On a summer trip to Grand Forks North Dakota our family was riding bikes on the Greenway Trail that meanders along the Red River. A police officer on a bike approached and said “can I talk to you?” I whispered to my wife “I hope you don’t get a ticket for not wearing your helmet!” Fortunately I was wrong and the officer approached our 7 year old daughter who had big eyes wondering why this imposing figure of authority was coming up to her. The officer said “thank you for wearing your helmet, I’d like to give you a citation for a free ice cream cone at a local ice cream shop. Her wide eyed fear quickly disappeared and was replaced by a big smile.
We learned from the officer that the Grand Forks the police department gives kids who wear helmets while cycling, skateboarding, and rollerblading (they still do it in Grand Forks!) a citation for free ice cream cones.
We liked the idea so much so we approached the local Steamboat Springs Police Chief with the idea and he loved it.
Now, the Steamboat Springs Police Department and Sheriff are handing out citations to kids that wear their helmets.
We like that the program rewards kids for doing something that benefits their safety and the positive interaction between the officers and kids, creatings long lasting good will and memories.
TALON Grips is proud to fund the Cones from Cops program.
If we are
to take a look at some statistics, it is clear that people feel the need for
protection – a survey made in 2013 showed that 48% of gun owners have purchased
a weapon solely for protection.
The next
highest percentage comes from those that purchased hunting gear – 32% and only
7% of people bought a gun for either target or sport shooting. It is safe to
assume that protection is what most people seek nowadays.
Moreover,
given the various incidents that happen these days, we can expect that 48% percentage
to have gone significantly higher. It’s not that the world is increasingly
dangerous, it’s that the need for protection became so crucial that people
won’t turn their back to weapons that make them feel safer.
Today,
we’ll be talking about why exactly people need better means of protection.
We’ll also introduce you to a 4-step guide that you should take into
consideration if you are a first-time weapon owner/buyer and wish to further
protect yourself, your family, and the guns in your possession.
Safety Is
Paramount
Looking more into statistics, we came across a study that shows exactly what both non-gun owners and gun owners think about guns. To be more specific, it tells what feeling they have knowing that there is a firearm available in case something goes wrong.
People
who personally own a gun expressed their thoughts in the following way: 79% of
them stated that owning or having a gun in your household makes you feel safer,
78% stated that it is something they enjoy, while only 7% said that it makes
them feel uncomfortable.
On the
other hand, people who don’t own a gun, but have someone in their household
owning one, expressed the following: 65% claimed that it makes them feel safer,
43% said that it is something they enjoy, while only 9% said that it makes them
feel uncomfortable.
As we can
see, safety comes with the highest percentages.
What
Should We Understand by Better Protection?
Obviously,
when we talk about protection, we don’t refer to our protection only – as in,
the protection and safety that owning a gun provides us with. As we all know,
guns can cause accidents as well.
Therefore,
everyone that has a gun in their vicinity should feel safe and protected, not
only the person that owns a gun. In this respect, let’s now talk about that
4-step guide we mentioned earlier in our article.
We’ll showcase what you, as a first-time weapon buyer/owner should do to make sure that you are capable of ensuring the safety of everyone around you. Obviously, there will be information here for those that already own a gun as well – so keep on reading.
Buying the Gun
When
you’re buying a gun, you must be sure that it is indeed a responsibility that
you want to take. If you are afraid of guns but think that you would feel safer
if you had a gun, it is better if you look for alternative ways to protect
yourself.
If you are
sure that you can handle this responsibility, then head to a certified,
reputable, and trustworthy gun store. You will want to be greeted by a person
that knows their job better than you know your own home – a retired cop, for
example, a veteran, or anyone that has been around guns for a long period of
time.
When you’re buying a weapon for protection, make sure to mention that to the one selling you the gun. They will tell you their story too, as well as any other insight that may be useful for you.
After Purchase Procedure
Obviously,
you don’t head straight home after you buy your gun. Not only that you have to
make sure that it fits you, but you also have to learn how to shoot it and see
how it works.
In most
cases, the gun store will be equipped with a shooting range that you can use to
test your new gun all day long. An instructor – most likely the one that sold
you the gun – will be by your side, teaching you everything you have to know.
Listen to
their words carefully and never let your mind drift off. They will tell you how
to keep yourself and the others around you safe.
If you
feel the need to do so, purchase ammo and shoot at paper targets all day long.
This way, you will acknowledge the power of the gun and get accustomed to it.
Gun Discipline
The one
rule that you should be told and that you must remember at all times is to treat
the gun as if it were always loaded. This statement in itself could have
prevented a lot of accidents. The next rule would be: only point it towards
things that you intend to open fire at.
In short,
never play with your firearm and pay attention to gun discipline. Your finger should be on the trigger only if you
want to shoot in the next 5 seconds.
Gun Safety
When it
comes to gun safety, all of the above apply. However, for this specific step,
we refer to the best gun safes. There are dozens of options in terms of keeping the gun away from everybody else
but yourself.
As
mentioned above, better protection doesn’t mean being able to scare away home
invaders. You must also keep your family safe from the dangers that come with
owning a gun.
In this
respect, it is highly recommended that you guard your weapon or weapons in a
safe and that you spend a lot of time getting proper training with each and
every one of them.
Concluding
Remarks
Given the
world we live in, with ups and downs and so many unforeseen incidents, it is
important for us to feel and be safe. Carrying a gun will not, by any means,
turn you into a dangerous person.
However,
always keep in mind that you must be comfortable with yourself, with your gun, and
overall with you owning such a powerful item. This way, you can make sure that
you and those around you are safe.
In this post, I’m going to show you my top 3 recommended gun accessories.
In fact:
I use these accessories every day and as a result:
My shooting accuracy has improved.
I have a MUCH better grip on my pistol.
I can comfortably carry my firearm.
In short: If you’re looking to up your firearm game, you’ll love these gun accessories.
Let’s dive right in!
Number 1: Rifle Scope
In my opinion, the absolute BEST gun accessory to put on your gun is a…
…rifle scope.
Matter of fact, It wasn’t until AFTER I found the best scope for my AR-15 that I was easily able to squat 400 yard targets.
Before, my old eyes wouldn’t be able to see that far out just using iron sights. I can confidently say this upgrade alone changed my shooting game.
However, you may not need to shoot that far out. If that’s the case, just go with close-range sight like a red dot sight, ACOG or something you like.
And here’s the good news:
Buying a quality scope won’t cost an arm and a leg (if you know what you’re looking for). With just a bit of research, you can definitely get yourself crystal-clear optics for less than $200.
The fact is this:
Once you’ve choosen a scope for your firearm and take it out to the range, you should expect a HUGE increase in accuracy. So much so that you might actually get bored of not missing!
That said, I highly, highly recommend throwing a rifle scope or reflex sight on your gun for a huge accuracy boost. Talking about accuracy, you should invest in a…
Number 2: Talon Grip
You ESPECIALLY need one if you own a handgun.
Here’s why:
Good grip is vital for handling and control when shooting. And Talon grips offer exactly that.
For example: I own a Glock 17 and when I switched from the Glock 17’s factory grip to a Talon grip — a more adhesive-backed textured product — there was a significant improvement in grip and control.
Actually, the pistol was so MUCH easier to control when firing rounds and the grip felt like I had Spiderman’s hands. Solid.
But keep in mind there are two different textured grips Talon offers: rubber and granulate.
Which one should you choose?
Read this article and you’ll know exactly which grip texture is best for you. When you do, my last recommended firearm accessory is a…
Number 3: Holster
If you have a firearm and plan on carrying it with you, I HIGHLY recommend getting a holster.
And not any type of holster. You want one that is durable, easily-accessible and comfortable enough to actually wear.
Enter: Concealment Express KYDEX Holster.
Their holsters are perfect for inside the waistband (IWB) and appendix inside the waistband (AIWB). In addition, they’re insanely affordable — under $40.
Other great holster brands that I personally recommend are CrossBreed, Zero-Nine, Alien Gear and Clinger. But the important thing is this: get a quality holster and it’ll pay itself back in ease-of-use and protection.
With that said, it’s time for me to ask you…
What Do You Think?
These are my top 3 gun accessory recommendations.
Sure, there are more but these personally were the most game-changing.
That said, I’d like to hear from you: which gun accessory was the most life-changing for you?
Whatever the case, let me know your thoughts by leaving a quick comment down below.
Author Bio:
Richard Douglas is nicknamed the “James Bond of Scopes” by his friends. Why? Because he knows A LOT about scopes. After all, Richard is an avid rifle scope user for over 10 years. He now reviews scopes and shares his findings exclusively on his blog, Scopes Field.
TALON Grips 4th of July Sale is happening July 4th, 2019.
The sale is from 12am to 11:59pm July 4th, 2019 MST
Rubber-Black and Granulate Black Gun, Taser, and phone grips will be $13.99 each
Rubber-Moss Gun, Taser, and phone grips will be $15.99 each
No coupon code is needed
Go to TalonGunGrips.com on July 4th place your order and $4 will be automatically deducted from each Gun, Taser, and Phone grip you purchase. We will still be offering free standard shipping.
Glock has been around since 1963 and in 1981 Glock handguns as we know them were born. Glock categorizes their guns as Generation 1, Generation 2, Generation 3, Generation 4, and recently Generation 5. On top of that, there have been changes to the line between full generations, for instance the glock 26 is available in a generation 2.5.
Telling the difference between the Generations (we’ll can then Gens from here on) may seem daunting at first however if you know what you’re looking for it’s not hard at all. We’ll break down the aesthetic differences in the Gens to help you easily determine what you Gen you have so you can get the right TALON Grip for your Glock pistol.
Gen 1 Glocks (1982-1988)
17, 17L, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23
Characteristics:
Flat front strap (no finger grooves)
Subtle pebble grip texture on the entire pistol grip area
Additional backstraps on all models except the 42 and 43
Addition of Gen 4 on the slide
Gen 4 Glock 17
Gen 5 Glocks (2017-Present)
17, 19, 19X, 26, 34, 43X, 45, 48
No finger grooves
Thumb rests
Flared magwell
Ambidextrous slide stop
Ambidextrous magazine release
Additional backstraps on all models except the 43X and 48
Gen 5 on the slide
Gen 5 Glock 17
About TALON
Grips
Utilizing the latest design and production technologies, TALON Grips produces the most innovative functional pistol grips available. Never resting on what is considered good enough TALON Grips provides superior products that make a difference at an affordable price.
The result is an
unparalleled interface between users and their firearm in all conditions.
Performance benefits include improved
weapon retention, quicker target acquisition, more accurate follow up shots and
better recoil mitigation.
TALON Grips was founded in 2009 by a law enforcement officer, competitive shooter, firearms instructor, and armorer to enhance shooter comfort, consistency, and weapon retention. The patented TALON Grips provide maximum grip coverage in custom designs for over 300 firearms. The precisely cut gun grips are available in rubber-black, rubber-moss, and granulate-black materials for different applications and user preferences.
Headquartered in Steamboat
Springs, CO, TALON Grips are 100% made in USA. TALON Grips are used by the US
military, law enforcement, competitive shooters, and firearms enthusiasts.
TALON Grips are available at select retailers or direct at talongungrips.com.
YouTube is a huge platform that has gained a lot of traction over the years. More and more people are using YouTube as their source for product reviews, how to’s, and diverse entertainment.
Are you ready to venture into the “shooting range” of YouTube? Here are our top choices to consider following.
With over 4 million subscribers, Hickok45 is the biggest shooting channel on the platform. The channel is run by a father and son. The channel is drama-free and family-friendly. Hickok45 videos are truly enjoyable, and you always learn something new from them.
With a vast knowledge about guns, the videos are always made in such a way that it makes you feel like you’re actually there, next to him.
His content consists of gun reviews, having fun at the range, and a personal favorite, Shooting the Breeze. Firearms reviewed include the latest offerings to classic long guns.
Due to his deep knowledge about the art of shooting, you can rest assured that the tips he’s offering will prove to be helpful. In addition, he makes sure to sprinkle some humor here and there, maintaining a light mood throughout his videos.
Are you up for some gun lessons with an intelligent and humorous teacher? If your answer is “yes”, then check out Colion Noir. Besides being an attorney, he’s also a gun lover and NRA TV personality. He’s also very charismatic, so it’s not too difficult to become a fan.
His channel consists of gun-related videos and political opinions. He has a lot of content that you may find useful. When he’s doing shooting videos, they are usually reviews of specific gun models, but he doesn’t stop there – he also makes shooting challenge videos. In these, multiple competition shooters gather and pair as teams. They go through a series of challenges, and only one team will be on top in the end. It’s very entertaining and offers some lessons at the same time in regard to shooting techniques.
This is a great channel for you if you want an amazing mix of entertainment, knowledge, and advice.
Another popular figure on YouTube, Sootch00. has over 800,000 subscribers. The channel is very useful for those looking to receive some shooting advice and learn more about particular firearm models.
The channel offers a lot of content that is helpful for people who love shooting, such as gun reviews, shooting advice, discussions, and more. Sootch00 provides a variety in the content he delivers, and you always receive insightful information. The length of the videos varies, depending on the type – while reviews can last for around 15-20 minutes, a Q&A can be an hour long.
If you’re looking for reviews and advice from a professional, Sootch00 will give you what you need.
This channel is very popular, and it comes as no surprise considering the versatility it provides. Apart from the gun-related content, you will also find a lot of videos that involve tips about living in a van, knife reviews, and survival.
Although he doesn’t mention it that much, there’s one thing you should know about Nutnfancy – he’s a retired Lieutenant Colonel of the Air Force. Therefore, he knows many details about survival. He’s well-aware about what firearms can protect you, or help you protect other people in case of danger.
He posts gun reviews, as well as life philosophy videos, and advice on the best tactical accessories you can find. This is a great channel if you want to find out how to use guns for survival.
Justin Opinion is a smaller channel, having a following of over 43,000. His videos are very insightful, and you can learn a great deal from his videos. If you enjoy target shooting and you want to see how certain firearm models perform, Justin Opinion’s channel is a must follow.
Justin’s reviews are thorough, straight forward, and educational. Let him do the work testing and comparing various models to help you decide which gun you like most. Justin also takes frequently asked questions about guns and provides comprehensive answers to them. His tone is very calm and relaxed, and it will almost feel like he’s your personal teacher. You can tell he really enjoys shooting and reviewing guns.
If you want someone with lots of knowledge to help you know which firearm to spend your cash on, he’s the guy.
Military
Arms Channel provides quality in depth content on a wide range of firearms ranging
from vintage military weapons to the latest firearms and technologies to hit
the market.
They really do an excellent job of running new firearms through the ringer. If you want to see how firearms perform under adverse conditions Military Arms will reveal a lot about the firearm being reviewed.
They also provide fun content and answer questions that you may have always wondered about but haven’t tried such as Will a 40SW work in a 10mm?
Final
Thoughts
With the rise of YouTubers nowadays, it’s easy to find channels that create content suitable for your likes and hobbies. As such, there are many channels revolving around guns and shooting, and some of our favorites have been presented in this article. If they sound like the real deal for you, make sure to click the subscribe button and join their subscriber list.
There are many great YouTubers we failed to mention. Please share your favorites in the comments below.
We know TALON Grips are difference makers on firearms.
Have you ever thought about how else that simple but effective gripping material can be used? Many of you know that we venture out of the firearm segment, making grips for iPhones, coasters for travel mugs, and sell DIY material sheets for projects.
One of the coolest things about talking to customers who buy our DIY sheets is finding out how they are using the material. The ideas and uses of the gripping material are are as diverse as the life in the amazon jungle. Following are some of our favorite material uses:
We bring a diverse assortment of guns to SHOT Show
Tis the season when the firearms industry gathers in Las Vegas for the annual SHOT Show Convention from January 22nd – 25th at the Sands Convention Center. There are over 350 exhibiting companies with products ranging from million dollar infrared scanning technology to hunting scents. SHOT Show enables retailers to find the latest widgets and meet with suppliers to find out what’s new and trending. There is never a shortage of innovative products to drool over.
Disarmed and ready for SHOT
For us, SHOT Show is an opportunity to meet new retail customers, work with existing customers, and develop relationships with the firearm manufacturers whose guns we wrap in TALON Grips.
In our 18 ft by 10 ft booth we will be displaying over 26 firearms from 7 different manufacturers clad in our Rubber-Black, Rubber- Moss, and Granulate grips.
If you’re attending, stop by our booth #6603 which is in the Law Enforcement Ballroom.
While at SHOT we will be updating our Social Media channels regularly with the latest happenings and unique things we find. You can find us on the following Social Media channels:
