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"One loves to possess arms, though they hope never to have occasion for them."
- Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 1796. The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, (Memorial Edition) Lipscomb and Bergh, editors.

The Ruger SR-556E, Value-Priced "Essential" Two-Stage Piston Driven Carbine with a Lightweight, Adaptable Handguard. I've added Troy battlesights with Trijicon lamps, and a Trijicon ACOG scope on a Larue mount.

Strobist info: backdrop is a patchwork leather rug. Weapon is balanced on a small cardboard box under the rug, scrap of foamcore behind the rug, and the ammo box. Lighting is one Alien Bee B1600 above and in front. Shot was metered with a Sekonic L-358 and triggered with Paul Buff Cybersyncs.

Training and drills are the key to being fast in a tense situation. The training of individual movements makes you fast and consistent, and the drills will get you familiar with your own ability (speed and accuracy).

This is 13 shots at 10 yards.

Strobist info: One Alien Bee B1600 with Kacey Beauty Reflector, on a boom above and behind weapon, triggered with cybersyncs, metered with Sekonic L-358 flash meter.

"In a cat's eye, all things belong to cats." - English Proverb

"If animals could speak the dog would be a a blundering outspoken fellow, but the cat would have the rare grace of never saying a word too much." - Mark Twain

“After a shooting spree, they always want to take the guns away from the people who didn't do it. I sure as hell wouldn't want to live in a society where the only people allowed guns are the police and the military.” - William S. Burroughs

Growing up there were always guns in the house. My parents and grandparents were avid sportsmen and women.

Back in 1981 or 1982 I saved up my allowance and bought a Crosman 766 air rifle. Good times with my brothers and neighborhood kids shooting in the forest near our street. We practiced, lots, and we were expert shots.

Years later, one of my illustrious college jobs was a Pawnbroker in Conroe Texas. The great thing about being a Pawnbroker is that you pick up experience with all manner of firearms. You've got to learn how everything works so you can handle them safely. I bought and sold guns every day and learned what I liked and didn't like but never made it a priority to buy myself one.

What changed? I've got a family of my own now and I should be prepared to defend the home if someone kicks the door in with intention to do us harm.

Why 45ACP? I've been to the range with friends and fired a bunch of different kinds of pistols. I always kept going back to the 1911 style 45. It's probably what I would have bought if I weren't such a nerd.

I tend to research everything and after doing my research a striker fire weapon made a lot more sense. One of the guys from Magpul pointed out that the 1911's were more like sports cars and could be temperamental. I'm more of a dependable pickup truck kinda guy.

Many of my friends and family are Glock fans. I never much cared for the way they feel in my hand. (esp. the 45)

On paper, I liked the XDm and Smith & Wesson M&P. Went to the High Caliber Gun Show in Pasadena TX to have a closer look. At the end of the day, the XDm was the winner.

Looking forward to going to the range on a regular basis.