Sheepdog Knife and Gun

Sheepdog Knife and Gun is the brainchild of Lt. Col. David Grossman and his son Jon.  If you are unfamiliar with Lt. Col. David Grossman let me tell you he is someone with which you will want to become familiar.  He is a former Army Ranger who went on to teach psychology at West Point.  Since leaving the military he has dedicated his life to preparing the civilians of these United States for the risks and threats that will face them in the coming years.  He had also written and contributed to some of the most heralded book on the subjects of the psychology and mindset of killing such as:

• On Combat, The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and Peace
• On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society
• Warrior Mindset
• Stop Teaching Our Kids to Kill: A Call To Action Against TV, Movie & Video Game Violence

One of the greatest days you can ever spend is to attend one of his day-long seminars.  A quick check of his Facebook page or his website http://www.killology.com will get you more familiar with his offerings.  

Jon Grossman is a talented and innovative gunsmith and together with David the mission of Sheepdog Gun and Knife is to provide the tools to permit Sheepdogs to survive and thrive in violent times.  If you don't know who Sheepdogs are, they are us.  Those of us who are licensed and carry a concealed handgun.  Those of us who are ready to protect our families, friends and the rest of sheep from the wolves and other predators that lurk about in society.  We have taken the responsibility to be protectors and place ourselves in danger's way should danger present itself.  Lt. Col Grossman and his son Jon want to see us prevail.

Sheepdog Knife and Gun is not a manufacturer of firearms but a company that modifies firearms to make them better fit their owner, make them more accurate, make them safer and make them faster to get into action.  Similarly, they do not manufacture knives but they are collaborating with leaders in the cutlery industry to develop self defense knives that will also be a part of the Sheepdog's tool kit.  They are also working on concealment systems as well.  I cannot talk about what I saw in that regard but they are are diligently finding ways to conceal full-sized pistols for everyday carry.

Their mission began when they became tasked with finding and modifying a pistol for a female who did not want to compromise on her choice of handguns but had a difficult time handling some of the larger handguns.  Jon and Dave quickly recognized that what they were learning in working with this customer also had some application to just about everyone.

Where the Magic is Made

There is shop is a small venture at this time.  

Jon and Dave collaborate on the design modifications and Jon brings them to life.  All in all the spartan conditions remind me of the small studio where Walt Disney began making animated films in Kansas City which isn't all that far away from the Sheepdog shop.

From a Pumpkin to Cinderella's Coach (that's two Disney references for those who are counting)

One of the amazing transformations I saw was a small .45 ACP 1911 that another female customer was looking for.  With her small hands the bottom of the grip bite her during recoil.  Jon realized that a bobtailed frame might be the answer but the extension of the grip safety down the frame made bobtailing most small 1911 impossible.  Jon procured a Detonics Combat Master, which does not utilize a grip safety, and applied the bobtail.  This is what the original frame looked like after bobtailing it:

And from this rough frame Jon produced this work of art:

And...did I mention it could shoot!

I was able to shoot the finished product and I can tell you that Dave and Jon were right about their modifications having applications for the masses.  This pistol handles very well and the bobtail fit my meaty paw better than any other small 1911 I have handled.

Making Pistols Better

Let's look at the other common modification that Sheepdog Knife and Gun offers.

The first is the enhanced slide pull:

Here are two versions, a finger grooved model in the top photo and a pyramided version on the 1911 just above.  When I first saw pictures of the ESP I was a little skeptical.  However upon picking up the Kel-Tec PMR 30 shown in the top photo and laying my hand over the top of the ESP my fingers fell right in the grooves providing a natural grip and making the slide very easy to retract.  When put on pistols with heavy springs it would be even easier to just grasp the ESP with your weak hand and then push the frame forward with your dominant hand.  The patented enhanced slide pull was first designed for a customer that was having a difficult time retracting the slide.  Once designed and built it is evident that an easier method of retracting the slide would benefit everyone.  Additionally it provides a much more positive grasp on the slide which would be beneficial if operating the pistol under stress or any other less than ideal condition.  The ESP can be made of Stainless Steel but are most are formed from epoxy resin.

Going back to those two photos you will also see another device on the frame about the triggers.  This is the "Index Point Finger Shelf" another patented Sheepdog design.  The IPFS is a safety device designed to let you feel the point of the interior nipple and know that your finger is off of the trigger.  Additionally the shelf is designed to keep your finger from sliding off the frame and onto the trigger.  If you don't think this is a problem just watch this negligent discharge by a Las Vegas Metro officer during the handcuffing of a suspect http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOI9ahGxMfk.  The patented "Index Point Finger Shelf" is specifically measured and applied at the point where the first finger pad of the individual shooters trigger finger would rest.

Another of their modifications is the Micro Front Sight:

The Micro Front Sight includes a vertical white line down the sight.  Research has found that this vertical line helps shooters more quickly acquire an accurate sight picture especially in daylight shooting where the glowing night sight is of no help.

These and other modifications are available through Sheepdog Knife and Gun including the availability of choosing what ever color or colors you want your pistol to have.  Your options are only limited by your imagination and the Cerakote catalogue.  

Let's Look At Some of their Handguns

I want to mention that some of the pistols that we will look at are finished products for customers and some were design prototypes.  If you see something that looks a little rough in one of the photos it is undoubtedly a design prototype which was made to test functionality.

Kel-tec PMR 30

This pistol was produced with a Shimmer Gold Frame and Crimson slide.  You will quickly see that the customer who ordered it had not use for the accessory rail so it was removed.  Additionally the Enhanced Slide Pull and Index Point Shelf were added.  

Green fiber optic pipes were put in the rear sight in place of the standard red pipes and the back plate was serrated to reduce glare.

This is my 30 round group with the PMR.

Detonics Score Master

Both the trigger guard and beavertail safety were undercut to allow a higher grip and reduce the bore axis which decreases muzzle flip and helps accuracy.

This pistol also includes the Finger Index Shelf and Enhanced Slide Pulls as well as a Magtec Magwell, a competition flat trigger and the micro front sights.  Checkering was added to the front strap along with the stainless steel trips.  The pistol is finished in Titanium and Graphite Black.

And...it shoots as good as it looks

SIG P220 .45 ACP

This is a design prototype pistol produced in bright pink and forest green.  I kept referring to it as the Pepto-Bismal pistol and as much as I dislike pink guns this one was a shooter!  It also featured the Enhanced Slide Pulls, Finger Shelf Index Point, and re-contoured grips.  This pistol is for sale.  If you want it (I would change the color if it was me) the contact information will be at the bottom of this posting.

Detonics Combat Master

This work of art includes the original Finger Index Point without the shelf, a hand polished stainless frame, a graphite black Cerakoted slide, the Enhanced Slide Pulls, and undercut trigger guard with a bobtailed grip frame.  This pistol also has the micro front sight, and a new sear, disconnector, mainspring housing, and slide.  The pistol also has what I would consider to be a combat perfect 4.4 pound trigger pull.

So if you are interesting in talking to the folks at Sheepdog about building a special handgun for you or if you want the SIG P220 email Jon at JonKRG@aol.com

Best Defensive Handguns of 2013

OK, the title of this posting can be defined pretty broadly so let me narrow this down before we get started.  These are the best defensive handguns I evaluated this year.  These were not necessarily handguns produced this year they were just the ones I got around to reviewing.  So now that we all understand the parameters here we go.

The best overall handgun reviewed in 2013 is:

Springfield XDs .45 ACP

You can't ask for more that the XDs gives you.  It is small, powerful, and accurate.  For me, a grip sleeve and Pierce magazine finger extension are crucial to improve the handling.  The sights are great.  Now, only six rounds flies in the face of the current penchant for high capacity handguns but this is six powerful rounds fired from a very accurate handgun and an extra magazine or two doesn't take up much space in your pocket.

BEST OF THE REST

The Best Polymer Framed Striker-Fired Pistol:

Walther PPQ M2

Great pistol!  Fantastic trigger, phenomenal accuracy, good sights, great ergonomics and a large enough magazine to relieve your low-capacity anxiety.

The Best Alloy Framed Hammer Fired Pistol:

The CZ 75 D PCR

Another fantastic pistol.  It fits my hand very well and the controls are within easy reach of my thumb.  It's easy to carry in an inside-the-waistband holster and it accurate to boot!

Best Large Framed .45 ACP:

CZ 97B

This is a large, heavy handgun however that means low recoil, faster follow-up shots and accuracy.  This pistol is not easily concealed but if I knew the feces was going to hit the fan this is the pistol I would want in a belt or shoulder holster.

Best Mirco Pocket Pistol:

TAURUS TCP 738 .380 ACP

If you're looking for a great pocket pistol that is accurate and value priced then look no further than the Taurus TCP 738.  

You can ask much more than what what the Taurus gives you.  The photo above shows 7 rounds of Hornady Critical Defense shot at 21 feet.  Two additional magazines carry easily in the change pocket of you blue jeans.

Too lazy to write a lame conclusion.  

Glock's New Model 42 Will Be a .380 ACP?

So, it appears that Glock's new model 42, to be revealed in January will be a .380 ACP.

And it appears to have the following specifications:

• 5.94 inches in length
• 4.13 inches in height
• .94 inches is width
• 3.1 inch barrel
• 13.4 ounces in weight
• 6+1 round capacity

If this is correct, rather than an internet hoax or disinformation from Glock, it is a curious choice.  I know of no one that was asking for Glock to produce a single stack .380 but a lot of people who were asking for a single stack model 19 or slightly smaller pistol.

If the .380 ACP is their choice then the size and capacity of the model 92 are not at all remarkable.  Let's compare it with other pocket pistols:

	Glock  42	Kahr	Taurus 738	Kel-Tec PF9	Kimber Solo	Taurus 709
Caliber	.380 ACP	.380 ACP	.380 ACP	9mm	9mm	9mm
Length	5.94”	4.9”	5.25”	5.85”	5.5”	6”
Height	4.13”	3.9”	3.25”	4.3”	3.9”
Width	.94”	.75”	.80”	.88”	1.2”	.92”
Barrel	3.1”	2.53”	2.84”	3.1”	2.7”	3”
Weight	13.4 oz	10 oz	10.2 oz	12.7 oz	17 oz	19 oz
Capacity	6 + 1	6  + 1	6 + 1	7 +1	6 +1	7 + 1

As you can see, there are 9mm pocket pistols the same size or smaller.  It is about the size of the Kel-Tec PF9 that holds 7 rounds of 9mm as opposed to the six round magazine capacity of the Glock 42.  

Just doesn't seem to make sense to me.

Taurus TCP 738 .380 ACP

OK, you might be looking at this and thinking "Hey Joe, in case you haven't noticed it's the middle of winter.  Why are you reviewing a .380 pocket pistol?"  The answer my friend is blowing in the cold wind:  you want to buy it now so that you have several months to practice with it and become proficient before shorts and sandals season is upon us.  Also, you can start carrying it now as a back-up gun.  I believe it was the late, great NYPD gun fighter Jim Cirillo who said "If you need one gun, you probably need two" and this makes a dandy second gun.

Let's delve into the specifications.  With the Taurus 738 TCP here's what you get:

• A 6 + 1 round capacity
• A weight of 10.2 ounces
• A 2.84 inch barrel
• An overall length of 5.25 inches
• A height of 3.25 inches 
• A width of .8 inches
• A smooth double action with a trigger pull of 4.8 pounds.
• Very small fixed sights

Let's start with the sights.  They are very small but they get the job done.  This is not a long distance shooter although at 40 feet it gave me a large grouping that would all be center mass hits.

The front sight blade is angled so that the ambient light shines on it making it a light gray in contrast to the darker rear sights.

There is a nice curvature to the back strap which makes the pistol sit well in your hand and puts the web of your hand underneath the rear of the slide which helps you keep control of the little pistol during recoil.

The magazine and slide releases are very flat.  They are easy to operate while helping to keep the overall package as flat as it can be.  The slim design along with the 10.2 ounces in weight make this pistol very easy to carry all day long in your pant's pocket.  You'll also note that I have opted for two accessories to improve the pistol's shootablilty.  The first is the Pearce finger extension that easily slides onto the 738's magazine.  It still does not allow me to get three fingers on the grip but I can get two on it which makes the pistol more comfortable and accurate to shoot.  The second accessory is a Pachmayr grip glove which gives me a better purchase on the grips and makes accurate follow-up shots faster. 

So, let's take a look at the targets:

Here's 7 rounds of Hornady Critical Defense 90 grain FTX ammo shot at 21 feet.

Here's 13 rounds of Mag Tech 90 FMJ ammo shot at 21 feet.

Here's 17 rounds of Mag Tech ammo shot at 30 feet.

And here's 20 rounds of Mag Tech ammunition fired at 40 feet.  Certainly a larger group but they all would have been solid hits.

When I went to the gun shop looking for a pocket carry micro .380 ACP I was looking for three qualities: light weight, value for my money, and a good trigger pull. There were plenty of micro .380's on display but the smooth 4.8 pound trigger pull on the 738 TCP along with it's lower price sold me.  It's not too early to think of what you might want to carry in the Spring and Summer and I would urge you to take a look at the Taurus 738 TCP.