Blue Sheepdog
Police Gear Reviews, Training and Officer Safety Tips.
Updated: 2 days 15 hours ago
Ruger LC380 Review
The Ruger LC380 (Light Carry) handgun is chambered in .380ACP and is made for deep concealment or pocket carry, as is its predecessor, the Ruger LC9 in 9x19mm (introduced in 2011). A side-by-side comparison shows the two, the LC9 and the LC380, to be identical. From the accompanying insert to the owner’s manual: “…the Ruger […]
Ruger LC380 Review
The Ruger LC380 (Light Carry) handgun is chambered in .380ACP and is made for deep concealment or pocket carry, as is its predecessor, the Ruger LC9 in 9x19mm (introduced in 2011). A side-by-side comparison shows the two, the LC9 and the LC380, to be identical. From the accompanying insert to the owner’s manual: “…the Ruger LC380 has the same basic operational characteristics as the LC9 pistol.” This is correct – to a point.
Five changes were made to accommodate the new caliber: the slide, the barrel, a complete magazine and the pistol’s two recoil springs which I think (not having an LC9 on hand) are of lesser strength than that used for the 9x19mm cartridge. These parts are listed as factory installation only. (I also don’t foresee Ruger offering any sort of conversion service to change calibers from one to the other with either model.)
LC380 FeaturesThe new LC380 is semiauto and double-action-only. It has a blued, through hardened (fully heat treated) slide and uses a linkless barrel locking/ unlocking system. Its outer frame is black colored, glass filled nylon (aka p
Blackhawk Legacy L-6V Flashlight Review
Blackhawk has produced another high output flashlight to their family of quality tactical flashlights. The Legacy L-6V flashlight is the newest addition to Blackhawk’s Night-Ops line of illumination tools. I happened to be in the market for a new flashlight recently and purchased the Legacy for available features and its incredible brightness. This is my Blackhawk […]
FNS-40 Pistols Adopted by Baltimore County
FNH USA announced the Baltimore County (MD) Police Department adopted the FNS-40 LS pistol as the agency’s new duty firearm. The FNS-40 LS is a polymer-framed, striker-fired semiautomatic pistol. The FNS guns are double action and normally have a manual safety. However, the FNS-40 LS does not have a manual safety. It is not known […]
TAVOR Enters US Law Enforcement Service
IWI US announced the Pennsylvania State Capitol Police Department (PSCPD) selected the TAVOR as the department’s new patrol rifle. The IWI TAVOR is a compact, bullpup style rifle chambered for the 5.56 NATO cartridge and uses standard AR-15/M-4 magazines. The TAVOR was developed in Israel, and has recently became available in the US market. I believe PSCPD […]
Streamlight Strion LED HL Review
Everybody working the road needs a good flashlight – even the officers on day watch. I’ve always said that having a small flashlight on your belt is critical for ensuring that you always have a light no matter where you are, and that you have a backup to the larger light you might normally hop […]
LASD Adopts M&P 9
Smith & Wesson released a press release this morning saying the company entered a contract with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department to provide the agency with M&P 9 pistols for the next five years. These will replace non-Smith & Wesson handguns, which I believe are the Beretta 92 FS pistols. A member of the Smith […]
.40 S&W Speer Gold Dot Ammo Testing
I’ve been a fan of the Speer Gold Dot ammunition for many years now. The 155 grain Gold Dot round for the .40 S&W is what I was issued at two different agencies, and I have seen the results of its use in officer-involved shootings. I can’t say that it is better than any of […]
Continuity of Operations Planning
“There’s a COOP meeting tomorrow in the conference room, 0900 hours.” COOP is the acronym for Continuity Of Operations Planning. This announcement is rarely one which brings enthusiasm; it more often elicits groans and requires promises of coffee and a variety of pastry selections. However, the importance of COOP cannot be over-stated, especially given contingencies […]
TKL Outdoors Diamond Black Rifle Case Review
Storing and transporting a rifle is an important aspect of a police department’s overall firearms program, yet it is often addressed as an afterthought by many agencies. When a department spends thousands of dollars for a rifle, optic and accessories, it only makes sense to protect that investment with something more than a cheap padded […]
Body Armor Update: 2013
This year’s body armor update includes good news about wear rates; not so good news about federal funding; and continued product development for law enforcement’s ever changing needs. In addition to seeing agencies replace vests about every five years, body armor manufacturers report seeing a demand for anti-rifle plates and hard armor plate carriers worn […]
Colt LE6940P Review – The Next Generation AR-15
The Modern Sporting Rifle (MSR), as the AR-15 semiautomatic rifle is now identified, is the most popular rifle in the United States. In its original configuration as the M16 with semi- and full-auto capability, it is now the longest serving rifle in our armed forces. In military use, it has undergone, and continues to undergo, […]
Streamlight Stinger DS LED HP Review
Looking for a handheld flashlight that can reach out across a backyard and illuminate a suspect? Want to keep it affordable and compatible with your existing charging system? Take a look at the Streamlight Stinger DS LED HP. I know the name is cumbersome, but the flashlight it much handier. Touting features that include 350 […]
Critical Space: How to Effectively Shoot at Close Range
If you take a moment to consider a police officer’s real world of work, they do not kill the enemy as the military does; they seek out lawbreakers and take them into custody. That’s a HUGE difference in tactics! The military is constantly looking for ways to engage at greater distances (consider the dissatisfaction of […]
iRobot 110 First Look Review
A couple of months ago I got the chance to review the iRobot 110 FirstLook robot. (Ed. note: Yes, this is the same iRobot company that builds the Roomba.) Bruce Archambault, the Army Business Manager for iRobot, was in the area and good enough to bring a couple of options to our police department for […]
Selecting a Police Sniper
Unfortunately, relatively little consideration is given for selecting personnel for a Of course, I’m a sniper. My name on the memorandum said I was!” Although a legitimate sniper school shouldn’t be afraid to flunk someone who can’t meet the course performance objectives, this is only the last link in the chain of a selection and […]
DKX Armor: Lightweight Armor Plates for Cops
DKX Advanced Manufacturing is on the cutting edge of ballistic protection, offering high grade armor plates for military and civilian applications. The latest products from Advanced Manufacturing are some of the most amazing advancements in armor development I have ever seen. Combining the latest manufacturing technology with the newest polymer advancements, Advanced Manufacturing is offering […]
Optimizing the Police Shotgun
Law enforcement weapons, including the police issue shotgun, are in a constant state of evolution. I have been around this game long enough to see dump pouches give way to speedloaders; auto pistols replace revolvers, and a variety of less-lethal weapons render wooden batons obsolete. Change often takes more time than we like, but, eventually, […]
Breaching Tools for Patrol
Traditionally when police talk about breaching tools they are in the context of SWAT Teams. In deed, many breaching tools require specialized training to understand the complexities of the tool, or the specialized methods that must be used to ensure a successful breach. Tragic events, such as the spree killer at Virginia Tech, have illuminated […]
Streamlight Night Com UV Flashlight Review
The new Streamlight Night Com UV is a specialty light for law enforcement that incorporates six UV emitting LED lights into a white light flashlight. The UV lights allow a police or security officer to verify the authenticity of a driver’s license, bank card, currency or other document. The flashlight is about the same length […]