I’m a retired Police officer and college professor. I spent 28 years as a police officer. I have been assigned to our SRU team, Street Crime Unit, Intelligence, Patrol and as an investigator. I am also a certified police firearms instructor.
My second job was teaching computer science courses at a local college when we lived in Illinois after my initial retirement. I was still working part time as a police officer.
My primary hobby is shooting. I also have a strong interest in history and computing. I also love to read.
If you find anything on my blog you would like more information on please comment and I will email you ASAP. I enjoy helping fellow shooters out whenever possible!
December 9, 2006 at 12:43 pm
Hey, Gunner…great site! Jeff Soyer at Alphecca turned me on to you. I’ll get a link up to you on my site.
December 9, 2006 at 2:30 pm
Mike,
I appreciate the kind comments.Thanks to you also Jeff!
Phil
December 21, 2006 at 9:04 am
Hi, Gunner. I’m amazed at the similarities between us. I too am a retired police officer; just under 30 years. When I retired I started a tiny computer consulting company and did that for several years. Love to collect guns, shoot and read. Heavily in to computers. Still active with my agency’s Critical Stress Intervention Team. Loved the job, but been retired for 16 years this coming February. Love that too!
December 21, 2006 at 11:23 am
Hi Ed,
I tried to reply to your email and it bounced.Got another email address?
Phil
January 7, 2007 at 12:40 pm
Phil,
I am another LEO that has a similar background as you. I just hit year #29 in the business and I am thinking of retiring at the end of this year. I am on my third (and final) agency. I started out in a small town muni PD (18 sworn) and then moved on to the local Sheriff’s office (200 sworn). I spent 16 years there and was assigned to the Firearms training unit, Field Evidence unit, SWAT, and Criminal Invest. I eventually promoted to Sgt. and did a tour in the Custody division, then back out to patrol and finally ended up supervising a Probation Enforcement Narcortics Team. I transferred to the local DA’s office as an Inspector and I am now currenlty assigned to a Computer Crimes Task force as a forensic examiner. My agency just changed their firearms policy and is allowing single action semi-autos for duty use, so I have purchased the SA LW Champion for my EDC. Thanks for the great site and all the info!
Mick
February 5, 2007 at 10:06 am
Gunner,
Great site! Been in LE for about 15 years and love to shoot. Got a 1911 and was wondering were I could get a set of the grips you have a pic of with the 1* logo on them. Any info would be great. Thanks
September 11, 2007 at 12:41 pm
The MilTac grips are available with the 1* at http://www.mil-tac.com. Just ask for Craig and he will take great care to give you what you want. A great guy and a company with some fine products.
Phil
September 15, 2007 at 4:22 pm
It looks like we all have common interest and some of us are so close in experience it’s spooky:-)
Take Care,
Phil
September 18, 2007 at 9:26 am
Hey Phil,
Looks like the blog is really taking off now, buddy! Have fun with it.
EW
September 18, 2007 at 10:35 am
Hey Eric,
Will do my friend!
Phil
October 8, 2007 at 5:23 pm
where in IL?
thats where i live..
sw burbs of chicago.
November 17, 2007 at 7:15 pm
Hi Phil. Gotmy RIA Tactical this week. Took it to the farm today & shot it for awhile. I like most things about it, the sights are fine, the trigger measured 5lbs, but seems to be a little more than that. I put a set of Hogue grips on it. I like the palm swell kind & run them on all of my 1911’s. I will add a magwell & work on the trigger a little, but other than that, I’ll leave it pretty much like it came. For awhile anyway. It is as accurate as any 1911 I’ve ever shot & preformed like it should today. I’m impressed with my new pistol. Talk to you later, Sam
November 22, 2007 at 7:12 pm
Am also a retired LEO. This sounds like a great fraternity to be a part of. Look forward to being a participant.
Jerry Johnson
November 22, 2007 at 8:40 pm
Jerry it really is! Welcome to the club:-)
Phil
November 22, 2007 at 8:48 pm
Hi Jerry,
I did put some instructions on the post for the Kimber Pro Carry II. Check this link and see if I need to be a little more clear in my explaination.
Thanks,
Phil
December 26, 2007 at 11:38 am
Great website. Also retired, Air Force, MWR officer . Second career, federal employment. My field is recreation services. Like yourself I enjoy collecting guns and shooting. 1911 Lover, Needless to say, time just go’s by to fast. Presently working with the city of Maitland, Fl, athletic dept, part time. Keep in touch, Vince
December 26, 2007 at 1:04 pm
Vince,
Thanks very much I appreciate your comment. Man do I ever know what you mean about time passing to quickly. Once you hit 50 or retire life picks up speed way to fast:-)
I’ll keep in touch.
All the best,
Phil
January 20, 2008 at 10:54 am
Gunner,
I stumbled across your blog in a somewhat unrelated Google search, but once I got to looking around I quickly realized that I had darn-near struck gold. I have not yet entered the 1911 world as I’m still torn between entry level weapons like RIA and SA’s 1911A1, and higher end SA 1911s and Kimbers (I’m totally smitten with the Kimber Custom II Eclipse). But, your site is loaded with 1911 info and it should help me with making a decision.
I wanted to let you know that I found your blog to be very informative, and I’ve bookmarked it as a regular haunt. I also wanted to throw a website address at you and if you find it worthy enough, maybe you could put it in your list of links. The site is called GeorgiaCarry.org and it is quickly becoming the voice for folks here in Georgia who want changes in our very restrictive carry laws. I encourage you to visit the site and see what we are doing in Georgia.
Sincerely,
Michael Lane
January 20, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Michael,
I am genuinely honored by your comment on the blog. Helping people find their way around the 1911 world is the main reason I started the blog. I got kind of tired of seeing erroneous information on some of the gun forums and wanted to give out some information I’ve gained since starting my own journey with this fine gun back in 1976.
Anyway, I am very glad you are enjoying the blog and finding it useful. You have my email now so if you have any questions in the future don’t hesitate to contact me. There are several folks who I email with pretty regularly that have just started with the 1911 so I really do mean it when I say let me know if you have any questions.
A few links for you:
http://www.m1911.org
http://www.sightm1911.com
http://www.centerfiresystems.com (the best price on RIA’s)
All the best,
Phil
February 23, 2008 at 11:52 am
Gunner,
I know this is a 1911 blog and I first want to say I am an active shooter. I own a pistol(XD9) and a shotgun(REM870). I have stumbled onto your website by accident by looking for rock island armory info.
I live in North Carolina, I am a young white southern male and I attend my local community college. I have a very seroius question to ask you and any other law enforcement officials present.
Mr. Gunner, I am a Law student and I want to be a Cop. I want a failed marriage, a drinking problem and professional regrets. I WANT THE LIFE. I want it more than air. In August, I will graduate with an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice and that very month I will sign up for the North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training Course. I want to be the very best cop I can be. I want to get cats out of trees for old ladies then chase down a serial rapist. I want to serve my country and my people solving crimes is just icing on an already good cake. In December 08, I will graduate from BLET. My question to you and your readers is after BLET should I enlist in the military and get more education or go straight to a department and get more education? I really need some wisdom on this decision and would appreciate any that you give.
sincerly
Matt O’quinn
February 23, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Matthew,
I’ll be very happy to answer your questions. Rather than post the answer here I’ll just send you an email. Please bear with me it may take a couple of hours to answer but you will hear from me by this afternoon.
Thanks,
Phil
March 4, 2008 at 8:03 pm
I read your H&K USP Compact 40 caliber analysis. Fantastic! You commentaries are absolutely wonderful.
I already own the H&K USP Full size 40 caliber, and I love it. I now wish to purchase the H&K USP Compact 40 caliber w/stainless steel slide.
Could you please tell me where I could find one?
Thank you so very much!
SongMaker
March 5, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Songmaker,
Thank you very much I appreciate your comment! They are great guns for sure. As far as finding a USP stainless it’s pretty much luck finding one since they stopped making the stainless slide version. Some guys have purchased the regular blue model then sent the slide off to Virgil Tripp to have it hard chromed which looks just like stainless. The way I got mine was pure luck running across one that was being traded in while I was there. Now that’s lucky! Another way and probably the best way is to check the gun auction sites like Gunbroker and Guns America.
Good luck,
Phil
March 30, 2008 at 12:20 am
Gunner,
I want to thank you for posting your video on disassembly and assembly of the 1911. I have a Colt MK IV .380 that was given to me and started the process of cleaning it. Without a manual it was hard because of my limited experience with weapons but your video made all the difference in the world with putting it back together. Thank you for your website.
Thanks,
Fred S.
USAF MSgt(ret.)
March 30, 2008 at 12:46 am
Fred,
It’s my pleasure sir. I’m very glad you found the videos helpful. I’m always trying to provide reliable information for the benefit of fellow shooters.
If you ever have any questions please feel free to email me. I check my mail several times a day.
All the best,
Phil
May 20, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Great Site, congratulations from México!!!!!!
The information that you provide has been very helpful.
May 27, 2008 at 7:25 am
Gunner, just out of curiosity, what was your response to Matt O Quinn’s question? A couple of my LE friends and I were just wondering.
Thanks, Charlie
June 3, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Extremely interesting site. As a guy who went from Glock nut to newly minted 1911 HUGE Fan I like everything about the site. I just last week purchased a Kimber Custom II. Put 250 rounds, 20 silver tip Winchester hollows. Almost ran from the range smiling! Also recently purchased a Springfiled GI stainless. Already dropped a beaver tail and new combat hammer. After shooting the Kimber. I think I need a new trigger and ramp sights. Can’t really think of anything else it needs. Can you? In any event…great resource you have here. Thank you. Straight and often. Greg
June 4, 2008 at 11:51 am
Greg,
Thank you very much! I’m very glad you are enjoying it. Welcome to the 1911 club! Once you start down that 1911 path you never go back. They are just fantastic guns. That Kimber you bought is a very good one. They are certainly one of the most accurate brands out there. It’s enough to make you smile once you shoot one and start getting the bug:-)
The Springfield you bought is a nice one also. Wilson makes a nice trigger that requires very little if any fitting. Novak makes the best sights in my experience. They are also real good about installing them and returning your gun within a week. You can also send the slide only to them and save some bucks in shipping. Really that’s about all you need to do. You could get a trigger job done but that’s about the only other thing you really need. Like Jeff Cooper said all you need are sights you can see and a good trigger.
Again thanks for your comment. It really means I’m doing what I set out to do and that’s help fellow shooters!
Take Care,
Phil
September 23, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Hey Phil!
My computer took a dump awhile back. It’s top notch now, but I lost all of the people in my address book. Send me yours again so I can contact you!
Sam
September 24, 2008 at 11:20 am
Sam—email sent
November 27, 2008 at 11:12 am
Hey guy! Great site! But I’m writing in response to your posting on the Obama qoute. I’m a young man in my mid twenties so maybe their is something i’m missing. Don’t criminals and shady figures get weapons of all types at will. Don’t most robberies and street gang violence and that such thing happen with already illegal or stolen firearms! I don’t think your local blood or crip is gonna go down to the gunstore and get his mac-10! Then you have us: law abiding citizens that have the right to protect what is dear to them! I am not a violent person, I have walked away from fights, even while getting hit. But! If you come in to my home, uninvited I will lay you FLAT! I will protect the innocent babies and the women I love sleeping under my roof without a moments hesitation! So, with Obamas words, what are we to do? I guess we are to be out gunned. No! There is a different answer. I say tougher or different screening process, then allow qaulified individuals access to better guns. Fully auto and the like. I live in California and the gun laws are pretty strict here. Good thing I don’t live in L.A. were the common street thug has a Uzi tucked in his pants. Scary! Law abiding citizens with minimal firearm schooling could combat these growing problems. Yes! Our way of thinking is a little off. But, maybe in my few years their is something I’m missing!
Thank,
Jimmy
P.S. Great site! Can’t wait to learn so much about my FAVE gun the 1911
November 27, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Hi Jimmy,
Thanks for the great comment. I do agree with a lot of what you said.
I want to take some time and answer your comment at length. We have a house full of folks for Thanksgiving today so I’m a little overwhelmed with people right now.
I’ll try to email tonight or tomorrow when things are back to normal.
I’m sure glad you enjoy the blog!!!
Phil
November 29, 2008 at 11:54 am
Jimmy,
You know that’s the problem with gun control. People just don’t get it. By people I mean politicians and those who don’t shoot or have no experience in the real world.
You hit the nail on the head. Criminals don’t go out and buy guns they steal them, buy them on the street or along the border they even go down to Mexico and buy them down there and bring them back. Something you never hear about are guns that are smuggled into the country from overseas and come through Mexico.
With the gang MS13 they are nationwide and in south and central America so they bring them in and use them or sell them.
So, the problem as always isn’t your average citizen that enjoys shooting it’s the criminal who will always have guns no matter what the laws are and the honest citizen is the victim.
Politicians give in to the hysteria everytime there is a shooting or some group gives them a ton of money for the campaign they are running with promises to ban the evil guns.
As I’m sure you know the states who have concealed carry have had crime rates fall to all time lows. Common sense should prevail but often it doesn’t!
Glad you enjoyed the blog!!!
Phil
December 10, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Years ago I was a follower of Elmer Keith, in that I read what I could about him. I believe he owned one of the first model 29’s, .44 mag, and tested it for S&W. Had you ever met or worked with him?
Thanks
December 10, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Art,
No I never had the pleasure. He was gone before I got to know some of the old pistoleros. I sure would liked to have picked his mind:-) I have all his books and read them over from time to time. He was the one who took the old S&W 44 and boosted it up to near 44 mag velocities and did indeed talk S&W into making one on the old three screw N frame and you know the rest of the story.
Kinda like Bill Jordan who fathered the model 19. I did get to meet Bill and have his book”No Second Place Winner” which he autographed for me. It’s a treasured possesion!
Thanks for the comment!
Phil
March 27, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Gunner,
Enjoying your Blog!
Doc
March 27, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Doc,
Good deal I’m glad to hear that!
Best,
Phil
June 19, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Hi,
I am writing you today because I have written a short, basic e-book on reloading and would like for you to publish links to it on your blog. I can also give you a free text copy for review if you want. Thanks for your consideration.
June 23, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Hi Gunner,
Have been lookin all over for a Daly high power (NIB). No luck . I have found a good used but no new. can you give me an idea where I may find a new one? Much appreciated, MOE
September 16, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Gunner,
I am have just purchased a new RIA- 1911 45mm subcompact. As I am a female, I wonder if you might have any suggestions or recomendations for sights and grips to enhance my newest purchase- (I also have a subcompact glock-9mm, a s&w 9mm, a ruger p-95 in 9mm, Bersa- firestorm-.380. I am hoping to carry this RIA instead of the baby glock- which is a bit small for my hand- but is idiot proof. Thanks for your site- it is very informative- I’ll be sure to bookmark it…
September 16, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Hello and congrats on the new 1911! One thing that may help you would be these thinner grips depending on your hand size. http://www.woodgrips.com/1911_ultra_thin.htm
Also if you have the Tactical model you can purchase sights from Novaks and have the slide back in one week. If it has standard government sights(the small ones) Novak can do a slide cut to fit the sights. http://www.novaksights.com/novak_sights.htm. Some of the RIA’s have the tactical sights already. RIA made sure that the slide cut is a standard Novak slide cut which makes it easier to purchase sights. It’s also cheaper to send in the slide only and have Novak do the work.
I hope this helps you:-)
Phil
October 7, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Hello Phil,
I stumbled upon your site while researching for a RIA 1911. I wanted to add to the discussion about 1911 grip panels with something I discovered recently. I have a set of wood grips that I took off my A1, roughed up the surfaces a little bit and sprayed over them two coats of the DupliColor Truck Bed Liner. These turned out great and served a few of purposes: to protect the wood, improved the looks with the black color, and provided a little recoil absorption of the powerful .45ACP
Anyways, just wanted to offer this little discovery to your audience.
October 10, 2009 at 8:43 am
I just read your artical about the Kimber Pro Carry II, I just bought a used one in Stainless that per s/n was manufactured this year. Would you recomend to just change the extractor and the slide release with Wilson parts, just be preclude any issues with these parts? I also use only Kimber mags. so I think that will be on the safe side.
Thank you for your time, Ernie
October 10, 2009 at 9:28 am
Ernie,
Hey you may have a good one so I’d leave the factory parts in for now. There could be some warranty issues if you change parts now. I agree that forged parts as Wilson makes are much better than MIM parts Kimber uses but the warranty thing is a consideration. So if it works ok I’d just leave ot as is unless you have a problem with it. The stainless guns don’t seem to have as many problems as the other finishes for some reason. If you need new mags or just want more buiy Chip McCormick mags. They make all the mags for Kimber so you get the same mag much cheaper!.
Best of luck,
Phil