13 June 2012

OMG! I'm a Tamism!

So... catching up on my blog reading. Perusing Tam's place, and I come across this piece discussing unintended consequences to our actions.

Not going to rehash: go read it there. However, this line jumped at me:

Suppose the kid carried a pistol openly on his right hip... and another one not so openly in his left pocket?

Oh jeeze: I'm one of Tam's "what ifs?" for this situation. I feel special now!

09 May 2012

GAH! LEARN ENGLISH!

No, this is NOT a rant about immigrants. As per usual, I have H2 on in the background. Show on is talking about "prophecy", and the Oracle of Delphi and the Sibylline Oracle get mentioned. The theory gets mentioned concerning how oracles worked (the whole "hallucinogenic gas" thing)... "And the cave of the Sibyl was also underground, just like the caves at Delphi" Seriously? WOW, I never would have thought a cave would be UNDERGROUND. Imagine THAT! Times like this, I lose my faith in the world

26 April 2012

If you ride...

So, I'm goofing around on Facespace, and out International VP posts a link to something that sounds cool. If you ride, and use an Android, you REALLY should check this out Needs some tweaking (like being able to contact more than one person), but every rider should have something like this!

25 April 2012

A new way of doing "spring cleaning"

And today, we take another from the “they don’t make ‘em like that anymore” file… If you wanted a handgun before 1896, you were pretty much stuck with a revolver. Although there was an autoloader design or two out there, none had really met with much success. And then Mauser entered the fray…
From Wikipedia: The Mauser C96 (Construktion 96) is a semi-automatic pistol that was originally produced by German arms manufacturer Mauser from 1896 to 1937. Unlicensed copies of the gun were also manufactured in Spain and China in the first half of the 20th century. The distinctive characteristics of the C96 are the integral box magazine in front of the trigger, the long barrel, the wooden shoulder stock which can double as a holster or carrying case and a grip shaped like the handle of a broom. The grip earned the gun the nickname "Broomhandle" in the English-speaking world and in China the C96 was nicknamed the "box cannon" (Chinese: 盒子炮; pinyin: hézipào) because of its square-shaped internal magazine and the fact it could be holstered in its wooden box-like detachable stock. It was used by the Latvian anarchist Peter Piaktow in 1911 and was therefore known as a 'Peter the Painter' gun by the IRA. The Mauser C96, with its shoulder stock, long barrel and high-velocity cartridge had superior range and better penetration than most other pistols; the 7.63x25mm Mauser cartridge was the highest velocity commercially manufactured pistol cartridge until the advent of the .357 Magnum cartridge in 1935. Approximately 1 million C96 pistols were manufactured by Mauser, with the number produced in Spain and China being large but unknown due to the loss, non-existence or poor upkeep of production records from those countries. 

 Carried by no less a luminary than Winston Churchill, the C96 was the first successful autoloading pistol, and still serves in the modern era in an oddball fashion (being found on the silver screen on the hips of Han Solo and Luke Skywalker). This example was my first experience at internet gun buying: found it on Guns America for $350, needing a LOT of work. Including relining the barrel: someone had started to bore it out to rechamber in 9mm. After a trip to a specialist in FL (no longer in business), I have the wonderful piece you see before you.
He still has problems: need to replace the sear, sear arm, and follower: he doesn’t always want to reset his trigger, and the follower doesn’t hold the bolt back quite far enough to insert a stripper clip. Oh… commercial .30 Mauser isn’t exactly common, so prepare to be spending time at the reloading bench of you get one. Why “he”? Well… his name (y’all name your guns too, don’t lie) is Han, of course! Sites are graduated FAR beyond anything *I* would believe I was gonna hit at with a pistol:
Holster is by HBE. Which involved sending Eric the gun to mold it right: stunning work, reasonably priced. And this has gotten me some looks (this was my preferred “open carry march” piece).

18 April 2012

Note about things going wrong...

OK... actually had some concern expressed about my post a few days ago.

I am not in any trouble. Someone I thought was a friend opened a business, and hired me. Worked there for 2 months, and never got paid.

That business is now Tango Uniform: they closed their doors yesterday. Criminal charges are on the owner (he has a few felony charges waiting for him in another part of the state), and POSSIBLY on his partner (who basically wrote rubber checks to all their vendors).

However, this could be a good thing: has spurred me to try something, details to follow if I can make it work... ;)

Insomnia=Return of Humpday Hardware

Ok, let’s get back in the swing of things by goin’ cowboy again…

This is one of the prizes of the Privateer’s arms locker: a Winchester Model 1887, produced (assuming I looked it up properly) pre1890.

When Spoon and I were first involved in cowboy shooting, I noticed that this model was listed as a “legal” shotgun, although I had never seen one (outside of T2). Finally got a chance to handle one at a match, and absolutely fell in love…



Of course, actually finding one for sale took a bit more time. Finally managed it a couple hours away, and stumbled on it: they didn’t know what it actually was, having it marked as a rifle (I THINK it was as an 1885). Had ‘em bring it down, looked it over, and handed them my plastic: then had to find the SN for them.



She was in slightly rougher shape: looked like a previous owner was grinding the muzzle on concrete. Figured that as I was only going to use her for CAS, I had the BBL shortened slightly. The smith smiled at me when he checked the action: said it was one of the tightest ’87 actions he’d ever encountered, and the $1K I paid was a steal.




Since then, I’ve not only shot CAS with it, but both trap and sporting clays. Not exactly the best gun for those tasks, but it preforms admirably. Despite the fact that it’s older than the combined ages of the entire squad on the line…

One note: the “tack cross” was there when I got it. Would LOVE to know the story behind it (which is one of the things I love about old guns like this).

03 April 2012

Why did I chew out through the straps?

Well, the last couple months have been... interesting. Will give the full story at a later date (some things need to settle down a bit, including potential criminal charges). Suffice it to say that I got seriously scammed by someone I thought was a friend. Will give full details after all the smoke clears...

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As some may remember, last year I FINALLY got a Harley. Had a small problem with her in June: she threw her compensator on the way back from Kentucky. No problem: took her to the local HD shop, and they made it all better.

Except that, when I brought her out of storage last week, she started making the same noise she did last June. WTF?

She's back at the shop: REALLY hope they fix her right this time!

02 April 2012

And for starters...

I posted this once before, but I think it would be a good idea to revisit it. This is one lady's story, about what happened to her.

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At the end of eighth-grade, when I was thirteen; I was walking home from school. When I was ten houses down the street from my house, there were two or three guys outside talking. They stared at me from the moment I turned the corner and started waslking down Prospect.

When I got a little closer, they started talking to me and I don't really remember what happened after that but somehow I ended up in one of the bedrooms on the second floor of the house they were in front of. I was raped in that house by two boys at the same time. The first person I told was my best friend, she called me a whore for what happened to me.

After that I did not tell anyone until I met with Strings from BACA in 2006. I didn't tell anyone because I was afraid of what they would call me after hearing those words come out of my best friend.

Today, ten years later, it still affects me. Every relationship that I have been in, I always think that they are using me for sex and then will leave me; thinking that about everyone who truly loves me has made me push them away. I feel like I am not worth anything to anyone but for sex.

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Those of you who have daughters, especially of the "invincible" variety: have them read this. Maybe it will help keep them from becoming another statistic

01 April 2012

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month

All kidding aside, no practical joke: April is Child Abuse Awareness Month. I'll do my best to post (and, in some cases, repost) things that are important to know to actually prevent your child from becoming a statistic...

28 February 2012

Found on Facespace

Saw this posted by a BACA member, and figured I would spread it a bit...

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Hero? No I am not
I am a biker
I am a physical presence
I am emotional support
I am an OBSTACLE and A SHEILD
Child Abusing cowards beware for I am not one
I am part of a body, a family like no other
one of worn leather, shining chrome, and burning hearts!
Skin tattooed with our intent
EMBRACE & EMPOWER
For some we are the comfort after a bad dream, for others we ARE the nightmare
We are THE KEEPERS OF THE CHILDREN
THE CHILDREN- they are the Heros
- Baca Medusa

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'Nuff said

22 February 2012

Politics... BAH, HUMBUG

So, I'm sure most people are just as tired of the Republican Primary Season as I am.

Seriously: are they in a competition to see just how badly they can fail?

Anyway, this post over at Atomic Nerds got me thinking: what would I want in a candidate? If I could build a candidate for office the way I would an AR, what features would I want?

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- No religion. Leave it at home, I don't care to hear about it. Don't recall ever seeing a spot on an employment application asking about my faith, so I don't want to know about yours.

- Knowledge of basic civics. Such as knowing the Bill of Rights, and that it means the government "may not". Bonus points for not agreeing with something (such as gun ownership), but defending it as being enumerated

- Stop trying to avoid "scandals". Seriously, that was one thing Obama did that I appreciated (and that Clinton seriously messed up). Prefer someone who will own their mistakes to someone who tries to excuse them

- Actually admit to not knowing something at some point. Seriously folks: nobody is an expert on everything. Would be refreshing to have a candidate answer a question "Honestly, I'm not sure what to tell you on that. I'll have to do some research on the topic..."

How about y'all: what do YOU want to see in a candidate?

14 February 2012

Casting about for blogfodder

And caught this at MArooned

Rules are simple: "What 5 firearms would I purchase, should price nor practicality be an issue?"

Hoo, boy!

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Beretta 93-R Because Mack Bolan couldn't be wrong. Already have the Automag, need the Italian machinepistol to go with it.

Size of a 92F, select fire, uses commonly available magazines. What's not to love?

Le Mat The ultimate in percussion revolver fighting pistols

H&K MP5SD For Spoon, who considers this the ultimate in fun to shoot

Pfeifer-Zeliska .600 Nitro Express pistol Do I even NEED to explain?

.45 Luger C'mon... who WOULDN'T want one?

13 February 2012

Interesting article

So... as anyone in the shooting community knows, there has been a long-standing debate about what caliber to use for a defensive handgun. Recently, a friend of mine sent me this article, which shows some interesting facts for the debate.

I've always told people to carry whatever they felt comfortable with. If you're fine with a pocket .22, and feel that will do what you need it to do, cool. If you feel you need a Smith .500, rock on with your bad self.

Me? There's always a .32 in my pocket. What's on my hip varies: my .45, or the .357, or even the Beretta 9mm. I'm certain any of them will preform well if needed.

Go read: what this man's study shows is something many have known for awhile. That there is no "magic bullet"

09 February 2012

Ever have

... one of those days where you just don't know why you bothered chewing through the straps? Yeah... having one today

07 December 2011

A day that will live in infamy

The words spoken by FDR to Congress, asking that we declare war on the Empire of Japan in direct response to their sneak attack on Pearl Harbor. Maybe we should read the whole thing:

Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives:

Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 -- a date which will live in infamy -- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.

Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.

Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island.

And this morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As commander in chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph -- so help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.


Take a moment to remember the sacrifice those words would cause for a large number of Americans, as we fought to stop the Axis Powers...

Humpday Hardware: is that a pistol in your pocket?

Let's continue the cowboy theme for a bit...

One of the other things that was fun in CAS were the side matches: derringer matches, long range rifle, and pocket pistol.

Since my persona was a gambler, the pocket pistol matches intrigued me. So I set out acquiring the needed equipment. This is NOT as easy as it sounds.

My first attempt was the pictured H&R. Now granted, I picked it up for a song (think I paid $50 for it), but I made a serious mistake: I didn't check the lockup. Even with the trigger pulled (at which point, the cylinder shouldn't wobble at all), there's a good 2mm of play. Should only require replacing one part, but Gander Mountain doesn't generally stock parts for obsolete pocket .32s...



So we continue on the search, moving forward to the year before last.

I had gone to a local funshow with a young friend and his mother: she wanted to buy him his first centerfire rifle, and asked me to tag along and help him find a good deal. While browsing the tables, I spied this:



That would be an Iver Johnson version of the same pistol (both based on the S&W pocket pistols). And again, offered for a song (I had $100 on me, it was marked at $150. He took the Franklin). And this time, I had learned my lesson: lockup was checked before discussing price, and it locks up like the frame and cylinder are one piece.

Haven't gotten a chance to fire either yet, but hopefully my next range trip I'll bring the Iver J along to test. Here they are with my EDS:

06 December 2011

Recoil therepy

So Spoon and I decided to hit a (somewhat) nearby indoor range last night, to try and distract ourselves a bit. Best idea ever.

Didn't take too much with us: mom's Mustang, Spoon's Kimber, dad's Ortgie, and one of the pocket .32's.

She did fairly well with her Kimber, but we REALLY need to replace the magazines.

Dad's Ortgie has issues, but that's ok: it'll never be used as a carry piece again. Actually, it'll be passed on as a gift to someone who'll truly appreciate it.

The pocket .32, I'm kinda pissed about. Need to replace the mainspring: a full cylinder of light strikes tells me that. Or maybe the hammer.

The new surprise was Spoon with the Mustang. Only went out to 10 yards, but kept every group at the range under 8 inches. To me, that's good enough for a pocket pistol: she's gonna be taking it as her new carry piece. I think mom would approve.

05 December 2011

0355

Miney just came out of Dad's room, and asked me to come in. Dad is gone

Change isn't always for the better...

New Jovian Thunderbolt comments on something posted over at Tam's place.

I know where they're coming from.

When I got into shooting, I was all about the new and uber-tacticool. ARs, HKs, Berettas... all that was "cutting edge". Then, something changed...

Now, the pistol on my hip most often is a Smith 19-5. And I'm looking into an Uberti Schofield copy, that will also be added to the rotation. One of the prizes of my collection is a Winchester 1887 shotgun. And at gun shows, the table of "old things" draws me much more readily than whatever the newfangled gizmo of the day is.

They really DON'T make 'em like they used to. And that's a shame...

04 December 2011

Up all night, sleep when I'm dead

Well, I suppose I should just tell folks what's going on.

Dad returned from Thailand, again with his COPD hitting hard. And has been in a long spiral down since, to the point that we're currently keeping a 24 hour watch on him. Guess who gets the night shift?

Honestly, I don't expect him to make it to Christmas. And at this point, would rather he didn't: felons in solitary have a higher quality of life at this point...