31 Aug 09
This update from a friend in the Federal System:
"Airport 'sniffers' are designed to detect explosives, not propellants. Note that black powder is an example of the former, smokeless powder the later. Propellents associated with shooting modern firearms are thus normally not flagged.
However, there are always 'false-positives.' Most are generated by commercial fertilizers.
Asking TSA baggage police what their technology is capable of is predictably an exercise in humor! In fact, I was tempted to enlighten two screeners at BWI last week, but I remembered your warning about no good deed going unpunished, so I left them there, cluelessly waving it around like a magic wand!
When any of our colleagues attend a Course in door-breaching, or something similar, where explosives are used, they need to be aware that both 'puffer' and 'wipe-test' instruments will alarm on vapors lingering in clothing, shoes, and hair. So, advise them to shower and change clothes and shoes before going to the airport. Even then, it is best to carry paperwork that you were attending training under the auspices of your department."
Remember, as with all bureaucracies, TSA is fearlessly dedicated to promoting itself. Don't give them an opportunity to justify their existence!
/John
31 Aug 09
Aftermarket magazine floor-plate testing, from an Instructor:
"Here are results from our testing of aftermarket Glock 'Plus-One' and ' Plus-Two' magazine floor-plates:
Fully-charged G22 magazines were dropped from a height of seven feet onto a rubber mat over a concrete floor. We used all angles possible. All magazines equipped with aftermarket/replacement floor-plates precipitously exploded by the tenth impact, sending loose rounds, springs, followers, and floor-plates in all directions!
We've concluded that we will stick with what comes with the Glock!"
Comment: OEM Glock magazine floor-plates are the way to go! This is one area where aftermarket "enhancements" create more problems than they solve!
/John
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created on Monday August 31, 2009 23:59:1 MDT