Column

Deer season started this weekend in Texas, and I’m not in a tree stand. Why? Aside from the crushing weight of deadlines and the kids’ hectic schedules, I have another problem: I live in the suburbs. As a recent transplant to Waco, I haven’t built a list of friendly landowners willing to let me wander their property in search of Whitetail. And I know I’m not alone when I say that a multi-thousand-dollar lease isn’t in the cards right now, even if I split the bill among my hunting buddies.

Fortunately, help may be on its way.

The .22 LR is without a doubt the most ubiquitously manufactured cartridge of all time. But how does the .22 rimfire fit in the world of those who carry firearms for self-defense?

This whole concealed carry thing is about being ready to shoot someone. Let’s not sugarcoat it in any way: You get a sidearm (or a dozen) and take at least minimal training (hopefully), or, better yet, lifelong training. And for what? So you know how to safely and accurately shoot someone, or a bunch of someones, if the need properly arises. Our laws back us up.

It stands to reason that if someone is attempting to kill you and you have a loaded gun, you will use it to stop the lethal attack. Right? Well, maybe.

Keep in mind that you must always be flexible, and you must always adapt to your situation, because the situation will never adapt to your plans.

All that put together gives the knife a vibe. Like it talks to you when you hold it, which is a rarity among weapons. The feel from this one is all primitive.

I’ve chronographed separate lots of 115-grain that were barely supersonic on average, with the slowest rounds of a 10-round string struggling to top 1,050 feet per second.

If the Glock 43X fits your hand better or meets your needs for greater magazine capacity, jump on the X train. It is a solid Glock design and it will likely provide reliable service. But as for me?  I’m sticking with the Glock 43.

One of the most common laments I hear in life is, “Man, I wish someone had told me that when I started.”