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Obama Presidency and Guns

November 12th, 2008 No comments

There is lots of chatter around that since Obama won the election on November 4th that he will take away the right to bear arms.   I must be honest with you and sooth your nerves.   Obama has no plans to take away your weapons.   People inside the gun world, Guns Stores, and the NRA used that as a scare tactic to get you to vote for John McCain.   And post election the gun store folks are keeping that fear alive.

If you are a frequent reader of my blog you know that I am an owner and supporter of weapons – especially insensible weapons.   The insensible weapons are the only ones that may be effected.   Very few people find an actual use for the .50 BMG weapons.   Now don’t get me wrong I would love to put one in my personal arsenal but see no true practical purpose of the weapon.   Plenty of other weapons will do exactly what the .50 will do.   The purpose of legislation to ban guns is to take them out of the hands of criminals.   Most everyone would be safe owning a bazooka but a select few people would not be.   By banning them it will be harder for the wrong people to get a hold of them.   The intent to ban weapons isn’t to strip you of your rights it is to make the US safer.   The problem isn’t the weapons it is enforcement.   Banning more guns will likely have little impact on the problems unless something can be done to correct the problem.

Its obvious we need stronger enforcement of laws in place – sure registering guns and serialization of bullets could help in the investigation – gun owners believe they have an implied right of privacy.

Another reason we don’t have to worry about a new weapons ban in the near future is that Washington DC has much more pressing issues to deal with –   the Economy.   The weapons industry plays a major role in our economy.   Many gun owners only buy American Made Goods and Ammo.   What about AR15 makers?   There are more US Based AR15 makers than I can count.   In fact the interstate commerce laws dictate that certain percentage of weapons be US made.   Manufacturing may happen oversees but final fit and manufacture is done by American Workers.   Gun owners typically buy from local gun shops and dealing locally keeps the money locally.   I can say that within the last 6 months I myself have payed $12,000 at one local gun shop and know that some people spend a lot more than that.   With the bottom up style of economics that we are going to move towards this is the type of enterprise we need.   If it is banned or governed it will certainly hurt the economy.

So here is my stick…   Fix the problems we have now with the gun control laws in place.   Leave new legislation alone.   Don’t go stir up something that doesn’t need to be messed with.   A note to the NRA Lobbyist that are highly paid…   When you go to congress trying to justify your pay – go with the Economic aspect of the weapon industry.   If you pass this XXX number of jobs will be lost and XXX revenue will be lost.   Put the fear of economy into the process and let the bills die in committee.

What does PoPo Mean?

July 22nd, 2008 No comments

Often times in movies and such we hear the term PoPo.   Pronounced as two syllable work Po-Po.   PoPo is an acronym broken do to mean "Pissed of Police Officer".

Originally explained to me as a term that Law Enforcement officers use when making an arrest.   Perhaps this is an antiquated definition meaning why the suspect or perpetrator was arrested.   The former police officer, Mr. Battles, used defined this as a term to make a persons night bad.   Perhaps the person arrested had angered the Police Officer was fussed at or exercising their right to freedom of speech. Mr. Battles used the example the person said "F**** The Police" and the arresting officer had no other reason to arrest the person besies being pissed off.   After taking the person to booking the person to jail on the premise of PoPo.

Obviously they cant hold the person for such things…   Basically the arresting officer was angry and just wanted to give the person a bad night.   Abusing police authority will sure give someone a bad night.

I doubt this type of thing still goes on in Police forces as they are under so much pressure as it is.   It just seems that abusing power in this what is waste of the Law Enforcement Officers time and the legal systems.   With bad criminals roaming the streets and drug deals going on around them abusing their power just because someone pissed them off would be a waste.

I am sure many police officers would like to arrest someone because they are pissed off but don’t.   Besides how can a police officer waste so much time with a worthless case when so many other bad things are going on in their neighborhoods.

Regardless the term PoPo means "Pissed of Police Officer"

Springfield XDM .40 S&W

July 10th, 2008 109 comments

Have you heard about the new Springfield Armory XDM?   I hadn’t until I bought one.   I typically stay up with the XD Talk.   I have liked the XD ever since I first got my hands on one.   It is much like the Glock – but better, of course that depends on who you ask.   I will save the XD vs. Glock discussion for later. 9/16/08 That later has come with a comparrison of the XDM vs. Glock 22 &   23.

Springfield’s XDM!

springfield xdm photo

The XDM is built on the XD platform, or the HS Produkt HS-2000 in Croatia, and currently available in the 40 S&W and 9mm.   It has a 4.5″ barrel similar to the XD Tactical.   The main Difference between the XD Tactical and the XDM is the grip.   The XDM comes with interchangeable grips to adjust for the shooters preferred grip size.   It is a little bit wider than the previous XD-40′s,   not sure – but it seems to be.   It comes standard in Alabama with two 16 round high capacity magazines,   all the normal XD gear Holster, speed loader, magazine pouch, and an allen/hex key.   One thing I did not expect was the new larger case.   The case it comes in looks a lot more industrial than previous versions and isn’t crowded for room.

XDM Case Outside

Trigger travel is by far the shortest of any polymer pistol I have handled. Springfield even brags about it in the XD(m) marketing material.   The barrel is match grade with a fully supported chamber – Something Glocks don’t have.   It has an ambidextrous magazine release that is longer on either side than the standard XD release.   The assembly is easier over previous XD versions without having to pull the trigger during breakdown and field stripping.

springfield xdm innovations photo


It comes standard with a 3 dot steel sights and can be changed.   It has all the standard safety features like a trigger safety and grip safety. It weights in dry with an empty magazine with a forged steel slide at 2lbs.   The trigger pull seems to be around 5lbs untested.

Pros and Cons

Pro: This seems to be Springfield’s attempt at producing a match ready production pistol, hence the “M Factor” in my view.   Though polymer pistols have not truly cleared the path in match play this weapon has the potential to really make a name for itself straight out of the box.

Pro and Con: Having a removable grip means one more area to clean, break, and maintain.   Instead of making different fixed grips with the weapon they decided to include three different removable parts in the case.   Now granted this is nice and helps increase stock and availability, unlike Sig’s Attempt at the form fitting grips.

Con (personal Opinion): As a standard XD comes with a chambered warning.   The way it sticks out from the slide it looks as though it can be worn,   broken, and plus it will wear your holster too.

Springfield XDM Locked and Loaded

I always know if my pistol is locked and loaded.   This indicator shows everyone else your pistol is cocked and locked.   The warning system is great if you let people, specifically children, play with your gun loaded or leave it laying around.   That is sarcasm if you didn’t catch it.   If you let others handle your weapon locked and loaded, hand it to them, or don’t even open it for visual inspection before you share it you may not need to own a handgun.   <-That is just a gun safety pet peeve. –<

This isn’t a necessary safety precaution and may cause more harm than it is worth for me.

Other review factors:

The price will come down.

Currently only a .40 S&W is available. Different Varieties are sure to follow Update 11/10/08 : The XDM 9mm is available

Since the weapon is so new not many accessories have yet to hit the market. So far I have not found an interchangeable part with the standard XD.

Conclusion and Overall First Impression

If me making the purchase isn’t indication enough – this weapon is well worth the investment and fires like a dream.   If you can get your hands on one you will not be disappointed.   Go out and get one today.   Don’t buy one on GunBroker.com there buy it now prices are way too high.   I bought mine for less than $550.

Update 11/10/08: Posted about prices and shopping suggestions
Update 11/12/08: Gun Prices Post Election and Market Demand

If you are having trouble finding an XDM in your local area shoot me a message through my contact form and I can point you towards the right direction. But you should check out the links in updates to find out more.