Shooting from the Hip

If you’re reading this blog, we’re already going to assume that you like guns. A lot.

But do you like guns enough to permanently display them on your body for all eternity? Hold up… don’t answer that. Maybe you have a gun tattoo, and it’s the most beautiful piece of artwork that has ever been etched into human flesh. We’re not here to judge. However, we found these to be some pretty wild firearm tats of all time.

Not wild enough? Got better ones? Link them up in the comments section, and we’ll add ‘em to the list.

1. Get-You-Kicked-Outta-Six-Flags Style

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2. The Concealed Look

3. Good Girl Gone Bad

4. On The Head

5. Lower Back Bloom

6. Nintendo Time

7. Put Your Hands Up

8. On The Head Part Deux

9. Smith & Wesson’s 640 Revolver

10. Skeleton Man

(Images via Gamesnet, TattooBringer, AmyGrindhouse, Zhippo.com, Photobucket, mattgrommes, scmtngirl, foonk and graphicward)

This one is pretty tough to explain—you’ll just have to see it to believe it!

The “waltz” event was sponsored by the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance, a non-partisan coalition working to increase individual freedom in New Hampshire.

What type of open carry demonstrations have you witnessed? Do you feel that these types of demonstrations are effective?

Did you know that in Europe many police agencies require holsters where the hood release is an independent device separated from the gun lock?

That’s according to Bernard Gould, a holster designer and European sales director for Gould & Goodrich.

We recently spoke with him about G&G’s new T391Triple Retention Duty Holster, which is based off of an Austrian speed holster. He mentioned the European tidbit while explaining how their new holster doesn’t require thumb pressure to release the hood.

He said that United States agencies handle holster development very differently than agencies in Europe. Typically in the U.S., departments are highly involved in the development of holsters with manufacturers.

“But in Europe everything is a big secret until they day they publish the tender, and that’s the first time you learn what they have decided they want,” Gould said.

“The manufactures have to scramble to fill their wants, needs and desires in two weeks. So, you get a committee that sits around a bar, has a few beers and decides what they want to see it in a holster. And then they write it up, and say we need 40,000 of these things and 12 samples by next Tuesday.”

When asked why they require the separated hood from gun lock, he simply answered: “They like to be complicated, I think.” And then gave a good, hearty chuckle.

Excitement grows as you unbox a new leather holster. You already spent hours debating on the style, the color and the finish. Now that you’ve made your selection, and it’s staring you right in the face, all you can think about is getting it to the range. Right?

Wrong. Before you show off the new holster to all your friends, you’ll need to spend a day or so breaking it in. This is essential for safety and to improve draw time. You might notice that many of these tips are in line with the general treatment guidelines of leather holsters.

On a side note, if you buy a plastic holster, you probably already realize that there’s no need to break it in. Many gun holsters nowadays are made to fit the pistol you already own. There’s no breaking-in period of which to concern you.

• DO make sure your gun is completely unloaded before trying any of the following suggestions.
• DON’T wet or try to remold the holster.
• DON’T use neatsfoot oil. This makes the holster too soft, inhibiting your drawing abilities.
• DO sport your holster and handgun around the house with the belt you plan on wearing.
• DON’T keep your firearm away from its holster. When it’s not in use, the firearm should be tucked inside its holster counterpart at night.
• DON’T give your holster a bath! If you do want to clean it, be sure not to soak it.
• DO use your hands to firmly stretch the leather.

Sources: Galco, eHow
(Image via Flickr)

Watch. And learn. If anything, just for the strange, bagpipe-laden intro.

It’s Friday night. The hellish work week finally came to a close, and the sweet, sweet smell of movie popcorn is in the air. Lucky for you, the hottest flick came via snail mail straight to your home address.

Netflix, you mean? Nope. Try Thunderflix.

Unlike the ever-popular Netflix, Thunderflix carries videos for one specific product category — guns. The video rental website is filled with educational videos that share the joys and knowledge of gun ownership. With no membership fees, it offers a service that can be used once in a lifetime or as many times as you’d like.

Yet much like Netflix, shipping fees included in the price ($5.89 to rent one DVD). If you fall in love with the rental, there is also an option to purchase it. Thunderflix’s movie catalog features films in categories such as AR-15, cowboy shooting, edge weapons, gun maintenance, laser training, shotguns, handgun defense and more.

The three latest hits on Thunderflix’s website include:

• Rifle Shooting Tips & Techniques – Hosted by Glen Pearce, a former national champion marksman, and Jim Carter, an Olympic team gunsmith, this informational video tells you everything you ever needed and wanted to know about handling a rifle.
• The Art of the Fast Draw – If you want to learn how to acquire a fast draw, why not learn from the best? Eight-time World Fast Draw Champion Cal Elrich teaches you the tips and tricks that he has mastered during the past 25 years.
• Customizing The Ruger Vaquero – Own a Ruger Vaquero/Ruger Blackhawk? This video schools you in the art of customizing your gun for increased accuracy and reliability.

Your work space. It’s a place some compare to a prison cell. For others, it’s a peaceful place where even the most far-out tasks always manage to get accomplished.

Either way, you spend a significant amount of time in that location. There’s probably no other place you’d like to feel safer (well, aside from your bed).

That’s why Wolverine Holsters created an under-the-desk holster. Just install this bad boy under any flat surface, and concealed protection will be right at your fingertips without having to actually having to wear a holster while seated.

Despite its name, the under-the-desk holster can be installed in various locations including kitchen cabinets, closets, on a wall, in vehicles like big rigs or “virtually everywhere.” Wolverine suggests this holster for businessmen and women, homeowners, store clerks, truck drivers and police.

You should probably get clearance from your boss though before bringing your pistol to work, that is, unless you work for the mob. Then it should probably be OK.

Students can now carry empty gun holsters on a Texas college campus following a three-year battle that ended last week.

Why would Tarrant County College administrators care about students sporting holsters without guns?

Apparently the school felt empty holsters were a security threat that would scare some students or entice others to actually bring weapons to school. Students wanted to wear the holsters as part of a carry concealed protest organized by Concealed Campus.

According to the national grassroots group, more than 600 campuses have hosted such protests garnering much media attention for second amendment rights. These types of holster protests surged after the Virginia Tech massacre in 2007.

The students at Tarrant County College, however, were not allowed to participate and took their grievance to court. They argued that their right to free speech was squelched by the holster ban. And a federal judge agreed.

“We’re really pleased with Judge Mean’s opinion,” ACLU attorney Lisa Graybill told the Star-Telegram. “The ruling permanently enjoins [administrators] from stopping these protests. They’re going to be able to wear their holsters in the classroom.”

Watch a 2008 news clip about the empty holster controversy below.

People love to share tips via video, and there’s nothing more priceless than free advice. That is, if the advice is warranted.

You have to master the fast draw. At least that’s what Dave Spaulding says. Watch the video below to learn how you too can be an awesomely gifted weapons handler. When you want a quick speedy draw, he recommends strong-side belt carry as best location for carrying firearms.

“Herkey-jerky spastic motion is not what you want to acquire a fast draw,” he says. Duly noted.

This next tip comes from theARMORYchannel.  It involves a Scorpion holster that slips during movement. The host suggests using sandpaper to rough up the parts of the plastic holster that touch your clothing. He adds long narrow strips of 3M sandpaper to those places as well.

“When I use this holster, [the sandpaper strips] will grab my clothes and give it a nice, secure feeling,” he says. “It won’t slide up and down.”

For more tips, watch below. Warning: There is some NSFW language, especially in the first minute or so.

If you want to learn a little bit more about guns and firearm rights but don’t have a lot of time to read news and blog sites?

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)