is certainly durable, and it was comfortable to wear. Because it can be worn as a right- or left-hand holster or as a crossdraw, we found the Switchback is indeed versatile. We found the draw angle to be good for crossdraw.” It was graded as an A- based on it having a security strap instead of a thumb break. Other Grade A holsters in the test were Wright Leather Works Regulator Cross Draw Holster, Bullard Leather Holsters Crossdraw for 1911 Series, Jeffrey Custom Leather BGT Body Guard Tension Adjust, Galco Gun Leather Phoenix Strong-Side/Crossdraw Belt Holster, Galco Gun Leather Hornet Strong-Side/Crossdraw Belt Holster, and the Tauris Standard Hip Holster. — tw
