Lately I've been reading other people's blogs and they've been pretty consistently saying what I would have said had I posted before them.
Damn early birds and their worms!
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18 November 2011
17 November 2011
Chuck Gets to Go Home! Bumped from 12Nov11
UPDATE! They hit their funding goals and Chuck gets to come home. Good on SWAT Magazine for footing about half the required amount!
Bring Chuck Home!
Bring Chuck Home!
16 November 2011
HR822
Let's say it passes.
Will it let my Florida living ass carry hollow-points in New Jersey?
Can I possess the gun in states like Massachusetts which require a license to merely own a gun let alone carry it?
How about magazines? Can I have my made in 2011 magazines for my Glock 21 that hold 13 rounds? New York and Massachusetts currently don't allow their residents to.
Will it let my Florida living ass carry hollow-points in New Jersey?
Can I possess the gun in states like Massachusetts which require a license to merely own a gun let alone carry it?
How about magazines? Can I have my made in 2011 magazines for my Glock 21 that hold 13 rounds? New York and Massachusetts currently don't allow their residents to.
I Have A Dream
I just sat down and read Martin Luther King's I Have A Dream speech.
Did you know the most famous line is nearly the conclusion?
Too many people think that's the opening line.
Did you know the most famous line is nearly the conclusion?
Too many people think that's the opening line.
15 November 2011
Thanks!
Special thanks to Champp's Americana Restaurant and Golden Corral for making this veteran feel appreciated.
Champp's does theirs on Vet's Day. Golden Corral has their Military Appreciation dinner the following monday.
Good folks!
Champp's does theirs on Vet's Day. Golden Corral has their Military Appreciation dinner the following monday.
Good folks!
14 November 2011
The Triumphant Return of Jasmine!
DS Arms recalled their SA58 rifles with aluminum lower receivers because a vendor had screwed them. Mine was found to be OK, so they inspected and returned it. Good on them! Stood up and took care of a problem that wasn't their fault and even gave us affected folks a $20 credit and a free gun case (used as packing material).
Jasmine is shown here with the FAL Files requirements of toes, concrete, inserted mag and booze (rye whiskey); bonus is The Precious' wheel.
Kind of relieved.
When I settled on 6.8 for my alternate AR caliber, I worried that I was buying into a dead end.
Any similar round would get me more worried because I thought there wasn't enough market for two rounds to share and that one would eliminate the other.
I am starting to think that the AR is the new Mauser. You see all manner of bolt guns in every caliber imaginable without worries that your favorite is going to be going away because of the new hotness.
If there's room for .30-06, .308 Winchester, .280 Remington and .270 Winchester there's surely room for .300 BLK, 7.62x40 WT, 6.8x43 SPC II and 6.5 Grendel.
Any similar round would get me more worried because I thought there wasn't enough market for two rounds to share and that one would eliminate the other.
I am starting to think that the AR is the new Mauser. You see all manner of bolt guns in every caliber imaginable without worries that your favorite is going to be going away because of the new hotness.
If there's room for .30-06, .308 Winchester, .280 Remington and .270 Winchester there's surely room for .300 BLK, 7.62x40 WT, 6.8x43 SPC II and 6.5 Grendel.
13 November 2011
12 November 2011
It's True of Too Many Things
If I have to explain, you will not understand.
If you understand, I don't have to explain.
Mutually exclusive conditions.
If you understand, I don't have to explain.
Mutually exclusive conditions.
11 November 2011
Veteran's Day.
On the eleventh minute, of the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month...
92 years ago, THIS MINUTE, World War One was officially ended.
In the Commonwealth today is Remembrance Day, they wear a poppy flower in their lapel.
Here, it's about those who remain. How few we are.
92 years ago, THIS MINUTE, World War One was officially ended.
In the Commonwealth today is Remembrance Day, they wear a poppy flower in their lapel.
Here, it's about those who remain. How few we are.
10 November 2011
111011!
Fifty Nine Baby!
I don't know what it is about dates that you could write in binary that are neat to me.
I don't know what it is about dates that you could write in binary that are neat to me.
09 November 2011
Antisemitism
Damn I hate when this rears its ugly head.
Seems like when finances get rough, it's time to blame the Jews.
Are a lot of prominently wealthy people Jewish? Sure.
Are a lot of prominently Jewish people wealthy? Again, sure.
Are "they" to blame for the financial crisis? I don't think so.
Are many of "them" weathering the crisis better than everyday people? Of course! If they're wealthy they have a larger cushion before they start starving.
Should we take their money away because they've got more money than I do? Nope. It's more my fault I am less wealthy than theirs.
If it's wrong to fine them, then we should also not incarcerate or execute them.
If you're seeing evil from the Jews, you're likely just seeing your reflection.
None of that excuses the discrete actions of specific people who also happen to be Jewish. Charles Schumer is a someone I loathe in particular. It's got nothing to do with his faith, but his actions against me.
Seems like when finances get rough, it's time to blame the Jews.
Are a lot of prominently wealthy people Jewish? Sure.
Are a lot of prominently Jewish people wealthy? Again, sure.
Are "they" to blame for the financial crisis? I don't think so.
Are many of "them" weathering the crisis better than everyday people? Of course! If they're wealthy they have a larger cushion before they start starving.
Should we take their money away because they've got more money than I do? Nope. It's more my fault I am less wealthy than theirs.
If it's wrong to fine them, then we should also not incarcerate or execute them.
If you're seeing evil from the Jews, you're likely just seeing your reflection.
None of that excuses the discrete actions of specific people who also happen to be Jewish. Charles Schumer is a someone I loathe in particular. It's got nothing to do with his faith, but his actions against me.
08 November 2011
Wow.
Holder went there.
He really said that the reason that the BATFE broke the straw-buyer law was because there were no laws requiring registration.
I am dumbfounded.
Really.
I found dumb. It's over there! It's name is Eric Holder.
He really said that the reason that the BATFE broke the straw-buyer law was because there were no laws requiring registration.
I am dumbfounded.
Really.
I found dumb. It's over there! It's name is Eric Holder.
Entry Level AR
I have been asked a couple of times about what someone's first AR should be.
That's a sticky wicket.
Pithily, I say Colt. They really do set the standard, but they also the most expensive.
I would avoid DPMS because there's better out there at their price point. I avoid Bushmaster because they've lied to me about what was in stock and when it would be available. Remington is in the market, but they want a fair chunk of change. DPMS, Bushmaster and Remington are all part of Cerebus' Freedom Group of companies. S&W's M&P line reviews well.
Bravo-Company USA and Spikes Tactical are my most recommended brand. They offer excellent quality and top-end features without raping you on the price. Stag Arms makes a good product and they offer guns made for lefties!
The best deal going right now is Palmetto State Armory's. M4gry with an Aimpoint PRO for a grand!
But then the reality of budget hits. A grand sure seems like a lot of scratch.
There are also a multitude of smaller companies out there. Essential Arms in Iowa comes to mind for this niche.
That's when I say, build it!
Del-Ton has kits starting at $465. J&T has them from $520. M&A Parts has them from $500. You'll need some kind of rear sight, figure $60 for a Mag-Pul MBUS. Magazines can be had for as little as $15.
Lowers can be had for as little as $76.
Hit up the hometown section of Arfcom for someone local to you who has the tools and some experience to put the kit together (or just follow the how-to guide). On departure I would make from the guide is to use a pair of sliding-jaw pliers to press in the roll pins instead of a punch and hammer. Be sure to wrap the jaws in masking tape!
Complete AR ready to shoot for about $650-$700! Hard to lose in this market. Just about any of the above vendors will sell you most anything else associated with an AR too. On top of them, there's also Midway USA and Brownells; go-to places for most anything gun related.
Don't get cheap with optics! Or rather, shop carefully when buying a red-dot. Nothing sucks worse than your great deal dying because it got wet in the rain, or that the battery is dead because you left it on and the batts are only available from one expensive internet site.
One thing you may notice I have not mentioned.
The exact configuration. That is very hard to pick from the internet.
Harvey (the lovely Mrs Thag) went through several variations of hers before she settled. I did as well. What you think you want may not resemble what you end up liking.
My best recommendation is to get an M4 clone with a 16" barrel as your first gun. You can then start customizing from there. AR's are modular like Lego so most anything can be done.
That's a sticky wicket.
Pithily, I say Colt. They really do set the standard, but they also the most expensive.
I would avoid DPMS because there's better out there at their price point. I avoid Bushmaster because they've lied to me about what was in stock and when it would be available. Remington is in the market, but they want a fair chunk of change. DPMS, Bushmaster and Remington are all part of Cerebus' Freedom Group of companies. S&W's M&P line reviews well.
Bravo-Company USA and Spikes Tactical are my most recommended brand. They offer excellent quality and top-end features without raping you on the price. Stag Arms makes a good product and they offer guns made for lefties!
The best deal going right now is Palmetto State Armory's. M4gry with an Aimpoint PRO for a grand!
But then the reality of budget hits. A grand sure seems like a lot of scratch.
There are also a multitude of smaller companies out there. Essential Arms in Iowa comes to mind for this niche.
That's when I say, build it!
Del-Ton has kits starting at $465. J&T has them from $520. M&A Parts has them from $500. You'll need some kind of rear sight, figure $60 for a Mag-Pul MBUS. Magazines can be had for as little as $15.
Lowers can be had for as little as $76.
Hit up the hometown section of Arfcom for someone local to you who has the tools and some experience to put the kit together (or just follow the how-to guide). On departure I would make from the guide is to use a pair of sliding-jaw pliers to press in the roll pins instead of a punch and hammer. Be sure to wrap the jaws in masking tape!
Complete AR ready to shoot for about $650-$700! Hard to lose in this market. Just about any of the above vendors will sell you most anything else associated with an AR too. On top of them, there's also Midway USA and Brownells; go-to places for most anything gun related.
Don't get cheap with optics! Or rather, shop carefully when buying a red-dot. Nothing sucks worse than your great deal dying because it got wet in the rain, or that the battery is dead because you left it on and the batts are only available from one expensive internet site.
One thing you may notice I have not mentioned.
The exact configuration. That is very hard to pick from the internet.
Harvey (the lovely Mrs Thag) went through several variations of hers before she settled. I did as well. What you think you want may not resemble what you end up liking.
My best recommendation is to get an M4 clone with a 16" barrel as your first gun. You can then start customizing from there. AR's are modular like Lego so most anything can be done.
Carry Handle!
Ravenclaw Eric wants to know about carry-handle uppers.
I sometimes forget that not everyone is intimately familiar with ARFCOM jargon.
There are five basic types of AR upper receiver.
Slick side. This is the earliest style. It's found on the R601, R602 and R604 rifles. The R604 is also known as M16. There are sub-variations too, the one pictured is an R604 upper. It's called a slick-side because there's no forward assist.
A1. This is the second style. It was introduced with the R603 rifle issued as the XM16E1 and M16A1. It's the same as the slick-side except they added a forward assist (at the Army's insistence). It's called the A1 because that's the gun it was introduced with. Interestingly, almost any retro AR part is called an 'A1' part even if those same parts are present on an M16 A-nothing.
C7. When we were getting ready to issue the M16A2, the Canadians decided they liked the idea, but didn't want the complicated rear sight. So they issued an M16A1 upper with the addition of the "Brutton Bump" just behind the ejection port; this is a brass deflector that makes the gun more lefty friendly. It's called the C7 because that's the Canadian name for their M16 variation. Notice also that the anodizing changes from gray to black. Irritatingly, this style upper is misleadingly sold as an A1 from many vendors. If it matters to you, look for the bump!
A2. Introduced with the M16A2 (can you see where the common names are coming from yet?). The Marines shoot at known-distance ranges so they demanded and adjustable rear sight, here it is. This also introduces the Brutton Bump to US rifles. The M16A2 also introduced the three-round burst, an M16A3 is the same rifle with full-auto. This gets confusing later.
Flat-Top. The four previous uppers are also known as "carry-handle" uppers because of the carry handle built right in. The flat-top upper replaces the handle with a section of Picatinny Rail. It was introduced with the M4 carbine and is present on the M16A4. Remember when I mentioned the M16A3 thing would get confusing? Well, the flat-top is also known to some as an A3 upper. When it hit the civilian market the Navy had not yet created the M16A3 so it was assumed that the next M16 variation was going to be a flat-top. The rear sight shown here is not part of the upper, it can be removed (if I want to lose my zero.)
Here's why the flat-top was adopted! Scope mounts that attach to the carry-handle put the eye-line way too high. It's hard to get a good cheek-weld.
Here's one example of why we didn't just carry on with the carry handles. This is what's known as a gooseneck mount. It puts a red-dot in a usable place, but it still gives a poor cheek-weld and to use the irons you have to unscrew either the mount or the optic. If you detach the scope, the mount is still in the sight picture and can take some getting used to.
This just skims the surface; but I hope it's informative.
I sometimes forget that not everyone is intimately familiar with ARFCOM jargon.
There are five basic types of AR upper receiver.
Slick side. This is the earliest style. It's found on the R601, R602 and R604 rifles. The R604 is also known as M16. There are sub-variations too, the one pictured is an R604 upper. It's called a slick-side because there's no forward assist.
A1. This is the second style. It was introduced with the R603 rifle issued as the XM16E1 and M16A1. It's the same as the slick-side except they added a forward assist (at the Army's insistence). It's called the A1 because that's the gun it was introduced with. Interestingly, almost any retro AR part is called an 'A1' part even if those same parts are present on an M16 A-nothing.
C7. When we were getting ready to issue the M16A2, the Canadians decided they liked the idea, but didn't want the complicated rear sight. So they issued an M16A1 upper with the addition of the "Brutton Bump" just behind the ejection port; this is a brass deflector that makes the gun more lefty friendly. It's called the C7 because that's the Canadian name for their M16 variation. Notice also that the anodizing changes from gray to black. Irritatingly, this style upper is misleadingly sold as an A1 from many vendors. If it matters to you, look for the bump!
A2. Introduced with the M16A2 (can you see where the common names are coming from yet?). The Marines shoot at known-distance ranges so they demanded and adjustable rear sight, here it is. This also introduces the Brutton Bump to US rifles. The M16A2 also introduced the three-round burst, an M16A3 is the same rifle with full-auto. This gets confusing later.
Flat-Top. The four previous uppers are also known as "carry-handle" uppers because of the carry handle built right in. The flat-top upper replaces the handle with a section of Picatinny Rail. It was introduced with the M4 carbine and is present on the M16A4. Remember when I mentioned the M16A3 thing would get confusing? Well, the flat-top is also known to some as an A3 upper. When it hit the civilian market the Navy had not yet created the M16A3 so it was assumed that the next M16 variation was going to be a flat-top. The rear sight shown here is not part of the upper, it can be removed (if I want to lose my zero.)
Here's why the flat-top was adopted! Scope mounts that attach to the carry-handle put the eye-line way too high. It's hard to get a good cheek-weld.
Here's one example of why we didn't just carry on with the carry handles. This is what's known as a gooseneck mount. It puts a red-dot in a usable place, but it still gives a poor cheek-weld and to use the irons you have to unscrew either the mount or the optic. If you detach the scope, the mount is still in the sight picture and can take some getting used to.
This just skims the surface; but I hope it's informative.
Avoid This Vendor
If you happen to buy things from the internet auction site, Gunbroker, I recommend avoiding the seller LG Outdoors from Montgomery, Alabama.
They are exactly the kind of misinformed jerks that give the rest of us a bad name.
It starts when I notice that they will not sell an M16A1 parts kits to, "AZ,CA,CT,DC,DE,FL,HI,IA,IL,MN,NC,NJ,OH,RI,SC,WA,WI, OMAHA,NE, OR SOUTH BEND IN."
I emailed them and inquired. They replied,
"Thank you for contacting us. it is because the bolt in this kit is a full auto bolt and even though it only shoots in semi auto the state of FL does not allow you to have it. Thanks, customer service"
That is flat wrong. Wrong on two levels. First off, there's no difference between a full-auto and semi-auto bolt. Secondly, if they mean the bolt-carrier then they're wrong about Florida law.
Florida law about machine guns is federal law. There are only two mentions of them in the entire code. It's illegal for me to own one unless I go through all the probulation as required by the BATFE. I may not conceal carry one. That's it!
At one time ATF considered owning an M16 bolt carrier as "intent" to build an MG. That's no longer true. Even if it were still true that would mean they couldn't sell them to anyone in any state! Unless they had a registered M16... Which are legal in Florida if you've registered with ATF...
Even more fun!
They will sell that kit to New York and Massachusetts. Look real hard at the picture... Did you spot the USGI 30-round magazine? How much would you like to bet that it's not a pre-94 mag?
It doesn't stop with me.
ARCOM is baffled too. One poster there asked why no AZ and they seem to assume that it was me replying and they were very rude to him about it.
You lose nothing by being polite and you may gain something. I hope that LG Outdoors is put out of business and the owner starves.
PS: This vendor's auction just reinforces my opinion that if the disclaimer about their policies is longer than the item's description, including photos, you don't want to do business with them.
PPS: They have every right to refuse to do business with me for any reason. That allowed, I too can refuse to do business with them; and attempt to convince others to do the same.
They are exactly the kind of misinformed jerks that give the rest of us a bad name.
It starts when I notice that they will not sell an M16A1 parts kits to, "AZ,CA,CT,DC,DE,FL,HI,IA,IL,MN,NC,NJ,OH,RI,SC,WA,WI, OMAHA,NE, OR SOUTH BEND IN."
I emailed them and inquired. They replied,
"Thank you for contacting us. it is because the bolt in this kit is a full auto bolt and even though it only shoots in semi auto the state of FL does not allow you to have it. Thanks, customer service"
That is flat wrong. Wrong on two levels. First off, there's no difference between a full-auto and semi-auto bolt. Secondly, if they mean the bolt-carrier then they're wrong about Florida law.
Florida law about machine guns is federal law. There are only two mentions of them in the entire code. It's illegal for me to own one unless I go through all the probulation as required by the BATFE. I may not conceal carry one. That's it!
At one time ATF considered owning an M16 bolt carrier as "intent" to build an MG. That's no longer true. Even if it were still true that would mean they couldn't sell them to anyone in any state! Unless they had a registered M16... Which are legal in Florida if you've registered with ATF...
Even more fun!
They will sell that kit to New York and Massachusetts. Look real hard at the picture... Did you spot the USGI 30-round magazine? How much would you like to bet that it's not a pre-94 mag?
It doesn't stop with me.
ARCOM is baffled too. One poster there asked why no AZ and they seem to assume that it was me replying and they were very rude to him about it.
You lose nothing by being polite and you may gain something. I hope that LG Outdoors is put out of business and the owner starves.
PS: This vendor's auction just reinforces my opinion that if the disclaimer about their policies is longer than the item's description, including photos, you don't want to do business with them.
PPS: They have every right to refuse to do business with me for any reason. That allowed, I too can refuse to do business with them; and attempt to convince others to do the same.
06 November 2011
Fudd
Fudd
Slang term for a "casual" gun owner; eg; a person who typically only owns guns for hunting or shotgun sports and does not truly believe in the true premise of the second amendment. These people also generally treat owners/users of so called "non sporting" firearms like handguns or semiautomatic rifles with unwarranted scorn or contempt.
"See sonny, all those pistols in that cabinet... all thems is good for is killin people." -Example of ignorant comment from a fudd at a local gun shop. See also: Zumbo.
Slang term for a "casual" gun owner; eg; a person who typically only owns guns for hunting or shotgun sports and does not truly believe in the true premise of the second amendment. These people also generally treat owners/users of so called "non sporting" firearms like handguns or semiautomatic rifles with unwarranted scorn or contempt.
"See sonny, all those pistols in that cabinet... all thems is good for is killin people." -Example of ignorant comment from a fudd at a local gun shop. See also: Zumbo.
Making its rounds is this "I'm a gun owner but..." article.
Weer'd has an excellent post up about it.
What I am going to expand upon is the conversion process. Turning Fudds into gun owners like me.
I have, on occasion, gone hunting with my uncle and step-uncles. I don't particularly like hunting. I am not a morning person and hunting seasons all seem to be when it's coldest; I live in Florida for a reason! Dressing the carcass is a lot of work and I am lazy. Not to mention all the damn walking around in the brush trying to be quiet.
I have zero moral objection to hunting. If you're eating meat you're eating something that has been killed. I worked a summer at a meat packing plant on the killing floor. Killing animals is not something I have an issue with. My paternal grandfather was a farmer, he was fine with killing a list of animals just to keep them from eating the crops let alone their utility as food. The Christmas goose was always Canadian.
Among my family I am the odd duck who owns guns but doesn't hunt.
They and their friends did not get it and in 1994 or so they asked what the deal was with "assault weapons."
All of them were surprised to see how their cute little varmint gun, the Ruger Mini-14 changed from their gun to my gun. All of them saw that it was still the same gun even though the stock and magazine were different. What they didn't see was a need to change it from a wood-stocked varmint gun to an "evil baby killing assault weapon". "That's cool," I said, "but do you have a problem with me doing so? Do you think it should be illegal?"
Then some lights went on.
These are not men who want to be told how to live their lives.
But since varminting is not hunting to them, such guns were basically useless. .223 is illegal to use on deer where we lived (heck using a rifle was illegal at the time). But, since someone was telling them they couldn't do something, they all went out and bought something black. Something black that sat unused in the corner of the gun cabinet. With a pile of 30-round mags in the drawer gathering dust. What most of them ended up with was a ban-compliant AR. 20" barrel, no muzzle threads, no bayonet lug, A2 fixed stock.
Fast forward a couple of years.
The AR had become popular! I think that was in no small part to the massive buying spree at the end of the assault weapon ban, but my former Fudd's all bought theirs in '95 or '96 when the ban was in place. This steady buying during the ban kept a lot of places open.
So we meet again. "Thag, I bought the damn thing and I never shoot it." Why not? "Can't hunt with it because it's in .223." Why not get a new upper in another caliber? "Huh?"
Most of them understood how .308 and .30-06 were basically the same ballistically. It had just never occurred to them that the technology had kept advancing. A few of them owned a ".30-30 deer rifle" for hunting out of state. Showing them that 7.62x39 and 6.8x43 were similar in performance got some juices flowing.
Turns out most of them liked their AR, but because they didn't have a regular use for it, they neglected it. Once they had it in a round they could USE they started to neglect the Fudd gun.
It's kind of amusing watching the change. The carry handle uppers all disappear when they get sick of the goofy position that scope mounts put the optic. The fixed stocks are going away because a carbine stock can be adjusted to suit the thickness of your clothing. Barrels sport muzzle brakes on the threads because it does help with follow-up shots. Bayonet lugs are common because, "Heck the barrel came with it." Normal-cap mags are the norm, "saves time at the range and they're cheaper." Five round magazines are referred to as "the hunting mag". THE hunting mag.
7.62x39 flared briefly with them and then faded. 6.8 is now the caliber of choice. They see that the features they've all got on their guns were once the target of arbitrary elimination and they have become active with gun-rights movements as well as hunting.
Once they got active in gun rights, they started thinking about self defense away from their home. Conceal carry became the new topic, "Thag you live in Florida, you have one of those permits?"
I fully expect the next series of conversations to be, "Thag, you have one of those short barrel gun, right?"
Notice the difference between my Fudds and Mr. Ceislewicz? I call it an open mind and a willingness to learn.
Edited 08NOV11 for grammar.
Edited 08NOV11 for grammar.
04 November 2011
Gun Design Decisions
A long time ago I was reading about how the AK was so much better than the M16.
One particular item stuck in my mind: The selector.
On the AK the selector is a large lever on the right side of the gun. The topmost position is "SAFE" and that also covers the slot for the charging handle. The middle position is "AUTO" and the bottom position is "SEMI".
The theory went that an adrenaline soaked conscript is going to slap that lever HARD when he takes it off "SAFE" in a firefight and that will naturally land the gun on "SEMI" where it will be more effective than panic firing the whole magazine.
The M16 selector is a small switch on the left side of the gun, where your thumb naturally lands if you're a righty. 9 O'Clock is "SAFE", Noon is "SEMI" and 3 O'Clock is "AUTO".
Does our adrenaline junky slap that selector straight to "AUTO" every time?
Probably not.
Why?
How your hand is constructed. The 90˚ from "SAFE" to "SEMI" is a very natural flick of the thumb. The 90˚ from "SEMI" to "AUTO" is not and requires shifting your grip a bit to achieve.
A bit of trivia, the original arrangement of the selector on an AR was with "SAFE" at Noon and "SEMI" at 9 O'Clock. Field testing showed that the selector would move to the "SEMI" position after the soldier dragged it in the mud for a while. It should be noted that the 90˚ from Noon to 9 is just as natural as 9 to Noon.
The handedness of the AR has come up from time to time as well. I've found it to be remarkably sinister friendly! The controls are operated differently with the left hands than right, but they are all accessible and readily operable. Remember, ambidextrous design doesn't mean it has to be symmetrical.
Right Handed:
Mag Release - Right Index
Selector - Right Thumb
Bolt Stop - Left Palm
Left Handed:
One particular item stuck in my mind: The selector.
On the AK the selector is a large lever on the right side of the gun. The topmost position is "SAFE" and that also covers the slot for the charging handle. The middle position is "AUTO" and the bottom position is "SEMI".
The theory went that an adrenaline soaked conscript is going to slap that lever HARD when he takes it off "SAFE" in a firefight and that will naturally land the gun on "SEMI" where it will be more effective than panic firing the whole magazine.
The M16 selector is a small switch on the left side of the gun, where your thumb naturally lands if you're a righty. 9 O'Clock is "SAFE", Noon is "SEMI" and 3 O'Clock is "AUTO".
Does our adrenaline junky slap that selector straight to "AUTO" every time?
Probably not.
Why?
How your hand is constructed. The 90˚ from "SAFE" to "SEMI" is a very natural flick of the thumb. The 90˚ from "SEMI" to "AUTO" is not and requires shifting your grip a bit to achieve.
A bit of trivia, the original arrangement of the selector on an AR was with "SAFE" at Noon and "SEMI" at 9 O'Clock. Field testing showed that the selector would move to the "SEMI" position after the soldier dragged it in the mud for a while. It should be noted that the 90˚ from Noon to 9 is just as natural as 9 to Noon.
The handedness of the AR has come up from time to time as well. I've found it to be remarkably sinister friendly! The controls are operated differently with the left hands than right, but they are all accessible and readily operable. Remember, ambidextrous design doesn't mean it has to be symmetrical.
Right Handed:
Mag Release - Right Index
Selector - Right Thumb
Bolt Stop - Left Palm
Left Handed:
Mag Release - Right Thumb
Selector - Base of Left Index
Bolt Stop - Left Index
The charging handle is already ambidextrous.
Where it sucks to operate left handed was you'd be eating brass on many guns (but not all depending on how fast the action was running on a particular example). Modern upper receivers have a brass deflector molded right in.
Wir waren gerade folgende Ordnungen.
Found the pic on Gunpundit.
I didn't think it was possible to add to my list of reasons to consider New York Fucking (spit) City a hostile foreign nation. Color me corrected.
03 November 2011
Definitional Problem
Words mean something. If they don't then they are just noises.
Bipartisan does not in any way mean unbiased.
Bipartisan does not in any way mean unbiased.
01 November 2011
A Problem
I've spotted a problem with regards to the current presidential election cycle.
Several polls are showing President Obama doing poorly against a generic Republican.
That's all well and good; but he will actually be running against a specific Republican.
Let's not pat ourselves on the back too hard here about how bad he's doing.
Several polls are showing President Obama doing poorly against a generic Republican.
That's all well and good; but he will actually be running against a specific Republican.
Let's not pat ourselves on the back too hard here about how bad he's doing.
Chickens. Roost. Returning.
Because you ignored Clinton's sexual harassment, I will ignore Cain's.
Alleged harassment.
Maybe.
But you proved that you didn't really care about the issue when your guy was doing it, so I must assume that this is just a tactic to discredit someone you are afraid may win.
You also seem to forget you played this tune already with Justice Thomas.
Alleged harassment.
Maybe.
But you proved that you didn't really care about the issue when your guy was doing it, so I must assume that this is just a tactic to discredit someone you are afraid may win.
You also seem to forget you played this tune already with Justice Thomas.
31 October 2011
Proper Terminology
Why am I so hung up on it?
Because I come from a profession where there's a difference between 318 and 318R and that difference is critical.
Where saying "stainless steel" only begins the conversation about material.
I give a lot of grief over the revolver vs pistol issue.
But, let's consider another common term people starting using wrong that bit us in our asses: assault rifle. It wasn't the gun grabbers who started calling semi-auto's this first; it was the gun rags. I still have those magazines. I can still read the impassioned pleas to stop using this term for semi-autos and having the editor being dismissive.
How about another word? Infringed. The 1789 meaning of the word has been all but expunged from current dictionaries. Is it OK to forget that definition because nobody uses it that way anymore?
I'll keep repeating it until it sticks: If you cannot say what you mean; you cannot mean what you say. Whether through inability or prohibition, if you are not precise in your use of the language your meaning can be mistaken. Even if I know what you mean, that does not mean the next person does. Nor should you assume that they will parse the correct meaning; because they may maliciously take advantage of the slack you've given them.
Because I come from a profession where there's a difference between 318 and 318R and that difference is critical.
Where saying "stainless steel" only begins the conversation about material.
I give a lot of grief over the revolver vs pistol issue.
But, let's consider another common term people starting using wrong that bit us in our asses: assault rifle. It wasn't the gun grabbers who started calling semi-auto's this first; it was the gun rags. I still have those magazines. I can still read the impassioned pleas to stop using this term for semi-autos and having the editor being dismissive.
How about another word? Infringed. The 1789 meaning of the word has been all but expunged from current dictionaries. Is it OK to forget that definition because nobody uses it that way anymore?
I'll keep repeating it until it sticks: If you cannot say what you mean; you cannot mean what you say. Whether through inability or prohibition, if you are not precise in your use of the language your meaning can be mistaken. Even if I know what you mean, that does not mean the next person does. Nor should you assume that they will parse the correct meaning; because they may maliciously take advantage of the slack you've given them.
Can We Vote Our Way Out Of This
Actually, we might.
The problem is one we voted our way into, so the same could provide the solution.
It would require a fundamental shift in people's perception of what the government is for and how much power it should have.
It's not that we cannot vote in a manner that will remove the problem officials; it's that we don't.
I've posited before that 2006 was an early attempt to do something like that. Romney is an excellent example of my hypothesis.
I've said that I believe that we voted in a buttload of democrats in 2006 because we were shut out of the primary process on incumbent RINOs. If the party wasn't going to allow us to remove an incumbent via the primary process, we only had one other recourse: vote for the other team. 2008 showed us that the national "leadership" had not learned or even noticed when they selected McCain. They are showing us they learned nothing by attempting to put Romney up now. Even with the Marco Rubio lesson.
What happened in 2006-2008 was a rejection of RINO and not an endorsement of Democrat. The Democrats read it wrong too.
The process is broken and you need to get involved to fix it.
The problem is one we voted our way into, so the same could provide the solution.
It would require a fundamental shift in people's perception of what the government is for and how much power it should have.
It's not that we cannot vote in a manner that will remove the problem officials; it's that we don't.
I've posited before that 2006 was an early attempt to do something like that. Romney is an excellent example of my hypothesis.
I've said that I believe that we voted in a buttload of democrats in 2006 because we were shut out of the primary process on incumbent RINOs. If the party wasn't going to allow us to remove an incumbent via the primary process, we only had one other recourse: vote for the other team. 2008 showed us that the national "leadership" had not learned or even noticed when they selected McCain. They are showing us they learned nothing by attempting to put Romney up now. Even with the Marco Rubio lesson.
What happened in 2006-2008 was a rejection of RINO and not an endorsement of Democrat. The Democrats read it wrong too.
The process is broken and you need to get involved to fix it.
Tightening Election Laws
In general I am all for it!
There's entirely too much fraud going on. ACORN registered around 400,000 ineligible voters for the 2008 elections, for example.
This article is opposed, I think.
I'm for photo ID of the voter being required.
I'm for making the prospective voter physically tramp down to the election office 90 days before the election to get registered.
I'm for not letting anyone but the military vote absentee.
I'm for requiring you vote in person on election day.
The vote is the most important power we have as the sovereign in this republic. It is a right, it is a duty. I don't want anyone voting who would trivialize this. Someone who won't make even the smallest effort and take the time off to get to the polls is not someone I want voting with me.
Making it easier to register does not convey the import of what you are going to be doing. I think that if some effort were required to get registered, then just maybe someone would think about what they are doing.
This is not a ploy to keep the elderly, minorities or students from voting. Honestly, if the elderly haven't registered by now, I don't think they are going to. Let AARP provide a bus and lunch to the registration center.
I do notice that the people who are hottest under the collar about disenfranchising the elderly, minorities and students don't have a care in the world that many of the votes the military cast in absentia weren't counted. In some cases the courts were asked to block those votes. I am looking at Al Gore and the 2000 Florida election in particular, but he's not the only one.
There's entirely too much fraud going on. ACORN registered around 400,000 ineligible voters for the 2008 elections, for example.
This article is opposed, I think.
I'm for photo ID of the voter being required.
I'm for making the prospective voter physically tramp down to the election office 90 days before the election to get registered.
I'm for not letting anyone but the military vote absentee.
I'm for requiring you vote in person on election day.
The vote is the most important power we have as the sovereign in this republic. It is a right, it is a duty. I don't want anyone voting who would trivialize this. Someone who won't make even the smallest effort and take the time off to get to the polls is not someone I want voting with me.
Making it easier to register does not convey the import of what you are going to be doing. I think that if some effort were required to get registered, then just maybe someone would think about what they are doing.
This is not a ploy to keep the elderly, minorities or students from voting. Honestly, if the elderly haven't registered by now, I don't think they are going to. Let AARP provide a bus and lunch to the registration center.
I do notice that the people who are hottest under the collar about disenfranchising the elderly, minorities and students don't have a care in the world that many of the votes the military cast in absentia weren't counted. In some cases the courts were asked to block those votes. I am looking at Al Gore and the 2000 Florida election in particular, but he's not the only one.
Quote of the Random Interval
Joe Huffman says:
Those anti-gun people who claim it is a fantasy to believe the gun owners could hold our own against the Federal Government are totally clueless and whistling past the graveyard. We outnumber them, we can outshoot them, and that doesn’t even take into account that most of them would be on our side anyway.
30 October 2011
It's A Conspiracy!
Only a single Iowa Class Battleship is going to be a museum where they allow conceal carry to anyone but the most well connected.
Missouri is in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Iowa will be in San Pedro, California.
New Jersey is in Camden, New Jersey.
Wisconsin is in Norfolk, Virginia.
Seems a trend too.
Massachusetts is in Fall River, Massachusetts. You need less connection to get a toter permit in MA, but the reciprocity is sorely lacking.
I guess there's always Alabama, North Carolina and Texas. Texas even sports a donation from me! Look for McThag on some commemorative brick or plaque when you visit.
Missouri is in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Iowa will be in San Pedro, California.
New Jersey is in Camden, New Jersey.
Wisconsin is in Norfolk, Virginia.
Seems a trend too.
Massachusetts is in Fall River, Massachusetts. You need less connection to get a toter permit in MA, but the reciprocity is sorely lacking.
I guess there's always Alabama, North Carolina and Texas. Texas even sports a donation from me! Look for McThag on some commemorative brick or plaque when you visit.
I Would Be A Failure As An ATF Agent
This evening there were two largish dogs harassing a neighbor walking her 10-15 lb dog.
They were doing the lunge in and nip at the smaller dog and trading off when the lady would confront one.
These two dogs have been seen running around the neighborhood off and on for a while.
I grabbed the 6.8 and my wife got their attention and we got them off the lady and back towards us. Both dogs were barking at us, but no bared teeth or growling. So I just put the dot from the Aimpoint between the eyes of the closest one and waited.
I don't think I needed to shoot, so I didn't. I am getting sick of two things here. First; I am sick of people not taking care of their animals properly. Second I am sick of the government response to being informed of illegal activity.
It's against the law to let your dog run without a leash or tags.
Wanna bet that the cops would come out for shooting a dog, where they won't come out for a loose dog? And we had to call the cops because animal control works hours that make the bankers jealous.
They were doing the lunge in and nip at the smaller dog and trading off when the lady would confront one.
These two dogs have been seen running around the neighborhood off and on for a while.
I grabbed the 6.8 and my wife got their attention and we got them off the lady and back towards us. Both dogs were barking at us, but no bared teeth or growling. So I just put the dot from the Aimpoint between the eyes of the closest one and waited.
I don't think I needed to shoot, so I didn't. I am getting sick of two things here. First; I am sick of people not taking care of their animals properly. Second I am sick of the government response to being informed of illegal activity.
It's against the law to let your dog run without a leash or tags.
Wanna bet that the cops would come out for shooting a dog, where they won't come out for a loose dog? And we had to call the cops because animal control works hours that make the bankers jealous.
29 October 2011
Are Revolvers Pistols?
A resounding NO!
Know why?
A pistol is a handgun where the chamber is integral to the barrel. This is why muzzle loading handguns are pistols as well as semi-automatics. Revolver chambers are separate.
A pepperbox is a pistol! A revolver isn't.
You may now stop using the term incorrectly and spread your newfound knowledge far and wide.
Know why?
A pistol is a handgun where the chamber is integral to the barrel. This is why muzzle loading handguns are pistols as well as semi-automatics. Revolver chambers are separate.
A pepperbox is a pistol! A revolver isn't.
You may now stop using the term incorrectly and spread your newfound knowledge far and wide.
28 October 2011
Times, They Are A Changin'
Spotted this Remington R15 at Wal Mart this morning.
Absolutely unheard of even a year ago.
Of course, this is the full-on Fudd AR-15, but still a huge indication that even if we have not won, we are winning.
Absolutely unheard of even a year ago.
Of course, this is the full-on Fudd AR-15, but still a huge indication that even if we have not won, we are winning.
26 October 2011
Something to Note:
The incumbent doesn't get to run against "The Man".
The nature of being the incumbent makes you "The Man" so you'd better have accomplishments to point at.
The nature of being the incumbent makes you "The Man" so you'd better have accomplishments to point at.
25 October 2011
Quote of the Day
"So when some Americans have greater access to their rights than other Americans, this concerns me, regardless of whether or not a majority of people having their rights trampled on support it or not."
From: Shall Not Be Questioned
From: Shall Not Be Questioned
24 October 2011
Flat Taxes and Fairness
For the 9-9-9 plan or a fair tax or a flat tax to work you're going to have to do something extreme.
You're going to have to make those the only taxes and you can't just leave it to mere law.
You're going to have to put the form and rates in an amendment; otherwise we'll end up keeping all the old taxes those are meant to replace and the rates will be subject to the whim of the current crew of thieves in Congress.
Put in a balanced budget clause too.
You're going to have to make those the only taxes and you can't just leave it to mere law.
You're going to have to put the form and rates in an amendment; otherwise we'll end up keeping all the old taxes those are meant to replace and the rates will be subject to the whim of the current crew of thieves in Congress.
Put in a balanced budget clause too.
23 October 2011
Disappointment
I am getting extremely sick of being let down by the same people over and over again.
I had a friend (note that past tense there) who wants to buy a gun. She used to live around here, but now lives just outside of Indianapolis.
I wondered if, perhaps, the mighty Tam would be willing to allow her to show up at the blog-meet they often have in Broad Ripple and see if someone there would answer her questions and give advice.
Tam answered my email with an affirmative!
All would have been fine had my friend shown up.
I don't think this is a big deal to Tam. I hope it's not.
It's a big deal to me. I was asked for help and I found a way to get it to her. Then she blew it off because of yet another manufactured crisis in her life. She is constantly taking on responsibilities that are not hers to the neglect and detriment of her friendships with others.
I feel as if I asked Tam to go out of her way to help my friend and she didn't even have the courtesy to call me before she was to arrive to tell me that she wouldn't be going.
So, Pam Frederick, you've disappointed me for the last time.
PS, she's all unarmed in Pittsboro if anyone is interested.
I had a friend (note that past tense there) who wants to buy a gun. She used to live around here, but now lives just outside of Indianapolis.
I wondered if, perhaps, the mighty Tam would be willing to allow her to show up at the blog-meet they often have in Broad Ripple and see if someone there would answer her questions and give advice.
Tam answered my email with an affirmative!
All would have been fine had my friend shown up.
I don't think this is a big deal to Tam. I hope it's not.
It's a big deal to me. I was asked for help and I found a way to get it to her. Then she blew it off because of yet another manufactured crisis in her life. She is constantly taking on responsibilities that are not hers to the neglect and detriment of her friendships with others.
I feel as if I asked Tam to go out of her way to help my friend and she didn't even have the courtesy to call me before she was to arrive to tell me that she wouldn't be going.
So, Pam Frederick, you've disappointed me for the last time.
PS, she's all unarmed in Pittsboro if anyone is interested.
22 October 2011
At What Level?
I will continue to grapple with the 14th Amendment's effect on the local.
I can put a cross on the roof of my house, no problem. It's my roof and will be my cross.
Putting a cross on top of the city water tower appears to be a no-go because the 14th amendment applies the 1st amendment to the states and since a city is a creature of the state it applies to municipalities.
I can accept that. Really.
Except.
Government itself is a creation of the people themselves. We created it to advance our needs and protect our liberties. Too often it has become a tool to impose our prejudices on others.
The fact that people are putting crosses on top of water towers in defiance of the 14th amendment, ACLU and FFRF seems to indicate a bit of push-back against the separation of church and state.
Let's remember that prior to the 14th, the 1st amendment really only applied to the federal government. The framers intended the states to be able to do their own thing. That the states didn't get the message about the outcome of the Civil War forced the 14th amendment on them.
I posit that a cross on the water tower, or at a veteran's cemetery was fine to the founders and that the resultant effects of the 14th on such things was unintended. To get religious freedom, for reals, we're probably going to have to pass another amendment allowing for towns to be able to put up crosses and manger scenes. This is really a restoration of the original state of things when the Bill of Rights was passed.
Remember, the entire point of this grand experiment is MORE liberty. If a single person in a town of, say, 1,500 can be offended by the cross and override the remaining 1,499 that's just freedom for one person. Tyranny of the minority. For an example of this in action just look at what the permanent members of the UN Security Council can do to prevent something that the whole rest of the general assembly wants.
Especially since the meaning of any given symbol is very subjective and fluid.
What does the Confederate Battle Flag symbolize?
Swastika?
Inverted Cross? (Bonus points for this one).
US flag flown upside down?
It has to be religious to qualify to be eradicated? OK. Druids find trees to be holy; I do believe that the city is using public funds to grow and maintain trees in its parks. Yellow is the color of the Chinese God-Emperor, public funds are used to buy and maintain school busses, road signs and lights in this holy (to some) hue.
The toughest nut of freedom is that you have to give it to get it. If you want to be left alone you have to leave people alone. Yes, there are people who will be offensive. Yes, you will offend. A thick skin is a prerequisite for living in liberty. You have to become brutally honest about what actual harm you've endured. "I don't like that" is far below the bar of injury. To borrow a religious phrasing of it, "Do as you will, harm none." Libertarians could get behind that as well as Wiccans. That means the Christians have to let there be a titty bar, the atheists have to let the Christians rent the top of the city water tower for their cross (I agree that city monies shouldn't pay for it) and the market will decide what prevails.
The 1st amendment is about the imposition of religion from the outside. Preventing one from choosing for themselves. Imposing atheism from the outside is exactly the form of state tyranny the framers were talking about when they wrote about religious freedom; and make no mistake atheism IS a religious position. "If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice" - Rush.
I can put a cross on the roof of my house, no problem. It's my roof and will be my cross.
Putting a cross on top of the city water tower appears to be a no-go because the 14th amendment applies the 1st amendment to the states and since a city is a creature of the state it applies to municipalities.
I can accept that. Really.
Except.
Government itself is a creation of the people themselves. We created it to advance our needs and protect our liberties. Too often it has become a tool to impose our prejudices on others.
The fact that people are putting crosses on top of water towers in defiance of the 14th amendment, ACLU and FFRF seems to indicate a bit of push-back against the separation of church and state.
Let's remember that prior to the 14th, the 1st amendment really only applied to the federal government. The framers intended the states to be able to do their own thing. That the states didn't get the message about the outcome of the Civil War forced the 14th amendment on them.
I posit that a cross on the water tower, or at a veteran's cemetery was fine to the founders and that the resultant effects of the 14th on such things was unintended. To get religious freedom, for reals, we're probably going to have to pass another amendment allowing for towns to be able to put up crosses and manger scenes. This is really a restoration of the original state of things when the Bill of Rights was passed.
Remember, the entire point of this grand experiment is MORE liberty. If a single person in a town of, say, 1,500 can be offended by the cross and override the remaining 1,499 that's just freedom for one person. Tyranny of the minority. For an example of this in action just look at what the permanent members of the UN Security Council can do to prevent something that the whole rest of the general assembly wants.
Especially since the meaning of any given symbol is very subjective and fluid.
What does the Confederate Battle Flag symbolize?
Swastika?
Inverted Cross? (Bonus points for this one).
US flag flown upside down?
It has to be religious to qualify to be eradicated? OK. Druids find trees to be holy; I do believe that the city is using public funds to grow and maintain trees in its parks. Yellow is the color of the Chinese God-Emperor, public funds are used to buy and maintain school busses, road signs and lights in this holy (to some) hue.
The toughest nut of freedom is that you have to give it to get it. If you want to be left alone you have to leave people alone. Yes, there are people who will be offensive. Yes, you will offend. A thick skin is a prerequisite for living in liberty. You have to become brutally honest about what actual harm you've endured. "I don't like that" is far below the bar of injury. To borrow a religious phrasing of it, "Do as you will, harm none." Libertarians could get behind that as well as Wiccans. That means the Christians have to let there be a titty bar, the atheists have to let the Christians rent the top of the city water tower for their cross (I agree that city monies shouldn't pay for it) and the market will decide what prevails.
The 1st amendment is about the imposition of religion from the outside. Preventing one from choosing for themselves. Imposing atheism from the outside is exactly the form of state tyranny the framers were talking about when they wrote about religious freedom; and make no mistake atheism IS a religious position. "If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice" - Rush.
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