Hooray

Two of my guns sold.  Had them on consignment.  I put them up on Pearl Harbor Day.

So, THAT defrays some costs.  Like the costs of getting that custom 9mm.  I need to go get that back.

Feels funny.  My formative gun-enthusiast pupal stage drummed into me that with all the bans and whatnot, and on Jeff Cooper's say so, that you just don't sell a gun.  Well this is now, and that was 2006, and it's a different world, and I am a different person.  I can sell a gun without agonizing.  The 'Assault' weapon ban is long gone, and Hillary lost, and with a little luck there will be a decade of pro-gun SCOTUS ruling here in a bit. 

Plus, I have a few more guns that I did then, and the ones I sold are sorta superfluous and not what I want anymore.  Preferences change 

Immigration Kerfuffle

Ho, hum.  Lotsa argle bargle otherwise.   Trump drives conservatives a lil bit crazy.  But he drives the entire spectrum of the Left a LOTTA-bit crazy.  It's a redeeming feature of his.

I am told that Trump is Hitler.  Literally Hitler.

If Trump is literally Hitler, isn't literal Hitler putting the kibosh on refugees and imgrints from your out-group coming to the good ol' U, S, of A, actually good news for you?

If he is Hitler than you really dodged a bullet there, huh?  You'd be out of the frying pan and into the hate-filled xenophobic fire, better just stand pat.  Or, hey, try moving to more friendlier climes?  Saudi Arabia is wealthy and filled with co-religionsist, I bet they could take in your huddled mass?  Why not? 

Whatever.  I'm just waiting for the SCOTUS pick announcement, Mr. Loud-Progz protestor. 

Zombie show

People keep telling me the Zombacalypse is so 2010, yet they keep coming out with more zombie shows.

This one is California's version.  It has a Drew Barrymore and the Zombie/s worry about trans-fats, apparently.




Dunno why they give Drew the top billing. It has Oliphant in it. Isn't he 'bigger' now? Plus and appearance by Captain Reynolds.

Democrats

Stop hurting people

Zombie Petting a Cat

Like it says on the label

Cleaning with air

I am rethinking using compressed air to clean guns.

It's a boon.  Spray/wipe on your solvent, brush some.  Blow off the dirt and solvent, and it gets in the nooks and crannies.  I learned this from Eugene Stoner. (6:30)


But I also learned from Mr. Pete when he was refurbing and Atlas lathe.  The air blows bits of stuff into places you don't want it to be.  Use a brush.  In the machine shop


Now, shooting air at dirt is different from blowing metal shavings around.  Not nearly so damaging.  The worry-wart in me still worries about blowing debris deeper into the innards.  A tiny bit.  The firing-pin hole on a 1911.  The same and past the hand in a revolver and down into the lockwork.  Or past the hammer.  I'm a little less worried with 1911 lockwork because that area is a bit more open.

I should really just relax.  Especially after seeing Tam torture test her custom 1911 with her 2000 round without cleaning challenge.

"Why T-Bolt?  Tam was getting lots of jam-up failures near the end!"

True.  But her gun has tight tolerances (like mine) and she was mostly able to restore functionality by just a few drops of lubricant.  Even tight guns can be reliable with just a tiny bit of attention.  And I can give mine a tiny bit of attention.  Heck, how many people can detail strip their 1911?  Get the side plate safely on and off their revolver?  THAT was the primary purpose I went to beginner gunsmith classes.  I had no idea how to get a 1911 back together once the disconnector and sear fall out.  Nor how to get that sideplate off without munging it all up royal.  Well, it is super easy to get a good cleaning done if you do that.

But then that makes me want to get a parts washer or ultrasonic jewelry cleaner, again...  You know I say that, but I really don't know how well that'd clean a detail stripped gun.

Democrats

Stop hurting people.

"This is NPR, reporting for the resistance"

"The chair is against the wall.  The chair is against the wall.  John has a long mustache.  John has a long mustache,"


Listen to this story.  It's hilarious.

Oh noes!  Wealthy liberal tech types are becoming survivalists.  Because I have never heard about it this must be a new thing.

I personally know a techie near San Francisco with a nice little bunker and has been growing edible landscaping there since before Terry Gross started broadcasting.

Oh noes!  People don't trust the old institutions now, and really haven't since Hurrican Katrina.

Welcome to the party, pal.

Oh noes!  Trump invented Fake News

HA!  You are so funny.  I haven't laughed this hard since since Obama's scandal free presidency after the Russians hacked the electoral college and Trump threw the bust of MLK off the table in the oval office and kicked it down the Whitehouse basement stairs.

You've been using fake news to talk about fake news ever since you pretend to see a telegram that never existed from Hearts saying "You furnish the pictures and I will furnish the war."

You panicky Progs crack me up extra, lately.  Don't change

Democrats

Stop HURTING people!

Man, you Progs are super-violent.  Regular Americans can't turn their back on you.

Range 18 JAN 2017

Whelp.

Remember what I did last time?

Ditto.

About all you can say is the groups tightened some.  Still favoring the right. 

First round, top 6 score:  26 25 23 27 25 26 = 152

Second round:  27 21 27 28 28 26 = 157

I don't know what scoring is gaining me.  I get slightly better after a warmup, maybe?

Pretty Much This

So Maggies Farm is pretty much in line with my thinking.

I'm not super thrilled to have Trump up there.  But I am very slightly cautiously optimistic.  I am prepared to be pleasantly surprise with good news.

But the freight of expectations from his supporters and detractors is way too great a burden for anyone to lift.

"I think people are expecting too much from a new administration, too much good and/or too much bad. My hope is for a return to simple common sense. I am all nuanced-out."

And the histrionics worrying about it are over the top.  Most of the detractors you hear about have lost their damn minds. Let me make a promise to them.  There aren't going to be FDR style detainee concentration camps for a million registered Muslims.  The Klan won't run rampant as if Woodrow Wilson were back in charge. The Handmaid's Tale isn't going to happen.  Trump's Supreme Court won't overturn Roe-v-Wade or Griswold-v-Connecticut.  It is more likely that your birth control pills will be available over the counter for the same price as multivitamins than they are to even considered to be banned.  Relax.  You are gonna be ok. 

And for the supporters, don't expect $5 Blackjack tables and free Hookers.

Coupla quarters of +3% GDP growth, some decent SCOTUS picks, and pro-gun law are about all it would take to exceed my expectation.  Addressing immigration and Obamacare is gravy by my lights, but also possible.

Bonuses beyond my wildest dreams:

• shrunken gummint
• EPA scaled back
• DOE & DOE & DHS & TSA too, for that matter.
• Victory for our side in the Middle East
• 2.5% interest rate without strangling the recovery in the crib
• Congressional term limits
• De-policifying the Feds
• lower the drinking age to 18.  ALL adult things should be at one uniform age.  
• decriminalize pot, I am fine with that.  as long as Reefer Madness doesn't rear its head
• repeal NFA34, GCA68, Hughes
• 
  

Don't you bad mouth my XD!

Uncle, talking about the .mil selection of the Sig P320.  He's happy they picked a modern pistol.

"I also don’t disagree with picking the Sig. Or if they’d have picked the M&P. So long as they went with a striker-fired, polymer-framed gun that holds a lot of bullets. And isn’t an XD or Taurus."  

And that will get the XD peeps' dander up.  I like the XD.  It's good.  But, well.  It's like the Army asking to borrow an American made pick-up truck to move to a new apartment this afternoon.

Sig:  I got a Silverado
Glock: I got an F150
S&W: I got a Ram
XD: I got an El Camino!

That's... that'll work.  After a fashion.  XD.  Sure.  That's still pretty good.  Can you come by at noon, Sig?

But Taurus:  "I got a Chevette! Runs great!  Or it will, once I get that 4th wheel back and mounted..."

A working Chevette can help you move, too.  Better than a Huffy.  Knock yourself out. They have a great warranty.

I had a dream...

My gun was ready for pickup at the gunsmith.  I checked voicemail...

Nope.

Drat.

Gunsmith is at Shot Show.  So maybe it is ready now, but...


He gets lots of calls like that.  "Is my gun ready?"  Most gunsmiths do.  And the gunsmith I've heard about that are worth anything are also meticulous.

That's Latin for "slow".

And YOU... want your gun back.  You like that gun.

So the customer and gunsmith are at loggerheads.  You want him to do it right.

Then there is the customer that drops the gun off on Saturday morning and calls late Saturday afternoon to see if it is ready.  Then first thing on Tuesday the phone rings.  Same guy.  And the gunsmith is closed Sunday and Monday.

"You, sir, are why the work order ticket for your gun has a spot where you initialed 'I understand $5 will be added to the final bill for every time I call to check if the work is complete'."  

Holy Crap

It just hit me.

How did this guy get to be president?

Finally

What will us gunnies do without our best salesman?





I don't know about Trump, but I am glad the current gun banner, Stuttery McCartertwo, is gone now.

Shot Show

I have never been.  Might never go.  I have lived vicariously through other blogger that have gone and reported what they saw. 

Seems to be the world's greatest gun show.  But with range time for selected notables.  Of which I would have to struggle to appear as.  A teeny non-commercial blogger?  BACK OF THE LINE, Pal!

This year Tam is there.  It sound like it may be her first time.  I know, I am shocked she isn't a salty old SHOT veteran. 

So far, she has enjoyed the SIG P210 reboot.  Handsome pistol.  And she is practicing her tumbling skills, to less happy results.  Tuck and roll!  Always tuck and roll, when jumping from a speeding vehicle.  Learned that from Archer.  So she gets to do shot on wheels.  Poor thing.  Bad luck, that. 

I look forward to more reviews, tho, from her, and all over. 

Extinction

A zombie movie with the heady aroma of back-bacon.

Yes.  A Canadian Zombie Movie.

These are sprinter types.  With 3 survivors.  Two men and 9 year old girl that has only known a world of zombies.  And the men, former friends, are no longer on speaking terms.

Also:  Nuclear Winter.  It seems.  Or maybe it's just Canada and the winter seems to take forever.  You'd think deep cold would help keep the zeds at bay with very few victims to munch on for 9 years running.  You'd think that, but you'd be wrong. 

People got a little salty

Commenters.  On my legislative preferences.  Just a touch, no big deal, no bridges burned.

"Just throw away the 10th Amendment!"

Well, yes, federally imposed national CCW reciprocity does kinda sorta cross thread with the 10th amendment of the Constitution.  And I don't like the Feds throwing their weight around any more than you do. 

But you know what?  The 10th is already pining for the fjords.  It's gonna take a lotta of contrary case rulings to bring it back.  Not just a simple act of Congress signed by the President.  A sea change.  Sorta like we did with the Second, culminating in Heller and McDonald, so far.  That took a long time.  Proponents for the 10th will have to start working hard, and this is their 1977.  Might take 30 years in the wilderness before they see their version of Heller.

You know what would make it easier on them/us?  A restored and secure 2nd Amendment.  Which this 10th outraging law will help.  Rehabilitate one Amendment, rehbilitating the next is that much easier.  And the reciprocity law can be rescinded when the whole country is Vermont carry.  And Maryland's firearm registry is deleted.


---

But you know, we might get both.  NFA-less suppressors AND reciprocation.  I still don't know why a suppressor is much different than a muzzle breakbrake, and not just up for grabs at any Bass Pro on the end of the aisle...

Return of the Monday Blahs

Don't got much.  Been a good run since that last set of Monday blog-bupkis.

I forgot to hit the range last week.  First week skipped in a long time.  There is a reason for less bloggery.

Got an eye appointment today.  Maybe I will get glasses this time.  I got the LASIK 17 years ago and the eyes are starting to creep up to 20/30 or 20/40, nearsighted.  Not enough to NEED glasses but... I am delaying the inevitable.  Might help my shooting.  And make me look like Clark Kent.  I like the driver in the chase car's glasses.


I'd get safety lenses, of course.  On less thing to tote in the range bag.

Zombie vehicle

Now THIS would make a good anti-zombie vehicle.

Based on an Ford F350 parts would be easier to scrounge.  It was designed in mind for mines.  Which aren't a threat.  But also to resist 30 caliber fire, which can be on a RoMERO mission.  Folks get shooty-salty during a zombie outbreak, but they don't get are RPG-y.

Still, I prefer the Cadillag Gage M1117.  Fitted with less boomy weapons in the turret.  We're only shooting undead, and while the Ma Deuce works for that, it's a bit over kill.  It does weigh twice as much as the truck, above, so you can only fit two in a C130.

You can say that again, lady.

Silent Suppressor

Ugh, got much of nothing.

People at work, not gunnies are talking about 'silencers' getting more legalized.  They vaguely understand they aren't fobidden now, and the change, if passed, just makes owning them slightly easier. 

No I didn't correct them.  I am known as the gun guy to too many people as it is.  They'll figure it out.  They aren't hostile to the idea at least.

"Is it silencer or suppressor?  Wait, it's a flash suppressor, and a silencer is the other thing that makes it quieter."

"Actually... it's flash hider, so when you fire off all the shells in your clip at the burglar in the house, he won't see where you are firing from because the flash is invisible.  Unless you use a laser sight.  Then they GOT you!"

Ok, no, no one said that.  Near me.

Not that law, THIS one

What gun laws to change? 

I am as against the over-criminalization of law as the next guy.  The proliferation of new felonies created out of thin air, and the expansion of misdemeanors and punishment for misdemeanors.  The Weaponization of the law targetting ordinary people.  For why?  To control.

Catching an selling a lobster a quarter inch shorter in length compare to this OTHER lobster?  Felony.  Picking up a feather you saw on the ground on a nature hike because it looked neat?  Eagle.  Felony.  Growing an orchid?  Where did you get THIS particular one?  Felony

And it is wrong for the feather picker upper and lobster catcher and flower grower to lose their civil right to arms forever because of a law from 1968.

I'm as small 'l' libertarian as the rest of you readers.  I agree.

But to prioritize that for change in the gun laws?  There are bigger fish to fry

We may only get a brief bite of this apple.  In 2020 Majority Leader Schumer, Speaker Pelosi, and President Cory Booker may have run on other things, but after the inauguration of 2021 they could easily do their true priority and ram through gun bans.  We need to pick and choose now the best way to firewall against attack then.  Proper judge picks.  And legislatively we need to pass something.

Plus we may only get one or two thing before the GOP loses interest and moves on. 

Later, I don't want to say  "Well, at least people that were in jail for a year can buy a gun again.  Well, not in restrictive states, but in others!" 

Removing suppressor from the NFA so you 'only' need to NICS check to get one?  That's also small ball.  I'd trade that away to get federal pre-emption over the states, but that too can bite us in the ass.  What the Feds give the Feds can take away.  But imagine the outcry!  Some Marylander get promoted to Senate and wants to make his state type gun regs apply to the whole county?  Wyoming and Indiana and Alabama would scream!  But it could also get Constitutional Carry nationwide, too.  Eventually.  Pass a NICS check, you can carry concealed coast to coast.  And Alaska nd Hawaii.  But that's far in the future, and just skylarking at this point

The most impactful legislation is the CCW portability one.  Especially when the wording has 'permit issued by a State' in the language.  If you have to choose one law to prioritize passage, and that CAN be passed now, a hurdle to clear before concentrating on the next issue, this is the law to pass. 

What does that law give to someone living in Tennessee?  Especially a person that doesn't travel much?  The law gives them almost nothing.  The potential for greater freedom.  Because the law give that poor bastard in Hawaii a chance to get a Utah CCW, allowing him to fly to LaGuardia, and then tote about Times Square, maybe take in a Broadway show.  He can carry in Honalulu and Manhattan.  Where before he could not.  The guy in Tennessee can carry there, too, where before he could carry in Tennessee and few more enlightened state, but not all.  Now he gains all.  And less worry when he has to take a trip to visit relatives in New Hampshire, passing through Jersey, New York Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. 

Selfishly, it helps ME most, of course.  It forces Maryland's hand.  And we are surrounded by Shall Issue states.

And it moves the civil rights ball quite a bit down field.  More so than delisted suppressors.  More so than shoplifters and rattle-can-vandals getting guns.  Because it normalizes the gun culture in areas that are hostile to the culture.  Normalizing the gun culture makes it easier to pass the NEXT law.  Or repealing the next outrage.    

Anyway.  Nothing against Smallest Minority or you and whatever you want to pass first.  I just think you get more bang for your buck with the reciprocation, imperfect and federal overreachy as it is.

Missed Comments

A commenter I hadn't noticed because I didn't check the moderation bucket asked:

"How does it compare to Colonel Cooper's Principles of Personal Defense? on Handguns?"  Aksing about my book review of The Experts Guide to Handgun Marksmanship.

I'd rather have Coopers.  This is just a collection of old articles, including some from Cooper.  Some are very old.   Cooper's is a bit more coherent all put together.  Plus, I like Cooper.  You might find some old gun writer and from this compendium and want to look up their other stuff.  That can be fun.


---

Been a while since I got 8 comments on a post.  Well, it's a handsomish new gatt.

Care and Feeding of a New-To-You Gunsmith

Another issue unrelated to the parts problem?  How do you know if your gunsmith is any good when you take you gun into fitting?  Anyone can get the credentials. 

Old guys?  I could start today and seem old and crusty enough to trust, do you trust me, knowing how I have described myself?  I GOTS LIMITATIONS! 

How bout someone with a huge reputation?   I've seen the work of some of the big names.  Even my eyes could see functional problems on guns make by BIG NAME 1911 smiths that made me scratch my head. 

Picking a gunsmith is tricky.

And you are starting from scratch?

Tell me about it, I was there, too.  Still am, really, "NEW Jovian Thud-bolt" still applies.

You can give a guy a gun and have him work on it then check his work.  You'll have to learn a lot about what constitutes 'good' work when you see it.  And you might get a ruined gun.  This route is long, tedious, and expensive.

You can hang out with shooters.  Good shooters.  REAL shooters.  Truly skilled ones.  These are hard to find on their own.  Ask them about smith's reputations.  You want good reputations not celebrity reputations.  They can be the same thing, but it's hard to tell.  Plus you get to hang with shooters and might learn a thing or two about... you know... shooting.  This route is long, tedious, and may also be expensive.

"But T-Bolt, how do I figure it out without the long tedious expensive process?"

Ah, you want the M&M Contract Clause test to select a competent smith without just guessing.

"Contract Clause?  Whazzat den?"

For those unaware, a band called Van Halen went touring.  So the story goes.  They want a successful show at each venue, so all the details that go into a Rock-Roll show have to be perfect or the show is bad, or worse, disastrous.  How does a busy group of artists that needs to entertain amorous groupies and alter their minds with various substances check up on the venue runners of a diverse group of playhouses?  Even sober there are too many things to keep track of!  So.  They put a rider in their contract.  Throwaway details near the back of the long document that are easy to check up on.  Like "the dressing room will have a large bowl of M&Ms for the band to nibble on with all the brown M&Ms removed."  And others like that.  Band shows up, looks a the bowl of M&Ms and sees no brown, there is a better chance the rest of the show has all it's P's and Q's lined up.  The venue runner read the whole contract and took care of all the little bits.  Now a stage light might also be tightened correctly and not plummet from the ceiling and squish David Lee Roth.  The Rick-Roll show goes on.  Everyone is happy.  See a brown M&M?    Trash the hotel room, make a fool of yourself, and cancel the show.  Contract violation. 

So what is the cheap and easy M&M Rider detrail, but for a gunsmith you are looking at maybe giving work?

I dunno.  I will have to think on this.  Get back to you. 

Chest O' Draws

Click the pic.

"I want my 1911 to shoot better"

Aha!  Lots of schemes for that.  But here is a new product.

Intriguing!  I think I know where they are going with this from the purty picture but lemme RTWT, like the kids in the internet say.

Ok.

The thought with this product.  It's a 1911 barrel bushing replacement.  To make a gun with parts that move more accurate you got to have the gun lockup in the same place consistently every time.  There are several points of contact on a barrel, in this case a 1911 barrel.  The barrel hood, the top lugs, the bottom lugs and link, and, as we are looking at here, at the barrel bushing.

The tighter the barrel bushing the tighter the lockup hold, the better the accuracy, is the theory.

Now if you already have a gun, making the the other parts tighter is a major undertaking, but the bushing is a relatively simple job in comparison.  You get an oversized bushing, reduce the outer diameter on a lathe type device with files or sandpaper, and you reduce the inner diameter with a tapered reamer.  For this operation you only need oil, a rawhide mallet, the lathey-thing, files, reamer, abrasive sheets, vise, and bushing wrench.  So, not that expensive.  You prolly already have a bushing wrench, Brownells gives them out as swag. 

Or you can get this new thing from Ingenious Gun Works.   The problem it solves is tightening up the inner diameter of a bushing.

Sorta like the old collet bushings did for Colt back in the 70s.

The outer diameter may still have some give, but the inner will be still with this spring insert.

Seems to me that the spring insert would be better than the old collet bushing, but that spring will wear out.  The company even sends spare springs for the inevitable replacement.  I'd personally change this spring frequently.  If the spring breaks I don't see how it would stop your gun, so that is good.  If it breaks 'in the field' you might not even notice it until you field strip the guns and the wires fall out.  And I bet it would work just fine without a spring in there, you just wouldn't realize the accuracy gains you think you are getting from a whole working spring in place. 

Does it help with accuracy?  How should I know?!  I've only built 1 and a half 1911s with heavy supervision, and I have never tested this product at all.

In theory, tho?  Well, you could really use some other points of contact on the breech end, too.  In theory.  Let's say this springy thingy thing works great!  Just as advertised (and $50 isn't that expensive for such a part).  The muzzle is always in the exact same relative place in the frame on lockup.  But the back end moves to a slightly different spot every time.  You gun doesn't get a lot of extra accuracy.  Maybe some.  But not the way to bet.  Don't blame this part is you don't get dramatic gains, the gun you installed it on has different things holding it back.

---

The same company makes a drop-in no-fit hammer and sear.  I am dubious until I check it out futher...  Cuz I can think of a lotta things that need fitting with a hammer and sear before even starting to think about how to the stone the actual hammer and sear.  OTHER parts, not the hammer and sear when new ones are introduced to the mix.  And I'm just a fumblethumb n00b with the barest touch of professional gunsmith training.  Hey, it might be a great product!  I haven't even touched it.  How would I know?  If I were to try it I'd be sure of all safety checks, after installation, of course.  Including this one that is hard to describe about trigger reset that I can't even do with a gunsmith sitting on my shoulder.  There are SO many ways that can be messed up by a new part, and it might not be wholly the new parts fault.  It's that part PLUS this part I already had in the gun that runs you into "that's where I needed a real gunsmith" for.

Ciener

All that hype with their marketing:  "Train with your 1911 at pennies to the ammo dollar"  Pfff!

But with 1500 rounds through mine in a year, it might have actually been a good purchase and value for the $150?  $200?  I bought it 8 years ago, I dunno what I paid for it.  Used.

Sure a Ruger MkIII of some flavor would have served.  And cost about the same, essentially.  But I am getting much more out of the conversion kit that I thought I would.  Beyond my wildest dreams.

I am starting to miss my new 9mm.  It's in the shop, still, to get a holster made.   Delayed a bit because the shop is moving to new digs.  Darn it.  And YOU try to rush a gunsmith.  I dare you.  It's the assistant gunsmith making the holster, but still.

I am looking forward to seeing the new shop.

But all good things come to an end.  My long familiarity with the .22 kit should be waning as I graduate to shooting poorly with centerfire ammo instead.  At least I hope to.  Too shoot 1500 + rounds of 9mm instead of .22.  Let's see.   

Someone noticed the same thing

Right after the election I put on my side bar -->

"If Ginsberg had let Scalia put the words "strict scrutiny" in Heller and Hillary said "Gun control is just not going to be a priority for my administration," Hillary would have been elected President. "

And now Phil in Rhode Island wrote about the same thing in a letter to the local paper, it looks like.  Gun control is a loser on the national stage.  Wish it was a loser in more states.  Like mine. 

Coming out for gun control will lose you control of Congress for the first time in 40 years, will lose you Presidency in 2000.  You might win a Presidency and BE anti-gun, but you better not say anti-gun things when campaigning.

Mr. Gingerella is on our side.  Of course he sees it.  I wonder if a Democrat gun-banner will ever be able to?

Vision Quest

Lotsa people out there on it.  A Vision Quest.  For some, it's a difficult uphill trek that requires perseverance.  Others gave up long ago and stopped but may have settled at a very high level.

The Vision Quest to be a better shooter. 

Tam is in touch with her inner vision quest.  And even doles out tidbits of wisdom to help those further down the hill.  To folks like me.  And don't think it isn't appreciated. 

1. "Competent training is your friend"
2. "A 9mm might be easier to learn on"
3. "Mix up the trainers, and don't get hung up on just on 'sensei'"
4. "Current thought on the handgun shooting mastery points to a very frim grip on the trigger"
5. "If there is any one thing I wish I didn't get in the habit of was pinning back the trigger and then going back to reset like that"

Yes yes.  I even KNOW these things.  But I am only at item #2.  My path hasn't proceeded further.  I even know that I will eventually have to get to a Miculek grip (4) to better control recoil, and more of a rolling action with the finger (5).

But I am not there.  I can see it from where I am, but apparently I have to walk the path to reach it.  Right now I am more than halfway done with my current trainer.  I need to mix it up soon.  Even he might tighten my grip up more. 

"Hey, T-Bolt, how did find that instructor in the first place, how did you figure out if he was any good, and how are you gonna find the next one?"

Well, he was the gunsmith trainer.   I took that first class to learn more about detail stripping a 1911 and that lead to more gunsmith classes because I enjoyed it so much.  I figured out he was good as my shooting performance improved dramatically.  And he does have plaques and stuff from things like this on his wall but he isn't real big into seeking out credentials.  I'm gonna find the next one by asking him.  And by paying attention to what other people I know and respect say about other instructors.

Rangering on 03 JAN 2017

Ok, that was a bit better.

I still haven't figured out the favoring the right side of the centerline, no.  This session I de-emphasized finger tip placement when I realize wherever I put that pad or however I draw it back it still favors right.  And when dry firing...  there is still a tiny perceptible anticipatory jiggle.

Great.  So hard to work that out.  "MORE DRY FIRE, BUDDY!"  Yeah yeah.  I agree.

So what is the good?  I really calmed down quite a bit more on the hold.  As in trying to:  "before the trigger break, don't move the pistol."

And if you notice the first round of tres started to tighten up the groups right around target #5.  To what might we attribute this to?  I did indeed do a bit more dry fire...

First groups of a line have a line on the hole, second group a circle.  42 shots of CCI MiniMax, 25 feet out of the Ceiner 1911

No.

NO! This is not acceptible. This goes too far. I may have to pick up a new hobby.

Gaaaarrrwhghghghhnnnnnghnn! Chewy approves!

PC: @everydaynodaysoff#brownells #ar15 #starwars pic.twitter.com/vRSXcTAtBt

— Brownells, Inc. (@BrownellsInc) January 5, 2017

National Reciprocity

Legislation moving on DAY ONE of the new Congefs.

Wonderful.

But the devil is in the details.

The detail of this law?  Can a guy with a Utah and Virginia non-resident CCW be able to carry in Pennsylvania again?  Probably?  How bout New Jersey or New York?  Don't bother to answer that one I ain't going there.  Florida?  I can't carry in Florida now.

And what about... Maryland?  Hmmm. 

I could still get screwed over because Maryland is May Issue.  In fact, other states could conceivably stop accepting non-resident permits after this law is passed.  There may be fewer states I can carry in.

The Bill states: "...and who is carrying a valid license or permit which is issued pursuant to the law of a State..."

A State.  Not just State of Residence.  Permit from 'a State.'  I have two of those. So, on the surface... I may be doing ok with this law if that part isn't amended.  As long as Virginia or Utah continue to renew my CCW permit.  And, this might spur Maryland to finally and quietly go Shall Issue just to keep a better eye on me.

ANd it applies to you lucky folks already living in Constitutional Carry state.  You Vermont issued picture ID or Driver's License is enough.   

I await more competent legal analysis.

I'm not even thinking DC.  If this new law is everything it says it is, I'd not carry there if there was any chance I'd have to leave my car or subway train IN the city.  WAY too many gov't buildings and installations, etc. Last I checked, technically DC could issue CCW permits.

But.  Hopeful.  Just a titch. We'll see.

Comments

How did that happen?  A whole boatload of comments were waiting for my moderation.  Usually I stay on top of that.  Sorry if I didn't publish until now.

Boom De Yada

Former SEAL Richard Machowicz died.  I remembered him from Future Weapons.   But I liked him best in this video:

Range December 28

Bleh.

No change, no improvement.

I had some things I wanted to work on.

Trigger finger at the crease of the finger for the placement.

Front sight

Pin back each shot then reset.

Go slow and relax

Most importantly "before the trigger break, don't move the pistol."  Pretty simple, that.   

It worked... sorta?  Sorta not, too.  It's like I can see it, but I can't gel into it.  The place I need to instinctively be.

Two few to the left of the centerline and none from the second round to tres.  Hmph, again.  I prescribed more dryfire the night before because that might help the "before the trigger break, don't move the pistol" goal.

Holes in my familiarity

I can build a 1911, I can build an AR, I can take apart and put back together an M1 or M1A in the dark, I've been in the guts of a Smith revolver without marring the sideplate...  I am familiar with the workings of those shooting irons.

Including trigger time.

I know a bit about Glocks and other modern pistols.  They are easy peasy.

You know where my knowledge is near nil?  Beretta pistols.  AKs are even worse.  I may have never FIRED an AK clone in my life.  I don't even know how the safety works on that. Up, middle position, rock and roll?  Whatever.

I might have to correct that deficiency.  I know a Beretta I can play with.  But I don't know ComBloc enthusiasts.

The harder part will be getting them to let me clean it. 

Happy New Year!

Man the local constabulary gets upset when you shoot guns in the air around here!

It was JUST birdshot, officer.