Gun Thread: 1st June and June 1st Edition!

Howdy, Y'all! Welcome to the wondrously fabulous Gun Thread! As always, I want to thank all of our regulars for being here week in and week out, and also offer a bigly Gun Thread welcome to any newcomers who may be joining us tonight. Howdy and thank you for stopping by! I hope you find our wacky conversation on the subject of guns 'n shooting both enjoyable and informative. You are always welcome to lurk in the shadows of shame, but I'd like to invite you to jump into the conversation, say howdy, and tell us what kind of shooting you like to do!

Holy Jumping Atomic Shitballs! Not only is this the 1st June edition it's also the June 1st edition! Mind. Blown. This is both amazing and wonderful in it's mysterious complexity and I may need to sit down and reflect on the amazing and wonderful nature of the universe for a minute.

With that, step into the dojo and let's get to the gun stuff below, shall we?

Last week I posed the following question:

So fundamentals. I advocate focusing on one of four fundamentals, stance, grip, sight alignment and trigger pull/squeeze/press/manipulation every time you're at the range.

Assuming you're not focusing on fundamentals, as I suspect many of you are not, it begs the question; precisely what are you focusing on? Anything? Anything at all?

Please let us know in the comments.

Given the resultant paucity of responses, I am left with no alternative but to assume "you people" are, for the most part, not focusing on anything at the range. So I will ask you again; what in the ever-loving hell is going through your mind when you're blazing away at the range, if you are not focusing on fundamentals each and every time you yank on the trigger?

This week our pal Ed L saves us from another week of Weasel's lame-o content!

The Heckler & Koch (H&K) CC9 micro compact 9mm pistol is a new (fall 2024) entry in the small, concealed carry 9mm pistol market. H&K is a late entrant for this crowded market, trailing well behind its competitors. H&K says the CC9 has been in development for nearly seven years because of H&K&'s rigorous testing requirements, which is why it's taken so long to get the CC9 to market. Is the CC9 worth the wait and the relatively high ($699MSRP) price H&K wants for it?

The CC9 comes in a soft case with two compartments. The first holds the pistol and a spare magazine. The second has space for more spare magazines, the "operators manual," spare backstrap, and a lock.A quick look at the CC9 shows that right out of the box, the CC9 has full ambidextrous controls (slide stop, magazine release). H&K fans might be disappointed with the use of button magazine releases vice the H&K standard paddle magazine release, but there's no doubt that button magazine releases are far more popular in the US market. The CC9 comes with a very short section of Picatinny rails on the front dust cover. The CC9 has a trigger safety and an internal firing pin safety to stop negligent discharges due to dropping a loaded pistol. Unlike most other micro-9 pistols in its class, the CC9 comes with adjustable backstraps. The CC9 ships with a "normal" size backstrap installed. If you have larger hands or long fingers, you're well-advised to replace them with the "large" size backstrap. It will significantly improve your grip on the CC9.

This CC9 shipped with one 10 round flush fit magazine and one 12 round extended magazine. The 10-round magazine improves concealment, but the 12-round magazine gives you just a little bit extra grip space for your pinky finger. This small change makes for a noticeable improvement in the shooting experience. The CC9 is still controllable using the ten-round magazine. But the 12-round magazines are a bit more shooter friendly.

The front sight is a large tritium lit dot, while the rear sight is a blacked out square notch. The CC9 uses a large, easy to use takedown lever. The takedown lever has a magazine disconnector, making it impossible to move he takedown lever until the magazine is removed and the slide locked to rear. Rotate the lever and hit the slide release to remove the slide from the frame. There' no need to pull the trigger to disassemble the CC9 for cleaning.

The CC9 comes optics ready with the plate in front of the rear sights. Most of H&K's testing involved feeding the CC9 a wide range of 9mm ammunition types to ensure the CC9 can reliably feed most 9mm ammunition types. My testing used three different types of ammunition. Here are pictures of the groups I shot with each.124 grain Federal Syntech. The first target is a 10-yard target shot with both hands and a 12-round magazine. Second photo is a 7-yard target fired with the strong hand only using the 10-round magazine.

This target is for 124 grain +P ammo.

This target shows the results for 147 grain Federal HST at 10 yards. Thanks to its trigger, the CC9 is capable of good accuracy at 7 and 10 yards. Felt recoil is significant, but well within what should be expected for pistols within its class. The slide release was stiff to operate but does appear to have improved after firing the first 50 rounds. I experience no malfunctions with any of the ammo I fired so far. So, is the H&K CC9 worthy of making it to your short list as a potential purchase? If you're a lefty, have large hands, want something with H&K's reputation for reliability, or prefer a handgun that doesn't make you pull the trigger to disassemble it for cleaning, the CC9 might fit the bill for you.

Very nicely done! Thank you, Ed L!!!

Because Weasel cares!

Earth vs The Flying Saucers

and Tarzan and the Huntress

Note: One of the great joys of NoVAMoMe season, at least for me, is being able to cut and paste the entire block of text below and haranguing you to attend the event. Are you attending? Are you focusing on the fundamentals of attending?

Alright, guys and gals, the long awaited and highly anticipated details of the 2025 NoVAMoMe are here! That's right, I finally got my act together and updated the information page for 2025, and need to go over a few details. First, the date is June 21st, 2025. Nextly, my bestest blog buddy bluebell and I have decided 2025 will be a year of NoVAMoMe simplification, and want to pass along the changes from prior years.

First, no more registration and no more advance charge for food. If you would like to attend, send an email to WeaselBell Productions, and let us know. You will be directed to a sekrit webpage with all of the details. We do ask once you have decided to attend to let us know so we can coordinate an expected count with venue management. Once there if you are hungry or thirsty simply order from the onsite menu and pay separately. Cash and credit cards accepted. Next, although fun, we have decided to take a break from the raffles and mug sales this year. Depending on how it goes, that may be something we bring back in future years. While your generosity is always appreciated, with no prize table, please leave donations and contributions at home, but bring your appetite for a great afternoon spent with your imaginary online friends.

A NoVAMoMe PSA from our pal bluebell

Hi folks - just a quick PSA. If you write for info about the MoMe, please give us a few words in the body of the email just so I know you are a Moron and not a spammer (moron). I do receive spam on this email account because it's sitting right here in my nic, so that's why I'm asking. I don't want to give our details to a spammer. Also, remember to check your spam folder if you don't receive a reply email.

Thanks.
bluebell

Seriously, just send an email then go to the website with the password provided. If you forget, a link to the email is on the main page, left sidebar. If you do not sign up, bluebell will be disappointed. Weasel will be disappointed, too, but it's bluebell you need to worry about.

That's it, people. Email WeaselBell Productions today!

Cigar of the Week

This week our pal Diogenes scores again with this excellent review of the Carrillo Encore Majestic

So my son-in-law shows up with a couple of sticks and we set about creating fire and fine drink with which to enjoy them. All I can say is my daughter chose wisely as he gave me a box pressed Carrillo Encore Majestic. He told me later is as rated at 96 points in Cigar Aficionado in 2022. I believe it. The Majestic comes together with immaculately detailed flavor that ranges from oak and tea to a slight background of caramel. I also caught some orange-like hints. None of these are overpowering and there is little initial taste. The light is easy and the ash burns evenly. The product is a rich, almost dense smoke that is aromatic and pleasant. The Encore features all Nicaraguan tobacco that's been aged and married in tercios together for two years. (Tercios, or bundles of tobacco held together by royal palm leaves and rope. I didn't know this.) The result is something I've never smoked before and I discovered a balance and smoothness I seldom find in a cigar. The first third of the Encore was a simple introduction to the cigar and the tastes ebbed and flowed a bit. Nothing bad, just interesting. The second third began to mellow with some creaminess starting to develop that not only softened the profile, but add subtlety. It finishes the same way. Hard core cigar smokers might find the Encore too mild, although it is rated in the medium range. It is an easy cigar to smoke and I think it is worth the $10 or so cost. Smoke it to the last inch, and you will find yourself sorry it has ended.

Here are some different online cigar vendors. You will find they not only carry different brands and different lines from those brands, but also varying selections of vitolas (sizes/shapes) of given lines. It's good to have options, especially if you're looking for a specific cigar.

Cigarsinternational.com
Cigarpage.com
Famous-smoke.com
Cigarsdaily.com
Neptunecigar.com
Smallbatchcigar.com
Bobalu Cigar Company
Cigarbid.com
Nicks Cigar World New!

A note about sources. The brick & mortar/online divide exists with cigars, as with guns, and most consumer products, with respect to price. As with guns - since both are "persecuted industries", basically - I make a conscious effort to source at least some of my cigars from my local store(s). It's a small thing, but the brick & mortar segment for both guns and tobacco are precious, and worth supporting where you can. And if you're lucky enough to have a good cigar store/lounge available, they're often a good social event with many dangerous people of the sort who own scary gunz, or read smart military blogs like this one. -rhomboid

Anyone have others to include? Perhaps a small local roller who makes a cigar you like? Send me your recommendation and a link to the site!

Ammo Link-O-Rama
I'm really very seriously not kidding around anymore. Buy Ammo
AmmoSeek - online ammo search tool
GunBot - online ammo search tool
SG Ammo
Palmetto State Armory
Georgia Arms
AmmoMan
Target Sports USA
Bud's Gun Shop
American Elite Ammo NEW!

Please note the new and improved protonmail account gunthread at protonmail dot com. An informal Gun Thread archive can be found HERE. Future expansion plans are in the works for the site Weasel Gun Thread. If you have a question you would like to ask Gun Thread Staff offline, just send us a note and we'll do our best to answer. If you care to share the story of your favorite firearm, send a picture with your nic and tell us what you sadly lost in the tragic canoe accident. If you would like to remain completely anonymous, just say so. Lurkers are always welcome!

That's it for this week - have you been to the range?

posted by Weasel at 07:00 PM

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