Podcasts provide a way to stay on top of niche topics without really having to do too much work. Below is a list of the top 14 gun podcasts we found on our own journey to gain a better understanding of guns and second amendment rights.

Action Shooting Podcast – Even though this site has only produced three podcasts since July 2009, the site itself is a great resource for photos, news and information.

Down Range Radio – A weekly supplement to Down Range Television, founded by TV personality and journalist Michael Bane.

Firearms Café – A monthly look into crime, guns, politics and gun culture with Tony.

Gun Nuts Radio – A weekly podcast that goes live once a week with a wide array of guests. It’s pro-gun (hence the name) and very political.

Gun Review Podcast – This podcast has a different type of format. It works off of user-submitted reviews of various guns and updates about once a month.

Gun Rights Radio – Dedicated to upholding and preserving the Second Amendment right, this activist radio show firmly believes: “It’s not about guns, it’s about freedom.”

Gun Talk Radio – Each week Gun Talk posts three separate podcasts that cover its three-hour show, hosted by Tom Gresham, which covers firearms, personal safety and gun rights.

Pro-Arms Podcast – This is an assembled group of gun experts who gather weekly to discuss new topics and firearms, giving ‘no-holds-barred’ views and reviews.

The Urban Shooter – Hosted by author, instructor and activist Kenn Blanchard, The Urban Shooter provides weekly commentary mixing in humor, guests, gun safety and more.

The Shooting Bench – New Mexico’s Ross Sporting Goods, which has been around for 54 years, produces this once-a-week podcast.

The Survival Podcast – While it’s not strictly a firearms podcast, the daily show does dive into gun discussions and it frequently has shows that would be helpful for any gun owner.

Vicious Circle – This snark-filled look into the gun world includes topics like sniper etiquette, favorite movies, politics and a gang of firearm bloggers from around the web-o-sphere.

(Image via Flickr)

After perusing the auditions already out there, we decided to compile a list of tips to help out future applicants. Watch, and learn.

1. DO edit your video. With crafty editing skills, this applicant not only shows that he has a face (and personality) for television, he also possesses firearm talents and experience.

2. DO have a good opening line. This guy wins for his: “I’m kind of like an energizer bunny with a gun.” Uh-oh, watch out!

3. DON’T bring the waterworks. When this contestant broke down in tears mid-audition, it wasn’t as moving as it was puzzling. What?

4. DO make sure your video has sound. See what happens when you upload a video with a copyrighted song below. We’re cool with silent movies and all, but not silent auditions. Sorry.

5. DO be a girl, if possible. Being that chicks with guns are a major rarity, you’ll certainly get the attention you deserve.

6. DON’T start “in medias res”, Latin for in the middle of things. It may work for dramatic reenactments or art films. Not for an audition tape. It’s just awkward.

7. Following the advice of tip No. 4, DO make sure we can hear what you are saying. So, as the video below demonstrates, don’t film it at the range filled with other people firing away right next to you!

And then we saved the best for last, mostly because these two videos wouldn’t embed. Both are “do’s” though. Good luck to all who audition. We’ll keep you posted on the Top Shot premier date.

Yesterday, Starbucks released an official statement about the mess that basically said they will allow open carry if the state allows it. “The political, policy and legal debates around these issues belong in the legislatures and courts, not in our stores,” it said.

Considering that 43 out of 50 states are open carry states, that means only a handful of Starbucks will be open-carry free.

“Starbucks is a special target because it’s from the hippie West Coast, and a lot of dedicated consumers who pay $4 for coffee have expectations that Starbucks would ban guns. And here they aren’t,” John Bruce, a political science professor and gun policy expert, told The Associated Press.

In this KTVU report (below) from late last year, it shows an open carry rights group meeting at a Starbucks, and its other patrons didn’t seem to notice or care. The news reporter even films a police officer sitting at a stoplight next to the group, and the officer doesn’t seem to see the weapons (maybe because he’s in a car sitting who-knows-how-many feet away!).

So, why do people care now?

Most likely it’s because the mainstream media decided to pick up on the story. The aforementioned AP article ran in The New York Times earlier this week with the headline “Taking the 2nd Amendment Out for a Soy Latte.”

The Christian Science Monitor also published an article and a photo essay about the gun rights debate chronicling the Starbucks situation. Even more interesting, The Wall Street Journal’s Law Blog quotes a police memo that shows law enforcement officers aren’t exactly thrilled by the open carry movement.

Would you openly display your firearm at Starbucks or any other coffee shop for that matter (obviously if your state allowed for it)? Or do you think gun right activists have taken this too far?

Five national champions were crowned last weekend at the third annual IDPA Indoor Nationals. The three-day competition in Springfield, Mass., drew more than 250 gun professionals with some of the biggest names in shooting participating.

Not only did Team EOTAC’s Robert Vogel win the Enhanced Service Pistol title and the High Law Enforcement title, he also posted the fastest time of the match. Vogel, a law enforcement officer from Wapakoneta, Ohio, scored 144.85, beating out Team Glock’s Dave Sevigny, by 22.32 points. According to EOTAC, this marks this the third year in a row Vogel has finished ahead of Sevigny to claim the top score.

“I am extremely proud of Bob Vogel’s performance at the Indoor Nationals,” said Fernando Coelho, EOTAC’s founder and president, in a prepared statement. “It’s not easy being a full-time police officer and getting the time off to compete in our shooting sports. Vogel continues to show just how dedicated he is to our shooting sports community and how talented he is as a shooter.”

This year’s competition had 12 stages with names like “The Barbershop II,” which includes an actual barber cape to slow down reaction time, and “Witness Unprotected.” These videos take you through selected courses of the shooting competition, so you can see the setup and challenges that competitors faced. Along with sets and props, the lighting was altered for every stage to provide an extra challenge.

For more photos, check out Action Shooting Podcast’s slideshow from day one.

Here are the full results from the 2010 IDPA Indoor National Championship:

• CDP Champion: David Olhasso Master 158.35 (31)
• ESP Champion: Robert Vogel Master 144.85 (29)
• SSP Champion: Dave Sevigny Master 167.17 (68)
• ESR Champion: Jerry Miculek Master 188.18 (44)
• SSR Champion: Josh Lentz Master 201.24 (55) High Senior: Scott Warren ESP – Master 197.47 (95)
• High Lady: Randi Rogers SSP – Master 200.33 (63)
• High Law Enforcement: Robert Vogel ESP – Master 144.85 (29)
• High Press: Bryce Towsley CDP – Marksman 404.68(125)
• High Industry: David Olhasso CDP – Master 158.35 (31)
• High International: Hans Silbitzer SSP – Master 239.28(104)
• High Military: Elliott Peterson SSP – Master 199.87 (75)
• Most Accurate: Dan Burwell SSP – Master 170.48 (27)

(Image via HotGunShots.com)

However, YouTube user particlerealities was busy this week uploading a comprehensive three-part video demonstration that completely blew our post on it out of the water. He not only shows you how to create your very own leather holster but provides a snazzy soundtrack that goes right along with the creative process.

There are plenty of steps involved, but in the end, you will have something special that you won’t be able to find anywhere else (especially if you bedazzle it.) Carve out some time in your calendar to try it out, and tell us how it goes. We’ll try to do the same. Maybe.

Here at Gun Holsters Blog, it’s fairly evident that we have a thing for, uh, holsters. But what about things shaped like gun holsters that aren’t really gun holsters? Hmm… good question.

Take the Koffski Shoulder Holster for instance. It says it’s a shoulder holster; it kinda looks like a shoulder holster; it should feel like a gun holster since it’s Italian leather. But will it hold a gun? Not a chance.

From the brilliant minds of the Germans comes a “shoulder holster” that’s actually a men’s handbag. This firearm fashionista purse includes a bag, wallet and a V piece as well as a shoulder strap. Perhaps having a wallet that looks like a holster might keep criminals at bay?

On the other hand, having a holster with a real gun might be a teensy bit more intimidating.

The product description for the bag reads “Whether in the office or on the move, the shoulder holster allows the user to carry his basic items around with him in a manner that is manly, flamboyant and, above all, extremely practical.” We’re not sure if something got lost in German-to-English translation here, but we’ll let you draw your own conclusions.

And for around $470 this could all be yours!

(Via Luxist)

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For those not familiar with laser grips, it’s a simple device that goes on your gun handle and replaces your factory grip. When you turn on the activation button, the grip emits a red laser beam that will help your aim and fire time. The light is typically positioned on the right panel of the gun handle. Generally, grips are made out of compact rubber or a plastic polymer material.

Laser grips give you numerous benefits, especially if you’re just in training. It will also help you pinpoint a fast-moving target even in a low-light situation. And if you’re shooting from a strange angle, you’ll have a better chance of hitting your target with a laser grip.

There also lasers called laser sights that are placed on the top or near the barrel of the gun. Some people prefer grips over sights because they can still easily holster their gun when using the grip. When you install a laser sight on your handgun, you might have to buy a new holster specifically for laser sights.

Selling lasers systems since 1994, Crimson Trace is the most recognized name in laser grips. The grips are said to be able to approximate the point of impact at 50 feet away.

Jason Masterson, an Army veteran with more than 20 years of experience, tells us all about Crimson Trace laser grips in the video below. Most noteworthy is that the grips can be installed in seconds and have a three-year warranty. The two 2032 lithium batteries that come with the grip boast four hours of use time and have a shelf life of five years.

While four hours doesn’t seem like that long, Masterson reassures that you’ll only have the laser on for a second or two at a time. He also points out that Crimson Trace lasers tout a momentary pressure switch incorporated into the handle that can be switched on without taking your eyes off the target.

And wasn’t Masterson’s rendition of the song “Crimson and Clover” simply breathtaking?

Here’s some laser grip action at nighttime. Be sure to turn down your volume on this one since there’s a really irritating high-pitch noise throughout the video.

Is that so wrong?

What’s worse is that this month’s two holster FAILS appear to be pretty similar to the ones we posted last November.

The first one involved a Salt Lake City off-duty police officer. He was getting ready for work when his weapon discharged as he tried to put it in its holster, according to The Salt Lake Tribune. The 14-year veteran suffered minor injuries when the bullet entered his hip.

The next one is borderline ridiculous: A Wyoming woman is outside shoveling snow with a revolver in a shoulder holster. The gun slips out of the holster. The woman is then shot in the ankle. But why pack heat while shoveling a driveway?

The woman told police she armed herself because she “was concerned about crime in her neighborhood.” Sounds like a good enough reason to us. Perhaps she just needs a more secure shoulder holster?

Whatever the case might be, both are great reminders to be careful out there!

(Image via Wikimedia Commons)

While it will prevent a fast draw, especially if your pant legs are longer, an ankle holster gives that extra edge needed to take down a criminal. Some actually prefer wearing an ankle holster instead of wearing a shoulder or waist holster. The holster becomes exposed if a shirt is tucked in and will draw attention to the weapon. On the other hand, a good gun holster should remain concealed no matter what—whether you are standing up or sitting down.

Much like any other holster, ankle holsters can be made out of leather, plastic or even fabric for both shotguns and revolvers. These holsters generally range in price from $30 to $70. It is typically worn on the leg opposite to the hand you hold your pistol with. Galco, Fobus and Blackhawk all carry types of ankle holsters.

When you buy an ankle holster, there are two tests you can do to make sure it’s the right one for you, as demonstrated in the video below. First stand in front of a mirror with the holster strapped to the appropriate leg, and pull your pants leg down. If there is any bulkiness or signs of your weapon, consider another holster. If you are still having a concealment issues, perhaps choose a wider leg pant or a smaller pistol.

For the next test, sit down in a chair in front of a mirror. Again, if you see the telltale signs of bulkiness, try a different holster, pant or even weapon. It’s important that your ankle holster gives you complete concealment.