They may be familiar to some, but not every gunsmith knows the ins and outs of drill bits. Here are the basics.

The graceful, light, and distinctive L.C. Smith Hammerless Double sidelock is a favorite of American shotgunners. Here’s how to fix its most common problems. If you own a Smith and want to make it suitable to shoot again, or if you are presented a Smith to repair, here’s what you need to know about the shotgun.

In June 2010, Kahr Arms purchased Minnesota-based firearms manufacturer, Magnum Research, Inc., maker of the Desert Eagle Pistol and BFR Revolvers in .44 Magnum, .45 LC/.410 or .45/70. Kahr Arms offers a selection of other niche-type firearms, such as the “Tommy Gun” and Auto-Ordnance line of M1 .30 caliber carbines. In this video, Gun Tests Contributing Editor Roger Eckstine shows off two of the company’s big-hole BFR wheelguns.

Beretta USA introduced the BU-9 Nano as its entry into the pocket 9mm pistol category last September. Initial shipments of the American-made pistol left the Accokeek, Maryland factory beginning in November 2011, with a suggested retail price of $475. In this video, Gun Tests’ Contributing Editor Roger Eckstine gets a detailed explanation of how easy the Nano is to break down for maintenance. The Nano's modularity provides for simple disassembly and easy cleaning. Safely disassemble the pistol by first engaging the striker deactivator, a patent pending safety mechanism that eliminates the need to pull the trigger prior to disassembly.

Gun Reports - News

AP: Memphis LE Source of Guns From High-Profile Shootings

(GunReports.com) —  A recent AP story pushed the angle that removing used police firearms from resale channels is good public policy, citing heavily criticized Miami police chief John F. Timoney as a reliable source on the topic and offering no balancing opinion.

Then the story attempted to link the resale practice as part of a trend of loosening gun laws throughout the South.

The AP angle was that used police guns resold to the private market led to two high-profile shootings this year at the Pentagon and a Las Vegas courthouse. Both guns came from the police and court system of Memphis, Tenn.

The story said, "Law enforcement officials told The Associated Press that both guns were once seized in criminal cases in Memphis. The officials described how the weapons made their separate ways from an evidence vault to gun dealers and to the shooters."

Then the story continued, "The use of guns that were once in police custody to attack police officers highlights a little-known divide in gun policy in the U.S.: Many cities and states destroy guns gathered in criminal probes, but others sell or trade the weapons in order to get other guns or buy police equipment.

"In fact, on the day of the Pentagon shooting, March 4, the Tennessee governor signed legislation revising state law on confiscated guns. Before, law enforcementagencies in the state had the option of destroying a gun. Under the new version, agencies can only destroy a gun if it's inoperable or unsafe. "Kentucky has a similar law, but it's not clear how many other states have laws specifically designed to promote the police sale or trade of confiscated weapons."

Had the AP asked practically anyone in the gun-wholesale business or the NSSF, they'd have learned that most state don't regulate the practice of LE gun resale. Those decisions are usually made at the local level, and may vary inside states.

Then the story tried to associate the LE policies with many states--24, according to the story--with the general loosening of restrictions on private ownership of guns.

"A nationwide review by The Associated Press in December found that over the previous two years, 24 states — mostly in the South and West, where gun-rights advocates are particularly strong — have passed 47 new laws loosening gun restrictions. Gun rights groups are making a greater effort to pass favorable legislation in state capitals."

This is an intellectually dishonest linkage, and was either an attempt by AP to tie improved gun rights to the two shootings or incompetent reporting. GR readers can make their own decision about which option is true.

Reader Comments

Last time I checked people kill people, guns do not do it on their own. Really, in the hands of a criminal it makes a difference as to the history of a gun? Did the gun have a checkered past? Its unfortunate that John Q. Public usually believes these stories and agrees with tougher gun laws. What a waste destroying a perfectly good gun. With logic like this its hard to imagine why these big cities are going broke.

Comment by: Robert J | March 15, 2010

This is an intellectually dishonest linkage...

Oh, ya think? When has the AP ever run a gun story that wasn't riddled with dishonesty? Thanks for the fisking, but everyone with more than five living brain cells (that aren't tagged for breathing only) knows that AP stands for "Authorized Propaganda."

Gaviota

Comment by: Lee W | March 15, 2010

Isn't the AP now owned by Rev. Moon and the "Moonies" - along with the Washington Times?

Comment by: PAUL R | March 18, 2010

Yeah - AP truthful? That'll be the day!

Timoney is one of those anti-gun "top-cops" who feel they should be able to represent all of law enforcement.

"Many cities and states destroy guns gathered in criminal probes, but others sell or trade the weapons in order to get other guns or buy police equipment." Many people put their old stuff in the trash; others sell it on e-bay....

Comment by: P V B | March 18, 2010

Mr. Timoney and AP are hoping that your average Oprah watching, People Magazine reading American will think to herself, "Those shootings happened because guys got ahold of police guns". In fact purchasers of police resale guns are subject to the same background check (NICS) as other gun buyers. Assuming the Pentagon and Las Vegas shooters acquired their police resale guns legally, they could have purchased a non-police gun as well.

Comment by: CHARLES S | March 18, 2010

From what I recall reading, their acquisitions may have fit the classic "straw purchase." The AP article and Timoney have no interest in getting the truth out there.

Comment by: P V B | March 18, 2010

The antis are jumping the shark on this one! They couldn't wait to tie police re-sale of guns to "loosening gun laws," yet the guns in question came from "police custody." That means they were most likely STOLEN from a police evidence locker! Cops seem to have a nasty habit of leaving duty pistols in bathrooms or restaurants, losing automatic rifles and somehow "misplacing" evidence. If you or I were that careless, we'd be in jail! This controversy isn't about crime. It's a TACTIC. They're fooling no one.

Comment by: DJStuCrew | March 18, 2010

I'm pretty sure the guns were sold legitimately by the PD to a distributor/dealer.

Comment by: P V B | March 18, 2010