When the NRA’s Shooting Illustrated made the ill-conceived, poorly constructed and downright dangerous Remington R51 their cover girl, the buff book’s street cred took an enormous self-inflicted hit. Shooting Illustrated’s loss was the consumer’s gain. I reckon R51-gate triggered a new spirit of truthiness. Another NRA pub American Rifleman, in particular, seems to be feeling its editorial oats. To wit: 7 Reasons Why Pocket Pistol Suck May Not Be For You. I’m picking up what B. Gil Horman’s putting down. I mean, I’m not picking up the pistols that B. Gil Horman’s putting down. I mean, SPOILER ALERT! . . .
According to American Rifleman’s pejorative pocket pistol person, small guns suck are less than ideal because their tiny grips are ridiculous challenging, their ammo capacity is dangerously pathetic relatively low, they fire inadequate bullets underpowered rounds, their sights are useless difficult to see, their triggers blow are too heavy, they’re bloody painful to fire there’s too much recoil and you can’t hit the broadside of a barn with one they’re less accurate than larger guns.
So, Mr. Horman asks in his summation, are pocket pistols “bad” guns? Yes! Wait! No!
No, they’re not, when they are used for their intended purpose of close-range personal defense when larger guns have to be left at home. But they are a class of firearm that requires more time and energy to learn to fire effectively.
So . . .
If you are considering a pocket pistol for concealed carry, try it before you buy it by borrowing one from a friend or renting it from a shooting range. Then be prepared to practice with it until you get the hang of it.
I think Mr. Horman’s trying to say “don’t expect pocket pistols to be accurate beyond bad breath distance” and “see if you can stand shooting a pocket pistol enough to practice with it on a regular basis before you buy one.” Not to mention “carry the biggest gun you can comfortably conceal (or carry openly where permitted) ’cause carrying a really small gun may be worse than not carrying a gun at all.”
That said, he can’t say that! The NRA house mag writer can’t openly diss a class of firearm sold by the companies that send six-figure checks to America’s oldest civil rights org. But . . . I get the distinct impression that AR’s pushing the envelope with this article. Which they wouldn’t have done if Shooting Illustrated hadn’t shot itself in the foot in such a spectacular fashion. Twice.
Anyway, if you want the unvarnished truth about guns, you know where to come. But make no mistake: TTAG celebrates any and all gun pubs that tell it like it is. The truth may not set you free, but it sure can help you stay alive. Now man-up and figure out how to carry a proper gun. Unless you can’t.