Forgotten Weapons takes one apart.
Larry Vickers got some trigger time.
It wasn't even a glimmer on the horizon in '85 when Twilight 2000 first came out, but it sure as heck was part of all four of my GURPS conversions.
Update: plus some animation.
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11 April 2017
10 April 2017
Good Does Not Have To Be Expensive
The Famous Grouse Smoky Black.
I've had scotches that were ten times as expensive that were only half as good.
I tried it on a lark based on a Ron White routine of all things.
Thanks Dr Phil!
I've had scotches that were ten times as expensive that were only half as good.
I tried it on a lark based on a Ron White routine of all things.
Thanks Dr Phil!
Unpossible
Must be fake news because... California has the some of the most stringent gun laws in the whole nation.
Yet... This happened.
This will almost certainly be mentioned by Lucy next year when she pulls the ball away from being kicked in the Florida Senate by some RINO from Miami-Dade.
Yet... This happened.
This will almost certainly be mentioned by Lucy next year when she pulls the ball away from being kicked in the Florida Senate by some RINO from Miami-Dade.
But It Seemed So Real
I swear that I just read an article about how DNA testing of Egyptian mummies has shown they had an identifiable gene linked to being blonde and this being proof that the Ptolemy dynasty was of Grecian origins.
There was a denial from some social justice type about how the Pharaohs were black and it was some sort of racist conspiracy to deny African Americans their rightful heritage... or something.
I have memories of reading this just before a nap and a strong urge to link to it when I got up.
According to my browser history, I read NOTHING of the sort.
I dreamt it.
It's odd because I don't often remember my dreams.
There was a denial from some social justice type about how the Pharaohs were black and it was some sort of racist conspiracy to deny African Americans their rightful heritage... or something.
I have memories of reading this just before a nap and a strong urge to link to it when I got up.
According to my browser history, I read NOTHING of the sort.
I dreamt it.
It's odd because I don't often remember my dreams.
Return To Sender
Packed up the Palmetto PSAK-47's to ship back to Palmetto to get the front sights unfucked.
Fingers crossed.
Honestly, I have not seen a new gun product launch go this bad since the Remington R51.
The really sad thing about this is the AKM isn't a cutting edge or recent design. In literally 70 years, you'd think that everything that could be known about making them would be out there and available.
The conclusion I keep coming to is they chose to ignore this information hoping to get away with making them cheaper.
Fingers crossed.
Honestly, I have not seen a new gun product launch go this bad since the Remington R51.
The really sad thing about this is the AKM isn't a cutting edge or recent design. In literally 70 years, you'd think that everything that could be known about making them would be out there and available.
The conclusion I keep coming to is they chose to ignore this information hoping to get away with making them cheaper.
09 April 2017
I forgot prices...
The price of 6.5 Grendel varies from (regular prices, available ammo):
$0.95 per round with a 50 round box of Federal American Eagle 90gr JHP.
to
$1.62 per round with a 20 round box of Alexander Arms 129gr Hornady SST.
6.8 SPC varies from:
$0.86 per round with a 20 round box of Federal American Eagle 115gr FMJ.
to
$2.30 per round with a 20 round box of Doubletap 110gr Barnes Triple-Shock X-Bullet hollowpoint lead free.
.300 Blackout goes from:
$0.50 per round with a 200 round box of Magtech First Defense 123gr FMJ.
to
$2.05 per round with a 20 round box of Noveske 220gr subsonic ballistic glow tip.
$0.95 per round with a 50 round box of Federal American Eagle 90gr JHP.
to
$1.62 per round with a 20 round box of Alexander Arms 129gr Hornady SST.
6.8 SPC varies from:
$0.86 per round with a 20 round box of Federal American Eagle 115gr FMJ.
to
$2.30 per round with a 20 round box of Doubletap 110gr Barnes Triple-Shock X-Bullet hollowpoint lead free.
.300 Blackout goes from:
$0.50 per round with a 200 round box of Magtech First Defense 123gr FMJ.
to
$2.05 per round with a 20 round box of Noveske 220gr subsonic ballistic glow tip.
That's Not A Man Baby
Watched the series finale for Black Sails.
At the very end we're introduced to Mark Read.
Nice of them to slip in one last historical pirate just as the curtain dropped.
Appropriate since this pirate was closely associated with two staples of the show, Jack Rackham and Anne Bonny.
But he's better known as Mary Read.
At the very end we're introduced to Mark Read.
Nice of them to slip in one last historical pirate just as the curtain dropped.
Appropriate since this pirate was closely associated with two staples of the show, Jack Rackham and Anne Bonny.
But he's better known as Mary Read.
State Of The Alternates
Another fun filled installment of comparing the not-5.56 rounds for the AR...
Using availability at Midway as a proxy for popularity.
6.5 Grendel.
9 loadings from 3 manufacturers. 5 available, 1 you can back-order, 2 coming soon.
6.8 SPC
20 loadings from 7 manufacturers. 14 available, 3 you can back-order.
.300 AAC Blackout.
45 loadings from 17 manufacturers. 31 available, 7 you can back-order, 1 coming soon.
Grendel and SPC have perked up slightly from last time, I think they've settled into their steady niche.
Blackout is thriving. It remains to be seen if the persistent ka-boom problem of getting the ammo confused will have any effect in the long term on its popularity. Magpul, it should be noted, now makes a dedicated .300 Blk PMAG that's visually and tactilely different from the 5.56 version.
08 April 2017
Previously Covered
In the pocket guns I've carried...
For GURPS of course.
My first pocket carry gun was an FIE Titan in .25 ACP. Then a Colt Junior, also in .25 ACP.
They both do 1d pi- damage with a Rcl of 2.
My next pocket carry was a Colt model 1908 Pocket Hammerless in .380 ACP.
2d pi, Rcl 2.
Then I alternated between a S&W 640 in .357 Magnum and a SIG-Sauer P238 in .380 ACP.
2d+2 pi, Rcl 5 for Magnum.
2d-1 pi, Rcl 2 for .380 ACP.
Since I use state of the art hollow-point bullets pi- becomes pi and pi becomes pi+ and all of them get the (0.5) armor divisor.
In order...
.25 ACP -- 1d(0.5) pi
.380 ACP -- 2d(0.5) pi+
.357 Magnum -- 2d+2(0.5) pi+
.380 ACP -- 2d-1(0.5) pi+
Against a torso with the HPs that's...
.25 ACP -- 1-5 (avg 2)
.380 ACP -- 1-16 (avg 9)
.357 Magnum -- 4-19 (avg 12)
.380 ACP -- 1-15 (avg 7)
Magnum seems the clear winner! But, with that Rcl of 5, you need some amazing rolls to land two hits, let alone all three the RoF normally allows.
Using the classic self defense range of 7 yards, that gives a -3 to skill. The double action only nature of the revolver gives an additional -1 to skill as well.
The average DX 10 person with 1 point in the DX/E skill Guns/TL8 (Pistol) has a skill of 10. Every point of skill is loosely representative of 200 hours of training/practice. Yes, most people will be rolling the default of DX-4 or 6.
At the range, we get a +10 to our skill to represent that combat is much more stressful than just standing there with no danger of the paper shooting back.
So...
At the default level it's 6 for skill, +10 for no stress controlled environment, -3 for range and maybe -1 for double action. 13 or 12 without aiming depending on the gun.
With the autos you have a 83.79% to hit with one shot, 62.50% chance to hit with two and 37.50% to hit with the entire RoF 3 into a rather generous 18" diameter circle.
With the revolver things get much harder. 74.07% chance to hit with one shot, 16.20% chance to hit with two shots and no chance at all to hit with all three.
Twice as likely to hit with all three rounds from the autos as with two from the magnum! The average roll of 10 on 3d6 means that, on average, two hits for an auto and one for the revolver.
Again, in order...
.25 ACP -- 2 hits, 2-10 (avg 4)
.380 ACP -- 2 hits, 2-32 (avg 18)
.357 Magnum -- 1 hit, 4-19 (avg 12)
.380 ACP -- 2 hits, 2-30 (avg 14)
In combat, losing the +10 bonus really starts to hurt. 6 for skill, -3 for range and -1 for double action if applicable. You need to roll a 3 or less to even land a single with an auto without aiming and technically get no roll with the revolver. All out attack (determined) might be a worth it to get the +1, but it merely makes it possible to hit at all with the revolver and doesn't much improve the odds with the autos. On average, you miss with all three.
The amount of training that one receives in the Army is sufficient to earn a point in the skill. This greatly improves your odds! Part of training is to learn to use both hands to fire a handgun, but this isn't assumed in the rules but it's another +1.
At the range:
Skill 10, +10 for no-stress, +1 for two handed stance, -3 for range, -1 for double if applicable. 18 or 17... or:
With the autos you have a 100% to hit with one shot (actually 99.53% because a roll of 18 with this skill level is a critical failure), 98.14% chance to hit with two and 90.74% to hit with the entire RoF 3 into a rather generous 18" diameter circle. On average, you do land all three!
With the revolver things are still harder. 99.53% chance to hit with one shot, 74.07% chance to hit with two shots and 16.20% to hit with all three. On average, you hit with two.
Again, in order...
.25 ACP -- 3 hits, 3-15 (avg 6)
.380 ACP -- 3 hits, 3-48 (avg 27)
.357 Magnum -- 2 hits, 8-38 (avg 24)
.380 ACP -- 3 hits, 3-45 (avg 21)
In combat:
Skill 10, +1 for two handed, -3 for range and -1 for double action. 7 or 6.
The autos get a 16.20% chance of one hit, 4.52% of two and a mere 0.46% for all three.
The revolver gets 9.25% to hit once and is mathematically eliminated from hitting more than that.
This is the average schmoe... You will never see a player character with skills this low! DX of 12 and 4 points in the skill raises base skill to 14! +4 is a significant improvement in your odds!
The autos get a 74.07% chance of one hit, 50% of two and a 25.92% for all three; or two hits on average
The revolver gets 62.50% to hit once, 9.25% to hit twice and is mathematically eliminated from hitting three time; or one hit on average.
In a pistol fight, it's probably worth the +1 for All-Out-Attack (Determined)
For GURPS of course.
My first pocket carry gun was an FIE Titan in .25 ACP. Then a Colt Junior, also in .25 ACP.
They both do 1d pi- damage with a Rcl of 2.
My next pocket carry was a Colt model 1908 Pocket Hammerless in .380 ACP.
2d pi, Rcl 2.
Then I alternated between a S&W 640 in .357 Magnum and a SIG-Sauer P238 in .380 ACP.
2d+2 pi, Rcl 5 for Magnum.
2d-1 pi, Rcl 2 for .380 ACP.
Since I use state of the art hollow-point bullets pi- becomes pi and pi becomes pi+ and all of them get the (0.5) armor divisor.
In order...
.25 ACP -- 1d(0.5) pi
.380 ACP -- 2d(0.5) pi+
.357 Magnum -- 2d+2(0.5) pi+
.380 ACP -- 2d-1(0.5) pi+
Against a torso with the HPs that's...
.25 ACP -- 1-5 (avg 2)
.380 ACP -- 1-16 (avg 9)
.357 Magnum -- 4-19 (avg 12)
.380 ACP -- 1-15 (avg 7)
Magnum seems the clear winner! But, with that Rcl of 5, you need some amazing rolls to land two hits, let alone all three the RoF normally allows.
Using the classic self defense range of 7 yards, that gives a -3 to skill. The double action only nature of the revolver gives an additional -1 to skill as well.
The average DX 10 person with 1 point in the DX/E skill Guns/TL8 (Pistol) has a skill of 10. Every point of skill is loosely representative of 200 hours of training/practice. Yes, most people will be rolling the default of DX-4 or 6.
At the range, we get a +10 to our skill to represent that combat is much more stressful than just standing there with no danger of the paper shooting back.
So...
At the default level it's 6 for skill, +10 for no stress controlled environment, -3 for range and maybe -1 for double action. 13 or 12 without aiming depending on the gun.
With the autos you have a 83.79% to hit with one shot, 62.50% chance to hit with two and 37.50% to hit with the entire RoF 3 into a rather generous 18" diameter circle.
With the revolver things get much harder. 74.07% chance to hit with one shot, 16.20% chance to hit with two shots and no chance at all to hit with all three.
Twice as likely to hit with all three rounds from the autos as with two from the magnum! The average roll of 10 on 3d6 means that, on average, two hits for an auto and one for the revolver.
Again, in order...
.25 ACP -- 2 hits, 2-10 (avg 4)
.380 ACP -- 2 hits, 2-32 (avg 18)
.357 Magnum -- 1 hit, 4-19 (avg 12)
.380 ACP -- 2 hits, 2-30 (avg 14)
In combat, losing the +10 bonus really starts to hurt. 6 for skill, -3 for range and -1 for double action if applicable. You need to roll a 3 or less to even land a single with an auto without aiming and technically get no roll with the revolver. All out attack (determined) might be a worth it to get the +1, but it merely makes it possible to hit at all with the revolver and doesn't much improve the odds with the autos. On average, you miss with all three.
The amount of training that one receives in the Army is sufficient to earn a point in the skill. This greatly improves your odds! Part of training is to learn to use both hands to fire a handgun, but this isn't assumed in the rules but it's another +1.
At the range:
Skill 10, +10 for no-stress, +1 for two handed stance, -3 for range, -1 for double if applicable. 18 or 17... or:
With the autos you have a 100% to hit with one shot (actually 99.53% because a roll of 18 with this skill level is a critical failure), 98.14% chance to hit with two and 90.74% to hit with the entire RoF 3 into a rather generous 18" diameter circle. On average, you do land all three!
With the revolver things are still harder. 99.53% chance to hit with one shot, 74.07% chance to hit with two shots and 16.20% to hit with all three. On average, you hit with two.
Again, in order...
.25 ACP -- 3 hits, 3-15 (avg 6)
.380 ACP -- 3 hits, 3-48 (avg 27)
.357 Magnum -- 2 hits, 8-38 (avg 24)
.380 ACP -- 3 hits, 3-45 (avg 21)
In combat:
Skill 10, +1 for two handed, -3 for range and -1 for double action. 7 or 6.
The autos get a 16.20% chance of one hit, 4.52% of two and a mere 0.46% for all three.
The revolver gets 9.25% to hit once and is mathematically eliminated from hitting more than that.
This is the average schmoe... You will never see a player character with skills this low! DX of 12 and 4 points in the skill raises base skill to 14! +4 is a significant improvement in your odds!
The autos get a 74.07% chance of one hit, 50% of two and a 25.92% for all three; or two hits on average
The revolver gets 62.50% to hit once, 9.25% to hit twice and is mathematically eliminated from hitting three time; or one hit on average.
In a pistol fight, it's probably worth the +1 for All-Out-Attack (Determined)
The autos get a 83.79% chance of one hit, 62.50% of two and a 37.50% for all three. (Two hits on average.)
The revolver gets 74.07% to hit once, 16.20% to hit twice and is still mathematically eliminated from hitting three time; or one hit on average.
The autos have pathetic accuracy, Acc 1, but the revolver gets Acc 2. Getting a second to aim as your assailant is approaching ups the odds to... Skill 14, +1 or 2 for Acc, +1 for two-handed, +1 for All-Out Attack, -3 for range and -1 for double action. 14 for everyone!
The autos get a 90.74% chance of one hit, 74.07% of two and a 50% for all three; or three hits on average!
The revolver gets 90.74% to hit once, 37.50% to hit twice and 1.85% to hit three times; or still one hit on average.
Once again, in order...
.25 ACP -- 3 hits, 3-15 (avg 6)
.380 ACP -- 3 hits, 3-48 (avg 27)
.357 Magnum -- 1 hit, 4-19 (avg 12)
.380 ACP -- 3 hits, 3-45 (avg 21)
Kind of sours you on pocketing a snubby .357 don't it?
The revolver gets 74.07% to hit once, 16.20% to hit twice and is still mathematically eliminated from hitting three time; or one hit on average.
The autos have pathetic accuracy, Acc 1, but the revolver gets Acc 2. Getting a second to aim as your assailant is approaching ups the odds to... Skill 14, +1 or 2 for Acc, +1 for two-handed, +1 for All-Out Attack, -3 for range and -1 for double action. 14 for everyone!
The autos get a 90.74% chance of one hit, 74.07% of two and a 50% for all three; or three hits on average!
The revolver gets 90.74% to hit once, 37.50% to hit twice and 1.85% to hit three times; or still one hit on average.
Once again, in order...
.25 ACP -- 3 hits, 3-15 (avg 6)
.380 ACP -- 3 hits, 3-48 (avg 27)
.357 Magnum -- 1 hit, 4-19 (avg 12)
.380 ACP -- 3 hits, 3-45 (avg 21)
Kind of sours you on pocketing a snubby .357 don't it?
Believe It Mr Adams
"I didn’t realize that our military knows what every aircraft in Syria is doing at all times. That’s impressive, bordering on hard-to-believe." - S. Adams.
Between AWACS and JSTARS, both of which have been prowling the skies nearby, there's very little that would go on unobserved.
Add in the frequent ELINT missions that are going on to learn more about the Russian S-400 system. Those birds are doubtlessly also gathering other data too.
Where the US fails in intel is almost always human intelligence, not electronic or observational.
We're watching the theater, not for the least reason that the Russians teach the people they supply with weapons how to use them. Watching the Russians prosecute a war gives us great insights into how their clients will fight. Even if we never fight the Russians, we might end up shooting at their clients or proxies.
07 April 2017
When A Deal Is Not A Deal
SIG-Sauer sends me emails because I registered my P238's warranty card with them.
This month there's a deal for two extended magazines and a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster for $75.
Since the MSRP on those magazines is $44 each, this sure seems like a deal.
Until you add the $9.95 for shipping and then pay FL's 7% sales tax on both the $75 and $9.95 shipping ($5.95)...
Bringing the actual total to $90.90.
The local guntry club with a reputation for being overpriced sells the same magazines for $39.99 each. $85.58 total with tax for two of them.
In essence, this "deal" is a De Santis pocket holster (with SIG logo!) for $5.32, which IS about $20 off MSRP for it, but if you just wanted the magazines, this isn't a deal at all.
This month there's a deal for two extended magazines and a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster for $75.
Since the MSRP on those magazines is $44 each, this sure seems like a deal.
Until you add the $9.95 for shipping and then pay FL's 7% sales tax on both the $75 and $9.95 shipping ($5.95)...
Bringing the actual total to $90.90.
The local guntry club with a reputation for being overpriced sells the same magazines for $39.99 each. $85.58 total with tax for two of them.
In essence, this "deal" is a De Santis pocket holster (with SIG logo!) for $5.32, which IS about $20 off MSRP for it, but if you just wanted the magazines, this isn't a deal at all.
Layers Of Fact Checking
"The Orlando Sentinel reported that Leonard was armed with a 9 mm Winchester Luger and fired nine shots. Adams was struck twice."
Luger collectors take note...
YouTube Financing
You might have noticed that YouTube has decided that stop paying content creators if they deem their content isn't "family friendly".
I've noticed something about the advertisers there and advertisers at, say, Full30.
They are not the same people paying for ads.
I suspect that people who're advertising at Full30, whom never appear in the ads on YouTube, aren't being allowed to advertise.
If there wasn't an agenda at Google and YouTube, this would be a simple issue for advertising. Television managed to solve it decades ago, there's nothing new about matching ads to the content and viewers.
YouTube simply wants there to be zero gun content on their platform, and it's so damn obvious it's sad.
Yes, I get the irony of criticizing Google on Blogger...
I've noticed something about the advertisers there and advertisers at, say, Full30.
They are not the same people paying for ads.
I suspect that people who're advertising at Full30, whom never appear in the ads on YouTube, aren't being allowed to advertise.
If there wasn't an agenda at Google and YouTube, this would be a simple issue for advertising. Television managed to solve it decades ago, there's nothing new about matching ads to the content and viewers.
YouTube simply wants there to be zero gun content on their platform, and it's so damn obvious it's sad.
Yes, I get the irony of criticizing Google on Blogger...
About Halfway There
I mentioned that I had about $800 worth of legal bills left that I didn't have an immediate means of paying back.
Thanks to your generous contributions, I'm about halfway covered on that!
THANKS THANKS THANKS!
Thanks to Erin for her mention to spread the word.
Please tell everyone you know!
40 $10 donations gets me there just as well as 4 $100 donations, so don't think you're not helping if you can only offer me a smallish amount. Every little bit helps and is appreciated.
Thanks to your generous contributions, I'm about halfway covered on that!
THANKS THANKS THANKS!
Thanks to Erin for her mention to spread the word.
Please tell everyone you know!
40 $10 donations gets me there just as well as 4 $100 donations, so don't think you're not helping if you can only offer me a smallish amount. Every little bit helps and is appreciated.
I'd Be Embarrased
The Russians provided a very capable air defense system to Syria.
It did nothing to stop an American attack on a Syrian airbase; despite the weapons fired at Syria being the decidedly unstealthy Tomahawk land-attack missile. The only "stealth" this missile has is flying nape of the earth, an envelope the S-400 system is supposed to cover well.
There's really only two possibilities.
One: the system isn't as capable as has been feared or advertised by the Russians.
Two: the Russian operators of the system popped some popcorn and watched those TLAMs come into their area of control and let them hit unopposed.
Either way, that makes the S-400 system useless to Syria.
If the second option is true, and it seems more likely, we need to ask why Russia let the US attack one of their allies with impunity.
It did nothing to stop an American attack on a Syrian airbase; despite the weapons fired at Syria being the decidedly unstealthy Tomahawk land-attack missile. The only "stealth" this missile has is flying nape of the earth, an envelope the S-400 system is supposed to cover well.
There's really only two possibilities.
One: the system isn't as capable as has been feared or advertised by the Russians.
Two: the Russian operators of the system popped some popcorn and watched those TLAMs come into their area of control and let them hit unopposed.
Either way, that makes the S-400 system useless to Syria.
If the second option is true, and it seems more likely, we need to ask why Russia let the US attack one of their allies with impunity.
06 April 2017
Quote Of The Day
Catholic schools do their best to teach their students to be good Catholics.
Jewish schools do their best to teach their students to be good Jews.
Islamic schools do their best to teach their students to be good Muslims.
... what do you think state schools do their best to teach their students?
-SimonPhoto
Paging Lieutenant Fleetwood
"All foreigners enlisting in the Rhodesian Armed Forces received some degree of basic training, with an emphasis on discipline. The Rhodesian Security Forces had a higher standard of military discipline than most western armies, and Americans were generally surprised by the intensity and severity of this system."
I happen to know an American who joined the Rhodesian Armed Forces...
I'll be sure to get his opinion on it.
05 April 2017
Good News
I contacted Palmetto about the stuck front sight.
The person handling it said he'd fire off a shipping label to return it for repair.
They're honoring the lifetime warranty!
I'm very surprised, to be honest.
Tools
When you own tools, and learn a little bit about how to use them.
You can just fix something rather than stand helplessly staring at it.
You become mostly immune to the wiles of contractors and repairmen. They really do give a different rate when you show that you're not hiring them out of need, but rather because you don't want to do it yourself.
Today's project was The Boy's swingset.
I designed it and Marv and I built it 13 years ago. The Boy has grown a mite since then.
Today I got out the ladder and raised the swing two links so his feet would clear the ground.
I even designed and built the spiffy pallet swing next to it.
"If they don't find you handsome, at least let them find you handy!" R Green.
You can just fix something rather than stand helplessly staring at it.
You become mostly immune to the wiles of contractors and repairmen. They really do give a different rate when you show that you're not hiring them out of need, but rather because you don't want to do it yourself.
Today's project was The Boy's swingset.
I designed it and Marv and I built it 13 years ago. The Boy has grown a mite since then.
Today I got out the ladder and raised the swing two links so his feet would clear the ground.
I even designed and built the spiffy pallet swing next to it.
"If they don't find you handsome, at least let them find you handy!" R Green.
The Universe Taunts You When You're Broke
Beretta M9 with three magazines, $475 plus s/h.
Why am I so obsessed with a pistol I didn't really like when they issued it to me?
Nostalgia leads to wanting things you don't want.
Why am I so obsessed with a pistol I didn't really like when they issued it to me?
Nostalgia leads to wanting things you don't want.
2i
The time to load individual rounds into a weapon in GURPS is indicated with an 'i'.
The format is Shots(Time to Reload), with an i to show individual rounds instead.
For example, a Henry rifle is listed as "15+1(2i)". That means 15 shots in the magazine, one in the chamber and it takes 2 turns (seconds) per shot to reload.
There are also more detailed rules in High Tech that give the times to prepare a weapon for loading and then once loaded, ready it for firing, but it tends to average out to the same times as given on the weapon table.
What does this look like in real life?
The format is Shots(Time to Reload), with an i to show individual rounds instead.
For example, a Henry rifle is listed as "15+1(2i)". That means 15 shots in the magazine, one in the chamber and it takes 2 turns (seconds) per shot to reload.
There are also more detailed rules in High Tech that give the times to prepare a weapon for loading and then once loaded, ready it for firing, but it tends to average out to the same times as given on the weapon table.
What does this look like in real life?
04 April 2017
A Moment Of First World Terror
I clicked "install update" for my copy of Mozilla Thunderbird.
It did it's thing and when it restarted, it informed me that it required OSX 10.9.
I am still running 10.6.8.
Happily, Mozilla still has a dmg I can download and install that fixes the problem.
Sadly, they don't have their installer check compatibility with the OS version before installing.
It did it's thing and when it restarted, it informed me that it required OSX 10.9.
I am still running 10.6.8.
Happily, Mozilla still has a dmg I can download and install that fixes the problem.
Sadly, they don't have their installer check compatibility with the OS version before installing.
Mutter Mutter Mutter
Took Mollie Bean to the range.
Followed the instructions to get the battle-sight zero at 19.5 yards. Broke my Tapco sight tool trying to lower the front post to raise the group.
Dammit!
Figure it's the cheapness of the tool so I set about getting a replacement.
Get two for good measure.
I managed to raise the post almost out of the gun, counting the number of turns.
The same number of turns sticks the post but good. Now I break both the new tools trying to get the damn thing back out! I am almost at the drill-it-out stage. Almost.
I managed to bend one of the new tools back so it will still work on a properly spec'd post on an SKS.
In better news, Blanche, the $100 rifle...
... doesn't shoot too bad at all. That's six rounds at a mere 25 yards, but for $100 what more can you ask?
Followed the instructions to get the battle-sight zero at 19.5 yards. Broke my Tapco sight tool trying to lower the front post to raise the group.
Dammit!
Figure it's the cheapness of the tool so I set about getting a replacement.
Get two for good measure.
I managed to raise the post almost out of the gun, counting the number of turns.
The same number of turns sticks the post but good. Now I break both the new tools trying to get the damn thing back out! I am almost at the drill-it-out stage. Almost.
I managed to bend one of the new tools back so it will still work on a properly spec'd post on an SKS.
In better news, Blanche, the $100 rifle...
... doesn't shoot too bad at all. That's six rounds at a mere 25 yards, but for $100 what more can you ask?
03 April 2017
Cubed Lightning
It might already be too late.
But wouldn't it be cool to have a Lockeed P-38,BAC English Electric Lightning and a Lockeed/Martin F-35 all flying formation?
The hang up will be finding an airworthy example of the English Electric model. T.5 XS452 (ZU-BBD) should still be flying at Thunder Ranch... But one of their F.6's would be better (if they'd bother to restore them to flying condition).
But wouldn't it be cool to have a Lockeed P-38,
The hang up will be finding an airworthy example of the English Electric model. T.5 XS452 (ZU-BBD) should still be flying at Thunder Ranch... But one of their F.6's would be better (if they'd bother to restore them to flying condition).
I've Never Seen Them At The Same Time
I can buy "dove and quail" ammunition for my shotguns.
Can I use it for either or, or do I have to wait for them to be together?
Can I use it for either or, or do I have to wait for them to be together?
Getting Across The Finish Line
I am almost done with my adventure with the criminal justice system.
With all the expenses added up and subtracting what's been donated so far I need $800.00 to get square.
Then hopefully everyone should live so long as to see me arrested again! You'll be laughing at those centenarian kids on your lawn if you do!
The little PayPal button over there on the right is ideal for helping us out.
With all the expenses added up and subtracting what's been donated so far I need $800.00 to get square.
Then hopefully everyone should live so long as to see me arrested again! You'll be laughing at those centenarian kids on your lawn if you do!
The little PayPal button over there on the right is ideal for helping us out.
Stuck Up
One of the things about keeping a car longer than the warranty lasts is fixing little things.
Like when the headliner falls on your head.
$10 can of spray adhesive is a lot cheaper than a new car every five years, let me tell you.
Like when the headliner falls on your head.
$10 can of spray adhesive is a lot cheaper than a new car every five years, let me tell you.
Easter Egg Hunt
One of the local microbreweries is having an Adult Easter Egg Hunt.
Why is it that my first thought is, "What caliber for Easter Egg?"
My second thought is, "Isn't an adult egg called a chicken?"
Why is it that my first thought is, "What caliber for Easter Egg?"
My second thought is, "Isn't an adult egg called a chicken?"
Chuck Buy A Dictionary
We're not afraid of compromise, Senator Schumer.
It's that we grasp that compromise and capitulation are not even similar concepts.
We've gotten too much capitulation, and that's how you get Trumps.
Suck it, Chuck.
It's that we grasp that compromise and capitulation are not even similar concepts.
We've gotten too much capitulation, and that's how you get Trumps.
Suck it, Chuck.
02 April 2017
Women's Chess?
Is this because they don't have the upper body strength traditionally associated with male chess masters?
Am I The Only One Who Wonders About Stuff Like This?
Watching "Justified" on Amazon Prime.
What's up with that crescent wrench? Why would someone save it and hang it on the wall?
A Half Hour Is All You Get
When you own a black car, it only looks clean for about half an hour after you spend about an hour washing and waxing.
But that half hour is MAGIC!!!
I just wanna sit there and gaze lovingly at it.
SIGH
But that half hour is MAGIC!!!
I just wanna sit there and gaze lovingly at it.
SIGH
01 April 2017
The Boy's Legal Drama Day 1
Not me this time!
Yesterday he went walkabout on Harvey while they were shopping for new clothes for him.
She looked away for a second and POOF he was gone.
He interacted with a store employee who knew something was wrong whom called the sheriff's office.
The deputy who came out found him relatively quickly, and here's where it all goes wrong.
The Boy doesn't intimidate.
The deputy was going all John Bull Lawman and issuing all manner of compliance threats, like "don't make me pepperspray you"...
(Aside, doesn't that just sound just exactly like an abusive husband saying, "look what you made me do?")
The Boy got verbal back and the deputy and started spitting. More deputies arrived and it took four of them to get him cuffed and five to get him in the back of a Ford Explorer.
Harvey and I got to watch the whole thing, vainly trying to explain his disability to them and that their normal methods were actually making it worse. I think if they had backed the fuck off we could have talked him down, even if we got spit on a bit.
After The Boy was in the car, they had a little circle jerk mutual pep talk about they "did what they needed to do" and "he can't be spitting at us".
OK, Only Ones, you know you arrested me for less interaction from being spit on just a month ago, right? I am fascinated how I cannot claim I was defending myself if The Boy gets injured while restraining him by my lonesome, but cops can claim it when they bring eight to one odds.
I managed to keep my big trap shut and did not ask them, "You got spit on, and you're trying to act all justified? Aren't you MEN? Men don't need to talk themselves out of feeling guilty when they do the right thing! You're feeling guilty because you know what you did here was wrong."
The Boy was remanded to the psychiatric treatment ward of the local hospital rather than the psychiatric isolation bay of the jail, so one of the late arriving deputies who knows us must have prevailed.
Under Florida's Baker Act he's got a three day stay in the ward being evaluated.
Yesterday he went walkabout on Harvey while they were shopping for new clothes for him.
She looked away for a second and POOF he was gone.
He interacted with a store employee who knew something was wrong whom called the sheriff's office.
The deputy who came out found him relatively quickly, and here's where it all goes wrong.
The Boy doesn't intimidate.
The deputy was going all John Bull Lawman and issuing all manner of compliance threats, like "don't make me pepperspray you"...
(Aside, doesn't that just sound just exactly like an abusive husband saying, "look what you made me do?")
The Boy got verbal back and the deputy and started spitting. More deputies arrived and it took four of them to get him cuffed and five to get him in the back of a Ford Explorer.
Harvey and I got to watch the whole thing, vainly trying to explain his disability to them and that their normal methods were actually making it worse. I think if they had backed the fuck off we could have talked him down, even if we got spit on a bit.
After The Boy was in the car, they had a little circle jerk mutual pep talk about they "did what they needed to do" and "he can't be spitting at us".
OK, Only Ones, you know you arrested me for less interaction from being spit on just a month ago, right? I am fascinated how I cannot claim I was defending myself if The Boy gets injured while restraining him by my lonesome, but cops can claim it when they bring eight to one odds.
I managed to keep my big trap shut and did not ask them, "You got spit on, and you're trying to act all justified? Aren't you MEN? Men don't need to talk themselves out of feeling guilty when they do the right thing! You're feeling guilty because you know what you did here was wrong."
The Boy was remanded to the psychiatric treatment ward of the local hospital rather than the psychiatric isolation bay of the jail, so one of the late arriving deputies who knows us must have prevailed.
Under Florida's Baker Act he's got a three day stay in the ward being evaluated.
Alike But Different
Top to bottom:
M&P-45 unknown manufacture date, formerly of the Durham, NC Police Department.
M&P-40, April 2010 manufacture, formerly of the DeKalb County, GA Police Department.
M&P-9, October 2011 manufacture, no law enforcement affiliation.
But It's Such A Great Deal!
Aim Surplus has an amazing price on LEO trade-in S&W M&P magazines for the .45 ACP model.
Just $11 each!
You just can't pass a deal like that up!
Heck, it's such a great deal, why not get two?
Or three?
Or four... OK, maybe Willard has a problem.
Or five...
"I don't have a problem, you're the problem! I can quit whenever I want!" W. Fleetwood.
Fine, Willard, you don't have a problem. Spares are good. Do you even own an M&P-45?
"Sure!" he says, looking shifty and heading towards the door...
THREE DAYS LATER
"See? I told you I had one. I didn't just order it from AIM when you asked the other day at all. I've always had one. I bought it new. They all have the Durham, NC PD logo on them, standard S&W markings."
Just $11 each!
You just can't pass a deal like that up!
Heck, it's such a great deal, why not get two?
Or three?
Or four... OK, maybe Willard has a problem.
Or five...
"I don't have a problem, you're the problem! I can quit whenever I want!" W. Fleetwood.
Fine, Willard, you don't have a problem. Spares are good. Do you even own an M&P-45?
"Sure!" he says, looking shifty and heading towards the door...
THREE DAYS LATER
"See? I told you I had one. I didn't just order it from AIM when you asked the other day at all. I've always had one. I bought it new. They all have the Durham, NC PD logo on them, standard S&W markings."
31 March 2017
Updated Information
I used CCI "TNT"® Green™ 30 gr at 2,050 fps to figure out my GURPS stats for .22 WMR from a Savage 93F.
The thing is, Hornady's VMAX 30gr is more representational of .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire.
That's tearing along at 2,300 fps.
Using Douglas Cole's spreadsheet we get 2.91 dice calculated and with the ±10% rule that's 2.62 to 3.2 dice or 2d+2 pi-, 3d pi-, or 3d+1 pi-.
The 5.7x28mm 28gr FMJ round at 2,550 fps gets 4d pi- from a 16" P90S. (GURPS: High Tech 4e p. 126). However... it calculates to 3.12 dice with a fudge range of 2.81 to 3.43 or 3d-1 pi-, 3d pi-, or 3d+2 pi-; so for this round Mr Cole is about 2 points low.
Using Mr Cole's calculator, .22 WMR is about a point less powerful than 5.7x28mm.
Going from the High Tech stats, that would give 4d-1 pi- for ball ammo. I've also upped the damage of a 1-1/8" barreled NAA Mini to 2d-1 pi- and a 5-1/2" barreled Ruger Single Six to 2d+2 pi-.
Against an unarmored torso 4d-1 pi- is 1-11 points of damage.
Hollow points would be 4d-1(0.5) pi.
Using hollow-points against our coyote from here, we do 3-23 raw damage. Minus one because the armor modifier of 0.5 gives DR 1 to unarmored targets which means that 2-22 penetrates. Against HP 7, that's two death rolls for a body hit at max damage. An average hit of 13 means 12 penetrates almost getting a death roll on a body hit.
This seems consistent with what I've read from people hunting with such rifles.
The thing is, Hornady's VMAX 30gr is more representational of .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire.
That's tearing along at 2,300 fps.
Using Douglas Cole's spreadsheet we get 2.91 dice calculated and with the ±10% rule that's 2.62 to 3.2 dice or 2d+2 pi-, 3d pi-, or 3d+1 pi-.
The 5.7x28mm 28gr FMJ round at 2,550 fps gets 4d pi- from a 16" P90S. (GURPS: High Tech 4e p. 126). However... it calculates to 3.12 dice with a fudge range of 2.81 to 3.43 or 3d-1 pi-, 3d pi-, or 3d+2 pi-; so for this round Mr Cole is about 2 points low.
Using Mr Cole's calculator, .22 WMR is about a point less powerful than 5.7x28mm.
Going from the High Tech stats, that would give 4d-1 pi- for ball ammo. I've also upped the damage of a 1-1/8" barreled NAA Mini to 2d-1 pi- and a 5-1/2" barreled Ruger Single Six to 2d+2 pi-.
Against an unarmored torso 4d-1 pi- is 1-11 points of damage.
Hollow points would be 4d-1(0.5) pi.
Using hollow-points against our coyote from here, we do 3-23 raw damage. Minus one because the armor modifier of 0.5 gives DR 1 to unarmored targets which means that 2-22 penetrates. Against HP 7, that's two death rolls for a body hit at max damage. An average hit of 13 means 12 penetrates almost getting a death roll on a body hit.
This seems consistent with what I've read from people hunting with such rifles.
Supply And Demand
I found a vid...
He mentions production numbers, but misses that a lot of these guns died in the wars they were made for.
He also fails to account for increased demand which is the real driver of the price increases.
But it's called supply and demand for a reason. The supply of everything except the SKS is fixed because they're no longer being made. However, even though China still makes their Type 56 Rifle, they cannot import them into the US, so that fixes the supply that matters to us. Mosin imports are likewise blocked.
The guns mentioned are:
The first two on this list are subject to people who must have every variation and color. Lots of people have multiple examples. If you can afford more than one, you can certainly afford to outbid most people on a single example. Every time someone is willing to pay more for a single example, it tends to raise the prices on all examples.
This is demand in a nut shell.
Something is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it.
The SKS is a tougher nut to crack. He shows a Yugo PAP 59/66A1, but talks about the total supply of SKS's.
The Mosin thing caught everyone by surprise, to be honest. The things were ubiquitous. So common you started to suspect that ATF had made it a requirement for having an FFL. "Everything seems to be in order, but where's your 91/30?" They were common and the prices were set pretty low because a. there are a bunch of them and b. the only people who really wanted one were people who couldn't afford a better rifle in one bite.
Cheap guns are gateway drugs. Once you have that first, cheap, gun you get the itch for something better. Even when you have an expensive gun, the monkey on your back whispers in your ear about the grass being greenest over the septic tank.
In essence, prices might come down some, but probably won't recover back to pre-panic levels. There's gobs of new shooters out there thanks to the panicking. I know this because ranges we used to have the run of, now have wait times.
Something else to bear in mind about the price of guns is inflation. With a real inflation rate pushing 12%, some of the "overpriced" guns mentioned have actually lost value if you calculate the purchase price parity with even 8 years ago.
He mentions production numbers, but misses that a lot of these guns died in the wars they were made for.
He also fails to account for increased demand which is the real driver of the price increases.
But it's called supply and demand for a reason. The supply of everything except the SKS is fixed because they're no longer being made. However, even though China still makes their Type 56 Rifle, they cannot import them into the US, so that fixes the supply that matters to us. Mosin imports are likewise blocked.
The guns mentioned are:
German marked K.98k
M1 Garand
SKS
M1 Carbine
Mosin-Nagant 91/30
The first two on this list are subject to people who must have every variation and color. Lots of people have multiple examples. If you can afford more than one, you can certainly afford to outbid most people on a single example. Every time someone is willing to pay more for a single example, it tends to raise the prices on all examples.
This is demand in a nut shell.
Something is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it.
The SKS is a tougher nut to crack. He shows a Yugo PAP 59/66A1, but talks about the total supply of SKS's.
The Mosin thing caught everyone by surprise, to be honest. The things were ubiquitous. So common you started to suspect that ATF had made it a requirement for having an FFL. "Everything seems to be in order, but where's your 91/30?" They were common and the prices were set pretty low because a. there are a bunch of them and b. the only people who really wanted one were people who couldn't afford a better rifle in one bite.
Cheap guns are gateway drugs. Once you have that first, cheap, gun you get the itch for something better. Even when you have an expensive gun, the monkey on your back whispers in your ear about the grass being greenest over the septic tank.
In essence, prices might come down some, but probably won't recover back to pre-panic levels. There's gobs of new shooters out there thanks to the panicking. I know this because ranges we used to have the run of, now have wait times.
Something else to bear in mind about the price of guns is inflation. With a real inflation rate pushing 12%, some of the "overpriced" guns mentioned have actually lost value if you calculate the purchase price parity with even 8 years ago.
30 March 2017
Doing It With Style
Around here, it is de rigueur for gun shop employees to open carry a pistol.
Today we stopped into one of the local ranges and the guy behind the counter is wearing a stag stocked, nickel plated SAA in a cross draw cowboy rig.
Probably not very practical, but definitely has a sense of style to it!
Today we stopped into one of the local ranges and the guy behind the counter is wearing a stag stocked, nickel plated SAA in a cross draw cowboy rig.
Probably not very practical, but definitely has a sense of style to it!
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