I Want to Purchase a Firearm; How Does This Work?
How long does it take? How does the process work?
For seasoned firearm purchasers, the buying process can be an easy, familiar process but for new buyers the process might seem complicated or overwhelming. Fear not, the process is actually easy and straight forward.
Gun laws, of course, vary by state with a dozen and a half or so states requiring some form of waiting period and other states requiring special licenses or registration of firearms. However, one thing is universally true – when you buy a firearm from a licensed dealer, you must fill out some paperwork and, generally, go through a background check process (sometimes called a “Brady Check”).
One of the most frequent questions I hear from new purchasers at the gun counter, right up there with (and sometimes ahead of) cost and features, is how the process works and how long it takes.
Since most states (including ours) do not have additional waiting periods or extra licensing or registration, we will not address those things here and will, instead, focus on the standard nationwide process. Continue reading
Sol Invictus Arms Introduces TAC-9 Modular Pistol Caliber Platform
Introduced to the public for the frst time at the NRA Annual Meeting in Indianapolis last month, the TAC-9 is a purpose built modular pistol caliber platform from Sol Invictus Arms.
The TAC-9 is an affordable modernized 9MM sub-gun feeding from Glock magazines. It offers a durable and accurate weapon system in a compact yet modular platform. It features a blowback operated system ensuring reliability for the most demanding conditions. It is not another AR – The entire action is housed in the upper receiver and there is no buffer tube needed.
The Sol Invictus Arms TAC-9 was developed for motorcycle patrol officers who are often the first responders to active shootings. Armed with only their sidearm, many officers expressed a need for a compact weapon system that could be stored in their saddlebag and deployed quickly. Using the same ammunition and magazines was a key requirement during the development of the firearm.
At the heart of the TAC-9 is an all steel bolt which works with a standard AR-15 fire control group. This offers superior reliability and maintains the same manual of arms that users are accustomed to, decreasing training time on the new platform.
The TAC-9 is also equipped with a modular quick disconnect barrel system. This enables the user to switch from a pistol configuration to a carbine in minutes and without the need for special tools.
In addition, the TAC-9 also includes an adaptable rear trunnion that allows the customer to use a folding stock or standard AR-15 buffer tube. This makes pistol and carbine brace/stock configurations endless.
The TAC-9 is chambered in 9MM and comes with a 5.5” or 8.5” 4150 Chrome Moly ordnance grade barrel. The barrel, bolt, and steel receiver all feature a Nitrided finish for excellent corrosion and wear resistance.
Hi Point Changes Up Their Pistol Line. Finally.
Aside from being big, bulky, heavy, and ugly (all true), one of the main beefs that people have with the budget-friendly firearm brand HiPoint is the low capacity (also true). Their line of pistols and pistol caliber carbines have always featured a limited capacity single stack magazine despite the wide grips. That changes now.
For two decades, the Model C9 – a blowback operated polymer-framed 9mm pistol with Zamak slide – has been the company’s flagship handgun. Throughout that time, the Hi-Point product line has seen precious few changes aside from the addition of new calibers and cosmetic features. This includes the stock flush-fit 8-round magazine capacity that C9 owners have always been limited by.
At SHOT Show 2019 in Las Vegas, the Ohio-based company introduced their latest pistol offering – a higher capacity 9mm with a few new features that will be appreciated by those who don’t immediately turn up their nose at the inexpensive firearms. Hi-Point is quick to point out that the new handgun is not just a tweaked version of their existing pistols but, rather, is an entirely new firearm with a more contemporary design that they say will stick with the company’s affordable pricing structure.
Currently in what they are calling a “stealth prototype” phase, the company had 3D printed rapid prototypes on display in their booth to demonstrate the size and features of the new pistol, which boasts a higher capacity magazine, threaded barrel, improved slide and grip geometry. Continue reading
Henry Repeating Arms Chosen as First Cody Firearms Museum Collector’s Series Offering
L to R: David Miles, Baron Engraving; Ashley Hlebinsky, Cody Firearms Museum; Bryan Tucker, Davidson’s
The Cody Firearms Museum boasts the most comprehensive collection of American firearms in the world, and their new Collector’s Series gives the public the opportunity to own collectible firearms inspired by prized pieces in their collection. The first offering of the series is a unique rifle built on the award-winning Golden Boy platform manufactured by Henry Repeating Arms, engraved by Baron Engraving of Trumbull, CT, and distributed by Davidson’s of Prescott, AZ.
The engraving is based on a Samuel Hoggson factory engraved 1860’s era Henry rifle that is currently held in the Cody Firearms Museum. Both sides of the receiver cover are embellished with a large grape leaf motif on the front panel and a leafy scroll pattern on the main panel. The top tang of the receiver is engraved with the words, “Cody Firearms Museum Collectors Series.” The Golden Boy platform utilizes American Walnut furniture and a blued steel octagonal barrel in homage to the original Henry rifle that came before it. The 1,000 rifles in the initial offering will be serialized 2019CFM0001 – 2019CFM1000.
Henry Repeating Arms, Baron Engraving and Davidson’s, the exclusive distributor of this series, have joined together to help raise money for the exhibit with each company contributing a portion of the proceeds from this project to support the revitalization of the Cody Firearms Museum. The combined efforts of the three donors will raise more than $100,000 for the Cody Firearms Museum in 2019. In addition, Henry donated a New Original Henry rifle that will be hand engraved by Baron which is expected to raise up to $50,000 more at auction. Davidson’s has also committed to an annual $50,000 donation for the next 5 years.
Anthony Imperato, President of Henry Repeating Arms says, “The Cody Firearms Museum is a must-visit for anyone interested in firearms or American history. It’s truly an astonishing collection and we’re very proud that we’re able to be a part of this new Collector’s Series.” Imperato continues, “Firearms play such an integral role in our nation’s history and anything we’re going to jump at any opportunity to ensure that this collection stays around for more generations to enjoy.”
The rifles will be available to retailers exclusively through Davidson’s and will also be available to the public at Davidson’s Gallery of Guns.
Range Time with Mossberg’s Centennial Gift to the Shooting: The Company’s First Pistol in 100 Years
To celebrate their 100th year in business, Mossberg is releasing a new pistol, only their second in the company’s history.
Don’t feel bad if you are unfamiliar with the shotgun powerhouse’s first foray into handguns. The Mossberg Brownie was the company’s very first firearm – a four-barreled .22 caliber pistol marketed toward hunters and trappers – was only produced from 1919 to 1932, during which it sold for a mere $5.
The prodigal pistol producer’s latest handgun, dubbed the Mossberg Carry 1 Sub-Compact (MC1sc), is more on-point for one of the hottest market segments today: the sub-compact single stack 9mm carry gun. The GunLink team went hands-on with the MC1sc at SHOT Show 2019, including getting some trigger time with the new pistol during Industry Day at the Range the day before the show officially opened.
My first thought when Mossberg announced the new handgun was that they were late to an already crowded party. A party already attended by a pretty popular in-crowd, including the Glock 43, Smith & Wesson Shield, Springfield XDs, and the newer Sig Sauer P365. Stiff competition for a company with a sparse track record in the handgun arena. Good luck, Mossberg.
My first thoughts when we met the MC1sc at SHOT Range Day were that it was remarkably well executed and Mossberg has a real shot with this pistol. Continue reading
SHOT Show Range Report: Glock’s Single Stack 9mm Pistols
The Glock G43x and G48 Make an Appearance at SHOT Show Industry Day at the Range
The GunLink team was split on whether or not we would like the two new single stack offerings from Glock. On one hand, some of our team thought that the pistol giant was late to the game, as they often are, while others, particularly those of smaller stature, were excited for the simplicity and reliability of the platform in a form factor that would be easier for them to use.
After getting some trigger time on the new models, they seem to make a bit more sense.
A couple members of the GunLink team got to put some rounds down range through three of Glock’s newest pistols – the new 43X and 48, as well as the G45 (a G19 slide on a G17 grip… but now available in BLACK!!) that has been around for a few months. Continue reading
