Untactical - Blog

MantisX May Be Your Best Firearm Investment Ever

Thu, 13 Jan 2022 02:17:57 GMT

Toward the end of last year, I wrote an article on the Mantis Blackbeard auto-resetting trigger system. I had taken some professional training with my Ruger AR-556, but had failed to follow up with any meaningful practice. In case you don't know, you can take the best training in the world, but if you don't practice what you learn in that training, you will quickly lose any skills and benefits you may have gained.

Afterward, I was so impressed with the Mantis rifle dry fire system, I thought to myself, 'Maybe Mantis can help me improve my pistol skills, too.'

Full disclosure: This article won't cover everything about the Mantis X10 Elite and Laser Academy systems. This would be a really long article if I attempted to do that. Instead, I'll use this one to talk about what's included with the Mantis X10 Elite, the function of the system (including the MantisX app), what I hope to gain from integrating them into my training regimen (such as it is), and share some initial thoughts and results.

AR Platform with Mantis Blackbeard and Training Buddy

X10, Laser Academy, & Magazine Baseplate Adapter

Mantis X10 Elite
Per the company's website, the X10 is, "(p)art of the second generation of Mantis Shooting Performance Systems."

The Mantis X family includes the X2, X3, and X7 - if you're into improving your skill with a shotgun. The surface improvements the X10 brings to the table include reduced size and weight, and an increase in the battery life and data rate. The X10 also employs a new
quick detach system

So what is the Mantis X10 good for? Plenty, it seems!

The Mantis X10 Elite can be used for both dry fire and live fire training. Since I haven't had a chance to get down to the local range, this article will focus on basic dry fire operation.

Included in the (very nice) zippered case are the Mantis X10 Elite unit, a barrel clamp, rubber spacers, barrel clamp hardware, universal picatinny rail, and USB charging cable.

Not all that functional, but cool nonetheless, is a tasteful Mantis decal. The case will easily fit in a range bag and keep all the contents organized in transit.

What's in the Mantis X10 Elite Box?

Mantis X10 Elite - Rail Mounted

First things first; the Mantis X 10 Elite needs to be charged with the included USB cable. I plugged the unit into my laptop and it didn't take long before it displayed the green light that indicates a full charge. Mantis notes achieving a full charge can take up to two hours. This is probably par time from totally dead to fully charged.

Next, I downloaded the MantisX app from the Google Play store (Also available via iTunes). The correct choice in this case is the MantisX - Pistol/Rifle app. You'll probably see the Laser Academy, Shotgun, and Archery versions as well. Download and install was easy, as was connecting the Mantis X10 with the app.

I'm not writing a full-on software user's manual since Mantis already provides solid documentation and instructional videos.

I will say I'm quite impressed with the ease of installation and set up for the MantisX app. The screenshot at right was basically the first one I landed on after logging in. If you don't already have an account, that's an extra task you'll need to complete. However, I had already created my account thanks to my work with the Blackbeard system.

After the login screen, there are one or two informational pop ups, but then you're straight into the meat of the system. The recommendation is to do a few shots (5) with the Open Training application (highlighted in red). Open Training allows you to just shoot and score. But wait, what do you shoot at?

My garage is a mess and wall space in the house is at a premium. Fortunately, since I already have the Mantis Laser Academy, I mounted one of those targets on the included tripod, put it on my kitchen counter, and voila! Instant indoor dry fire range! Honestly, you can stick up a target practically anywhere and use this system. The target is simply a clear point of aim to aid with dry fire mechanics and repeatability.

The MantisX app has a wealth of features, all designed to help us become better, more consistent shooters. My initial results (see Good, Bad, and Ugly below) are a mix of the Open Training and MantisX Benchmark test. I achieved the best results in the Benchmark (I think) because that drill is untimed and urged me to settle down and work on my mechanics.

MantisX App Initial Screen

What Do You Mean You Don't Have a Range?

The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly (Left to Right)

MantisX App - Shooting Session Analysis Screens

The power of MantisX is surely in the analysis tools that are built into the MantisX app. The image on the left is a compilation of three analysis screenshots from my first Open Training drill. I can see how many shots I "fired" and my overall score. Red segments around the score circle indicate one or more trends for review.

Every red segment provides a shot analysis. I had five segments to review - one for each shot. Obviously, I was all over the place, with only two segments stacking up. In other words, four different issues I needed to review and address.

The MantisX app works overtime to help me become a better shooter. In the case of the session above, it took the issue it saw multiple times and highlighted it for me. I can unpack valuable feedback in a couple of ways:

First, I can touch on any red segment and pull up an explanation of the issue and review recommended corrective actions. The MantisX app also highlights the most prevalent issue under the graph and I can touch that to open the explanation/correction screen as well.

In my case, the biggest issue of the four was diagnosed as too little trigger finger. The other three issues - remember, those occurred on separate shots - were heeling, pushing, and "slapping" the trigger.

I'm a hot, untactical mess, and should probably take up needlepoint.

Or, I can continue using the Mantis X10 Elite and improve my shooting mechanics through both dry and live fire training!

MantisX App - What Am I Doing Wrong?

I'm Better Than All The Schmoes Who Didn't Train Today!

The Mantis X10 Elite combined with the free MantisX app are like having my own personal trainer on hand 24x7; ready to help me be a better shooter through practice, results analysis, and positive, actionable feedback.

I have barely scratched the surface of what the Mantis X10 Elite can do. For instance, I also took on the daily challenge - in my case, a gloved drill that called for ten shots with any kind of gloves. I used my Mechanix M-Pact gloves, which are a little bulky. My results weren't impressive. A score of 81.8 meant I was - according to the MantisX app - better than only 1% of shooters.

I also followed along with a couple of suggested training courses included with the app. I completed one of them: the introductory course, which familiarized me with the features and functions of the app. The second course - Basic Marksmanship - is taking me through a number of different drills. More courses await, including Advanced and Elite Marksmanship, as well as Basic and Advanced Combat.

I've got a long way to go!

I am really looking forward to exploring all the dry fire features available with the Mantis X10 Elite. And that doesn't even cover the benefits of working through the same library of drills and training during live fire!

Even in these early stages, I am sold on the value of the Mantis X10 Elite package. And don't forget, I still have the added dry fire benefits of the Mantis Laser Academy to explore.

All that said, I'm fairly certain you can look forward to a series of articles on the Mantis X10 Elite platform and the accompanying MantisX and Laser Academy applications. I realize it's been a couple of months since I published the Blackbeard article, but the best thing about digging into these Mantis solutions is the motivation they generate to explore further and practice more often. After all, for those of us who desire to be better shooters (and that should be everyone who owns a firearm), motivation and practice are the keys that unlock excellence.

Stay tuned...

Dry Fire Can be Fun (and useful)

Sat, 30 Oct 2021 19:21:23 GMT

(Preface: It has been far, far too long since we posted anything on Untactical! For that, I sincerely apologize. We've let life get the better of us, but hope to dedicate more time to shooting - and writing about shooting - through this and other platforms. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy reading about our experience with a great product that will help keep your rifle shooting skills sharp!)

One of the first things Mrs. Untactical and I discovered when we entered the world of firearms is how darn fun it is to shoot. Maybe we didn't have all the gizmos (and we still don't) but just hitting the range and "making donuts" as I've heard target shooting referred to, was really enjoyable.

Right after we learned how fun shooting is, we learned a couple of other truisms:

Shooting is a perishable skill
Shooting is an expensive hobby

Mrs. Untactical and I have continued to grow beyond our first firearm purchase (Ruger 9e) to being proud owners of a number of handguns and a Ruger AR-556. Don’t get me wrong, we’re still completely untactical! However, we have continued our firearm journey despite our lack of intended updates here on Untactical.net.

Today, I'm excited to tell you a little about a product that helps solve both of the problems above; a way to practice shooting to keep your skills sharper and to do so without breaking the bank. Give it up for the Mantis Blackbeard!

What comes in the mail; the Mantis Blackbeard arrives in a very nice package.

I don’t have to remind you how expensive (and scarce) ammunition has been because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Blackbeard helps solve both the cost and availability problems in a simple and easy-to-use platform.

What is Blackbeard? It is a dry-fire system for the AR-style rifle platform.

Why did I want a Blackbeard? I had recently received professional training on the AR. We went through various shooting positions, sling (ready) positions, single shots, multiple shots, multiple targets, shooting while moving and more, including my absolute least favorite: the off-shoulder drill. Although my instructor was sensitive to the amount of ammo we used in each drill, I still went through a fair amount of .223 in the three or so hours we worked. I was stoked! I wanted to keep working on these drills to up my rifle-handling ability.

Unfortunately, real life intervened...

Not only do I have to work for a living, but we doubt our neighbors would appreciate us running live-fire rifle drills in our backyard. Truth be told, we could – after all, we live “in the county” – but our backyard is NOT set up as a firing range and it would be foolhardy of us to try to use it as such. In addition, all the local public ranges are indoors, so there was no way to go through all the rifle drills I’d learned while using an indoor range – the rules don’t allow for dynamic rifle work on the firing line.

Enter dry fire.

However, the problem with dry fire on the AR platform is that every time you press the trigger, you must follow that with a recharge – pulling the charging handle and releasing the bolt – so that the trigger is ready for another press.

From the Mantis website: Using electromechanical wizardry, Blackbeard allows you to take up to 10 dry fire shots per second, quickly resetting the hammer between each shot.

Wizardry indeed!

The Blackbeard sounded like just the ticket.

The Mantis Blackbeard arrived in a well-appointed package. If you’ve been on a journey similar to Mrs. Untactical and I, you know that firearm parts, accessories, holsters, tools, etc. seem to magically accumulate and, if you’re not careful, these things will hide from you.

There’s no danger of that with the Blackbeard. The two system components come nestled in their own custom-shaped foam cutouts inside a sturdy zippered case. Mantis also provides a few other goodies, including a small tool to adjust the laser functions and a USB charging cord.

Wait, what? I didn’t mention the system has a laser?

Actually, there are three options for the laser function. Red, green, or infrared. I chose the green laser, which I like because, well, I’m Irish!

What's in the box? The Blackbeard, the system battery, a charging cable, and more.

The Mantis Blackbeard's power pack, fully charged.

Installation of the Blackbeard couldn’t be easier. After confirming your rifle is in a safe condition, simply drop the magazine (if one is inserted), pull the rear takedown pin, rotate the upper away from the lower, and remove the existing charging handle and bolt carrier group (BCG).

Next, insert the Blackbeard unit in place of the standard BCG and charging handle, close the rifle, secure the rear takedown pin, and insert the Blackbeard “magazine” – which provides power to the system .

Now, you are ready to dry fire!

One thing I will note, I had the Blackbeard magazine/battery plugged into my laptop for a good 12 hours before it was fully charged. Fortunately, the unit features a series of five indicators on the battery assembly so you can see where you are in the charging sequence – yet another nice touch that makes Blackbeard a pleasure to install and operate.

Remember that backyard we couldn’t use as a firing range? With Blackbeard, we absolutely can use our backyard as a range! For my first run, I stapled a couple of targets to our shed and worked through some simple ready and fire drills. Multiple shots are no problem with Blackbeard. You cannot pull the trigger fast enough to defeat the system.

The Blackbeard’s laser has two modes: always on or pulsed (“fires” on every trigger press). Remember that little tool I told you about? Use that to adjust the laser to align with your optical zero or iron sights, and to also set the laser mode that suits you. I like the pulse mode, which gives me a clear green dot on target for every trigger press.

On a sunny day, my experience shows that the green dot becomes harder to see when I stand more than 45 feet or so away from the target,

The Ruger AR-556 with Blackbeard installed... and our newest range safety officer keeping an eye on things.

On target with the Mantis Blackbeard Automatic Trigger Reset System. (Note the green dot in the right-hand target bullseye)

Closer in, the green dot was clean and clear to see through my Primary Arms 6x24mm scope (love the Illuminated ACSS-RAPTOR reticle design, by the way!).

Trigger performance was as good as advertised. My Geissele trigger feels exactly the same as it does during live fire. I can press, fully release, and fire follow up shots or I can press, release to the reset point, and fire that next shot.

That is one of the many great features – perhaps the best one – that leads me to recommend the Mantis Blackbeard. I’m practicing with my own rifle, using my own trigger, and able to “fire” as many follow up shots as I like, in any pattern or sequence that I need for a specific drill.

This is as close as you can get to live fire training and it costs you nothing but time.

Today, the retail price of the Blackbeard is $219 as shown on the Mantis website (your price may vary). That may sound like a significant amount, but when you add up the number of “shots” in just your first few dry fire sessions, you will have easily paid for it with ammo savings.

At today's prices (approximately $0.70 per round of Winchester White Box 55 grain .223 at Academy Sports and Outdoors), you can shoot a little over 300 rounds and outspend the cost of a Blackbeard system. For us, the advantages are clear:

We can train with and shoot our rifle any time we like
We don't have to worry about the neighbors calling the Sheriff's department on us
We don't have to expend our stock of rifle ammunition for everyday training
We can dry fire train with our own rifle and experience normal trigger performance
We don't need to pull the charging handle and release the bolt after every trigger pull

Are there disadvantages to the Mantis Blackbeard system?

We're not tactical, but the rifle is not usable as a defense weapon during dry fire sessions. If this is a concern, you could have a secondary rifle nearby or holster up a sidearm.

Functionally, the laser adjustment kept the laser point of impact a few inches below our scope's ACSS reticle. I'm not a math guy, but I'm assuming this is a result of the 16" barrel on our AR-556 and a limit to the laser's adjustment angle along the bore.

Other than that, I can't think of any other downsides. For us, the positives far outweigh any negatives and the return on investment is easy to see. We will continue to use the Mantis Blackbeard for our dry fire rifle training and, perhaps, that is its greatest advantage: it motivates us and allows us to train more frequently and more effectively than ever before.

It's great to be back and we look forward to achieving the original purpose of this site by passing on more informative content for those folks who are untactical like us.

Stay healthy; stay aware, and keep the faith.

Mr. Untactical

Guns - A Six-Month Review

Mon, 09 Apr 2018 16:36:59 GMT

Springfield XD Mod.2 SC

Six months ago, Mrs. Untactical and I entered the world of firearms and shooting sports. What does that mean? So far, it means we've purchased two 9mm handguns, including the Springfield XD Mod.2 Sub-compact pictured at left.

I'm still in love with our first-born (okay, the first gun we bought), a Ruger 9E, but this little Springfield, which is ostensibly my wife's CCW (concealed-carry weapon), is a very nice pistol. Frankly, I'm thinking hard about getting one for me also!

Our Ruger 9E continues to be the Little Engine That Could. Exhibit A is this image. On the right target is the first 9E magazine I shot at a recent date night on the range. The 9E has a 17-round capacity and I just stepped up from five yards out and unloaded it with no particular end in mind other than hitting the target.

On the left is the last target of the night, also from five yards out. Absent a couple of flyers, which I understand even the best shooters experience, I put 15 rounds inside a 3-inch group. That Ruger 9e runs!

Ruger 9E from 5-yards

Fiocchi 9mm 115gr FMJ

And, when I say the Ruger 9E runs, I mean we've put a combined 1,200 + rounds through it with zero - ZERO - malfunctions. We've shot everything from Winchester White Box (115 grain FMJ) to Remington's version of that same load, to my new favorite: Fiocchi.

Our local gun store carries the 115gr FMJ Fiocchi pictured at left at around $9 for a box of 50ea. That is cheaper than I've seen it online at the so-called discount outlets.

We've also run a few different personal defense rounds through the Ruger and it has happily cycled everything. We're currently loading at home with Hornady American Gunner 9mm Luger 115 Grain XTP Jacketed Hollow Point. I know... it's not heavy (i.e., 147 grain), but it's about half the price of the first home defense ammo we were sold (at a more up-scale store).

Don't get me wrong. I really liked Speer's 9mm 147gr Gold Dot ammunition but, at $25 for 20 rounds? I'll stick to Hornady for the time being.

The journey so far...

In the last six months, we've learned that gun experts are about as plentiful as sand spurs in a Florida vacant lot during the summer. I mean to tell you, if you need to know something about guns - anything - there are a hundred people just waiting to give you the answer(s) you need. A few other lessons learned are:

The Lay's Potato Chip rule: You can probably guess where we're going here. Guns are like Lay's in that you can't have just one. We just bought our Springfield at the end of March (missing Springfield's freaking free magazine promo by four stinking days!) and I'm already plotting how to get gun number three.
Money doesn't grow on trees: See number 1. If we had unlimited funds, I'd probably have as many guns as Hickok45 by now. Okay. Maybe not that many, but we'd have a lot!
There are experts and then there are experts: See number 2. Hickok45 has more than three million (million!) subscribers to his YouTube channel. Notwithstanding all the recent de-monetizing, threats to suspend gun channels and so on, look for the channels (on YouTube and elsewhere) that offer #commonsense, high-quality content. Besides Hickok45, a few more I respect and highly recommend are Sootch00, John Lovell (of Warrior Poet Society fame), Geauga Firearms Academy (Neil and Kim offer a valuable husband and wife perspective and this is one of the first channels I found - great stuff), and Armed and Feminine (Kelly Ann Pidgeon is a certified NRA instructor and brings valuable and professional advice that benefits both Mrs. Untactical as well as yours truly).

I won't lie. I'm subscribed to about 70 YouTube channels. A lot of those are vendors, because each vendor has a channel and I have to subscribe to them to enter contests! But don't ignore the vendors just because they want to sell you something. Springfield Armory did an amazing job with their Night of the Saint series. And whether I purchase one of their AR variants or not, it was a great video that taught me a lot about how to operate an AR-style rifle.

What's next?

Probably the biggest thing we've learned as this journey continues is that it will never be finished. The firearm community is filled with millions of unique, amazing people, all with their own story to tell and wisdom to share. Our lives have been enriched by the new knowledge we have gained. Owning and operating firearms is not just about keeping your family and home safe, although that's a big part of it. We've thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the great people who give freely of their expertise online as well as those who work and frequent the local gun stores and ranges. To a person, they have been open, honest, and forthright. They will tell you if they disagree with you, and tell you why.

But it doesn't mean they don't like you! For example, I prefer the 9mm cartridge and have taken some good-natured ribbing from the, "Nothing good comes out of a pistol barrel unless it begins with "4"," folks. I respect their opinion and I like to think they respect mine. In fact, after handling a few down at the local store, I'm looking forward to purchasing a 1911 chambered in .45 ACP. I may not carry it every day, and it may not replace my nightstand gun, but I appreciate the timelessness and quality of the design and am anxious to shoot one and see for myself what all the hub-bub is about!

When I was in the Air Force, I trained with an M-16, eventually qualifying as expert. To all the Soldiers and Marines out there, that means about squat. But to me, it means I'm very much looking forward to getting my very own AR-15. That's not a popular subject these days and I feel a certain sense of urgency because one never knows how the laws of the land may change. I'd like to think that our Second Amendment rights will remain un-infringed, but there are some loud, screeching voices out there that are getting a lot of attention.

In short, what does the future hold? More guns, more learning, more getting to know others in the community, and hopefully, more writing about our experiences so that other Newbies like us can enjoy the journey as much as we have.

In the words of Sootch00, "Be strong, be of good courage, God bless America, and long live the Republic."

Mr. Untactical

America and Guns

Sat, 17 Mar 2018 05:00:00 GMT

Image from Wikipedia article on the Activision game.

It has been several weeks since a gunman murdered seventeen people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkman, FL. I've started writing this blog at least a half-dozen times. But the landscape of our national debate (use of the term debate is putting it very mildly, indeed) has shifted so quickly and so often, it's like trying to describe an earthquake in progress.

I grew up on the west coast of Florida. I remember going to the beach as a kid and getting knocked down by waves. Initially, the waves would roll in and I'd be fine, bracing my little legs against the insistent mass of green water. But then, one wave would arrive that was bigger than the others and I would be knocked flat, sand and salt water invading every orifice. Today, I still love the beach, but more as a spectator. Fighting against the laws of nature seldom yields a different result.

Caveat: I'm not a behavioral scientist. The points I raise here will be purely opinion, based on my own thoughts, feelings, perceptions, and conclusions.

For years it has been hotly denied by the entertainment industry that music, television, film, and video games have any measurable effect when it comes to the behavior of consumers. "It's make believe," they say. "Everyone knows the difference."

Do they?

Although this article is not an indictment of the entertainment industry, let's look at a few high-level statistics:

Consumers spent $6.7 billion on video game software in 2017. (Forbes)
Half of the top ten best-selling video games in 2017 feature shooting and other first-person violent behavior (Forbes). (NOTE: Call of Duty: WWII came in at number 1)

I'm not exactly sure when I first came across first-person shooters - probably around the 1992 debut of Microsoft's Wolfenstein 3D. Sure, shooting games had been around for years before then but, for me, it really kicked off with the irreverent Duke Nukem 3D installment in which the hero intoned, "It's time to kick a$$ and chew gum; and I'm all outta gum."

Despite the eye-popping revenues raked in by the video game industry, Hollywood is still king. Led by a band of intrepid superheroes, the top ten films of 2017 earned over $11 billion, helped over that fiscal line by the Star Wars juggernaut, The Last Jedi (Business Insider).

Although kid-friendly films like Beauty and the Beast and Despicable Me 3 finished number one and four respectively, 70% of the top ten were action-oriented. Putting on my best impression of pirate captain Hector Barbossa, "That means violent."

According to the Pew Research Center, a whopping 73% of teens have access to a smartphone. All, or at least most of them, will have access to free-to-play first person shooter content, like that offered by Call of Duty: Heroes.

So, what is a hero? Merriam-Webster online lists the first definition as, "a mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability."

Spiderman Homecoming (Columbia Pictures/Marvel Studios)

In the top video games and films, our kids see heroes who are great fighters. With and without guns. It's not a bad thing for people to have heroes. We all have heroes. I grew up idolizing prominent sports figures. Then I, too, began to idolize film and television stars. And what thoughts go through a kid's head when they are idolizing someone?

"I want to meet them!"

Yes, but also, "I want to be just like them!"

These days, there are heroes everywhere. The sport and film stars are still there. The old-school, traditional heroes are still there (teachers, police, firefighters, etc.). And they've been joined by a whole new breed of anti-hero. Anti-heroes go against the grain. The 80s were awash in young anti-heroes. Just watch a re-run of The Breakfast Club or Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

These days, society celebrates those who are different. And why not? Diversity is a good thing, right?

Except when it comes to someone who is so different from the rest of us that they desire to kill.

I won't use names here because many mass murderers' ethos includes narcissistic and attention-seeking tendencies. Not going to get it from me. Sorry.

Bryan Cranston from Breaking Bad

I am a writer, so I understand character motivation. In the entry for the television series Breaking Bad, Wikipedia reads, "Breaking Bad is widely regarded as one of the greatest television series of all time."

What makes the show so great? This isn't a television critique, so I won't go there. The article's introduction highlights the lead (i.e., hero) character's motivation: It tells the story of Walter White (Bryan Cranston), a struggling high school chemistry teacher diagnosed with lung cancer. Together with his former student Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul), White turns to a life of crime by producing and selling crystallized methamphetamine to secure his family's financial future before he dies, while navigating the dangers of the criminal world.

White is a hero. He's sacrificing all sorts of things in order to provide for his family's future. That makes him a good guy, right?

Not so much. At least not in my opinion.

But America loved the show, which apparently means they love the idea of a meth-cooking, gun-shooting, anti-hero... as long as he's doing it for the right reasons. Modern anti-heroes like Walter White and others on television, film, and video games can get away with murder... as long we (the writers) strongly communicate a character motivation that resonates with consumers and allows for the suspension of disbelief.

But where is the line between fantasy and reality? I don't mean fantasy like sword and sorcery. In this case, fantasy is anything in someone's mind that does not conform to social norms, laws, etc.

And this brings us to America's love affair with guns.

A prominent thread on social media this past week highlighted Matt Damon's supposed desire to move to Australia. I didn't read the articles. Frankly, I couldn't care less where Matt Damon lives; none of my business.

Pro-Second Amendment-types made hay with an image showing Matt standing in front of a movie poster for the film 12 Strong. The poster features lead actor Chris Hemsworth on horseback wielding... an assault rifle.

Matt Damon as Jason Bourne

GASP! And therein lies the crux of the debate I mentioned.

The statement I've seen most often in the weeks that followed the Parkland shooting is a variation of, "No one needs an assault rifle except the military and maybe Law Enforcement."

This statement is usually followed with even more stringent rhetoric. "All semi-automatic rifles should be banned!"

As if the person truly believes that all semi-automatic rifles are to be considered assault rifles.

I don't want to rehash all the back and forth between the two sides in this argument. And make no mistake; there are only two sides. Sure, there may be a few people in the middle trying to parse things a little more finely in an effort to reach some sort of detente but, ultimately, it comes down to two: those who support the literal meaning of the Ssecond Amendment and those who don't.

Mrs. Untactical and I own a grand total of three firearms. And here they are, in order of acquisition:

1. .32 Smith & Wesson Revolver: We inherited this pistol from my mother. Her dad was a deputy-sheriff in Spartanburg County, SC back in the day. This pistol is nickel-plated with mother-of-pearl handles; basically a six-shooter if you grew up watching westerns.

2. Ruger 9E Semi-automatic Pistol: We purchased this gun last year as we began our journey into the firearm community. It was relatively inexpensive and shoots great. A very accurate pistol for both of us and we like it a lot.

For those who don't know, guns in general are FREAKING expensive! So, despite your various opinions on the law and the constitution, not everyone can afford to rush out and gun-up like it's the zombie apocalypse. Between the cost of the gun itself, ammo, training, licensing, and accessories, you are talking at least several hundred dollars, if not a couple of thousand.

3. Springfield XD Mod 2 Sub-compact Semi-automatic Pistol: Technically, we own this gun - we just don't have it, because it's currently on lay-away at one of our local retailers not named Dick's, Wal-Mart, Kroger, etc.

And, honestly, the only reason there is not an AR-15 style rifle on this list is because we can't afford the one we want (yet).

The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

To the left is the only thing standing between those of us who own guns and those who would take them away.

Yes, it's just that simple.

Our country was founded upon a number of precepts and this is a big one.

Writing is hard; at least hard to do well. I'm no expert, but I am pretty handy with grammar. That's why authors pay me good money to edit and proof their manuscripts.

What you have in the Second Amendment is, generally, a couple of independent clauses. Separating independent clauses is one of the jobs for which we use the comma. The other primary purpose for a comma is to insert a pause in a sentence. Let's break it down using those definitions:

A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

You see, the framers wanted this (and all the other text of the Constitution and various amendments) to be crystal clear. Back in the 1800s, folks tended to write much more formally than we do today. If we (normal folks like you or me) were writing the second amendment today, it would read something like this:

A well-regulated militia is necessary for state security. The citizens of the United States have a perpetual right to keep and use weapons.

Instead of commas, we would just use periods. Periods are easier for us to understand . Periods are kind of like the Harry Truman of punctuation. Here's what I want to say . Here's something else I want to say .

This subject has all sorts of little rabbit holes we could explore. But if you've read this far, I don't want to keep you. It's Saturday and you probably have better things to do, like spend time with your family or go to the range. Maybe you need to spend time with your family at the range!

Mrs. Untactical and I were able to begin our journey into the wide world of firearms specifically because the Bill of Rights guarantees us the freedom to do so. And while we mourn alongside everyone else the senseless loss of life at Parkland and elsewhere, we do not believe that banning guns - and let's face it, that's EXACTLY where this is leading - is the answer.

There are millions of law-abiding gun owners in this country and taking our guns away is not going to keep bad people from doing bad things. So let's work together as a country to solve the real problems and leave the strong foundations of America intact.

Stay safe, thanks for reading, and God bless.

Mr. Untactical

Product Review: Anson Complete Belt

Tue, 23 Jan 2018 02:08:44 GMT

Anson Belt and Buckle - Company Logo

This is a product review, but first, let me throw out a few thoughts on the front end. The outlook I take into any product demo is one that aligns with the premise of this site: What does the product do for a new or relatively new gun owner?

In a previous article that covered gear in general, I mentioned the importance of a belt that can support the weight of a carry pistol. It’s also important that a belt used for this purpose be able to withstand the rigors of drawing and holstering a handgun.

That’s all true, right? However, the purpose of a belt, first and foremost, is to hold up one’s trousers. Anson Belt and Buckle don’t represent themselves specifically as a gun belt company. And that also aligns with the purpose of this site: we’re untactical!

First, a little about the company. Anson Belt and Buckle is a family-owned business founded in 2009 by father and son team, Frank and David Ferree. The company is located in Morehead City, NC.

Anson make what I refer to as a ratchet belt; that is, a belt without holes. Apparently, this isn’t a new concept. However, like the Ferree family before me, I have somehow managed to live my life unaware that there was such a thing as a ratchet belt. Having said that, I did attend military school and spend more than nine years in the U.S. Air Force, so I’m very familiar with web belts that are cut and sized to use with a small metal buckle with a clamp and clip.

The Anson belt and buckle system is very much like that, only updated and improved.

Let’s get to the review!

The belt I chose to try is from Anson's Complete Belt system. It's a simple system:

Choose the strap width
Choose the strap style
Choose the buckle

Because I was trying this out as a gun belt and not just an every day, walk around belt, I went for the 1.5" strap width.

Next, I had the opportunity to pick the strap style. I chose the Concealed Carry strap style. Other choices include Canvas, Casual Leather, Formal Leather, Microfiber, Nylon, and Suede. In the Concealed Carry style, there are three choices: Black Leather, Black Nylon, and Graphite Nylon.

Unboxing the belt...

Anson 1.5" belt in black leather

I planned on wearing the belt to work as well as to the range, so I chose Black Leather (I work in an office). In the picture at left, you can clearly see the ratchet "holes." inside the strap. Anson's belt specs confirm their belts feature a micro-adjustable design that offers over thirty sizing options spaced one-quarter of an inch apart.

I have to admit when I first unpacked the buckle, it was a little intimidating. This is because I had spent most of my life using standard 5-hole belts with a simple buckle that required me to put the center peg into one of the holes. The Anson buckle looked much more complex.

First impressions can be deceiving.

At right is an image of my belt "buckled." I could show you a picture of me wearing it, but I don't want to spoil the beauty of the belt!

The buckle - chosen in step 3 above - is Anson's Traditional buckle in Gunmetal.

There is one more thing about the Complete Belt system that is, ahem, completely different from a standard, 5-hole belt (basically most of the belts I've worn my entire life): out of the box, the strap is not sized. Anson states that all of their belts will fit up to size 50. Before I could wear this belt, I had to cut it with scissors! What if I did it wrong?

Anson 1.5" belt - "buckled"

Anson belt and buckle - rear view

My first thought was, "I do not want to screw this up!"

After reading some very simple instructions, I put the belt on, measured the excess and cut it off with a normal pair of scissors. Afterward, I inserted the cut end into the clamp section of the buckle (the part with the Anson logo on the right of the buckle as seen in the image at left).

After my initial trepidation, I realized how easy it is to cut and size the strap so that it is just the right size. And because of the flexible sizing afforded by the ratchet system, the overlap can be as much or as little as I like.

In other words, the Anson Complete Belt is custom-fit!

I've worn my Anson belt for about four weeks. I've worn it to work with dress pants; I've worn it around the house and around town with jeans; I've worn it with and without a holster; I've worn it driving, sitting, and walking.

The Good: Actually, this section could be labeled, "The Great." By about the second week, I was thinking to myself, "How in the world have I lived my life without this belt?" A lot of that sentiment comes down to the comfort of the Anson Complete Belt. Throughout the day, a standard belt can feel loose or tight based on a number of factors, not least of which is whether a person has eaten recently. With a 5-hole belt, with holes spaced an inch apart, it's difficult to find just the right fit. The belt is usually either a little too loose, or a little too tight.

With the Anson Complete Belt, that is never a problem. Belt feeling a little tight? Simply touch the small release lever on the bottom of the buckle and let out a little slack. Too loose? Push the strap in a notch or two. Remember, the ratchet holes are spaced in quarter-inch increments. In effect, you have four adjustment positions for every one on a standard belt. But, it feels like it's much more adjustable than that.

This belt is comfortable, durable, good-looking and serves well as both a dress belt and a gun belt; no easy feat.

The Bad: Frankly, I can't think of a bad thing to say about the Anson Complete Belt system. A couple of things that come to mind: The ratchet system takes a little getting used to. If, like me, you've always worn a standard belt, it's going to take a little time for you to get comfortable with the Anson belt. For me, after the second week, it was a non-issue.

I've only tried an outside-the-waistband (OWB) holster with the Anson belt so far. With my jeans, it's a little awkward threading the belt through one loop on the holster, then one loop on my pants, then through the second loop on the holster, and finally the next loop on my pants. I can imagine an inside-the-waistband (IWB) holster would not have this problem.

Even with the above, once the holster is on and the belt is latched, both holster and belt are imminently comfortable, even carrying our Ruger 9E.

Final thoughts: The Anson Complete Belt system retails on the Anson web site for $49.99. That's a little more than I'm used to paying for a belt, but the quality, flexibility, and comfort of the Anson belt justify paying a little more. And, when compared to many other gun belt options on the market today, the Anson Complete Belt is actually a great bargain.

Anson has a large selection of straps and buckles, basically something for just about every taste and style. With Anson, you can buy one strap and several buckles, or one buckle and several straps, You can mix and match to you heart's content.

As an every day belt, as a dress belt for work or heading out on the town, as a gun belt - in fact, as all three - the Anson Complete Belt system is a winner.

Stay safe, thanks for reading, and God bless.

Mr. Untactical

Maybe if I get enough equipment?

Mon, 15 Jan 2018 15:29:32 GMT

This probably won't ever be me

A few months ago, Mrs. Untactical and I began this journey with the goal of becoming responsible, qualified gun owners. We think that is a good, solid, achievable goal. Perhaps, someday, we’ll be at least a little tactical, but that day is still somewhere in the future. For one reason, attaining a significant level of tactical ability – at least as I’ve derived from my Internet travels – is expensive. Let’s break down the how and why of it - at least as it pertains to gear .

What does one need in the way of gear to be tactical? I suspect that question has as many answers as their are gun owners. The wisest response I’ve found suggests that it’s not the equipment that is most important – it’s the mind.

All the gear in the world won’t save you in a life-or-death situation if you have not trained and prepared well.

Still, this article will focus on the equipment side of things.

Equipment needs are dictated by their specific applications. Are you considering equipment for concealed carry? Home defense? Shooting at the range or in some type of competition?

1. The Gun (or guns): I read an article recently that stated guns were like Lay’s potato chips: you couldn’t have just one. Frankly, I thought it was hogwash because I am very happy with our Ruger 9E. Lately, however, I’ve been eyeing the Canik TP9SA as well as the other TP9 variants.

The Canik TP9SA is a sweet looking pistol and, by all accounts (including this review by the ridiculously popular Hickok45) is a very good shooting gun as well. The Canik tagline on their website reads: Superior Handguns. After some research, I believe it. And the TP9SA can be had for sub-$350.

Canik TP9SA (Century Arms)

Hmmm. Maybe just one more gun? After we purchase Mrs. Untactical’s subcompact, of course!

Still, whether we have one gun or five, weapons alone won’t make us tactical.

Stealth Operator Compact (Phalanx Defense Systems)

2. The Holster(s): I have a state pistol permit, which, where we live, means I can legally carry concealed (aka CCW). Despite our relative newness to the community, I have purchased three – three! – holsters already. Although this is not a product review article, I will definitely give a thumbs up to the Stealth Operator compact holster by Phalanx Defense Systems out of Gainesville, FL (Go Gators!).

Of the three holsters we have, the Stealth Operator compact is the best everyday carry (EDC) option. Per the company’s website, it will fit over 150 guns.

The holster – an outside the waistband (OWB) design – is an injection molded nylon shell utilizing rust-resistant black oxide hardware. Positive retention across such a large array of pistols is achieved by something they call Frame-Lock technology.

I don’t know exactly what Frame-Lock technology is or how it works, but this holster works a treat for the Ruger 9E whether I’m sitting, standing, walking, or on a 6-hour road trip. Where other holsters have gouged my side while driving, I actually do “forget” that I’m carrying in the car. Naturally, I don’t really forget, but once in and settled, I have no discomfort whatsoever.

The Stealth Operator compact holster will run you in the neighborhood of $34.99 at Academy Sports and Outdoors. In the realm of good, usable holsters, that is pretty inexpensive. And when I say usable, I mean one in which it is practical to carry – and employ – your self-defense firearm.

If you can’t practically use your firearm if and when needed, you need a new holster. For example, the first holster I purchased without any research whatsoever was a Tagua SOFT-350 made for the Ruger SR9 series of pistols (of which the 9E is a member). The Tagua is a pliable IWB (Inside-the-Waistband) holster. Once I figured out how to mount it, I quickly discovered it would not work for me.

Even if I had bought new pants to accommodate the additional width of both the Ruger 9E and the holster inside my waistband, as soon as I drew the gun, it (the holster) collapsed. Now, it achieved one goal: it let me draw my weapon. But, I thought to myself, who wants to stand around holding their pistol after a gunfight? If you can’t re-holster your firearm with relative ease, I call that an equipment failure.

I’ve since learned that, in the event you are required to defend yourself with your pistol, you DO NOT want to be standing around holding the gun in your hand when the police arrive!

So today, our nice, soft, $40 Tagua holster is our nightstand and gun bag holster, used merely to give us something in which to carry the gun around when it’s not in the actual carry holster.

3. The Belt(s): Like guns, holsters are a very personal decision based on application, taste and a lot of other factors. But to what do you connect the holster? Your belt, of course (unless you’re going all James Bond with that shoulder rig thing).

When I started looking at holsters, I quickly discovered that most people follow any commentary on holsters with, “If you’re getting a holster to carry your gun, then you need a flippin’ gun belt designed to handle that.”

I thought to myself, ‘Makes sense.’

Until I started pricing them.

I had already deferred on Inside-the-Waistband (IWB) carry (see above) because it would basically mean the replacement of all my pants. All of them.

Several videos I watched described one of the key features of a good gun belt as something one could not fold in half. In other words, the belt needs to be stiff enough not to collapse under the weight of the gun, or under the repeated pull and pressure of drawing and holstering.

Toy Bond with Shoulder Holster (Creative Commons)

George Dress Belt (Photo courtesy of Walmart)

On a lark, I thought I’d apply that test to my very own $10 Walmart dress belt, which many reviewers had used as the perfect “Don’t buy that belt” example. Guess what? I could not fold it over. Sure, I didn’t stand on it or go all Hulk in my efforts, but it seemed plenty stiff to me. One downside is that my Walmart belt is only an inch and a quarter wide. Most OWB holsters are fitted for a belt that is at least an inch and a half in width, if not more.

All that said, I’ve carried comfortably with my cheap Walmart belt. I’ve practiced my draw and holster technique with my cheap Walmart belt (using an unloaded pistol! Remember, safety first). And it works. On the negative side, there is a little too much play because of the narrower belt width, but not enough to render it a completely unusable solution. Did I mention it cost $10?

But… lest my readers think I’m all about cheap and nothing else, I have been wearing/testing a belt from Anson Belt and Buckle. Although I regularly see gun belts ranging in cost anywhere from $75 – $100, the Anson Complete Belt lists for $49.99 and is a high quality, highly customizable solution. I’ve been wearing the concealed carry black leather model for a couple of weeks now, so be on the lookout for that review any day!

In summary (assuming you’re all still with me!), it is possible to enter the handgun community and not have to mortgage the farm to do so. Not counting range ammunition and extraneous holsters, our current rig consists of:

Ruger 9E: $315.00 (includes "out the door" cost of pistol, shipping and FFL fees)
Additional Ruger 9E magazine (from Gun Mag Warehouse): $30.00
Stealth Operator Compact holster: $35.00
“Gun” belt (Walmart dress belt): $10.00
Ear plugs, ear defenders, gun cleaning kit, safety glasses and other misc. gear: $60.00

NOTE: You can absolutely spend a ton more money on all the doodads, depending on how flashy you want to be. Just sayin‘.

Total outlay to date: $450.00

That amount is more than $50 less than the price we were quoted for a Glock 19 (Gen 5); which was the cost of just the pistol alone.

Hopefully, this article has helped at least one person understand a little bit more about the gear and costs involved with what many would consider entry-level equipment. Had Mrs. Untactical and I wanted to get in the game with a Glock, Heckler and Koch (HK), Sig Sauer, etc. the numbers would be much higher.

Maybe someday we will have an opportunity to purchase one of those fine pistols. For now, we’ll continue to discover, test, and offer our experiences with safe, reliable, but more economical equipment.

Stay safe, thanks for reading, and God bless.

Mr. Untactical

So... you've decided to buy a pistol

Sun, 14 Jan 2018 21:40:02 GMT

Photo: 1911 R1 by Remington Arms

If you’ve somehow stumbled into this distant and lonely corner of the Internet gun universe, welcome! I’m Mr. Untactical (you can call me Mike), and I’m using this blog to help chronicle our journey from completely untactical neophyte gun owners to, well, we’re not really sure where the journey will lead just yet!

If you’ve read our other articles, you know we’re pretty darn new when it comes to experience with a firearm. Mrs. Untactical has her days when she believes I’m taking this whole “gun thing” just a little too seriously. My belief is if you’re going to purchase and use a gun of any kind, you need to know as much as you possibly can about that gun.

You should also know a great deal about shooting in general. Which brings us to likely the most important thing(s) you need to learn and remember:

THE FOUR RULES:

Treat every gun as if it is loaded (ALWAYS!)
Never point a gun at anything you are not willing to destroy
Keep your finger off the trigger until you have made the (conscious) decision to shoot
Be sure of your target and be sure of what is beyond your target, too

For those entering the world of guns these are the four most important things you can learn. Learn them first and learn them well.

Rules? We don’t need no stinking rules…

Look. I’m all for freedom. After all, freedom is one of the founding principles of America. But, if you are EVER going to pick up a weapon, these four rules need to be ingrained in your mind.

The second thing you should know is, perhaps, counter-intuitive. Look back at that word in the last paragraph: freedom. No other right, not even freedom of religion, creates such a schism between our citizens these days as the freedom to keep and bear arms. If you have made the decision to purchase a firearm, you are now on the 2A team.

Photo: Canik TP9SA (Century Arms)

Amendment II in the Bill of Rights reads, “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”

Your race doesn’t matter. Your sexual preference doesn’t matter. Your gender doesn’t matter. Your career, your education level, your location, your political affiliation… none of that matters anymore. If you’ve bought a gun, you are now a member of the second amendment (2A) team.

People in your church, your sewing circle, your spinning class, your bridge club, the PTA, your family, your friends – basically everyone you know – has an opinion these days on the second amendment.

The right to keep bear arms... (articles are important)

If you own a gun, or even if you go to the local gun shop and look at a gun while you’re thinking about owning a gun, all those folks will know where you stand on 2A.

If. You. Tell. Them. About. Your. Gun.

In our post-modern world it seems like we share everything. What you ate for lunch; where you went for the weekend; your latest relationship status; dog and cat pictures. You name it, we share it. I can tell you from personal experience, the first week we owned our Ruger 9E, I told a lot of people about it. I couldn’t help it. I found myself opening conversations with friends, “Hey, do you shoot?”

It’s probably a good thing we live in the South, in one of those states that gets thrown under the bus regarding antiquated ideas concerning guns, history, NASCAR… you know: we’re rednecks. But you probably figured that out from my poor grammar, right?

And, just to set the record straight? I don’t like NASCAR, Monster Trucks, and I don’t hunt.

But, because we live down here, the answer I received when I asked that question was a unanimous, “Yeah, I shoot.”

The truth is, I was stoked to have a pistol! It was fun to go down to the range. It was cool talking to others about what (guns) they had and to kick around the relative merits of different pistol models.

Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t stoked in a, “Imma gonna go shoot somethin‘!” way, I just discovered (more accurately, rediscovered) how much I genuinely enjoy shooting.

However, I soon realized that no one else but Mrs. Untactical (and our sons and relatives we’ve shot with, or will shoot with) really needed to know we have a gun. It doesn’t matter if you plan on going down the concealed carry (CCW) road. Regardless of today’s political climate; perhaps even more so because of the 2017 tragedies in Las Vegas and Sutherland Springs, TX, our status as gun owners is no one else’s business but our own.

“… the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”

Don’t worry. You don’t have to go underground. You will encounter folks who will, like you, be new to guns. You will encounter old hands who, to use a well-worn cliche, have forgotten more about guns than you’ll ever know. And everyone in between. Study hard, practice, learn all you can.

Above all, have fun!

Stay safe, thanks for reading, and God bless.

Mr. Untactical

Our First Pistol: Ruger 9E

Thu, 11 Jan 2018 06:00:00 GMT

After a good amount of research, we decided to purchase the Ruger 9E as our first modern handgun.

Since purchasing our 9E, we’ve had the opportunity to shoot it a number of times. We bought the 3340 model. The only difference between the 3340 and 3341 is magazine capacity. The 3340 version of the 9E holds 17+1 rounds of ammunition.

The other variant of the 9E - the 3341 - utilizes a magazine that holds 10 (+1) - one assumes for folks living in California, where magazine capacity is limited.

Ruger 9E (Essential)

Ruger 9E Sight View

For those even newer to modern handguns than us, that means our magazine(s) can contain up to 17 rounds of 9mm ammunition, with another (the +1) in the chamber. How you get that +1 in the chamber and still maintain 17 rounds in the magazine took a video to learn. I'm slow, but I can be taught!

So, what progress have we made since bringing the 9E onboard? Some.

One thing we've learned (and tried to employ) is the need for near-daily practice. Since Mrs. Untactical and I are not independently wealthy, a lot of that practice has been dry fire. A good definition of dry fire includes practicing stance, grip, aiming and trigger discipline with an unloaded weapon or weapon simulator.

Before I forget, I'm going to go ahead and note here that at some point since our September 2017 purchase, the 9E has been removed from Ruger's website - which means you should be able to get a smoking deal on one online or at your local retailer. It looks like Ruger's new Security 9 model may have replaced the 9E. I've heard the reasoning is that the Security 9 is a little smaller and better suited for concealed carry.

As you explore the firearm community, you will find there are a great number of issues for which (at least) two sides exist. Which model of pistol is better, a revolver or semi-automatic? Which model of semi-automatic is better, hammer-fired or striker-fired? Is single action better, or should I stick with double-action? Manual safety or no manual safety? What caliber is better (i.e., .22, .380, .40, .45, 9mm, 10mm, etc.)? Whether or not one should carry a round in the chamber is another spirited topic and one that generates a lot of opinions.

Rest easy. This is not the article that will take up any of these debates. All are absolutely important topics for discussion and, as with many things associated with firearms, your personal decision needs to be based on your level of expertise, your application (what are you going to use the weapon for?), the type of weapon you are using/carrying, and many other factors. I hope to explore all of these issues more deeply in future articles.

However, I will pause and say that for those who are quite new to firearms (basically those who are in a similar position as us a few months ago), the video to the right provides a clear and simple demonstration of how a semi-automatic handgun operates.

The animation is high quality, each component (where applicable) is exploded (not literally… just so you can see all the components and their names) and explained. The video explains the components and functions of a striker-fired semi-automatic pistol.

If your weapon – or the weapon you are considering purchasing – is different, just search for that type and I guarantee you will find a similar video for it. This article explains the difference between a striker-fired and hammer-fired pistol.

There are thousands of articles and videos on firearms available at no charge on the Internet. I will caution readers to use a modicum of common sense when digesting the information presented (that includes when you're reading my posts). Many of the articles and videos I’ve found have provided invaluable knowledge to help me and Mrs. Untactical improve our abilities with firearms. However, this is the Internet we’re talking about. Anyone with a computer and a connection can post (like me) anything they like.

Trust, but verify.

October 2017 - 5 and 7 yards

Okay, back to the Ruger 9E.

Since we're Untactical here, I'm not going to spend a lot of time talking about all the specs of the 9E, but here's a short list of key info:

Action: Recoil-operated, striker-fired, semi-automatic
Caliber: 9 mm
Frame: Glass-filled nylon
Slide Length: 7.5 inches
Barrel Length: 4.14 inches
Rifling: 6 grooves; 1:10-inch RH twist
Standard Sights: White dot front, two white dot rear
Trigger Pull Weight: 7 pounds
Length: 7.5 inches
Width: 1.27 inches
Height: 5.53 inches
Weight: 27.2 ounces
In the box: One magazine, lock, manual

How did it shoot?

I'm no expert, but the answer in my opinion is pretty darn well. I was shooting 6-round cycles (remember, I'm not made of money). I won't go into stance and all that stuff. Suffice it to say the results above were fairly typical, utilizing a two-hand grip and standing 5 to 7 yards from the target.

The grid on the target is 1" squares, so you can figure out the grouping from that. The rounds on the cardboard above the actual target was my attempt at practicing head shots. If an assailant was built like a Rock 'em, Sock 'em robot, I'm thinking I have a pretty good shot at defending myself.

These results were achieved with (mostly) Winchester White Box 115-grain ammunition - basically the cheapest brass-cased round I can get away with shooting at the local indoor range. They don't allow steel-cased rounds (e.g., Tulammo), but the Winchester White Box is plenty cheap at just over $10 for 50 rounds.

Across all of our sessions, we've shot various Remington, Winchester, American Eagle - and our carry ammo - Speer Gold Dot 124 grain hollow points. The Ruger 9E fired all of it flawlessly. Out of roughly 500 rounds so far, we've had zero malfunctions. We've shot at indoor ranges, outdoor ranges, and private property. We haven't thrown the 9E in the mud, water or sand, like you see in some videos, and we've cleaned it several times. Still, it just works.

If you have any questions at all about the Ruger 9E, or anything else for that matter, please feel free to reply to this post or submit your question using the contact form. Either way, we're happy to hear from you!

Remember, safety first, last and always!

Thanks for reading and I look forward to meeting and talking with all of you.

Mr. Untactical

Welcome to Untactical!

Wed, 10 Jan 2018 06:00:00 GMT

If you’ve found your way here, congratulations!

In the galaxy, nee, universe of weapons, tactical advice, survival tips, and general home defense wisdom, websites, blogs, YouTube channels, and so forth, Untactical is the veritable drop in the ocean. In fact, it’s more likely a grain of invisible sand at the bottom of the Mariana Trench.

What will you find here?

The definition of tactical (adjective) is: characterized by skillful tactics or adroit maneuvering or procedure.

If there is a place on Earth that is the farthest from skillful tactics or adroit maneuvering or procedure… this is it. Ergo the name Untactical.

I started this blog because at the ripe, old age of (well, never you mind) I became a gun owner and concealed carry permit (CCW) holder. I will go into the reasons for those life decisions in future posts but, for now, let’s talk about the motivation for this blog.

I can’t be the only one.

That’s it in a nutshell.

As I researched (and continue to research) handgun models, holsters, places to shoot, state laws on carrying said handgun, and so on, I read innumerable articles, watched countless videos, subscribed to any number of newsletters, and generally tried to educate myself on modern gun culture.

You see, way back in (Ha! you thought I was going to give something away there, didn’t you?) my USAF basic training days, I qualified as a marksman with the M16 (albeit with the .22 conversion kits installed). A few years later, I had to shoot again (not much shooting went on in the USAF back in my day). That time, I qualified expert.

I say that, to admit this: Okay, I’m not a complete newbie when it comes to firearms. When I say I became a gun owner recently I mean I purchased my second gun ever recently. About fifteen years ago we bought a small Astra 9mm semi-automatic pistol. I think I shot it once and I don’t think Mrs. Untactical shot it at all. We’ve owned a nickel-plated, pearl-handled .32 Smith & Wesson six-shooter since my mother passed away a few years ago. Mrs. Untactical typically keeps hold of that particular gun but, technically, we own it. The Astra was sold to a responsible gun owner in the family years ago rather than have it collect dust and offer up a tempting treasure for two curious boys (now grown and moved out).

To get back to the subject at hand, let’s just say that I was completely flabbergasted (and not a little sticker-shocked) when perusing the plethora of handgun options available on the market today. And, being a writer (but you guessed that already from all those fancy words I just used), I thought, ‘Why not chronicle this journey of ours?’

What journey, you might ask?

The journey from (more or less) modern firearm newbies to something resembling responsible gun owners.

Along the way, I’ll try to offer reasonable advice that will hopefully be of some value to other gun newbies (I had to so resist the urge to replace newbie with neophyte there… because of that writing thing). I will post pictures of guns, target sheets, and perhaps myself or Mrs. Tactical launching a few projectiles downrange. I’ll do my best to provide links to knowledgeable, more tactically astute folks who can help us all on our journey from newbie to wherever we’re trying to get with regard to responsible gun ownership.

To close this first, introductory post, I will say something that I will repeat early and often throughout this series: Safety First, Last and Always. There are enough knuckleheads running around out there without any more joining them.

Thanks for reading and I look forward to meeting and talking with all of you.

Mr. Untactical