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Education / Training Micro Desert Eagle concealed carry gun – Part 1

Micro Desert Eagle concealed carry gun – Part 1

by B.B. Pelletier

Before we begin, a couple of announcements. First,
Pyramyd AIR is running a special holiday coupon: 5% off PLUS you can use it with
free ground shipping to the lower 48 states…and the free shipping offer is now available for orders over$100
(it used to be over $149.95). The coupon code is Save09.
Enter the code during checkout. See coupon details here. That plan will be in effect until the end of this year. Next, don’t miss the new Echo Monday specials that change regularly. The specials listed are available for only a short period of time, so you have to jump on anything you want. Echo Mondays are the Mondays that follow Cyber Monday, til Christmas.

Before we begin, I want to tell you guys about another way-cool flashlight. It’s called the JOBY Gorillatorch. It stands on an articulated tripod that has super-strong magnets in each of the three feet, so it will cling to any ferrous surface. It puts out 65 lumens in a bright spotlight, but a dimmer switch lets you dial it way back. It runs on 3 AA batteries. I’m already finding uses for it in the office and with gunsmithing chores.

12-08-09-01
Micro Desert Eagle is an all-metal, pocket-sized .380 ACP.

Those who read this blog know that I shoot firearms and published a long report on how I turned a Taurus PT1911 .45 ACP pistol from an unreliable jammer into a trustworthy sidearm. In that 8-parter, I not only took you to the range as I worked through the Taurus’s multiple reliability problems, I also compared it to the performance of a Wilson Combat CQB Light Rail 1911 and a vintage Colt National Match. From all that, you might get the impression that I am a 1911 fan, which is true, and that I seldom shoot anything else, which is not true. While I did make some side money in the 1970s gunsmithing 1911s (i.e., accurizing and doing trigger jobs), my first love has always been the Colt SAA. I’ve owned more of them and shot more of them than any other handgun, though I currently don’t own one.

So, whats my interest in this .380 ACP Micro Desert Eagle, a so-called “mouse gun”? Well, after I got my concealed carry license, I soon discovered that there is a big difference between talking about carrying a concealed weapon and actually doing it. The first gun I tried to carry was my 9mm Makarov, a 100 percent reliable pistol that I absolutely love. It’s small, accurate and has very little recoil. But small takes on a new importance when you start carrying a gun. There are varying degrees of small, and sometimes a gun you thought was small just isn’t small enough.

I tried toting the Mak in my pants and also in an ankle holster–nothing worked. For me, a Makarov is just too big and heavy to carry, and I was leaving it at home more than I was packing it. That’s the kiss of death (literally) for concealed carry, because it turns out that actions and not intentions are what works in the world of self-defense. The biggest super-magnum is of little use if it’s at home when you need it.

12-08-09-06
9mm Makarov is a fine sidearm, but too big to carry concealed comfortably.

So, I went further, which means smaller, and got a Kel Tek 9mm. That’s a super-lightweight 9mm semiauto made from synthetics. Mine had a laser built in, so it was doubly cool. The laser is regulated so the bullet goes to the laser point at 25 feet. It was definitely easy to carry. It had relatively low recoil, because the 9mm Luger cartridge is just a hair larger and a hair more powerful than the mouse gun .380 ACP cartridge. And it was pretty accurate–breadbasket groups at 20 feet, which is all I’m looking for.

12-08-09-02
Kel Tek 9mm is a small, synthetic pocket pistol. This one has a laser built in.

I say I got the gun, but the truth is, it was Edith’s carry pistol at first. She carried it and shot it at the indoor range. Because of the low recoil, she found it easy to shoot; but, as tiny as it is, it’s a bear to cycle the slide until about 100 rounds had been fired.

There was just one problem. This pistol was super unreliable. It jammed with every magazine. We tried different ammo and nothing worked. Even the hot European ammo jammed. We could have sent the gun in for warranty repairs, but I got fed up with it and traded it away.

Then I carried a vintage Smith & Wesson model 37 Airweight revolver for awhile. It was certainly light enough, and if I loaded the ammo down I could control the recoil, though the little snubbie kicked almost as bad as a full-house .357 Magnum in a medium-frame revolver. And there was one other problem. A defense-caliber revolver isn’t as concealable as a pistol. As light as the Smith 37 is, it’s still fatter than a 1911, and it shows through clothes sometimes. I didn’t spend any time trying to adapt to the 37 because it also held only five rounds. And the muzzle energy of the loaded-down rounds was approximately equal to a .380 ACP fired from a short-barreled pistol.

12-08-09-04
S&W model 37 Airweight is a light .38 Special revolver. It’s too bulky for carry, and it has only five rounds.

I mentioned the term defense caliber. You don’t get to pick what you want. In Texas, where my concealed carry license is issued, you must carry a handgun in a caliber larger than .25 Automatic. There are plenty of .22 rimfire defense handguns and even .22 Magnum defense handguns on the market, but they’re not legal for concealed carry in Texas. Probably the No. 1 caliber actually carried is .32 ACP, although .380 ACP probably gives it a good run for the money. There are also concealed carry guns that seldom get carried, and for them 9mm is by far the most common caliber. I had tried the only 9mm that is sized small enough to actually carry full-time and found it wanting. And .38 Spl., which is very equivalent, is available only in revolvers.

So, I decided to try the brand-new Micro Desert Eagle from Magnum Research. Don’t be put off by the name. This small pocket pistol is no more the Desert Eagle that you know than a Pontiac GTO relates to a Ferrari GTO. In truth, this is a pocket pistol that’s slightly smaller than a Walther PPK. It’s not much larger than my wallet, and not as thick. It holds six rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber; and since it’s a true double-action-only gun, it’s ready to go into action at a moment’s notice.

12-08-09-05
Micro Desert Eagle is not much larger than my wallet, and not as thick.

I bought this gun for two main reasons. First, it’s all-metal and, after the experience with the Kel Tek, I was fed up with synthetics. Second, you can keep on pulling the trigger and the hammer will continue to function repeatedly. The Kel Teks–and I believe the new Ruger LCP–work only the first time after the slide has been cycled. If the round fails to fire then for any reason, you must manually work the slide again to reset the trigger. That’s not a big problem, with modern ammo being as reliable as it is, but I just don’t like it.

12-08-09-03
Ruger’s Light Compact Pistol (LCP) is another modern synthetic DAO pocket pistol in .380 ACP.

The Micro Desert Eagle seemed to be the gun for me. I bought one and proceeded to the range, where the gun malfunctioned with every magazine! I was beyond disappointed at this turn of events. I briefly considered selling this gun and buying a Walther PPK, which I felt sure would be reliable. However, after my recent experiences, perhaps not.

And this relates to airguns, how?
Okay, I’m going to pause for a moment and relate this experience to airguns. In my search for the perfect carry gun I was acting like some airgun buyers who franticly search for that mythical gun that will do everything they expect. That rifle that will turn them into a rifleman. I wasn’t using good sense. I was reacting and bouncing around without taking the time to consider what was happening. Had I done so I might have kept the Kel Tek after having it repaired under warranty.

I can be like that, believe me! A bull in a china shop who knows what he wants as soon as he sees it, only you’ll have to get all these other things out of the way because they’re obstructing my vision. In truth, several of the things obstructing my vision are the very things I’m searching for, if I would just slow down long enough to examine them. I think I’ve made my point.

Back to the report
I decided to slow down and see what the factory could do with my gun. Besides jamming and failing to feed, it was now dropping the magazine with every shot–not a characteristic you’d admire in a defensive weapon!

For once in my life, I did things by the book. I filled out the registration card and sent the pistol to Magnum Research according to their online instructions. I sent it in on Monday. That Friday the gun was back with a letter describing what they had done. They found a burr in the mag release catch that had to be removed. Then they fired 21 rounds of a certain brand of .380 ACP ammo without a failure.

I was doubtful, but a quick trip to the indoor range confirmed these results. The pistol cycled 50 rounds of Winchester .380 ammo flawlessly. I now had a carry gun! In the next report I’ll tell you how it shoots and also why I think it’s the right carry gun for me.

author avatar
Tom Gaylord (B.B. Pelletier)
Tom Gaylord, also known as B.B. Pelletier, provides expert insights to airgunners all over the world on behalf of Pyramyd AIR. He has earned the title The Godfather of Airguns™ for his contributions to the industry, spending many years with AirForce Airguns and starting magazines dedicated to the sport such as Airgun Illustrated.

118 thoughts on “Micro Desert Eagle concealed carry gun – Part 1”

  1. I posted this for the writer, who sent it to the Blogger address:

    hi my name is javier , iam writing you from chile , southamerica because i always read your blog because i think its really interestin , and one of the articles that an invited blogger wrote , i think his name was vince , talked about the oring on the diana 34 , i wanted to ask you about this because i have a diana 45 t01 that i think is very similar to the 34 , and i have aobut 10 years ago , and it has given to me lot of fun and greats shoots , but recently , it has been loosing acuracy , but not speed , and i have almost turned crazy thinking about what the problem could be , and i have realized that the oring has turned flat at the upper side , and i found the milimetric oring at a hardware store , but i wanted to sak you if this could be a reason to loss acuracy thanks for reading this mail

  2. Javier,

    This is the place to post your questions.

    Your rifle is losing accuracy because the barrel is dirty. It needs to be cleaned.

    Read this report to learn how to clean an air rifle barrel properly:

    /blog/2005/11/is-your-airgun-barrel-really-clean/

    B.B.

  3. BB,

    Wow! This looks like the concealed carry gun I have been looking for!

    I can relate to what you say about size and weight. I have a Bersa Thunder .45 acp "Ultra compact" which is a totally reliable very small gun. But it is still way too big to RELIABLY conceal.

    What do I mean by that? I mean 100% certainty that its print will not be seen! Period.

    So I am very interested in what you have to report about this gun.

    You didn't mention price yet. What is the price on this gun?

    Btw…I am PCP4ME but can't find my login info right now.

    Thanks

  4. Oh man, this is one of those posts that hits home with me- with firearms and air guns.
    I've fallen for it more times that I can count. "It needs to be able to do x,y and z!" Then you find that while it does "x" well and "y" ok,you were really wanting it to do "z".

    With handguns it's even more tough. You want to be able to conceal it comfortably all day, but then you get into the caliber wars. If you finally get what other people consider the bare minimum, you find that your magazine doesn't hold enough rounds, now your barrel isn't long enough to fully realize the power…. Then you end up with a gun only suitable for the range since there's no way that you want to lug it around all day.

    Al in CT

  5. B.B.

    I carry a S&W 642 in .38 special. Truth is it spends most of its time in the truck. I bought it for the wife to carry as a reliable easy to use firearm, but she didn't like the recoil. I also find the recoil uncomfortable and just don't practice with it like I should for a CCW. I've even been looking at some of the .22lr and .22 mags as a new carry option. The little revolver is a great little gun, but……

    Bub

  6. Morning B.B.,

    There are a bunch of us who live in states where CCW isn't legal and right now I am one of those people.

    We need to bring states like "mine" into compliance with The Constitution and keep those that are where they are!

    There are very powerful people who want us unarmed. Join the NRA and become a member of the Second Amendment Foundation.

    Mr B.

  7. Javier,

    Welcome to the blog! You've found a great airgunning place.

    You may have already done this but…after cleaning your barrel check all your stock screws, trigger guard screws, sight/scope screws, barrel latch, etc. and make sure they're snug.

    kevin

  8. Hi BB,
    Well, over the years since Texas has allowed concealed carry, I have had several different carry guns as well. I started off with a Colt Lightweight Commander. It was too bulky to carry in a tuckable inside the waist band holster and too large to carry in a pocket. Then, I bought a AMT double action 380 Backup. I carried it in a back pocket wallet holster. It was easy to carry, and I was surprised that I could hit with it pretty well. I decided I was undergunned with a 380. I sold it and bought a Glock 30 compact 45. I carried this in a tuckable inside of the waist band holster. I could conceal it but had a continuous bruise from the gun. What has worked for me is a 40 cal Glock 27 in an Uncle Mikes pocket holster carried in the front pocket. An extra magazine fits below the trigger guard and fills out the shape to a rectangle. It fits my cargo pants front pockets well. I carry this every day with no difficulty. I like the fact that my Glocks have been 100 percent reliable, and even though I sweat a lot, they do not corrode. I don't even look for new carry options anymore.
    I hope you have found what you are looking for this time.

    David Enoch

  9. B.B.,

    Wow todays article is filled with great information but one thing really hit me hard. THAT IS ONE FAT WALLET!

    Thanks to Pyramyd AIR for their discount coupon AND free shipping offer. The Monday specials are certainly worth checking since they promise up to 40% off??!!

    The JOBY Gorillatorch looks interesting.

    The micro desert eagle sure seems to have alot going for it. Looks like a two hand hold would take some practice. Nicest/smallest pocket pistol I've ever seen. Shooting 50 rounds flawlessly is certainly a good beginning for a pistol that you're gambling your life on. Can't wait for part 2.

    kevin

  10. Frank B,

    A hearty thanks for the Walther flashlight. Very nice of you to send that free of charge.

    This little flashlight is bright!

    I know that most of you are giggling at me since my flashlights are from the dark ages but if there is anyone left out there like me, get yourself one of these high intensity flashlights. The difference is literally night and day.

    Thanks again Frank B.

    kevin

  11. David,

    I carry a Glock 36 in .45. After we bought it, Tom found out about the Glock kaboom (Google it, and you'll see what I mean), so we replaced the barrel. We also replaced the slide release because I couldn't make it work. Then we added an internal laser. We now have about $1,000 into this gun. While I'm a very low-maintenance woman, I guess you could say that I'm high-maintenance when it comes to my carry gun.

    If I had my druthers, I'd carry one of our 1911 guns. I love 'em, but they're just too heavy. I used to carry everything in a large-size fanny pack, but the weight was too much (if I bent over, the weight of the gun sometimes pulled me all the way down!). I recently found a shoulder purse that I can wear cross-body that fits the gun just fine (it's not made as a CCW purse) and carries the few other things I put in my purse. I opted for the cross-body method because drawing your gun from a cross-draw holster (or purse, in my case) is supposed to be the fastest way to respond.

    Edith

    • It would be nice if it didn’t have to be 100% covered because it seems that all the really good handguns are just too big to not stick out a little bit but I can understand why they don’t want anyone to see them until necessary. My Makarov was a little too big and heavy not to be obvious,leading to carrying only while transporting $.

  12. Kevin,

    The reason Tom's wallet looks so fat is because it's a tri-fold, not a traditional bi-fold, so that makes it look fatter than most wallets. It is NOT filled with $ 🙂

    Edith

  13. Since I took up airgunning a couple of years ago, my wallet is nowhere near as thick as it used to be 😉
    The reason is exactly as b.b. has stated. I started out with my 853c, feeling that would fulfill all my needs, which at the time was primarily 10m shooting.
    Of course I soon found out that though not what I'd call delicate…there was no way the diopter rear sight could take banging around in a car and remain zeroed.
    So along came the CZ (Slavia).
    But a pistol sounds like so much fun so after reading everything here sprung for the Walther CP99.
    But it isn't all that accurate so along came the Gamo Compact.
    Ahhh…gotta have something military, which is now handled with the XS-B9.
    Not to mention all the odds and ends along the way…as well as the boys guns (a couple of Red Ryders, Crosman M4 airsofts and two Umarex bb pistols).
    Yup…the wallet is much thinner and I blame it all on this blog and b.b. pelletier!!!
    But really…I've not had this much fun in years and it has been worth every penny.
    Thanks b.b.
    CowBoyStar Dad

  14. Good morning All,

    B.B. & Edith,

    Thanks once again for super great information.

    I don't have a Conceal Carry License.. or plan to get one.. here in God's country (Southern Oregon), crime is so low, we (maybe I should say "I") don't think about it… at least violent crime… anyway…

    But I carry my S&W .357 mag or .38 special revolvers when I go into the woods. The .38 special fits nicely into a underarm shoulder harness and I can carry it all day, no problem… But the .357 mag. which really is the one to carry with bears and mountain lions as the reason to carry, is a real load, since it needs to be on a hip holster.

    So, I usually leave it home if the woods trip is more than a few hour journey.

    I don't really know how well six .38 specials would stop a bear or big cat, but like B.B. says.. compromise is the name of the game… it's got to be there when you need it, and if it's too uncomfortable to carry, you don't!

    compromise… interesting word to consider!

    Wacky Wayne, MD. Ashland Air Rifle Range

  15. Kevin,that walther flashlight has served me well…glad you like it!I'd love to see some digital pics from you using it.your photos looked great so far…! am now holding the BSA ND5 green laser illuminator from PYRAMYD.what a bright beam.the size of a tennis ball or a little smaller,4X as powerful as a cheap laser sight!brilliant green,carries for 5 miles!!!!!and changes to a flood beam with one hand. lucky me:) I'll be glad to answer any questions now that I'm holding one! Frank B

  16. BB, why are only larger calibers required for a CCW? They wanna have more confidence that you're gonna kill the other guy rather than just wound him, or does it have something to do with the size of the gun?

  17. Wayne,

    Re: Carrying a .38 special in the woods for bears

    Reminds me of sage advice I received in my youth about being undergunned when the possibility exists of encountering bears. Wayne, since you're my friend I'll pass this along to you,

    "Just remember before you head into the woods to spread KY Jelly over the muzzle and all along the barrel."

    kevin

  18. Vince,

    I'm sure there is some reasoning. I think part of it may be that people who gravitate to a .22 rimfire handgun might also be those who don't think they need training, or that they can use their gun in ways not permitted by law. One example would be to scare someone.

    They stress in the CCW course that if you pull it you had better plan on using it. They also stress that when you use it you don't want the other guy to retaliate.

    Another reason might be that many would carry the .25 automatic. I would probably carry one as a backup. There is a small Colt and a Baby Browning that are among the smallest of all conventional handguns. People would be endangering themselves with a defense weapon that is marginal in the hands of an expert.

    B.B.

  19. Kevin,

    Ok bro, you got me, what's KY Jelly?

    my guess is either something to rub in the bears eyes, or something to make me taste better, so he'll eat me quicker…

    Wacky Wayne

  20. B.B.

    I thought that the flat profile of the 1911 was one thing that made it an especially good carry gun. Setting aside the weight, can you remind me why you don't use it? I seem to recall you saying that it was not accurate enough in defense situations which seems a little odd since that is what it was designed for and you have had plenty of practice.

    I too had wondered about the restriction on the extremely low caliber carry guns.

    Maybe the solution is two carry guns. There was a movie whose name I can't remember where Tommy Lee Jones, as a sort of super-cop, was chasing a wrongfully charged Harrison Ford who was a doctor. Ford disarms Jones somehow before running away, and, surprise, Jones pulls out a second gun from an inner waist band and resumes the chase.

    More movie evidence. There is an underappreciated film called Limey wherein a British ex-convict comes to America searching for answers in the mysterious death of his daughter in a sleazy Hollywood situation. He goes sleuthing among large, unfriendly people in a factory, and when things deteriorate and he pulls a gun, oh so awkwardly, they disarm him, drag him outside, and punch him out. He is left dazed and bleeding on the sidewalk as they high-five each other snorting, "Big man with the gun" and walk back inside. Meanwhile, our hero pulls a smaller gun tucked into his belt from behind and goes after them. Shots ring out and one guy sprints frantically out the door with our British friend in pursuit calling out, "Tell him I'm f—- coming." Anyway, it's a good movie.

    Matt61

  21. Matt,

    If the 1911 isn't accurate enough for defense, when it was used in the Olympics for decades, I don't know what is.

    I don't like it for carry because it's too friggin' big

    Here's an experiment for you. Stuff the Yellow Pages inside your belt and walk around with it all day. Then you tell me why a big gun isn't desirable.

    B.B.

  22. Something not yet mentioned, but maybe BB will someday cover holsters and the often forgotten importance of a REAL gun belt. Too often folks pay huge money for a holster only to use it with their existing $15 belt. The best $200 holster in the world works like crap if you don't have a properly fitted heavy duty belt to hold it in place without sagging.

  23. I remember hiking in the woods in northern California years ago with my uncle and best friend. My uncle mentions that there have been bear in the area and we asked what to do if we saw one. He told us that if we saw a bear, that he would hop on to my shoulders, making us look larger and more menacing. He then said that my friend should run like heck and not look back. I asked him why my friend should run while we stayed and he replied "Hopefully it will run after him."

    Al in CT

  24. BB,
    I like my Kel tec PF9 much more than the P11 and LCP. Have you seen the paper thin barrel on the LCP? I don't feel comefortable. 9mm+P is a great round for such a small gun as a PF9. I would try and work with your KelTec some more, exellent gun (the factory or a smith might be able to make it into a better CCW gun than your other mouse guns).

    I would rather carry a PPK or a Colt 1903 than a Micro DE.

    Be careful using buffalo bore ammo in .380 with both the LCP, Keltec .380s, and the Micro DE, there have been a few KaBooms.

    Shadow Express Dude

  25. Hi BB,
    I just picked up my first SAA replica. Its a Heritage Rough Rider in .45 Colt. I Know its an entry level and lower end SAA but I've heard nothing but good things about them. If I like it, and want to get into CAS, I'll probably upgrade to a Ruger.

    I noticed that you don't seem to like polymer pistols very much. When it comes to the small pocket variety, I don't care for them either, but I think that they're good when using full sized pistols.

    My mouse gun is an NAA guardian 380. It did have some feed issues, but NAA fixed those at no charge, and the gun is now a nice little pocket pistol.

    Have you ever took a defensive firearms class? I took my first one this past summer through the Michigan Defensive Firearms Institute. You will learn both your limits and those of your preferred firearm, rather quickly. I took it with a Browning Hi-Power. I never had a problem with that gun, and was of the opinion that it was one of the best firearms ever made. Well I started to run the gun very hard and the malfunctions started to come out of the woodwork. I found that regular gun oil literally cooks off after about 200 rounds or so, and a Hi-Power will not run dry. I also got bit by the hammer a few hundred times. As it turns out, modern style holds don't lend themselves well to hammered pistols.
    I still like my Browning but decided to upgrade to a modern style handgun for the next level class. I decided to go with a Smith & Wesson M&P9. I'm not a big fan of plastic firearms, but this is probably of the nicest shooting handgun that I have ever had. Its very accurate, has a good feeling grip that fits my hand well, and is very reliable. It will run dry, but switching from oil to high temp grease really helps in terms of high volume shooting.

    mechredd

  26. Matt61,

    the Tommy Lee Jones / Harrison Ford movie is the remake of The Fugitive, a great movie imho. Jones was nominated for an Academy Award for his role, I believe.

    Wayne, don't listen to these guys. Only the doctors use KY lubricant these days. The hot set-up is Astroglide. It's colorless, tasteless and stainless. Bears LOVE it.

    I also happen to have a ccw but of course, in the Republic of NJ, I can't carry it outside the house. It's the poor man's PPK, a Mauser HSC in .380. I've only fired it 50 times as I consider it a collector's item. The recoil is miniscule and in fact, I recall the gun twisting in my hand due to the torque of the rifling! It's Still in the box with the clip, target from the factory and cleaning brush. First $500 and an FWB 124 takes it (kidding – make it an FWB 124 and 130):)

    Fred

  27. BB,
    I can't add much, as you know my handgun knowledge is limited, but .380 always came out as a good choice when I looked into it.

    Wayne,
    Regarding the bear question, it seems like a .357M would be much better than nothing. In fact, I think I remember reading that .357M penetrates better than .44M. If so, I wonder what Kevin and company like to carry for bear — there's only a small handful of bigger options.

  28. Hey guys, my Hammerli 490 arrived today! I won't be able to shoot it today, but I probably will either tomorrow (Wednesday) or this weekend. My first impressions are the following: I really like the dark, reddish wood. I always have and it suits this air gun very well. I also really like the sights, especially the hooded front post. The pull length is very well suited to me (fairly normal build, 14 years old), and the stock is well formed. I'll tell you about how the trigger, safety, cocking effort, how it shoots, and it's accuracy after I shoot it. Be aware this is my first air gun, so my accuracy may not be the best 😛

  29. I was referring to the LW Seecamp 380 (not 38 sorry).. My dad has one and it seems pretty comparable, have you ever heard of it?
    It was also the first pistol that I've ever shot!

  30. Ryan,A big congrats on your new Hammerli!!!for a first time owner,you've struck it rich finding this Blog.Some very WISE people here to help any way they can.Enjoy, and be safe!! Kevin:the FWB124 just came,I am droooling and shaky.Museum quality!Thank you for the gun case,the mint booklet,and hang-tag.This is a real treasure!You packed it perfectly. your friend for life,Frank B

  31. BB,yes,of course provided that I can get some alone time outdoors with her,and the weather co-operates…right now it's pouring rain and blowing.only one shot out the back door so far.But you all saw that 25yd group kevin shot with it posted last friday.about .25 in CTC.Doubt I'll do as well but the 124 looks great next to my 95% FWB 150.Man am I lucky…Frank B

  32. I have two questions.

    1. Why are airgun reporter videos not loading for me when I go to /airgun-video

    2. What should I do with a tin of pellets that refuses to open (screw lid)?

    Thanks, Ryan

  33. Ryan, Welcome to the wonderful world of air guns. Please don't be a stranger to this blog.

    Perhaps you'd write a guest blog on your experience with your first air gun. You'd revive some wonderful memories for a whole bunch of us.

    Mr B.

  34. Ryan,
    I'm guessing the screw-top lid is cross-threaded. Check to see if its crooked; if so, you can usually push down on the top and get the lid to seat properly. Worst case, use a screw-driver to pry it open.

    Sorry about the snow in this circumstance:). Be careful around the icicles(Christmas story reference):).

  35. Wayne,

    Assume you're kidding about not knowing about ky jelly.

    I'm not saying anymore on the subject since it's a little off color. You may want to google it to get the joke.

    kevin

  36. Ryan,

    Congratulations on your first airgun!

    I wanted to cast another vote for you keeping us informed about your impressions of your new weapon and progress with it.

    kevin

  37. Frank B,

    Glad it arrived safely. Even after all this time it makes me nervous. Hope you also found the mounts/rings and pellets (check under the foam in the hardsided gun case). Those were the most accurate pellets for me in that gun.

    kevin

  38. This tin seems to be very stubborn. Even using a screwdriver it looks like it'll take some work to remove the lid. Apparently what I'll have to do is somehow break the lid open or use a screwdriver and deform it completely to get it off.

  39. BB, your problem with guns to carry may not be the size and weight but how you are carring them. Here's a suggestion. Use an inside the waist band holster and an "Apendix" carry. As the name notes, a right hander carries the gun inside the waist band right front. Use a very thin holster. Even a cheap nylon one will work. You then wear your shirt outside you pants to conceal the gun. This is a very comfortable way to carry. The guns I most often carry are a Glock 19 and 26, both 9mm Para. Also a Smith 640 in .38 and a Colt .45 Commander. Which I carry depends on what I'm doing or where I'm going. If you want more support for the gun, wear a pair of suppenders, the kind that hook to your belt on the sides, not the front. With his method, you can comfortably carry most guns. There is one problem with it, it does not work well for folks with a large belly.

    Also, Michigan does not limit what caliber you carry. .22's are OK.

    Give it a try!

    Mike

  40. BG_Farmer,

    Dirty Harry says that a .38 will bounce off of a windshield….

    Ryan, try setting a slotted tip screwdriver into the seam where the top half of the tin joins the bottom half and rap the screwdriver with a hammer or some heavy object to dig it into the seam. Then twist the screwdriver. Maybe that will start it.

    Matt61

  41. Sorry if this is a little off topic, but I just bought a 4-16x 40mm AO Centerpoint Scope from Walmart. It is a really nice scope that provides a lot for what you get. Everything is perfect except for one thing. When I twist the Parallax Adjustment ring I feel it click. It clicks only one time when I begin to twist it, but no longer clicks while I am twisting. Is this something I should be worried about? Could anyone explain what is happening?

    Robert

  42. Ryan,

    Sometimes there is clear cellophane tape used on pellet containers to keep them closed (even the ones that have screw on lids).

    You probably already checked closely for tape but this is my 2 cents.

    kevin

  43. Hi BB!

    Thanks for yet another interesting article!

    Interesting what people carry. I carry a Polish Radon (Soviet PPK/s knock off, 9×18 Mak) in my front pocket in a pocket holster. I don't even know it's there for the most part. It's dead reliable and I can group about 4-6" at 15 yards with it. I've shot over a thousand rounds with it and never had a mis-feed or jam. 9×18 is a little more powerful than the .380, but nowhere near a 9mm+P Luger as far as ME. Still, I think it's better than carrying a .22LR (psychologically from both the shooter and the perp. Bigger bang, bigger barrel staring at him) and should get the job done (if needed) if I do my part. After all, some people manage to get themselves killed by .25 autos!, so I'm not worried that I'm under-gunned.

  44. BB, response noted! Next option is
    a pocket holster. I use this carry with the Smith 640 when it is carried as a second gun when on duty. It also works well. Again, use the suppenders if they help. I do.

    Mike

  45. As to what to carry. I have found that the auto guns most likely to work "Out of the box" with no problems, are the Glocks in 9mm Par. This is the original caliber the gun was designed for and it works. While nothing is perfect, these most often feed and fire.
    Glocks in 9mm Par. are kind of the AK-47 of handguns.

    Just my 2 cents ya know.

    Mike

  46. Ryan,

    I just got some pellets from PA and had trouble getting the lid off a tin of H&N pellets.

    Use the old rubber band trick. Put one around the lid and the other around the base and and either unscrew or twist off the lid.

    Please tell me what brand of pellets are giving you the hard time and maybe I can give you some more specific advice cause some have actual screw tops while others are just a press fit.

    Thanks,
    Mr B.

  47. Since this posting for today is about human issues like dissapointment,unreal expectations,real expectations and being human…..and since Most of us are in that category:)this is as good a topic as any.is there anything airgun related you'd like to discuss,"anon"? Frank B

  48. Anonymous sorry to see firearms in this post,

    Why?

    This is related since in airguns we are all seemingly searching for the perfect gun for a given situation. We sometimes overlook the obvious. This post is a reminder of that often experienced ordeal.

    It's impossible to overlook the obvious that firearms were a crucial tool in America's history. In my opinion they will continue to play a crucial role in our future. Why shy away from this fact?

    kevin

  49. Ryan,

    The Crosman Destroyers sure look like they have a screw lid in PA's picture.

    I've prevailed over stuck screw lids with both checking for and correcting a cross threaded lid per BG_Farmer's suggestion and using the rubber band trick to handle the stuck ones.

    I never thought about using a freezer, per B.B.'s suggestion.

    Good luck and lets us know what worked for you–thanks.

    Mr B.

  50. Kevin,those nice brass screw cups you sent,are they for the sides of the forestock??if so I guess that they are designed to be trimmed to fit the stock profile…if so I'm sure I can do a good job on the install. Frank B

  51. Did you see the HW 55T that sold in about 2 hours for $1,000.00?

    I talked to the guy and hesitated. I'm going to own one of these find tyro's one of these days.

    Sorry to vent. Just kicking myself since I didn't think a gun that needed a tune would bring that kind of money.

    kevin

  52. I carried a kel-tec p11 for a couple of years and it was 100 percent reliable after the factory replaced a defective frame for me. I believe California has no restrictions on how weak a ccw can be. In addition to the kel-tec, my CCW permit listed two derringers, one in .22 lr and the other in .22 wmr. The "nine" is the perfect cal. for cc ie. power to weight ratio. Unless your just trying to scare a perp., nothing smaller can confidently put him down and put him down NOW with one shot.
    David Brown

  53. Ryan,
    My "first" was a daisy bb gun, I had to learn to compensate for the curve that every bb made as it left the muzzle at just under 300 fps. You are blessed indeed to start with a Hammerli.

    ahh to be 14 in the 21st century (I was 14 in 1986)

    David Brown

  54. Kevin,

    Ok I got the point! .. and hope not to get the point in the woods 🙂

    so, I guess I'll switch back to my S&W .357 mag. while in the woods. or are you saying I need my "Judge .45 cal, 300gr, long colt?

    I didn't know bears were so vindictive.. but I guess it makes sense, since we be shooting at them with pee shooters!

    Actually, I was hoping that I could just scare them away with the .38 special.. didn't know I had to kill them or be killed.. these are black bears, not grizzlies!

    But none the less, I'll "bear" the extra burden of the .357 mag. next time I go out.

    Thanks for the warning… but..

    The funny thing is.. before I got into firearms, I spent a lot of time fishing and hiking in the woods.. never once saw a bear out there..

    Then we moved to the edge of town at the base of the mountain, and we have a black bear that visits our orchard and garden almost every night! He/she poops one big pile… got to be a biggin!

    Wacky Wayne MD. Ashland Air Rifle Range

  55. Frank B,

    Some questions about your laser flash light. What is it's output? Can the beam be focused down to the width of a laser pointer? How far away can you actually see things with it? Thanks for your reply.

    PS Congradulations on your purchase. Kevin is glad you didn't shoot it out in the rain:)

    Mr B.

  56. Mr.B,OK,the laser focuses down toabout the diameter of a billiard ball.the power is a relatively tame 20 milliwatts.that allows a 7 hour burn time with 2 cr123 lithiums…not a bad batt. life!the tube body has a slider that allows you to open the laserbeam to a max of about 20 degrees.[of course that takes away from the intensity]with the beam small,clouds are within reach.of course you don't ever aim at aircraft[duh]it's on the large side of practical for bolting on a rifle,but I don't own nightvision. pyramyd does carry the 18 milliwatt for weapon mount!!!

  57. Also,I want to clarify this is a true laser operating at 532nm with a beam that is within 1 milliradian of being truly paralell.the reflected light at close range is very intense…I was teasing my dog with chasing it all around my back yard at noon.it was overcast…fun stuff!!check out wicked lasers!

  58. B.B.
    I enjoyed reading your journey, as I am at the point of realization that my S&W .357 is too bulky, I already sold my heavy high capacity 9mm, and unless I move out West a SA on my hip will draw undue attention around town. The local sporting goods store has the Ruger LCP on sale for $299.99, and I have been severely tempted. If I recall the first run had issues. Do you know if they are all squared away now? Also, how did Mannix carry that .38 so easily?

    Ryan,
    Congratulations on the rifle, sounds like a real beauty.

    BG farmer,
    I found a new old stock RSW 24C in .177 that should be here in a few days. PCP benefit number #24, now that I no longer need massive power from a Springer I am able to enjoy the sweet little shooters that I never even considered before.

    Kevin,
    Since you brought it up, in my younger days I once mistook a tube of Ben-Gay for K-Y. I guess you could say I really heated things up. Honest story.

    All,
    Had the pleasure of meeting Derrick the other day and I can’t say enough about the caliber of the people on this blog. Derrick I enjoyed your company, and thanks again for the classic pellets and Daisy targets.

    Volvo

  59. Powder burner,

    I used to worry about posting reports on firearms, but I stopped when I saw the overwhelming response we get. This was a Tuesday post, yet it got Friday response levels. Our blog readers are shooters, and they obviously enjoy reading about firearms as well as airguns.

    The second reason I don't mind doing the occasional firearm post is because it attracts the firearms crowd, and exposes them to airgunners. I think they benefit from that, because we tend to be far more thorough in our hobby than the average casual firearms enthusiast. I say that because I also read a lot of firearms sites and forums and note that they don't have the depth of discussion we do.

    The third reason, and perhaps the biggest one, is because there are so many parallels between shooting firearms and airguns. Airgunners left to themselves become stale and stunted in their thinking. They forget the fundamentals of shooting and I like to use these reports to explore them. A well-rounded shooter can enjoy the sport so much more than one who isn't aware of the entire scope of the sport.

    For example, PCP shooters become much more aware and insightful when they appreciate the parallels between pneumatic guns and black powder guns. Things like dwell time of the projectile, barrel length and the fit of the projectile to the bore take on new importance when discussed in this new and different light.

    So, even though this is and always will remain an airgun blog, I see no problem with the occasional firearm report.

    B.B.

  60. Volvo and JW,

    No, I didn't consider the Ruger pistol because it is synthetic. I did look at it at the SHOT Show in 2009, but I also heard about the issues the first guns had and after the problems with the Kel Tek, that put me off.

    Of course I'd also point out that the Micro Desert Eagle was equally unreliable before going back to the manufacturer, so maybe I was too quick to overreact with the Kel Tek.

    I guess it boils down to "I wanted it" for the final choice. And in that, I acted no different than any other impulse-motivated buyer, I guess.

    B.B.

  61. Robert,

    I haven't experienced that click you report, but I think I know what it is. It's slack that builds between the knob and the post it rides on. Once the slack is out, it cannot click again, unless you wind in the opposite direction.

    This is not a normal condition of any scope. If it bothers you I would send the scope to Crosman for replacement. Wal-Mart may swap scopes with you, but the chances are they will argue the point. They are getting harder to deal with when it comes to technical issues that don't prevent operation of products. Of course that could also just be due to the personality of my local store management.

    B.B.

  62. BB,
    My first carry gun was the Kel-Tec .380. It took a long time to save up for it and once I had it, there was no way to just change over to a different weapon, I *had* to make it work. Since I work at a college, I needed something that would totally disappear, which the Kel-Tec does perfectly in my slacks and really any kind of clothing I wear. Now, the difficulty I found afterwards is that you cannot carry on a college campus. 8-( Still I *had* the gun.
    Even buying ammo was a challenge. I had a few issues, as this was my first powder gun and I had to work out "limp wristing" along the way. The brand of ammo that will be reliable in these small pistols is also important. I found that in my gun, the most reliable was the Remington fmj. I did eventually send it back to the factory after a few thousand rounds, and it has been totally reliable since.
    I eventually saved up and got the PF 9 and found it to be even more reliable. Because of my own foolishness (not cleaning enough and not lubing regularly-hey I'm a newbee!), I ended up sending it back as well. They totally rebuilt the PF 9 and it has been totally reliable. The PF 9 BTW, hides very well and has the advantage of being a 9mm.
    I'm still saving up for the new Crosman PCP pistol. Any word on it yet? Will it be a repeater? Will it have a shroud to make it quiet? Will it be .22? I'm still waiting for it.
    Michael in Georgia

  63. Michael,

    You know, I am the only guy who didn't send his Kel Tek back and get it fixed. I guess I should have, because the 9mm is more potent than the .380. And I hear a lot of good comments about the Kel Tek .380.

    The Crosman PCP will apparently be shown at the SHOT Show in January. It will be a single shot. Think about the 2300T.

    B.B.

  64. because we tend to be far more thorough in our hobby than the average casual firearms enthusiast

    And, howdy, brother. I never even worried about things like holdover/holdunder, wind effects, or trajectory in general until I started shooting airguns. Before that, if a squirrel needed killing, I just pointed my 22 at him and banged away. Now, I have to think before shooting. And, don't get me started on breath control!

    I will say this, the extra practice has paid off as I am a far better shooter of all guns now than I ever hoped to be just three short years ago. Not just rifle shots either. This past dove season, I was averaging a dove every 3 shells where my historical average had been closer to a dove per 10 shells (yes, I sucked at wing shooting).

    B.B.'s firearms posts are slowly edging me towards picking up pistol shooting as well. I've already started playing around with a Beeman P17 for practice, and there's probably a target 22 pistol in my future for dispatching nutters while in my (someday, future) deer stand. 🙂

  65. BSA Sportsman fill pressure per manual is 232 bar. Many guns don't like being filled that high and will string vertically until they get on the power curve.

    A chrony will quickly help you to determine your guns proper fill.

    Here's a good read that B.B. did that relates directly to your question:

    /blog/2008/12/understanding-the-performancepower-curve-of-a-pcp/

    kevin

  66. Volvo,
    The Ruger LCP is a great gun for the price. I've put close to a thousand rounds through mine and have had zero jams/failures. However, I've only fired Winchester WBox and Hydra shoks, so I can't speak for how it handles other ammo. Needs a tight grip because it does feel a bit like a firecracker going off in your hand.
    Also if you want a decent pocket holster I highly recommend the beautiful leather ones made by Paul Burt http://www.stickopauli.com He's a nice guy to deal with and does fast work. Here's something interesting, I ordered on line and exchanged emails with Paul only to find out he lived about ten minutes away from myself in Bastrop Tx. …it saved me a whole five dollars in postage.
    -I.B.McGinty p.s. I'm almost embarrassed to admit this, but I love my Remington AirMaster 77.

    • No need to blush over your love affair with the AM77. Mine is my designated long-shot Sure thing, hitting targets out to 80 yards with 14 pumps and still my most reliable airgun! Howdy anonymous! I lived in Cedar Park from ’98-’03. In Brownwood now,Ya’ll enjoying all this runoff we’re sending ya?

  67. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to
    make your point. You clearly know what youre talking about, why throw away your intelligence on just posting videos to your weblog when you could be giving us something informative to read?

    My page; Vilma Z. Ziego

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