Author Archives: Don Gammill Jr.

avatar

About Don Gammill Jr.

Don Gammill, Jr. is a freelance writer, educator and part-time musician living in the metropolitan Atlanta area. He acquired his interest in firearms from his family, with his WWII combat veteran grandfather being the most instrumental in fostering both a keen interest in, as well as a healthy respect for, guns and how they are situated in society. Although he is a proud gun owner and a practitioner of legal concealed carry, he doesn’t consider himself a “gun person” per se; with a greater interest involves how people relate to guns – especially people who see guns as foreign, often scary/over-politicized icons of danger.

.38 Special Comparison: 2nd Place – Colt Cobra

Posted on April 21, 2010 by Don Gammill Jr.

From the economical choice (Taurus Model 85) to the upscale player. Part II of our .38 Special comparison focuses on a revolver known far and wide for its tough looks, buttery action, premium price and a name that’s the envy … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Gun Review | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

.38 Special Comparison: 3rd Place – Taurus Model 85

Posted on April 19, 2010 by Don Gammill Jr.

It just so happens that three extremely-representative samples of these guns live in the nightstands of people in my family. My dad (who used to serve warrants as a part-time constable) owns probably the newest of these – the very-mainstream Taurus Model 85. My mom (a former Justice of the Peace who issued the warrants dad served) owns the original-and-even-more-ubiquitous Smith & Wesson Model 36. And last but not least, my 82-year-old grandmother packs in her pajama drawer one of the most premium small .38s ever produced – the iconic Colt Cobra, a derivative of the famous Colt Detective Special. Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Gun Review, Handguns, Personal Defense | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Editorial: Obama, Nukes and Why I Suddenly Need More Guns

Posted on April 15, 2010 by Don Gammill Jr.

As you can see from my TTAG bio, I’m no “gun nut.” In fact, I’ve never really been much of a gun person at all. I know a good bit about guns, and guns have always been part of my … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Editorials | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

Gun Review: Norinco SKS

Posted on April 12, 2010 by Don Gammill Jr.

It’s often said that the enemy of the good is the great. In situations where continuous improvement is a “do-or-die” way of life – for example, a Cold War military-industrial complex – the life of a merely-satisfactory design is nasty, … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Gun Review, Rifles | Tagged , | 36 Comments

How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love the AR-15 (Part II)

Posted on April 2, 2010 by Don Gammill Jr.

Hopefully, Part I of this series successfully dispatched the common-but-wrong notion that the AR-15 is merely an “assault rifle” with few practical applications for the non-government shooter. With the civilian-use merits of the AR now established, let’s take a look … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Rifles | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the AR-15

Posted on April 1, 2010 by Don Gammill Jr.

Last fall, I found myself nine-to-fiving in the corporate communications department of one of our nation’s top health insurers. I witnessed the fright that gripped everyone in the industry regarding the looming H1N1 “swine flu” pandemic. Fear was palpable throughout … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Business, Rifles | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Gun Review: Iver Johnson .32 S&W

Posted on March 20, 2010 by Don Gammill Jr.

My grandfather always had a thing for small handguns. Maybe that’s where I picked it up. For the longest time, I’ve wanted a little 12-ounce Kel-Tec semi-auto (either a P3AT or a P32). Or maybe an NAA Guardian. Come to … Continue reading →

Share
Posted in Gun Review, Handguns | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 49 Comments