The American Bar Association has come out for repeal of any and all Stand Your Ground laws.
Again.
Of course they have. They are a reliably liberal partisan organization. They use the cover of racial justice to justify the position, but supposedly there are more black defendants relying on SYG defenses, so that isn't really it. It's about the control part of gun control that is deep in Leftist DNA at this point. (I say Leftist, but Righties can swing that way pretty easy and quickly if they want. You gotta WATCH em. Damn politicians.)
You have a right to defend yourself. Pulling back on SYG is a step backwards. We are civilized people, or try to be.
---
Totally disconnected with Stand Your Ground laws, because his case had nothing at all to do with them... NOTHING... George Zimmerman is a gaping asshole that appears to constantly invite a comeuppance. He has a new twitter account. And absolutely no class whatsoever. One morning I am gonna read about a terrfic beat down that man experienced, shrug my shoulders, move to the next story, and continue to eat my breakfast.
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Shotguns, a look back
If I could do it all over again, knowing what I know now, I never would have looked at semi's or pump shotguns.
I mean they are nice and all. And my Remington Model 11 are cool because of the designer and because of it's place in history.
But they just take up space in the safe. And have extra fiddly bits that can break.
To do it over again... I'd learn more about shotties and choose a double.
"Why a double, T-Bolt, the single has even fewer fiddly bits"
Because I am fumble-bum and need the mulligan of the second barrel!
Anyhoo. A simple utilitarian double. And I'd even now need more edumacation. Choke tubes trying to maximize utility? I have no idea how them work. Or from the factory choke. Or proper stock fit.
I still know very little about shotfuns.
I do kinda know that over-under and plain Jane? Those two don't seem to go together. I could be wrong. And side by side? New? Those are too plain Jane. Hi-Points of new doubles. I could also be wrong there.
Maybe after I learned about doubles I'd go back to the Model 11.
Isn't this double is fascinating, but not really what I am looking for. I want common/rugged/utilitarian, not rare/interesting/wild-card.
I mean they are nice and all. And my Remington Model 11 are cool because of the designer and because of it's place in history.
But they just take up space in the safe. And have extra fiddly bits that can break.
To do it over again... I'd learn more about shotties and choose a double.
"Why a double, T-Bolt, the single has even fewer fiddly bits"
Because I am fumble-bum and need the mulligan of the second barrel!
Anyhoo. A simple utilitarian double. And I'd even now need more edumacation. Choke tubes trying to maximize utility? I have no idea how them work. Or from the factory choke. Or proper stock fit.
I still know very little about shotfuns.
I do kinda know that over-under and plain Jane? Those two don't seem to go together. I could be wrong. And side by side? New? Those are too plain Jane. Hi-Points of new doubles. I could also be wrong there.
Maybe after I learned about doubles I'd go back to the Model 11.
Isn't this double is fascinating, but not really what I am looking for. I want common/rugged/utilitarian, not rare/interesting/wild-card.
Monday, September 28, 2015
Lots to love with this picture
I'm gonna say... Canadian? Correct me if I am wrong, but the sniper rifle looks Springfield 03 to me. The light machine gun is obviously a Bren. The helmet looks US, so, a rifle and helmet is North American. But that uniform doesn't look US at all. And he has a marlin-spike knife clipped on his belt.
Odd kit, no? Well, odd, in that I am unfamiliar with it. So that's on me.
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Coping Mechanisms
Some of you readers carry a full size pistol in an IWB holster at 4 O'Clock or 8 O'Clock respectively.
You've been carrying it that way, all day, so that it has become second nature. You just deal, and everything works out fine.
I have a question for you.
When sitting in a chair or in your car, how do you deal with the poke-poke nature of that pistol butt sticking out, hooking and catching on things, forcing you to sit funny. Or does it?
Do you alter your method if you know you are driving cross country for hours and hours? That sort of thing.
You've been carrying it that way, all day, so that it has become second nature. You just deal, and everything works out fine.
I have a question for you.
When sitting in a chair or in your car, how do you deal with the poke-poke nature of that pistol butt sticking out, hooking and catching on things, forcing you to sit funny. Or does it?
Do you alter your method if you know you are driving cross country for hours and hours? That sort of thing.
pants
╔═════════════════ ೋღ☃ღೋ ════════════════╗ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Repost this if ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ you are a beautiful strong pants ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ who don’t need no belt ~ ~ ~ ~ ╚═════════════════ ೋღ☃ღೋ ════════════════╝
Saturday, September 26, 2015
Friday, September 25, 2015
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Half a Loaf
Everyone that still blogs and cares about court cases have already commented on the DC Circuit ruling in Heller III. Sebastian is just one of many and I use as an example.
Good and bad. DC is too strict, according the judges, but Maryland and Massachusetts and California style regimes would be just fine if they extended to all 50 states.
You do not want your state to turn into my state.
We really need to nail the 'strict scrutiny' jello to the wall to finally get out of the woods. For that we need a SCOTUS justice or two more in our favor. I don't think Hillary will give us that, so remind me not to vote for her. Jeb! won't either. He has as much as told us so.
Who among the candidate would slam dunk nominate a strict scrutiny on 2A SCOTUS justice? Despite their actual chances. Rand and Cruz, yes, definitely. Trump if he was nominating today. Who knows how he'll think next year, his position varies over time. Jindal, Rudio, Carson? I feel about as confident in them as I am in Jeb. Bernie is slightly more likes than Hill or O'Malley. But that isn't saying much. Dunno about Carly.
Good and bad. DC is too strict, according the judges, but Maryland and Massachusetts and California style regimes would be just fine if they extended to all 50 states.
You do not want your state to turn into my state.
We really need to nail the 'strict scrutiny' jello to the wall to finally get out of the woods. For that we need a SCOTUS justice or two more in our favor. I don't think Hillary will give us that, so remind me not to vote for her. Jeb! won't either. He has as much as told us so.
Who among the candidate would slam dunk nominate a strict scrutiny on 2A SCOTUS justice? Despite their actual chances. Rand and Cruz, yes, definitely. Trump if he was nominating today. Who knows how he'll think next year, his position varies over time. Jindal, Rudio, Carson? I feel about as confident in them as I am in Jeb. Bernie is slightly more likes than Hill or O'Malley. But that isn't saying much. Dunno about Carly.
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Range mag
So, I tested the 7+1 system with my 1911 last week.
I've never had any luck loading 8 in the magazine. And 8+1 suffered the same issues. With McCormick mags, mind you. But I have never specifically tested loading the mags with only 7 and getting a round in the chamber before hand with a magazine loaded with just a single.
THIS worked without even a hiccup. Enough so I could concentrate on the important stuff: Frontsite, Press.
Anyway. 7+1. I am comfortable with that now. And I am still loving my homebrewed custom gun.
Same accuracy tho. You can tell this is two mags, one with hollow point and one with FMJ. I would have trimmed off the bottom if I had managed to get all the shots at least in the yellow.. Dammit.
--
Have you noticed Tam's targets are getting smaller and smaller holes in the center of her targets lately? She's been tortured testing some pistols with donated ammo and going to the range a LOT.
Me? I had my trigger squeeze epiphany a year or two ago and my results improved dramatically. But not as good as Tam is.
And I am not famous enough to drag down ammo donations in job lots.
But no matter. I can get my own ammo. That's not the issue. The issue is the self discipline to go 3 times a week for months and months. THAT's what I need to do. And see then if my results get to be like hers. I gotta check my sofa cushions to see where I misplaced my Giddyup.
I've never had any luck loading 8 in the magazine. And 8+1 suffered the same issues. With McCormick mags, mind you. But I have never specifically tested loading the mags with only 7 and getting a round in the chamber before hand with a magazine loaded with just a single.
THIS worked without even a hiccup. Enough so I could concentrate on the important stuff: Frontsite, Press.
Anyway. 7+1. I am comfortable with that now. And I am still loving my homebrewed custom gun.
Same accuracy tho. You can tell this is two mags, one with hollow point and one with FMJ. I would have trimmed off the bottom if I had managed to get all the shots at least in the yellow.. Dammit.
--
Have you noticed Tam's targets are getting smaller and smaller holes in the center of her targets lately? She's been tortured testing some pistols with donated ammo and going to the range a LOT.
Me? I had my trigger squeeze epiphany a year or two ago and my results improved dramatically. But not as good as Tam is.
And I am not famous enough to drag down ammo donations in job lots.
But no matter. I can get my own ammo. That's not the issue. The issue is the self discipline to go 3 times a week for months and months. THAT's what I need to do. And see then if my results get to be like hers. I gotta check my sofa cushions to see where I misplaced my Giddyup.
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Hey T-Bolt
You are a zombie guy, what do you think of that new TV show Fear The Walking Dead.
Well, you know already how disgusted I was with the parent show.
But, Miguel did the work for me, jumping on the bad-soap-opera TV and writing a review. Looks like I was right to be wary of this show too.
The money quote: " there are no atheists in foxholes ---- there are no anti-gun activists during a zombie apocalypse. " (paraphrased a bit.)
Well, you know already how disgusted I was with the parent show.
But, Miguel did the work for me, jumping on the bad-soap-opera TV and writing a review. Looks like I was right to be wary of this show too.
The money quote: " there are no atheists in foxholes ---- there are no anti-gun activists during a zombie apocalypse. " (paraphrased a bit.)
Monday, September 21, 2015
Societal Trends
Crime rates.
Yeah yeah, more guns are in the hands of law abiding citizens now, than in the bad old days of rampant crime. Other things are different too.
But you know what? Lots of people had guns before. There was other, less noticed, factors that brought guns to the forefront. Where they are not only in law abiding hands, but contributing to crime reduction.
And I am not just talking about conceal carry liberalization. Though that is a symptom of my subject.
I became more acceptable for someone to shoot someone else with a gun in a case of self defense.
Does anyone besides me remember a time where homeowners shot badguy home invaders and more often than not got cuffed and taken downtown? Do you remember a time where the police chief always came out before the news cameras saying "Let us do out jobs. Don't take the law into your own hands"? Where people that did defend themselves from the depredations of criminals in open and shut legitimate cases and they were still tarred with the slur Vigilante?
People believed, for a time, 30+ years ago, that cops were responsible for protecting them from any harm and were surprised when the Supreme Court ruled that, no, they had no such duty.
I don't know when that mindset started. I can't remember back before the 1970s. But I'm going to guess post WWII. But so much changed from the Stock Market Crash to VJ Day and the years in between are a bit of a black hole of exceptions to the rule.
But.
There was a sea change. When the general public's thinking drifted away from the above and started accepting cases of justified self defense in their attitudes of others and in for their own conduct. It started slow and can be tracked with CCW states opening up and crime rates going down. But those, like I said, are signals to something deeper.
----
So, what if it switches back? Crime is spiking the other way, now. Cops are understandably wary and less pro-active now because they aren't getting the support from their management like they got in the 90s. But has the mindset of the general population changed? CAN we even go back to the crime of the 70s?
Yeah yeah, more guns are in the hands of law abiding citizens now, than in the bad old days of rampant crime. Other things are different too.
"America was throwing the kitchen sink at the crime problem. Tougher sentencing, more creative policing techniques, more guns in the hands of law-abiding citizens, and massive public-education efforts all converged to save our cities. Black pastors threw themselves into the breach, using their prophetic voice to call young people to a higher, better life. Countless educators and mentors gave their time and money to give at-risk youth a fighting chance. At the same time, America was entering a post–Cold War economic boom. We can argue endlessly about which factor was most important, about how precisely they worked together to save tens of thousands of lives and spare hundreds of thousands from the pain and terror of criminal violence."
And I am not just talking about conceal carry liberalization. Though that is a symptom of my subject.
I became more acceptable for someone to shoot someone else with a gun in a case of self defense.
Does anyone besides me remember a time where homeowners shot badguy home invaders and more often than not got cuffed and taken downtown? Do you remember a time where the police chief always came out before the news cameras saying "Let us do out jobs. Don't take the law into your own hands"? Where people that did defend themselves from the depredations of criminals in open and shut legitimate cases and they were still tarred with the slur Vigilante?
People believed, for a time, 30+ years ago, that cops were responsible for protecting them from any harm and were surprised when the Supreme Court ruled that, no, they had no such duty.
I don't know when that mindset started. I can't remember back before the 1970s. But I'm going to guess post WWII. But so much changed from the Stock Market Crash to VJ Day and the years in between are a bit of a black hole of exceptions to the rule.
But.
There was a sea change. When the general public's thinking drifted away from the above and started accepting cases of justified self defense in their attitudes of others and in for their own conduct. It started slow and can be tracked with CCW states opening up and crime rates going down. But those, like I said, are signals to something deeper.
----
So, what if it switches back? Crime is spiking the other way, now. Cops are understandably wary and less pro-active now because they aren't getting the support from their management like they got in the 90s. But has the mindset of the general population changed? CAN we even go back to the crime of the 70s?
Sunday, September 20, 2015
Flashlights on Gun Blogs
First Tam, then Sebastian. Uncle.
This is mine. A Streamlight Protac with 2 AAA batteries, about the same size as a largish pen.
Sure, it doesn't throw 4500 lumens around, But it does have 80. Which is as much as the twice as fat flashlights I paid three times as much for 8 years ago
So it's thinner, fits in a pocket like a pen, it's pretty cheap for what you get, and, and here is something odd... You can put it in your mouth like a cigar. I go to the side between cheek and gums. I am more hesitant to do so with fatter flashlights.
Ok, I admit that's a bit odd, yes. But, the light goes where I look and both my hands are free to hold a weapon in the normal way, or work a door know, or what have you.
My mouth, at times, becomes a third hand all because of the size of the flashlight. You can still do all the standard pistol-and-flashlight gun fu, but you can also do the mouth thing.
This could have been done in the 1970s, with the tiny anemic penlights they had then, but not with this much light. And you weren't gonna put a 3 D cell maglite in your mouth, certainly.
Stop looking at me like that. It's stupid, but it works, so it isn't stupid. Right?
This is mine. A Streamlight Protac with 2 AAA batteries, about the same size as a largish pen.
Sure, it doesn't throw 4500 lumens around, But it does have 80. Which is as much as the twice as fat flashlights I paid three times as much for 8 years ago
So it's thinner, fits in a pocket like a pen, it's pretty cheap for what you get, and, and here is something odd... You can put it in your mouth like a cigar. I go to the side between cheek and gums. I am more hesitant to do so with fatter flashlights.
Ok, I admit that's a bit odd, yes. But, the light goes where I look and both my hands are free to hold a weapon in the normal way, or work a door know, or what have you.
My mouth, at times, becomes a third hand all because of the size of the flashlight. You can still do all the standard pistol-and-flashlight gun fu, but you can also do the mouth thing.
This could have been done in the 1970s, with the tiny anemic penlights they had then, but not with this much light. And you weren't gonna put a 3 D cell maglite in your mouth, certainly.
Stop looking at me like that. It's stupid, but it works, so it isn't stupid. Right?
Saturday, September 19, 2015
Ok, that didn't work as well as I hoped
The replacement extractor was dog meat. So, screw it, I just left it behind. I learned a lot, but the problems that got revealed kept snowballing.
I'll get it back in 6 months or so.
I'll get it back in 6 months or so.
More gun skool today
Gotta put in a new extractor and fit the hand to the ratchet to take care of the timing.
Never thought I'd ever say that about something I am fixin' to do....
Never thought I'd ever say that about something I am fixin' to do....
Friday, September 18, 2015
Gun Juice
Was going over the FireClean is Soylent Crisco frooferol. I was thinking about all the different juices the guns need.
- You need erl. I like FP10, but I wonder if it isn't just slight thicker Singer Sewing machine oil? I have a bottle of it because the gunsmith told me to get it use in class. Seems slightly thicker than the lightweight 3 in 1 stuff.
- You need grease. With lots of moly! Molybdenum. For internal bits. Careful, it's dirty. Don't get it on your clothes. If you do, use Fels Naptha on the stain. Gunsmith told us to get this moly with this high percentage. 60%. Brand? No, it's a plain white container with a hand applied label. Small container, and it will last a long while.
- You need to clean the gun. Simple Green and Hoppes? Sure, why not. I've been going simpler and not CLP in an aerosol can, lately. Besides, the cans are empty and I got that big bottle of Hoppes.
- Windex for corrosive primer day
- Dry grease! Tetra. Like that on the outside rails of a Garand? Picks up less schmutz.
- Something that dissolves copper gilding.
- Silicone stuff to wipe down metal to prevent corrosion when storing the gun in that damp basement gun locker.
And I am overlooking stuff, I am sure. Is there something for lead fouling besides metal brushes?
Note: A lack of the too much gimmicky stuff. No gluten free, fumeless, all natural cage free gun solvents on the list.
I use that specific oil and grease, as I said, because I the gunsmith made me for class. Also, the gunsmith pounded in more specific information on when and where to use what kind of gun juice. I'd be greasing with ordinary tubes of gun grease and eschewing the more expensive molybdenum bisulfide whoosy whatsits, but now I know that it goes there and there and there and put oil on these 4 spots and good to go. I wasn't plug ingnorant before. I can read.
I take that back, I needed an AR person to give me the nickel tour on what to lube on that platform. I hadn't researched it as much as the M1 M1A M14 platforms.
Thursday, September 17, 2015
O'Malley's Gun Proposals
He just wants to duplicate what Maryland has on a national level.
Lemme tell you the new things you'll have to go through, because I am just going through is now.
I can't wait around for Mance v Holder to wend it's way around, I need to buy a 1911 Caspian frame now. Otherwise I'd not play by this state's rules. When Mance prevails I'll just buy pistols and ARs in Virginia and screw Maryland.
But for now.
Well, I already have any gun I bought in Maryland, and particularly pistols, known and registered in the State. That's nothing new. But when O'Malley is president and gets this legislation passed, all your future purchases will be in the ATF database. But that's no hangup.
You are gonna need a federal gun purchase permit/license. The one in Maryland now costs fifty something.
But to get that you will need to get fingerprinted, first. I just did that. I figure the Navy and Utah and Virginia have fingerprinted me, Maryland can to. That was $52.75.
So I am already in $100 and no license yet. I got to wait until the state goes through the approval process.
Now, because I HAVE a pistol the state knows about, when I applied for a pistol purchase permit I simply gave them the serial number of the last pistol I bought. No bigs. I didn't give up anything. If I had inherited Grandpa's 1911 collection from the war, and told the state one of those serial numbers, well, that would be a shame. But I didn't inherit nuthin so, again, nothing is given away.
Another alternative is to show the state military honorable discharge paperwork.
Or, if I was 22 years old and this was my first gun... There is a training requirement. So, the cost of a Maryland specific gun class. Lucky for you, President O'Malley hasn't seen fit to make that a requirement for the Federal regulations.
This training requirement is just setting the bar higher to discourage people from getting their first gun.
That cost is just add on. As you can see, I am already in this for $100, and that is the cheapest minimum hurdle. It's purpose is to kill the gun culture. And probably some people who are in legitimate danger from a new situation where they are being targeted over time by a human predator.
Other costs you aren't considering to raise the bar on purchasing that first gun? He doesn't say this but what it is in Maryland are gun locks. Expensive one. Not just a cable that goes down the barrel. An internal chamber lock, like this one. Those aren't free. Add $20 to the cost of your gun. He likes microstamping, too. Add the cost of that per gun. He doesn't mention smart gun technology, but you know he'd like to pile on that expense.
So that kid's first Glock to protect his young family from home invaders has $200 added to the price tag already. That's a 50% tax. Why bother.
Why bother? That's O'Malley's point. Discourage/kill the gun culture, slowly, over time. 2 generations of people officially discouraged from buying guns and maybe some future O'Malley can get a gun confiscation bill through ala Britain. President O'Malley legacy.
Or some other gun banning president if not him.
Lucky for us, gun control still doesn't poll that way.
Lemme tell you the new things you'll have to go through, because I am just going through is now.
I can't wait around for Mance v Holder to wend it's way around, I need to buy a 1911 Caspian frame now. Otherwise I'd not play by this state's rules. When Mance prevails I'll just buy pistols and ARs in Virginia and screw Maryland.
But for now.
Well, I already have any gun I bought in Maryland, and particularly pistols, known and registered in the State. That's nothing new. But when O'Malley is president and gets this legislation passed, all your future purchases will be in the ATF database. But that's no hangup.
You are gonna need a federal gun purchase permit/license. The one in Maryland now costs fifty something.
But to get that you will need to get fingerprinted, first. I just did that. I figure the Navy and Utah and Virginia have fingerprinted me, Maryland can to. That was $52.75.
So I am already in $100 and no license yet. I got to wait until the state goes through the approval process.
Now, because I HAVE a pistol the state knows about, when I applied for a pistol purchase permit I simply gave them the serial number of the last pistol I bought. No bigs. I didn't give up anything. If I had inherited Grandpa's 1911 collection from the war, and told the state one of those serial numbers, well, that would be a shame. But I didn't inherit nuthin so, again, nothing is given away.
Another alternative is to show the state military honorable discharge paperwork.
Or, if I was 22 years old and this was my first gun... There is a training requirement. So, the cost of a Maryland specific gun class. Lucky for you, President O'Malley hasn't seen fit to make that a requirement for the Federal regulations.
This training requirement is just setting the bar higher to discourage people from getting their first gun.
That cost is just add on. As you can see, I am already in this for $100, and that is the cheapest minimum hurdle. It's purpose is to kill the gun culture. And probably some people who are in legitimate danger from a new situation where they are being targeted over time by a human predator.
Other costs you aren't considering to raise the bar on purchasing that first gun? He doesn't say this but what it is in Maryland are gun locks. Expensive one. Not just a cable that goes down the barrel. An internal chamber lock, like this one. Those aren't free. Add $20 to the cost of your gun. He likes microstamping, too. Add the cost of that per gun. He doesn't mention smart gun technology, but you know he'd like to pile on that expense.
So that kid's first Glock to protect his young family from home invaders has $200 added to the price tag already. That's a 50% tax. Why bother.
Why bother? That's O'Malley's point. Discourage/kill the gun culture, slowly, over time. 2 generations of people officially discouraged from buying guns and maybe some future O'Malley can get a gun confiscation bill through ala Britain. President O'Malley legacy.
Or some other gun banning president if not him.
Lucky for us, gun control still doesn't poll that way.
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
MD Compliant
There is a new tab on the Smith and Wesson website. Maryland compliant guns.
I've always seen those up there for CA and MA sales, but, once again, Maryland has to be yanked from class and put in with the "Special" states. Like 'wears a helmet all the time' special. 'Hugs for everyone at the end of the foot race' special.
I can get AR type rifles that shoots .22lr, or I can get AR10 type rifles that shoot .308, but no AR15 type guns in poodle-hunting caliber.
HA! If Jeff Cooper were alive he might even half approve. "You didn't need .223 anyway!"
Don't tell anyone in my state about the relative effectiveness of an AR10 compared to the AR15. You'll just scare my legislators.
I still need to figure out if it is kosher for me to get an AR15 stripped lower. Because we are allowed to get an heavy barrel AR15 for varminting, ya know. Or do I have to buy the HBAR, toss the upper, and roll my own preference? Seems expensive.
I've always seen those up there for CA and MA sales, but, once again, Maryland has to be yanked from class and put in with the "Special" states. Like 'wears a helmet all the time' special. 'Hugs for everyone at the end of the foot race' special.
I can get AR type rifles that shoots .22lr, or I can get AR10 type rifles that shoot .308, but no AR15 type guns in poodle-hunting caliber.
HA! If Jeff Cooper were alive he might even half approve. "You didn't need .223 anyway!"
Don't tell anyone in my state about the relative effectiveness of an AR10 compared to the AR15. You'll just scare my legislators.
I still need to figure out if it is kosher for me to get an AR15 stripped lower. Because we are allowed to get an heavy barrel AR15 for varminting, ya know. Or do I have to buy the HBAR, toss the upper, and roll my own preference? Seems expensive.
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Dead Zone
I like movies that captured the 'feel' of the 1980s. At least to me. My experience. Might not be anyone else's. Normal 80s. Not the excess. No the hockey hair. Maybe it's just the technology of the cameras and film then. The 1970s have the look of 16mm and orange lighting. The 80s looks like Hoosiers. Or The Dead Zone.
Re-watched dead zone. I love seeing the décor of the serial murderer's house. It's the house from Christmas Story, but decades later, and worn, and run down, with a heap of evil.
But, all this time, I thought the rifle Christopher Walken used in movie was a sporterized Springfield 1903. Was I ever wrong. It's actually a sporterized Mauser K98. I knew I was wrong as soon as I glimpsed the button on the buttstock.
Re-watched dead zone. I love seeing the décor of the serial murderer's house. It's the house from Christmas Story, but decades later, and worn, and run down, with a heap of evil.
But, all this time, I thought the rifle Christopher Walken used in movie was a sporterized Springfield 1903. Was I ever wrong. It's actually a sporterized Mauser K98. I knew I was wrong as soon as I glimpsed the button on the buttstock.
Monday, September 14, 2015
Jackbooted Feds
Talk about overreach:
Secret prisons, like Gitmo? Destruction of private property without due process? Disappearing US citizens without trial? All for the War on Booze. What bureaucrat from the Coolidge administration could craft such a policy, for the love of King Phillip! Smacks of Waco.
"During the winter of 1927–28 officials of the Federal government made a strange and secret investigation of certain conditions at a Massachusetts seaport. The public first learned of it in February, when a vast series of raids and arrests occurred, followed by the deliberate burning and dynamiting—under suitable precautions—of an enormous number of crumbling, worm-eaten, and supposedly empty houses along the abandoned waterfront. Uninquiring souls let this occurrence pass as one of the major clashes in a spasmodic war on liquor."
"Keener news-followers, however, wondered at the prodigious number of arrests, the abnormally large force of men used in making them, and the secrecy surrounding the disposal of the prisoners. No trials, or even definite charges, were reported; nor were any of the captives seen thereafter in the regular jails of the nation. There were vague statements about disease and concentration camps, and later about dispersal in various naval and military prisons, but nothing positive ever developed. The town itself was left almost depopulated, and is even now only beginning to show signs of a sluggishly revived existence."
Secret prisons, like Gitmo? Destruction of private property without due process? Disappearing US citizens without trial? All for the War on Booze. What bureaucrat from the Coolidge administration could craft such a policy, for the love of King Phillip! Smacks of Waco.
Sunday, September 13, 2015
Silly Longhair
All the jobs and electricity is on the other side. How you gonna power those amps or cook your grilled cheese sammiches on your side?
Who is gonna service your porta johns? Do you have porta johns? Just gonna poop on the ground are ya?
Look, within a week you are gonna be coagulating into a Jonestown/Manson Family thing and turn to cannibalism. You clearly haven't thought this through.
And what did you do to warrant this kind of police response? They don't turn out like that when a mere 400 hippies show up in a field for a small concert.
Wait, how did those VWs get across that rope bridge in the first place?
Who is gonna service your porta johns? Do you have porta johns? Just gonna poop on the ground are ya?
Look, within a week you are gonna be coagulating into a Jonestown/Manson Family thing and turn to cannibalism. You clearly haven't thought this through.
And what did you do to warrant this kind of police response? They don't turn out like that when a mere 400 hippies show up in a field for a small concert.
Wait, how did those VWs get across that rope bridge in the first place?
Saturday, September 12, 2015
Media Bias
When this was reported the headline was "Shooting in Union Station."
You read the article. A security guard shot a man that was stabbing his lady friend.
The story isn't the 'shooting.' But the headline makes you think it is. "OH NOES! Ima get shot if I ride the Metro Red Line downtowns!!!!1!!1!!eleven"
Do you NOT want security guards to drop rampaging maniacs? Just let them keep stabbing folks? Exploit every angle to drum up outrage over increasing 'gun violence?' As if gun violence is the important part of the story even if the violence is protective versus predatory.
And WTOP is the closest thing to capital O Objective news round 'ere.
You read the article. A security guard shot a man that was stabbing his lady friend.
The story isn't the 'shooting.' But the headline makes you think it is. "OH NOES! Ima get shot if I ride the Metro Red Line downtowns!!!!1!!1!!eleven"
Do you NOT want security guards to drop rampaging maniacs? Just let them keep stabbing folks? Exploit every angle to drum up outrage over increasing 'gun violence?' As if gun violence is the important part of the story even if the violence is protective versus predatory.
And WTOP is the closest thing to capital O Objective news round 'ere.
Data
Now this is intriguing. Real world round count endurance tests on full auto with a significant sample size.
Sounds like the fundamentals are what you rely upon. Cleaning may be difficult. Lubing is necessary. Watch the bolt carrier and bolt. Eventually, after 10s of thousands, you will need to swap the barrel (which is easier than I thought.) Gas tubes will dissolve away. Gimmicky ARs are trouble. Standard USGI magazines aren't crap, but actually pretty good. Prolly KISS working for you there.
Sounds like the fundamentals are what you rely upon. Cleaning may be difficult. Lubing is necessary. Watch the bolt carrier and bolt. Eventually, after 10s of thousands, you will need to swap the barrel (which is easier than I thought.) Gas tubes will dissolve away. Gimmicky ARs are trouble. Standard USGI magazines aren't crap, but actually pretty good. Prolly KISS working for you there.
Friday, September 11, 2015
14 years
I figured by now we would have fought and won the war we had been ignoring since 1979. Guess not.
Remember when we knew how to fight and win wars?
Remember when we knew how to fight and win wars?
Thursday, September 10, 2015
DC Junk on the Bunk
Two .22s and a 12 gauge pump?
3 illegal guns recovered tonight by the Major Case Unit in NE. pic.twitter.com/jc8JyxY9eo
— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) September 10, 2015Jews and Guns
Blog post on the subject over at CJN.
You know my theories. It's because they are metro. Jews that emigrated to the US landed in urban areas and generally stayed.
Not a lot of Jewish dairy farmers impacting the in-group culture. Because there aren't many of them, and because there is less networking in relatively uncrowded areas.
Ah, but what of the farmer's children, that absorb rural value along with Talmudic tradition that then move back to the city?
Again, fewer numbers.
So, the tendency is toward Metrocons. Or, more likely, Metrolibs. And guns, in their experience, are only carried by police and criminals. Metro means a tendency to dislike firearms.
Again, there is nothing wrong with being metro, per se. It's just an environment and would inform anyone's worldview.
Naturally, as with any big group, there are subsets that are the exception. And a subset that is growing, thankfully.
(I know this can be a touchy subject, any time religion is brought up. I tried to speak plainly and it was never my intention to offend. None of it was offered with any rancor, even if the generalizations were a bit sweeping. Well, except to leftists, but that's non denominational rancor.)
You know my theories. It's because they are metro. Jews that emigrated to the US landed in urban areas and generally stayed.
Not a lot of Jewish dairy farmers impacting the in-group culture. Because there aren't many of them, and because there is less networking in relatively uncrowded areas.
Ah, but what of the farmer's children, that absorb rural value along with Talmudic tradition that then move back to the city?
Again, fewer numbers.
So, the tendency is toward Metrocons. Or, more likely, Metrolibs. And guns, in their experience, are only carried by police and criminals. Metro means a tendency to dislike firearms.
Again, there is nothing wrong with being metro, per se. It's just an environment and would inform anyone's worldview.
Naturally, as with any big group, there are subsets that are the exception. And a subset that is growing, thankfully.
(I know this can be a touchy subject, any time religion is brought up. I tried to speak plainly and it was never my intention to offend. None of it was offered with any rancor, even if the generalizations were a bit sweeping. Well, except to leftists, but that's non denominational rancor.)
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Jeb!
First he wants to ignore the 14th Amendment, and now more of this last night.
Gah! Biden might be a better president for 2nd Amendment protection. COLBERT is better. What a weak sister. SPEND MORE TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY, JEB.
Gah! Biden might be a better president for 2nd Amendment protection. COLBERT is better. What a weak sister. SPEND MORE TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY, JEB.
M60
I shot the equivalent of one of these, and they are a hoot to shoot. Thanks.
But an M60 is not friendly to lefties in the standard config. And the picture on TFB shows why, with the dueling M60s in the picture.
Look at the one on the right. See the trigger guard? A left-hander has no access to the trigger from that side. Completely blocks. Shoulder it on the other side lefty. That's just the way it is.
But an M60 is not friendly to lefties in the standard config. And the picture on TFB shows why, with the dueling M60s in the picture.
Look at the one on the right. See the trigger guard? A left-hander has no access to the trigger from that side. Completely blocks. Shoulder it on the other side lefty. That's just the way it is.
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Maybe Hillary is a Republican
She has the symptoms of one. A Nixonian one, but still with GOP bad habits.
When David Axelrod and Jonah Goldberg agree...
.Today's @nytimes story on HRC read more like The Onion: Her detailed plan to show more authenticity and spontaneity. #Justdoit!
— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) September 8, 2015
"Every couple of years I write a column on the infuriating habit Republican politicians have of reading their own stage direction. I don’t revisit the topic for lack of other issues to write about; I keep coming back to it because Republicans just can’t help themselves." Jonah Goldberg
When David Axelrod and Jonah Goldberg agree...
Dub Dub n
World War 3?
I prefer to think of the Cold War as World War 3. A war with China might be World War 4.
And I think if behooves everybody to sort of make it a policy to call the Cold War 'WWIII'. Constantly. Keep on reinforcing that moniker.
You know we won WWIII. Ronald Reagan put us over the top on that one. You know who also won that war? The Russian. And the rest of the world, mostly. The Soviet System was the only real loser and, it was hoped, Marxism was mortally wounded, but that damn murderous idea keeps shambling about like a zed. Big losses of life occurred, but nothing on the order of the Second World War, no mistake. Perhaps the Vietnamese got the worst of it, but they don't seem to hold a grudge over it. If they don't, I won't. The Cambodian and certainly the Chinese had a rough go of it, but that could all be considered 'friendly fire'. They, and Karl Marx, did that to them.
But why the seeming sleight of hand with the labeling? Because it is precedent on how to fight WWIV. Do we want a war with China that throws back to WWII or a 'war' with them that throws back to the Cold War / WWIII?
"This is how you fight a modern war. Like this, not like this. This is the example to draw from, not that."
I, for one, would much rather repeat the conduct of WWIII, and hope the Chinese are of the same mind.
But hope in one hand and poop in tother and see which fills up quickest.
I prefer to think of the Cold War as World War 3. A war with China might be World War 4.
And I think if behooves everybody to sort of make it a policy to call the Cold War 'WWIII'. Constantly. Keep on reinforcing that moniker.
You know we won WWIII. Ronald Reagan put us over the top on that one. You know who also won that war? The Russian. And the rest of the world, mostly. The Soviet System was the only real loser and, it was hoped, Marxism was mortally wounded, but that damn murderous idea keeps shambling about like a zed. Big losses of life occurred, but nothing on the order of the Second World War, no mistake. Perhaps the Vietnamese got the worst of it, but they don't seem to hold a grudge over it. If they don't, I won't. The Cambodian and certainly the Chinese had a rough go of it, but that could all be considered 'friendly fire'. They, and Karl Marx, did that to them.
But why the seeming sleight of hand with the labeling? Because it is precedent on how to fight WWIV. Do we want a war with China that throws back to WWII or a 'war' with them that throws back to the Cold War / WWIII?
"This is how you fight a modern war. Like this, not like this. This is the example to draw from, not that."
I, for one, would much rather repeat the conduct of WWIII, and hope the Chinese are of the same mind.
But hope in one hand and poop in tother and see which fills up quickest.
Monday, September 7, 2015
The Last Good Democrat
Grover Cleveland.
22nd and 24th Preznit.
"Grover Cleveland, the last pretty-good Democrat (seriously: gold standard, anti-tariff, vetoed twice as many bills as all of his predecessors combined — Rand Paul is a fan), who pushed for the creation of a labor festival in September as cultural competition to the international workers’ celebration in May, sort of the reverse of the strategy of the early Church fathers’ choosing the dates of heathen festivals for the new Christian holidays." -Kevin Williamson
Kevin is from Amarillo Texas, so the only Metrocon thing about him is the magazine he writes for.
22nd and 24th Preznit.
"Grover Cleveland, the last pretty-good Democrat (seriously: gold standard, anti-tariff, vetoed twice as many bills as all of his predecessors combined — Rand Paul is a fan), who pushed for the creation of a labor festival in September as cultural competition to the international workers’ celebration in May, sort of the reverse of the strategy of the early Church fathers’ choosing the dates of heathen festivals for the new Christian holidays." -Kevin Williamson
Kevin is from Amarillo Texas, so the only Metrocon thing about him is the magazine he writes for.
Slipping
Is my brain going because of age, or is it going because I know there is Google?
Yesterday morning I was thinking about a pamphlet from 200+ years ago and couldn't remember the title or author. I knew what the pamphlet was about, that it was widely disseminated in the Colonies, that it helped steel the country during a trying time of the Revolutionary War, and the author later turned out to be too much of a firebrand and a jerk and this ended up being his one really big contribution to the world and Liberty.
I am talking about (I since looked it up) Common Sense by Thomas Paine.
30 years ago I'd have thumbed through my 1974 edition of World Book. One of the greatest things I had growing up. I know now, Dad, how dang expensive that was for a C&P Telephone man to fork over for, but it was worth it. My father was not a 'reader' like my mom, but he did know some things. This and repeated SAT prep tests were two biggees. I would not be who I am without those.
Anyway, I can't help but thing that 15 years ago I just would have KNOWN all that stuff. Thomas Paine, Common Sense, and the details of his biography. And I am worried I don't know them now. If I am using the internet as a crutch, that is one thing. If the internet went away I could adjust back, easily. I just took a certification class for work. I was always good at taking tests. But it's been 25 years since I did. And it's no longer #2 pencils on Scantron. But that old skill came back to me, much to my relief.
But is my memory going? It's one of my most precious possessions and the easiest to carry. That would really really suck.
Yesterday morning I was thinking about a pamphlet from 200+ years ago and couldn't remember the title or author. I knew what the pamphlet was about, that it was widely disseminated in the Colonies, that it helped steel the country during a trying time of the Revolutionary War, and the author later turned out to be too much of a firebrand and a jerk and this ended up being his one really big contribution to the world and Liberty.
I am talking about (I since looked it up) Common Sense by Thomas Paine.
30 years ago I'd have thumbed through my 1974 edition of World Book. One of the greatest things I had growing up. I know now, Dad, how dang expensive that was for a C&P Telephone man to fork over for, but it was worth it. My father was not a 'reader' like my mom, but he did know some things. This and repeated SAT prep tests were two biggees. I would not be who I am without those.
Anyway, I can't help but thing that 15 years ago I just would have KNOWN all that stuff. Thomas Paine, Common Sense, and the details of his biography. And I am worried I don't know them now. If I am using the internet as a crutch, that is one thing. If the internet went away I could adjust back, easily. I just took a certification class for work. I was always good at taking tests. But it's been 25 years since I did. And it's no longer #2 pencils on Scantron. But that old skill came back to me, much to my relief.
But is my memory going? It's one of my most precious possessions and the easiest to carry. That would really really suck.
Sunday, September 6, 2015
What the...
Almost 100,000,000 people have been unemployed so long that they have given up looking for work.
I guess that truism is true. Any president can have a recession or depression. It takes a Democrat to make them 'great.' I'm glad my grandfather wasn't alive to see this. He'd have been 110 next July. 10 years gone now.
I've been unemployed, I've experienced that feeling of 'maybe I'll never get another job.' But that feeling was always in the back of my mind 'what if I don't get another job as good as the last job?' For gawrsh sakes there are JOBS out there. I've been a janitor! It's a simple job I can do again. Doesn't pay as much as an IT professional with certifications, but it's better than starving when unemployment runs out.
My car is in the shop and might be there a while. 230,000 mile checkup. I should prolly rent a car tomorrow. It might be like that. I figure my next car purchase may have a $300 a month car loan. So if the repair costs $1500 it better then last without trouble for 5 months. I am confident that's possible.
If I get an estimate for a $6000 repair, however....
I guess that truism is true. Any president can have a recession or depression. It takes a Democrat to make them 'great.' I'm glad my grandfather wasn't alive to see this. He'd have been 110 next July. 10 years gone now.
I've been unemployed, I've experienced that feeling of 'maybe I'll never get another job.' But that feeling was always in the back of my mind 'what if I don't get another job as good as the last job?' For gawrsh sakes there are JOBS out there. I've been a janitor! It's a simple job I can do again. Doesn't pay as much as an IT professional with certifications, but it's better than starving when unemployment runs out.
My car is in the shop and might be there a while. 230,000 mile checkup. I should prolly rent a car tomorrow. It might be like that. I figure my next car purchase may have a $300 a month car loan. So if the repair costs $1500 it better then last without trouble for 5 months. I am confident that's possible.
If I get an estimate for a $6000 repair, however....
Saturday, September 5, 2015
It's broke
Now you are liable. Well, 'liable.' Don't expose yourself to legal jeopardy I am saying.
So, ethical quandary. A known unsafe revolver was loaned to me for education purposes. The hammer can fall in single action by looking at it cross eyed and not touching the trigger. Now I took it apart and know why. It's not MORE broken because of me. Same broken. But I was the last one under the hood, so to speak.
But if I give it back to MBtGE without fixing it, and he has an ND with it. Technically, he can muddy the water and blame me in a court of law. I don't think he would, but if the case was more generic and it was Joe Blow instead of him, I am not so sure.
The gunsmith, Sam, recommends disabling the pistol. Not permanently, but enough MBtGE would have to do something to return it to the original state that he leant it to me as.
I could take out the main spring. Easy to replace. In fact, I am going to show him where it is broke by showing him how to take a revolver apart. Then help him re-assemble. But let HIM finish re-assembly. Pay the information forward and absolve me of responsibility.
So, ethical quandary. A known unsafe revolver was loaned to me for education purposes. The hammer can fall in single action by looking at it cross eyed and not touching the trigger. Now I took it apart and know why. It's not MORE broken because of me. Same broken. But I was the last one under the hood, so to speak.
But if I give it back to MBtGE without fixing it, and he has an ND with it. Technically, he can muddy the water and blame me in a court of law. I don't think he would, but if the case was more generic and it was Joe Blow instead of him, I am not so sure.
The gunsmith, Sam, recommends disabling the pistol. Not permanently, but enough MBtGE would have to do something to return it to the original state that he leant it to me as.
I could take out the main spring. Easy to replace. In fact, I am going to show him where it is broke by showing him how to take a revolver apart. Then help him re-assemble. But let HIM finish re-assembly. Pay the information forward and absolve me of responsibility.
Friday, September 4, 2015
Thing I learned about revolvers
You know how, in the old days, cowboys would only have 5 rounds in their revolver and keep the hammer over an empty cylinder? A good rap on the back of the hammer could jam the firing pin forward and touch off the cartridge to disastrous results.
You don't need to take that precaution with modern revolvers. They are designed with that in mind. It's all in a little hump in the rebounds. Where is meets the hammer bit. Here:
That place when the hammer is at rest. Bang on the back of it all day. Because it meets there when the hammer is down means it can't rotate any further forward. They aren't in that position when the hammer is back and the pin can swing free all the way to the primer cap.
Voila.
You don't need to take that precaution with modern revolvers. They are designed with that in mind. It's all in a little hump in the rebounds. Where is meets the hammer bit. Here:
That place when the hammer is at rest. Bang on the back of it all day. Because it meets there when the hammer is down means it can't rotate any further forward. They aren't in that position when the hammer is back and the pin can swing free all the way to the primer cap.
Voila.
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Close to home
Remember how I talked about someone getting stabbed near my house a month or two back?
ANOTHER dude got stabbed there. Dead. Kinda a busy intersection. Dunkin Donuts, McDonalds, Rodmans Discount, Korean Korner, A GINORMOUS thrift store in an old Ames.
It's the only shopping area within walking distance of my house. Mmm.
ANOTHER dude got stabbed there. Dead. Kinda a busy intersection. Dunkin Donuts, McDonalds, Rodmans Discount, Korean Korner, A GINORMOUS thrift store in an old Ames.
It's the only shopping area within walking distance of my house. Mmm.
I need to escape
To the orange counties. One of em. Maybe West Virginia. Looks better and better all the time.
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
If I told you
That taking 170 million firearms out of circulation in America would guarantee violent crime would reduce by 51% would you go along with the confiscation scheme.
I wouldn't. Most of the 170,000,000 are owned by the law abiding for legitimate reasons. It's my right. It's barely any of your business what I do or don't do. I'm no criminal. I am an innocent citizen.
Well, what if I told you ADDING 170M firearms to the country would happen at the same time violent crime went down in the US by 51%? And, across the pond, in Britain, after a gun ban regime, violent crime would skyrocket over a similar time period? I'd say, 'Bully.'
I wouldn't. Most of the 170,000,000 are owned by the law abiding for legitimate reasons. It's my right. It's barely any of your business what I do or don't do. I'm no criminal. I am an innocent citizen.
Well, what if I told you ADDING 170M firearms to the country would happen at the same time violent crime went down in the US by 51%? And, across the pond, in Britain, after a gun ban regime, violent crime would skyrocket over a similar time period? I'd say, 'Bully.'
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Archie Update
My Crotchety Old WWII neighbor that I nicknamed Archie (after his favorite character and doppelganger Archie Bunker)? What happened to him?
Well in the fall of 2014 it got to the point where he couldn't be left alone with just me checking in on him and counting and reminding him to take his pills. After a stint in the hospital his daughter took over and he moves to assisted living up near her in West Virginia.
I visited him monthly until the winter on 2015. Then he told me not to come any more. Not to call, even.
Despite his abmonitions, I still called a couple more times, on the advice of his daughter, to see if he changed his mind. He hasn't. He hasn't the patience for old neighbors or visitors.
Thus endeth a chapter.
He's old and tired and impatient and ready to die, I think. He won WWII in the Pacific for ALL you fools, what more do you want?
Ah well. At least he ain't dead yet. And so it goes.
Fair winds and following seas, Archie.
Well in the fall of 2014 it got to the point where he couldn't be left alone with just me checking in on him and counting and reminding him to take his pills. After a stint in the hospital his daughter took over and he moves to assisted living up near her in West Virginia.
I visited him monthly until the winter on 2015. Then he told me not to come any more. Not to call, even.
Despite his abmonitions, I still called a couple more times, on the advice of his daughter, to see if he changed his mind. He hasn't. He hasn't the patience for old neighbors or visitors.
Thus endeth a chapter.
He's old and tired and impatient and ready to die, I think. He won WWII in the Pacific for ALL you fools, what more do you want?
Ah well. At least he ain't dead yet. And so it goes.
Fair winds and following seas, Archie.