to the gun show Sunday. And my favorite ammo dealer(the bastard) made me a deal on some stuff, so I wound up getting more than I'd planned on. And damn near a hernia carrying it out. He threw in a can opener, too. Very handy, since I'd loaned mine to a friend and keep forgetting to get it back.
His .308 and .223 military ball had mostly evaporated. He said he'd brought in a pallet of mixed stuff Sunday morning, and by the time I got there(it opened at 9:30 or ten, I got there about eleven) all the .308 and most of the .223 was gone. His last can of Polish 7.62x54R ball went right after I walked by, and when I wandered back a bunch of other stuff was gone, too.
One guy had a Romanian PSL sniper rifle, their version of the Russian SVD. I'd kind of like to have one, but the guy wanted $900 for it, and that's far too high.
I noticed that between the time I left Saturday and the time I arrived Sunday most of the reasonably-priced SKS rifles were gone, what was left was Norinco and Russian models at $300+.
Only thing I didn't see that I was looking for was some cleaning jags, but local places carry those; just thought I'd look while there. Overall, not a bad show for a moderate-size one this time of year.
Monday, August 07, 2006
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Before I forget
found this at the Drumslinger's place:
"Another good thing war is good for: Peace. This year the Peace Corps accepted 7,810 volunteers--the largest number in 30 years. That's great news. The Peace Corps identifies people who hate America, then ships them overseas. Hard to camp out with Cindy Sheehan when you're digging a well in Burundi." --Stephen Colbert
"Another good thing war is good for: Peace. This year the Peace Corps accepted 7,810 volunteers--the largest number in 30 years. That's great news. The Peace Corps identifies people who hate America, then ships them overseas. Hard to camp out with Cindy Sheehan when you're digging a well in Burundi." --Stephen Colbert
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Gun show
at the Fairgrounds this weekend. Not one of the biggest ones, but a fair amount to look at. And, wonder of wonders, my favorite two ammo vendors were both there.
So I have a bag of stuff, and I may go back tomorrow; trying to decide about that. I'm tempted to stock up on a couple of things, because the prices of ammo are not exactly stable lately; and they almost always go up.
Also, my #1 vendor was low on a lot of stuff that he did have, and out of a few things.
So I have a bag of stuff, and I may go back tomorrow; trying to decide about that. I'm tempted to stock up on a couple of things, because the prices of ammo are not exactly stable lately; and they almost always go up.
Also, my #1 vendor was low on a lot of stuff that he did have, and out of a few things.
Carnival of Cordite #68 is up
Again at Gullyborg. Hot chicks with guns, hot guns and various information. And ladies, you REALLY need to check out the contest:
Next week I'll be announcing the FOR WOMEN ONLY incredible Barrett .50 BMG 1000 yard shooting class, complete with a FREE .50 BMG Barrett from SHOOTING GALLERY and Barrett Rifles... Barrett is running a For Women Only class at the Whittington Center in Raton, NM, on November 7-9. SHOOTING GALLERY, because we love our viewers, will be giving away an expense-paid slot in that class; the lucky winner — who must be a woman...and I mean it! — will also get a Barrett Model 99 .50 BMG to take home for CONTINUED PLINKING.
I mean, damn, that's almost worth trying a sex-change.
I said ALMOST, leave me alone.
Next week I'll be announcing the FOR WOMEN ONLY incredible Barrett .50 BMG 1000 yard shooting class, complete with a FREE .50 BMG Barrett from SHOOTING GALLERY and Barrett Rifles... Barrett is running a For Women Only class at the Whittington Center in Raton, NM, on November 7-9. SHOOTING GALLERY, because we love our viewers, will be giving away an expense-paid slot in that class; the lucky winner — who must be a woman...and I mean it! — will also get a Barrett Model 99 .50 BMG to take home for CONTINUED PLINKING.
I mean, damn, that's almost worth trying a sex-change.
I said ALMOST, leave me alone.
If it's not there already, (updated at the bottom)
put Hornady on your list of good places to do business with.
I've had several pieces of their equipment for reloading over time, and it's all worked well. With no problems, no need to find out about customer service.
Until now
My own damn fault, I was depriming/resizing my .45 brass from the last trip to the range and didn't notice there were some .380 cases mixed in, and one was inside a .45 and when I tried to deprime...
So I said words, then figured I'd get a new pin the next day or two. Except that the decapping rod had the pin set in permanently, no way to replace it. So I looked up the Hornady site looking for the rod assembly. Not listed. So I sent a message to their customer service asking about it. Next day, I had a response saying "We'll replace it at no charge with the new Zip Spindle for your 45 ACP die set. The Zip Spindles are designed with the pins separate from the spindle. What is your address?"
That was on the second. It was in the mail today; the new zip spindle which includes the new collet nut AND a spare pin.
Can't ask for better support than that.
Update: I just remembered one other time I had to contact Hornady. I've got one of their priming tools(put in the correct shellholder, dump primers in the tray, snap on the cover and start squeezing), and a couple of years ago I broke it. Got a little 'enthusiastic' taking the cover off and the split pin that holds it in place broke one leg off. As I recall I sent to them asking "do you have it, can I get one, how much?" and once they'd made sure of the piece in question simply sent "We'll replace it under warranty, what's your address?"
Again, my fault, they made it right. Quickly. Service like that is a Good Thing.
(especially when you do things like this...)
I've had several pieces of their equipment for reloading over time, and it's all worked well. With no problems, no need to find out about customer service.
My own damn fault, I was depriming/resizing my .45 brass from the last trip to the range and didn't notice there were some .380 cases mixed in, and one was inside a .45 and when I tried to deprime...
So I said words, then figured I'd get a new pin the next day or two. Except that the decapping rod had the pin set in permanently, no way to replace it. So I looked up the Hornady site looking for the rod assembly. Not listed. So I sent a message to their customer service asking about it. Next day, I had a response saying "We'll replace it at no charge with the new Zip Spindle for your 45 ACP die set. The Zip Spindles are designed with the pins separate from the spindle. What is your address?"
That was on the second. It was in the mail today; the new zip spindle which includes the new collet nut AND a spare pin.
Can't ask for better support than that.
Update: I just remembered one other time I had to contact Hornady. I've got one of their priming tools(put in the correct shellholder, dump primers in the tray, snap on the cover and start squeezing), and a couple of years ago I broke it. Got a little 'enthusiastic' taking the cover off and the split pin that holds it in place broke one leg off. As I recall I sent to them asking "do you have it, can I get one, how much?" and once they'd made sure of the piece in question simply sent "We'll replace it under warranty, what's your address?"
Again, my fault, they made it right. Quickly. Service like that is a Good Thing.
(especially when you do things like this...)
Thursday, August 03, 2006
We're getting some rain, finally
and I'm wondering what my son is doing tonight. Sleeping now, or running some exercise? No idea.
I haven't received any phone calls along the "Papa(or "Sir,"), something really bad happened", so I figure he's fine. He was really looking forward to it when he left, and since he had some idea of what was coming- far more so than a lot of the others, I imagine- I doubt he's lost that. One thing I did tell him was some stories I'd heard about what happened to people who, upon being issued a rifle, made the mistake of calling it a 'gun' where the DI could hear them, so he should avoid that.
I am looking forward to hearing from him when he's finally allowed a call/letter/e-mail, although as I mentioned before it's liable to be "Not enough sleep, not enough time, and I want some REAL food".
One of the things I really like about Oklahoma is that so far, if his joining up comes up, it's followed by some combination of the following:
What branch?
When did he start?
God bless him, and I'll keep him in my prayers.
I don't know if prayers help; I do tend to believe in God, but sometimes I'm not too fond of Him. But this makes me feel good.
Ah well, I need to figure out a design and get that shirt made.
I haven't received any phone calls along the "Papa(or "Sir,"), something really bad happened", so I figure he's fine. He was really looking forward to it when he left, and since he had some idea of what was coming- far more so than a lot of the others, I imagine- I doubt he's lost that. One thing I did tell him was some stories I'd heard about what happened to people who, upon being issued a rifle, made the mistake of calling it a 'gun' where the DI could hear them, so he should avoid that.
I am looking forward to hearing from him when he's finally allowed a call/letter/e-mail, although as I mentioned before it's liable to be "Not enough sleep, not enough time, and I want some REAL food".
One of the things I really like about Oklahoma is that so far, if his joining up comes up, it's followed by some combination of the following:
What branch?
When did he start?
God bless him, and I'll keep him in my prayers.
I don't know if prayers help; I do tend to believe in God, but sometimes I'm not too fond of Him. But this makes me feel good.
Ah well, I need to figure out a design and get that shirt made.
Among the reasons why gun licensing is bad
Being my usual organized self I can't remember who linked to this, but it is very worth reading and passing around. It's a very good account of the costs, time, bureaucracy and runaround involved to some extent in EVERY gun licensing scheme. Be sure and check the comments for more.
God-cursed nannies strike again
Heading out to take care of some things this morning I heard one of the most irritating, scare-mongering commercials ever on the radio.
Some clown was speaking of the horrors of playgrounds. "In too many playgrounds there are sharp corners, there are hard surfaces to fall on, THERE IS NO ADULT SUPERVISION!!" and so on.
This is one of the kinds of BS that Acidman used to go off about. There are people out there with budgets to do radio campaigns- and probably tv in some places- about how playgrounds must be redone and ALWAYS have an adult around. Generation after generation grew up using playgrounds without a smothering adult watching over them, with dirt and grass to fall on, and they survived, but no, that's no longer good enough. Childhood must be made without risk, or it will scar the little children, emotionally if not physically.
This is such a load of crap it's scary. And these clowns would have had shrieking fits if they'd seen how I grew up, and my kids for that matter. Out in the woods, at the park, in the yard with tools and dogs and cats and dirt. When they were about 8 and 6 they decided they wanted to be elves, and elves needed spears. So I made two spears(throwing darts for adults) and they used them in the yard, and carried them when in the woods and had a ball. Nobody died or bled, but of course that doesn't count; such things shouldn't be allowed for children(and preferably not for adults according to the nannies).
This did lead to interesting things, like the time when daughter was thirteen and, at Med Fair, said she was going to wander around, picked up my spear(seven feet long and sharp) and headed out. Some guy asked me if I really allowed her to carry that, and I replied that I trusted her not to stick it in somebody unless they really needed it. The look on his face was priceless; he couldn't decide if I was serious or kidding and was horrified either way.
She doesn't carry a spear for everyday, of course; a 9mm and Gold Dots is much easier to carry around for general use.
Some clown was speaking of the horrors of playgrounds. "In too many playgrounds there are sharp corners, there are hard surfaces to fall on, THERE IS NO ADULT SUPERVISION!!" and so on.
This is one of the kinds of BS that Acidman used to go off about. There are people out there with budgets to do radio campaigns- and probably tv in some places- about how playgrounds must be redone and ALWAYS have an adult around. Generation after generation grew up using playgrounds without a smothering adult watching over them, with dirt and grass to fall on, and they survived, but no, that's no longer good enough. Childhood must be made without risk, or it will scar the little children, emotionally if not physically.
This is such a load of crap it's scary. And these clowns would have had shrieking fits if they'd seen how I grew up, and my kids for that matter. Out in the woods, at the park, in the yard with tools and dogs and cats and dirt. When they were about 8 and 6 they decided they wanted to be elves, and elves needed spears. So I made two spears(throwing darts for adults) and they used them in the yard, and carried them when in the woods and had a ball. Nobody died or bled, but of course that doesn't count; such things shouldn't be allowed for children(and preferably not for adults according to the nannies).
This did lead to interesting things, like the time when daughter was thirteen and, at Med Fair, said she was going to wander around, picked up my spear(seven feet long and sharp) and headed out. Some guy asked me if I really allowed her to carry that, and I replied that I trusted her not to stick it in somebody unless they really needed it. The look on his face was priceless; he couldn't decide if I was serious or kidding and was horrified either way.
She doesn't carry a spear for everyday, of course; a 9mm and Gold Dots is much easier to carry around for general use.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
New grips, and a range report
A while back the Pistolero noted having put Hogue wraparound grips on a couple of pistols, a Ruger and a Kimber. I'd thought about this, but never having fired a pistol with this type grip I'd held off.
About a week ago, while wandering through a local store, I remembered to look at the things, and they had an Officer-size set of Hogues for a good price, so I broke down and bought them. After I put them on, did some dry-firing and draws, and they felt good.
Yesterday I took it to the range and put about 75 rounds through, mix of 230-grain handloads and 185-grain Gold Dots. And I wish I wasn't so damn cheap and had bought these a long time ago. They give me a much more stable grip during a fast draw, and more control during rapid-fire doubles. They were worth every penny.
Some of you who've been reading this for a while may remember that I reworked an old B-Square mount so I could use it on a WASR10 for a forward-mounted red dot sight. I've fired it twice before this, both times with the same damn problem; due(I think) to the crimped sides of the gas tube, the mount would start rotating to the left after a few shots. I thought I finally had this figured out so put about forty rounds through it yesterday. First, the mount did not shift on me, and second, I like this setup. Much faster to pick up in low-light conditions, and easier for accurate fire than the factory sights. Next time I make it to the outdoor range I'll settle in at a bench and test it properly, so far it looks promising.
About a week ago, while wandering through a local store, I remembered to look at the things, and they had an Officer-size set of Hogues for a good price, so I broke down and bought them. After I put them on, did some dry-firing and draws, and they felt good.
Yesterday I took it to the range and put about 75 rounds through, mix of 230-grain handloads and 185-grain Gold Dots. And I wish I wasn't so damn cheap and had bought these a long time ago. They give me a much more stable grip during a fast draw, and more control during rapid-fire doubles. They were worth every penny.
Some of you who've been reading this for a while may remember that I reworked an old B-Square mount so I could use it on a WASR10 for a forward-mounted red dot sight. I've fired it twice before this, both times with the same damn problem; due(I think) to the crimped sides of the gas tube, the mount would start rotating to the left after a few shots. I thought I finally had this figured out so put about forty rounds through it yesterday. First, the mount did not shift on me, and second, I like this setup. Much faster to pick up in low-light conditions, and easier for accurate fire than the factory sights. Next time I make it to the outdoor range I'll settle in at a bench and test it properly, so far it looks promising.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
And for a more direct source on Africa,
commenter Keith has a blog, The Weather in Latin Africa. Go take a look, gunny stuff and the local people and fauna.
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