GearExpert

WWII 8MM Nambu Pistol & Case Found!

May 23 • News • 9218

Today I have a really cool bit of news. Over the weekend I was going through some of my father’s things and found a beautiful leather holster. I hadn’t seen it before and was naturally curious about the contents. I wouldn’t call my dad a gun nut, and he hadn’t hunted in my lifetime, but I know when he was younger he spent summers in the woods building forts and stalking deer, so it wasn’t a complete surprise that he might have a few firearms. What I didn’t expect to find is a WWII pistol in pretty good shape.

What a Beautiful Old Pistol!

The picture above is of a 1944 Nambu Pistol. These were used extensively by Japanese forces from 1925 to 1945. I can’t claim to be an expert on WWII-era guns, so I took a few photos and asked our product specialists if they could tell me a bit more about it.

1944 Nambu Japanese Characters

First, the various markings on the gun tell an interesting tale. On the left hand side are some Japanese characters. They let you know this is a Type 14 model pistol. On the other side some numbers are stamped that let you know the month and year the gun was manufactured. I didn’t know this about Japanese guns, but the dates are from the last emperor change, so in the picture below when you can see ‘19.3’ it means the gun was manufactured 19 years from the last emperor change, which was in 1925. Add 19 to 1925 and you get 1944, the year the gun was made. The ‘3’ is the month, so this particular gun was manufactured in March of 1944. Pretty cool.

1944 Nambu Pistol For GearExpert

Another cool thing with the gun is that I have the original holster. It’s actually in really good shape. It’s all leather with a leather strap, and though you can tell it’s not brand new, the markings on the inside of the pouch are still clearly visible. I’ve done a bit of research online for Nambu Type 14 Pistols and their holsters, and most of them are so worn you can’t read them, but as you can see mine is really easy to read. Fortunately, someone in the office can read Japanese, and he says those two symbols are for a town or neighborhood near Tokyo. It’s either West Kasai or West Katsushika. This is most likely where it was manufactured, but it might also be where the soldier who owned this gun is from. Inside the pouch are some old cotton clothes that appear to be the original cleaning clothes. There’s no gun oil or cleaning solution, so I’m going to look into a mild cleaner so that I don’t risk ruining the pistol.

Nambu Pistol Pouch

I also have the capture papers for the pistol, which show my Great Uncle Bernard officially received these guns on November 28, 1945. I never met my Uncle Bernard, but it appears he was a Corporal in the war and either fought or was stationed in the Pacific. I know he never had kids and was close to my dad, but I’d never heard the story of this gun.

Nambu Pistol Pouch Inside

My dad passed away 4 weeks ago Friday, and I’ve been going through his things a lot since then to help my mom. My dad loved to tell stories and I swear I’d heard every single one of his about a million times, but friends of his came to the wake and told me all sorts of stories that I’d never heard before. It’s strange to think I might be able to learn a lot more about him now that he’s gone. I think a good place to start is with a bit of family history. I’m going to find out everything I can about my Great Uncle Bernard and how this Nambu pistol came into his position and how it came to be passed down to my dad. Stay tuned to GearExpert and follow along in my journey!

OpticsPlanet • 4 Comments on WWII 8MM Nambu Pistol & Case Found!
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Crimson Trace Zombie Laser Grips – Serious Fun!

May 18 • News • 9556

We’ve already had a little fun this May with Zombie Awareness Month. No doubt you checked out our post on Champion’s Zombie Targets, but they’re not the only ones with zombie fever! Crimson Trace understands the need to prepare for the next zombie uprising, which is why they’re come out with their new Zombie Laser Grips.

Crimson Trace is a premiere laser sight manufacturer. They produce a wide variety of lasers that will greatly enhance your accuracy in the field. Your speed of target acquisition goes through the roof with a laser sight, and they’re super easy to use. Crimson Trace makes options for almost every firearm, from 1911s and Rugers to foregrips for your AR-15. But they’ve expanded their horizons recently with the Zombie Laser Grips. Laser grips are incredibly convenient, as activation is usually achieved through your normal grip. No need to think about pressing a button. When you draw your pistol, the laser turns on.

This is especially important in high-stress situations, such as when a massive zombie horde is bearing down on you. Fumbling with an “On” switch can mean the difference between beautiful life and reanimated death. I know I’d rather have a Crimson Trace Zombie Laser Grip than a bite mark. We currently have five options available.

The Crimson Trace J-Frame Defender Zombie Grip

Crimson Trace J-Frame Zombie Grip

The J-Frame Defender is designed for use with an S&W J-Frame Revolver, which is a perfect zombie hunting gun. It has instinctive front activation, so your fingers will turn it on as soon as you draw, and the hard polymer material is tough enough to hold up to loads of abuse. Trust me, when the zombies come, your firearm and laser sight are going to go through a fair bit of abuse, so this durability will prove key to your success. It uses CR2032 Lithium batteries, which last a long time and aren’t terribly difficult to find. When you’re scavenging through supplies you don’t want to be searching for an elusive set of batteries.

The Crimson Trace Full Size Glock Zombie Laser Sight

Crimson Trace Zombie Grip For Full Size Glocks

If you prefer a Glock to an S&W, the Crimson Trace Full Size Glock Zombie Laser Grip is perfect. Unlike the J-Frame model, this zombie laser has a rear activation switch. It will still activate with a natural grip, but it doesn’t modify your grip in quite the same way. The Glock Zombie Laser Grip also uses lithium batteries, and the long battery life gives you more tactical options. Scientific studies have proven zombies are drawn to the red dot from a laser sight. Much like a bull or cat, zombies cannot help following the red dot. This gives you the chance to herd the undead creatures away without using precious ammunition. You can lay traps or save loved ones with this simple technique. Keep in mind that seeing red will make them hungry, so while you can buy yourself some time, at some point you’ll have to deal with especially ravenous zombies.

The Crimson Trace LG431 Ruger Zombie Laser Grip

Crimson Trace Ruger Zombie Grip

A Ruger is a fantastic sidearm for the zombie apocalypse. It’s lightweight and gives you plenty of power to take down the undead. Shotguns are popular, but you always need to complement a rifle or shotgun with a handgun. You may not have time to reload a shotgun in a crisis. But just because your Ruger isn’t serving as your primary weapon (though it certainly could) that doesn’t mean you should neglect to make it as effective a tool as possible. The Crimson Trace LG431 Ruger Zombie Laser Grip attaches around the trigger guard, so it will most likely require a new holster, but there are plenty of options available from Galco so you won’t have a difficult search to find one.

The Crimson Trace Springfield XD Zombie Laser Guard

Crimson Trace Springfield Zombie Grip

Another trigger guard-mountable Zombie Laser Sight is the Crimson Trace Springfield XD & XDM Laser Guard. What separates this model is the battery. You can use either one 1/3 3V Lithium battery or two 357 silver oxide batteries. Both provide north of 4 hours of power. I think having two options will serve you especially well after the zombie apocalypse, as batteries may be tough to come by, so if you can only find one type, you’re still all set. The Springfield XD Laser Guard still gives you outstanding performance and instant activation, so you’ll take down a whole horde without missing a shot.

The Crimson Trace Zombie 1911-Style Pistol Laser Grip

Crimson Trace 1911 Zombie Laser Grip

Last but certainly not least we have the Crimson Trace 1911 Style Pistol Zombie Laser Grip. 1911-style guns are one of the most popular handguns in the world, and it’s no wonder why. Not only is it a beautiful gun, but it has unreal performance and reliability that is nearly unmatched in any other handgun. You can count on a 1911 Pistol to take down a zombie, and you can count on the easily-mounted Crimson Trace 1911 Zombie Laser to always activate and keep you on target. This is an unbeatable combination.

Regardless of the option you choose, a laser grip intended for zombie slaying is going to keep you alive. Laser sights are perfect for up close and personal shooting, and that’s where you’ll need it when the zombies show up. After all, they can’t bite you from far away!

Most people think zombies know no fear. Untrue. Most zombies never encounter a situation that they NEED fear, but if you mount one of these awesome Crimson Trace Zombie Grips you will see terror fill the eyes of the undead. And to make this better, they are available at OpticsPlanet now!

OpticsPlanet • 4 Comments on Crimson Trace Zombie Laser Grips – Serious Fun!
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Cut to the Chase – These Videos will Help you Pick a Knife!

May 14 • News, Videos • 6121

We’re always getting in new knives, but it can be tough to figure out which is the best fit for your needs. We have hundreds of different options, each with a different set of specifications that give you different performance for different needs. There is a big difference between a simple pocket knife for everyday use and a big fixed blade knife for hunting. So how do you pick a knife? That’s a tough question, but we like to give you extra information to help you decide. OpticsPlanet has a number of product specialists on hand who can answer your questions, and our How-To Guide Section is constantly growing and being refined to make sure the products and information is up-to-date.

Today, we’ve put together a couple new videos to give you a better idea of what some knives look like in action, rather than with a static photo.

The Gerber Mini Paraframe Folding Knife

The video at the top of the page is of the Gerber Mini Paraframe Folding Knife, which is a perfect little folding knife for carrying around all the time. The blade is 2.2 inches long, so you’ll hardly notice it in your pocket, but the serrated edge will give you a fantastic cutting tool. The blade is stainless steel so you don’t need to worry about it’s durability. This is a simple knife. Outside of the pocket clip there aren’t any real bells and whistles on the Gerber Mini Paraframe, but it is a solid knife for casual use.

Gerber LMF II Infantry Knife

If you’re looking for bigger and stronger in a knife, the Gerber LMF II Infantry Knife is a cool choice. This is a fixed blade knife, and that blade is roughly a quarter inch short of 5 inches, so this knife is going to be too big for slipping into your pocket every day. It is a smart choice for hunting and camping though, and there are some sweet accessories that come along with it. I highly suggest checking out the video, especially toward the end, as George shows off the sheath, which has leg straps for a secure fit, and an included blade sharpener so you can put a quick edge on your knife. It may not be for everyone, but the Gerber Infantry Knife is a tough tool for many situations.

SOG Seal Pup Elite Tactical Fixed Blade Knife

For another fixed blade option, but this time from the fine folks at SOG, check out the Seal Pup Elite Tactical Knife. This knife is very similar to the Gerber Infantry Knife, though I have to admit I miss the sharpener. The sheath with the SOG Seal Pup is tough and user-friendly, but it doesn’t have the sharpener. It does connect very easily to various harnesses and belts, and you can mount it in the way you want. It’s a nice general use field knife.

SOG Salute Folding Knife

Like the Gerber Mini Paraframe folding knife, the SOG Salute Folding Knife is a simple and straightforward knife. Both are great for slipping in your pocket, though the SOG Salute has a little bit longer blade, and it has a really tough back lock, which keeps the blade nice and secure. These details are huge, and take the blade to the next level, but I know in some places you aren’t allowed to carry a blade over 3 inches. This is a fantastic knife though, and is a great addition to your EDC.

What do you think of these New Knives?

I’d love to hear which of these knives is your favorite. Do you prefer a fixed blade or folding? SOG or Gerber? Sound off in the comments below!

OpticsPlanet • 4 Comments on Cut to the Chase – These Videos will Help you Pick a Knife!
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Cleaning Your Gun has Never Been Easier with Our How-To Guides and Awesome Gun Cleaning Gear!

May 8 • How-To, News, Videos • 9049

One of the most important things you can do as a gun owner is clean and maintain your firearms. No matter what you’re using your gun for, from home defense and hunting to fun days at the range, if your rifle, handgun or shotgun isn’t properly maintained you’re going to run into problems down the line. It might not happen today. It might not happen tomorrow. But at some point your gun is going to jam. The accuracy will be off just enough to make a difference. You’ll wish you’d done a better job taking care of your gun and you’ll only have yourself to blame. Don’t let this happen. Be proactive in your gun cleaning.

There are a few questions about gun cleaning that come up from time to time even from experienced shooters. The first is, “How often should I clean my gun?” This is a good question, and it varies from gun to gun. Once upon a time you had to clean your gun constantly. The powder was so horrendously corrosive that it would ruin a gun in no time without vigilant care. Nowadays you can get away with fewer cleanings, and if you’re particularly casual in your gun use you might not need to clean quite so much. Note that even if you don’t shoot very often you should still clean your gun regularly. A lot of shooters around the office here at GearExpert by OpticsPlanet get so much enjoyment out of cleaning their guns that they do it all the time! This seems kinda crazy to those who view cleaning their firearms as a chore, but when you love guns as much as we do it’s hard to not want to spend a few more minutes taking your AR-15 apart and getting it in perfect working order.

Actually, cleaning your gun regularly is a good idea in large part because you will become so familiar with how the gun works that you’ll have a better idea of what’s going on in case of a problem.

We want you to have the greatest success with your firearms. From giving you the best scopes and gun accessories to the perfect holster for every conceivable activity, we give you the gear you need to succeed. But we take it a step further. One of the first posts ever on GearExpert was on Breaking in a Leather Holster. On OpticsPlanet we also have a whole How-To Section that gives you advice on everything from Choosing the Perfect Scope or Flashlight to the Differences between Golf and Hunting Rangefinders. The video above is of our Product Specialist Chase Bending running through how he cleans his AR-15. After years cleaning and maintaining guns in the Army, Chase has learned some of the best ways to keep his AR-15 working perfectly. As Chase says, there’s more than one way to clean a gun. While his is by no means the only way, it is certainly one of the better ways to clean a gun.

Otis M-16 Cleaning System

Chase uses a handful of different products when cleaning his gun, all of which are for sale on OpticsPlanet right now. The first is the Otis Technology M-16 Soft Pack Cleaning System. This is a great compact cleaning system that you can bring along in all sorts of gun cases to the range or just store away easily until you need it.

Hoppe's 9 Gun Cleaners

Next up, Chase has the Hoppe’s 9 Elite Gun Maintenance Kit, which comes with gun oil, gun cleaner, copper terminator and a foaming gun cleaner. Hoppe’s 9 is a legend in the gun cleaning biz, which is why every one from the most green to the most experienced shooters turn to their cleaners.

Vanguard Stead Aim Rest

Finally, Chase uses the Vanguard Steady-Aim Bench Rest to keep his AR-15 firmly in place while he cleans it. This is very helpful for keeping yourself organized while cleaning your gun. You don’t want to take everything apart, clean each piece to perfection, and then find out you lost something.

Check out all of our Cleaning Kits. You may have a specialized gun that requires specific tools. We aim to give you those tools, and with our How-To Guides and Videos we also aim to help you learn how to use them.

Keep shooting, and keep your guns clean!

OpticsPlanet • 4 Comments on Cleaning Your Gun has Never Been Easier with Our How-To Guides and Awesome Gun Cleaning Gear!
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Arm Yourself FAST with the GunVault SpeedVault!

May 7 • News, Videos • 10870

Imagine: you’re sitting at your desk one cold night when you hear a scratching, a clicking and finally a banging. Suddenly, there comes a crash. Your front door was just kicked open. You’re on the first floor, but your wife and children are sound asleep upstairs. You have to do something.

The door to your study is slightly ajar, but wind from the open front door blows it open. A man armed with a rather large knife stands before you. Adrenaline rushes through your body, causing your hands to shake. Just a week ago you might have been in real trouble when trying to get at your revolver. Your shaky hands and panic-stricken mind would no doubt have struggled to get past your old vault, and you would have had to open a desk drawer just to get at the gun safe. But not today. Today you have the GunVault SpeedVault Biometric Fingerprint Pistol Safe. This safe is mounted on the inside wall of your desk, right next to your leg and within easy reaching distance. You press a finger down on the scanner and the safe drops open, presenting your gun at 45 degree angle, which is perfect for a quick draw. You pull the gun and the home intruder drops the knife and raises his hands.

SpeedVault Draw

This is the beauty of the SpeedVault. Whether you pick the biometric fingerprint model as I just described or the normal digital version where you enter a 4 digit code to pop open the safe, you’re going to get an extremely easy to use gun safe that gives you FAST access to your handgun. We first got to see the SpeedVault at SHOT Show (video of our interview with GunVault’s Danny Lovio talking with our product specialist Trevor above). They showed off a few other safes as well, but it was the SpeedVault that really stole the show.

SpeedVault Quick Access in Emergencies

I just got to take a better look at the GunVault SpeedVault in person, and I can honestly say it really impressed me. It’s not terribly heavy, so if you’re just going to leave it sitting on a table without mounting it, the SpeedVault won’t be as good an option as some of the other great GunVault safes, but if you choose to mount it on a desk, nightstand or possibly even in your car, the SpeedVault truly shines. The quick access you get is just perfect for drawing your handgun when you need it. The interior foam lining will keep your gun snugly held so it doesn’t get scratched, and the mount is super easy to use, so you’ll have it perfectly placed in no time.

We took a look at the SpeedVault right here in the office!

With the SpeedVault, GunVault has shown they go far beyond most safe manufacturers. Most gun safes are only concerned with keeping your guns safe, but GunVault also wants to keep YOU safe. Having your firearms close at hand gives you the chance to defend yourself should the need arise. Take a look at the GunVault SpeedVault and I’m sure you’ll never store your handgun in another safe again.

GunVault SpeedVault Closed

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