The Miller

Gun Porn

2012-01-27T11:58:00.000-05:00

Yes. I now need a drum mag or two...

--The big drums cost as much as the original shotgun!

Kids and Shooting

2012-01-26T05:42:00.000-05:00

I am taking my excellent daughter shooting again this weekend.

She is a tiny little thing and might try a bigger gun this weekend. It is all up to her.

.22LR hand gun and rifles are great for introducing kids to gun safety and the fun of shooting. When I was in elementary school we had a semester of rifle range for gym. Girls and boys. There was a four lane, twenty five yard range in the school basement. It was also the bomb shelter.

I was looking around for classes for kids. The local NRA has quite a few programs for kids and parents.

There is also Appleseed.

--Let me know if you are aware of more!

2012 NRA HQ Blogshoot

2012-01-25T05:00:00.000-05:00

Reserve the date for second annual NRA HQ Blogshoot!

Once again will meet there on a Saturday morning, shoot for an hour and then take a tour of the National Firearms Museum at the NRA HQ in Fairfax Virginia.

DATE: February18th, 2012
TIME: 7:30am or earlier.
WHERE: NRA HQ Range in Fairfax VA
WHO: You and people like you
WHY: Because we are so damn pretty

Please note: If you have never been there before they will require that you take a short written safety test. It takes about 10 mins. It may be worth your while to stop in there, if possible, in advance to take the test and get your range card. You do NOT have to be an NRA member to use the range.

The NRA headquarters building is located at 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA.

Let me know if you are planning to attend. In the comments or via email: miller.jbx at gmail dot com.

--I am going to scope out a place for lunch near there. Any preferences?

Zombie Gear!

2012-01-24T05:00:00.000-05:00

A friend sent me some pics from CheaperThanDirt.com for a new EOTech Zombie Stopper Scope.

I might just buy that if there was no price differential.

--This would be perfect for my next carbine project.

My Next Gun

2012-01-23T04:30:00.000-05:00

Everyone seems to be asking me off-line why I was selling the XD9. I am looking to finance my next purchase: The JR Carbine. I finally got to handle it and have decided I am going to get one as soon as I have the cash. It is selling for $530 street!

The clerk at the gun store is the same guy that sold me the suppressor for my Glock and said it would only cost about $100 to get the barrel threaded. It could share the can!

--This is gonna be fun!

Quotes of the Week

2012-01-22T05:00:00.000-05:00

“Among the natural rights of the colonists are these: First a right to life, secondly to liberty, and thirdly to property; together with the right to defend them in the best manner they can.”

–Samuel Adams

“He who is void of virtuous attachments in private life is, or very soon will be, void of all regard for his country. There is seldom an instance of a man guilty of betraying his country, who had not before lost the feeling of moral obligations in his private connections.”

–Samuel Adams

“It does not take a majority to prevail… but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men.”

–Samuel Adams

"If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves."

--Thomas A. Edison

"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored."

--Aldous Huxley

"Never despair; but if you do, work on in despair."

--Edmund Burke

For Sale: XD9 Compact

2012-01-21T05:00:00.000-05:00

I have decided to sell my XD9 Sub Compact 9mm.

It comes with two 10 round mags, two 16 round mags with grip extensions, a 33 round mag, a Galco inside the waistband holster and even a safety lock. It is a great little shooter that does not get enough attention.

Click on the image to get a huge version.

Email me at miller.jbx at gmail dot com if you are interested. Help me finance my next purchase!!

--We will find a nice dark ally and make a deal! No felons! God I love Virginia!

Glock Tail!

2012-01-20T05:00:00.000-05:00

The Truth About Guns!

I have actually seen people get slide bites from my Glocks at the range. I have to say it's usually big guys with meaty ham hands.

At the Shot Show they were showing off the new Beavertail Backstrap add-on for the Gen 4 Glocks. It gives it the profile of the tails on a 1911.

I think this is a great idea but I still wish they would make a carbine or a slim single stack carry piece!

--I may have to go to the Shot Show next year, dammit!! Roadtrip! Who's with me!!

Emily has not Gotten Her Gun... Yet.

2012-01-19T05:00:00.000-05:00

Emily Miller, aka "The Other Miller" has decided to go with a Sig Sauer 229 for her DC gun purchase. Read this weeks installment to find out why she picked the 229 and why she doesn't have it yet!!

--I wonder if she wants to go shooting with us on the 18th!?

SOPA & PIPA: Internet Censorship Blackout.

2012-01-18T05:00:00.001-05:00

MOVIE: Colombiana

2012-01-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

I finally got to see the movie Colombiana. I got this movie for Christmas and it had a ton of firearms content.

I think my favorite gun in this movie was the Blaser R93 Sniper Rifle.

The movie itself was a pretty typical action film with a vengeance theme. It started out a lot better then it ended. I love caper films. Ones with amazing, complex plans.

The Miller Rating: 7 of 10

Here is the list of guns from the Internet Movie Firearms Database:

Blog Roll Update

2012-01-16T06:55:00.000-05:00

Blog Roll Needs Some More!

Lagniappe's Lair

Lagniappe is gone now, but his memory lives on.

I met Murphy at the Mid-Atlantic Blogshoot this year. It was a great event at a great facility. Geat guy with some great guns. Go read his blog!

Another Day.....Another.....

Random thoughts on a wide range of topics in real time. Kneads is another Blogger that I met at the Mid-Atlantic Blogshoot! I love attending these events. Good people.

Legions Fate

Anything Guns, Knives, Military, Militant, and Dangerous with an overall feeling of impending apocolypse. CTone is a Marine and a Soldier; a husband and a father, in addition to being a Blogger!

Another Gun Blog

I have been running into Mike W. all around the Blog-O-Sphere! The usual spots like the NRA convention, Blogshoots and places that have beer and bacon. Mike is a 25 year old law clerk and a gun nut. He enjoys cooking, running, basketball, shooting, reading, writing, politics, arguing, cars, and wasting far too much time on blogs and forums related to my interests. He also likes beer and big butts and he cannot lie......and bacon!

--Check them out!

Quotes of the Week

2012-01-15T05:00:00.000-05:00

"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do."

- John Wooden

"I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have."

- Thomas Jefferson

"And then there the nation's Capital where they store, but rarely read, the Constitution..."

--alongfordmick

"The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters."

--Daniel Webster

Im Back!

2012-01-14T16:52:00.001-05:00

That'll teach me. No good deed goes unpunished.

My ex-wife had her computer really hosed. We are really good friends still and I am still her goto tech support. It turned out that she had been running with no anti-virus software for 4 months. Her computer STOPPED me flat from installing it again.

I normally handle this easily by popping out the drive and putting it in a USB enclosure, mounting it as an external drive and running a full scan. It cleared like 60 viruses off the drive.

I popped it back into her computer, fired it up, installed new antivirus software. and then I made the mistake. Put it on my network to download new virus definitions. In the 5 mins that took, the malware hopped to the next machine on the network.

I am not going to mention the name of this virus. Because if you Google it one of the top ten hits will infect you with it.

--What did I miss?

Technical difficulties

2012-01-13T06:15:00.001-05:00

Please talk among yourselves...

RIA Question

2012-01-11T05:00:00.000-05:00

I received an email asking about my daily carry piece that I posted for my Light A Candle post:

"I happened by your post for gunlight vigil day,and was wondering what your experience has been with the compact 1911 from RockIsland Armory."

It was a long road to get the RIA 1911 to the point where is was reliable enough to be my daily carry.

When I first got the gun it would jam once every 5 rounds or so. Massive amounts of part polishing, a couple trips to the gunsmith, high quality magazines and about 1000 rounds to break it in and finally it's worked all the kinks out. I also had the hammer bobbed so the damn thing would not bite me and draw blood every time I shot it.

Once it began to shoot reliably I got some nice slim VZ Gator Back Grips for it and an excellent Crossbreed Supertuck Deluxe holster.

I will probably have some trigger work done on it. The trigger is not the worst I own but it's not close to the best either. I have been shooting some sweet 1911's, lately at blog shoots, with triggers like butter.

Now I have a compact frame, reliable, durable, single stack .45acp, that is slim AND powerful. Plus I only have about $700 into it including the smithing, holster and mags.

The negatives are that the fixed sights are very basic, trigger is not great and it weighs a lot.

Email me if you have any more questions! Or better yet, let's go to the range!!

--All and all, it took some time but it's good (but not great).

Read This

2012-01-10T17:28:00.001-05:00

A Girl and Her Gun

If you have not read this yet go read it now:

A Girl and Her Gun

Thanks for saying it better than I could have.

--I have had the same experience.

WANT: JR Carbine

2012-01-10T05:00:00.000-05:00

At my local gun shop I finally got to handle a JR Carbine.

This guy has now officially elbowed it's way to the top of my want list. Tricked out properly it will be a super Zombie Killer!!

The quality of the construction seems to be very good. That was what I was worried about the most for the price tag of $530.

The stock and pistol grip are standard AR and it has a good quadrail right out of the box. It comes with two standard Glock mags. With the flat to there is a lot of Magpul love can be added.

The one I handled was in 9mm. I was originally going to go with the .45 but this one has me thinking 9mm again. I already have three 33 round Glock 9mm mags.

--Gotta save some more pennies!

2nd Annual NRA HQ Blog Shoot

2012-01-09T06:12:00.000-05:00

Planning has begun for the second annual NRA HQ Blogshoot!

Once again will meet there on a Saturday morning, shoot for an hour and then take a tour of the Firearms Museum at the NRA HQ in Fairfax Virginia.

Then we will all go out to lunch.

Currently we are looking at February18th for this event.

Let me know if you are planning to attend. In the comments or via email: miller.jbx at gmail dot com.

--More later!

Light A Candle To Stop Violence

2012-01-08T05:00:00.001-05:00

January 8th is Light A Candle To Stop Violence Day.

Weer'd Proposed it. I love the idea.

"So the Brady Bunch are planning Candle-light vigils on January 8th to “Stop Gun Violence”. Now many have pointed out what a stupid and pointless gesture that is, also many are noting the dwindling numbers of people willing to come out in the cold with a candle for the sake of their lost cause."

My 1911 Daily Carr

We who are actually are doing something real to stop the violence are lighting a candle, spreading the word and teaching people to be safe AND empowered.

The Four Rules:

TREAT ALL GUNS AS IF THEY ARE ALWAYS LOADED.
NEVER POINT A GUN AT ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO DESTROY.
KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET.
BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND WHAT'S BEYOND IT AND AROUND IT.

The Two Disciplines:

MUZZLE: Watch where you are pointing that thing!
TRIGGER: Keep your bugger hook of the bang switch!

--Keep spreading this word!

In Other News, Gun Sales Reach Record Highs

2012-01-07T17:51:00.000-05:00

Quotes of the Week

2012-01-07T05:00:00.000-05:00

"Carry your gun - it's a lighter burden than regret."

--Breda

"I figure a sucking chest wound is a pretty damned good warning."

--Phlegmfatale

"Without the First Amendment, you are a slave. Without the Second, you are a child."

--Doctor Zero

"Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars."

--amballtrip

"If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves."

--Thomas Edison

Experiments

2012-01-06T05:00:00.000-05:00

I was looking at some of my old, low end firearms and was wondering what I should do with them. I never shoot them anymore. They collect dust. Here are some of my options:

Sell them: Use the money to buy optics
Mothball them: Grease them up for ling term storage
Cache them: Greased, packed in a PVC Tube and stashed
Experiment: Hmmmmm...

So I decided to order a DuraCoat Shake ’N Spray kit. I saw this at the NRA Convention this year. The kit includes 4 ounces of DuraCoat, a LCW TruStrip Cleaner/Degreaser and a Preval Aerosol Sprayer. All you have to do is degrease the gun with the enclosed TruStrip and scrubbing pad, mix the DuraCoat finish in the provided jar, and apply using the sprayer.

The kit retails for $30 and available colors include matte black, OD green, woodland tan, woodland green, woodland brown, gun blue, Magpul flat dark earth, and DuraCoat parker.

--I will let you know how it turns out!!

2012: The year of Upgrades

2012-01-05T05:00:00.000-05:00

I think this year will be the year of upgrades. I have got plenty of guns I need to upgrade them in several ways. I have been shooting some quality stuff this year. OldNFOs Scopes are so awesome. TBolts Scout scope has super eye relief. I might even restore a few back to pure iron sights, like one of my Mini-14s.

Upgrade List Beginning:

Suppressors: AR-15, Glock 17, .22LR
Optics: EOTechs, Quality Scopes
Slings: For all rifles, shotguns, carbines
New Safe: Current one is sort of crowded
Grips: More slim grips
Stocks: Upgrades for a few select guns
Range bag: A big one
Holsters: Quality ones for several guns
Tools: Cleaning, smithing
Ammo: Stockpiles
Mags: Never have enough
SBR: The Cx4 Storm
Steel plate targets

Any suggestions to add to the list. I might also start to try my hand at reloading an get myself a press. Might renovate my shop as well. I want to really turn it into a gun smith shop. Plus a new stereo, TV, DVD and a fridge wouldn't hurt!

--What else should I add?

My First Time

2012-01-04T05:00:00.000-05:00

I told this story this weekend. It is worth repeating.

The first time I fired a gun was when I was about nine years old. I'll never forget that day.

We always had guns in the house where I grew up. They were not locked up and they were stored with ammo. In fact, the one that I shot that day was typically stored, in the kitchen, on hooks, over the doorway to the "kids play room"! Every house in the county kept their guns that way. That still cracks me up. How the world has changed...

I have three older brothers and on that auspicious day I was out playing in the back yard when two of them were coming back from rabbit hunting. We had 250 acres in farm country of Western New York where my parents owned a shade tree farm. A Nursery. Rabbits wreaked havoc on the plants my father grew, so we had a permit to hunt them year round.

It was a beautiful day. Sunny and breezy and perfect.

My brothers were in an excellent mood because the day was so sweet. I remember the younger of the brothers was drinking an orange soda from a pop-top can. The kind with the pop-tops you hated to step on bare foot. It was empty. I remember that he was shaking it because he had slipped the pop-top into the can after he had pulled it off.

He tossed the can about ten yards away and said, "JB, come here and see if you can shoot that can!" Without ceremony, he handed my the double barrel, 20 gauge shotgun and all he said as instructions was, "Just aim and make sure you pull both triggers at the same time..."

That asshat.

I gave that can both barrels and landed flat on my back.

My brothers laughed so hard they nearly pissed themselves . Even though it felt like I had been smashed on the shoulder with a baseball bat I couldn't help laughing too.

We never told my parents and I had a hell of a time hiding that bruise, that badge of courage.

--I became a man that day. What's your story?

Farms

2012-01-03T05:03:00.000-05:00

Went shooting with some friends this weekend on a private farm that is close to where I live.

This is my favorite kind of shoot trip.

It was a beautiful day. We met there at about 8am and drove out through cow pastures to the huge field where we set up our firing line. We set up steel targets at 10, 25, 50, 100 and 250 yards.

Ruger Mark II: We started in close so the dew could burn off a bit before we walked a quarter mile through wet grass. We began with my suppressed Ruger Mark II. I really like not having to wear ear protection. It is so funny to have the bullet impact be the loudest part. It's funny when the bullet gets enough air time to cause that sonic crack. Then you can hear the echo of the crack that is louder than the gun and originates about 100 yards away. We also experimented with some sub sonic ammo. That stuff is super quiet! It did fail to cycle the action a couple times but it's still awesome. We ended up burning 500 rounds through it before the day was done.

Armalite AR-10B: We burned 100 rounds through my AR-10. I picked it up and rang the 50 yard target once, then the 100 twice, then on the very next shot I hit the 8" round 250 yard target. All with the iron sights. Then the 250 fell over! Well was knocked over. Even though it had a bucket of cement.

DPMS AR-15: I took the AR-15 aka Alice. It was ringing the 250 steel easily with the new scope. I never hit it standing though. Bummer. I also bought a clip of cheap Wolf steel case ammo to try. The second round jammed in the chamber hard. Not buying any more of that!

Savage 110FP: The 250 was easy with Fred, a bolt action .308. It is set at 2 inches high at 100 yards. It is about dead on at 250 yards. Could not tell really even with the spotting scope.

Saiga 12: Ran another box of 2.75 bird shot through Jerry Lee. Adjusted the gas a bit for a tune up. It still jammed 3 times out of 25.

--I need some land, dammit!! Thanks again Andy!

Henderson Shooting 911 Call Released

2012-01-02T18:17:00.000-05:00

This is why I have loaded firearms in my house. There are those that would rather these people died at the hand of evil men.

911 call from the Henderson shooting.

That 14 year old stayed cool and kept his sister safe.

--Hat tip to Sean

Girls and Guns!

2012-01-02T05:18:00.000-05:00

Another Chicks with Guns related post: I seem to be focusing a lot on women and firearms. I love Penn and Teller. I got to help them on stage in Vegas with their double bullet catch trick.

--I love video and this idea. Thanks Laura and Uncle!

Happy New Year!!

2012-01-01T09:19:00.001-05:00

We sent 2011 out with a bang, literally, Yesterday!! I went with some friends for a farm shoot. We set up a 250 yard range and had several steel targets. I aired out a couple of my .308s and a few other things. More on that later. We also had a couple Saiga 12 gauge shotguns!

We had fun with fruit!

--It was a beautiful sunny warm day to close out the year! Thanks, Andy!

Quotes of the Week

2012-01-01T05:00:00.000-05:00

"God dwells in me, as me."

--Unknown

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”

--Plato

"It's the Indian, not the arrow."

--Unknown

What I Learned in 2011

2011-12-31T05:00:00.000-05:00

Looking back at 2011 I must say on a personal level, I am glad this year is over. Too many funerals and not enough weddings. But this is a gun blog!

Lessons learned:

A well made holster is required.
Don't buy any more cheap guns that you will never shoot twice.
Buy only quality optics.
Always bring folding chairs and bottled water to Blog Shoots.
I can hit an 18 inch target at 250 yards, repeatedly, without a magnified scope, with a Cx4 carbine.
922r compliance is a pain in the ass and not that hard with AK platforms.
I need to do more Skeet Shooting.
Tactical Bacon is pre-cooked, ready to eat and actually pretty awesome.
It's easy to travel via Air with firearms.
There are more ranges around than we realize.

NRA Convention:

I attended the NRA convention this year. I met a lot of great people. Enjoyed the show. Collected a lot of blog content.

Blog Shoots:

I Hosted a blog shoot at NRA HQ early this year (thanks for the reminder Andy!) I think we will do it again in 2012. I attended Northcoast II in Ohio and Mid-Atlantic Blogshoot in West Virginia. Both were big fun. Great friends and firearms!

Additions to the collection:

My big purchases this year were a Sagia 12 and my Glock Suppressor!

--Here is to a great 2012!!

More and more women embracing gun ownership

2011-12-30T06:08:00.000-05:00

Chicks with Guns by Lindsay McCrum

It is all over the news on TV and the web that more and more women are embracing gun ownership.

They are also touting record gun sales this year and December in particular. Guns sales were record breaking for the Christmas season.

I personally have been asked on several occasions this year to take women to the range for their first time. My own daughter, who has shown no interest beyond safety, even wants to go soon just for fun.

Concealed Carry Permits and training is way up for women in Virginia where I live. The NRA headquarters range even has dedicated classes for women, by women instructors.

This flood of guns also came with a suspicious lack of blood in the streets. That dead horse beating somehow continues by failed and weak gun control bigots. Yes. Bigots.

Bigot: a person who is obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially : one who regards or treats the members of a group with hatred and intolerance.

"Gun Control Bigots" is how I will be referring to them from now on because the shoe fits.

--Thank you, ladies.

Chicks with Guns

2011-12-29T05:00:00.000-05:00

My daughter bought me the coffee table book, Chicks withe Guns, for Christmas.

This book was beautifully photographed. It contains photos of women and firearms from all around the country and from many walks of life.

It's so mainstream!

"In Chicks with Guns, Lindsay McCrum has created a cultural portrait of women gun owners in America through photographs that are both beautiful and in a sense unexpected. The book explores an indelible part of our national identity, but is not thrown off balance by the natural suspicions and political ideology often associated with firearms. It examines issues of self-image and gender through the visual conventions of portraiture and fashion, but guns are presented here not as superimposed props but as the very personal lifestyle accessories of the subjects portrayed. And it defies stereotypes often associated with aspects of the popular culture of both guns and women."

I should put that Degree in Photography to good use and do one like this myself!

--Unlike all the other "Chicks with Guns" items I have seen in the past not a bikini in sight!!

Save $140.48 on BACON!!

2011-12-28T05:00:00.000-05:00

--Available on Amazon NOW!!

Christmas Gift

2011-12-27T05:00:00.000-05:00

My son bought me a new pocket knife for Christmas this year! It turns out the kid actually listens to me when I say stuff at display cases.

It's a CRKT EDC (Every Day Carry) with a Tanto profile blade. Easy one hand open. It also locks closed as well as open.

It is made to specifically be an every day carry knife. It's modest price means you won't be pissed if you scratched it. You will not be heart broken if you lose it.

We shall see how long I can hold on to this one!

--It is made to be used like the tool that it is.

Movie: Ballistic - Ecks vs Sever

2011-12-26T05:00:00.000-05:00

Lots of sweet guns but the movie kinda sucked.

The Miller Rating: 4 of 10

Here is the list of guns from the Internet Movie Firearms Database:

Quotes of the Week

2011-12-25T05:00:00.000-05:00

Linus: “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’ ” (Luke 2:8-14)

“You see, Charlie Brown—that’s what Christmas is all about.”

Movie: Defiance

2011-12-24T05:00:00.000-05:00

I finally got to see the movie Defiance. Lots of good classic firearms content.

This movie made me want an MP40 really bad! They seem to old about 500 rounds before running out. The plot was based on a true story. My favorite line was, "Women need guns too."

The drifting languages and accents was a bit distracting.

The Miller Rating: 7 of 10

Here is the list of guns from the Internet Movie Firearms Database:

Give Peace a Chance

2011-12-23T05:00:00.000-05:00

My Newest T-Shirt!

A friend of mine surprised me with a new T-Shirt gift.

--Some people know me so well...

Fun with Photoshop

2011-12-22T05:00:00.000-05:00

I had so much fun last week mocking up a Glock Carbine I decided to mock up another dream gun.

This one combines a bullpup Keltec RFB .308 and a Saiga 12 gauge, mag fed shotgun. This has an integral suppressor on the .308. I know that fully loaded this baby would weigh a ton even though most of the rig would be polymer based. I'd probably add a LASER and a Tac light to make it weigh even more.

--A 12 ga magazine of flares, or grenades, or 00 buck or flechettes, or flash or birdshot...

Injuries While Hunting with Firearms

2011-12-21T05:00:00.000-05:00

I ran across some very interesting stats on on sports related injuries, by sport.
You can see the whole report here.

--I cannot believe how dangerous Cheerleading is!I am not surprised how safe hunting is.

FNH USA

2011-12-20T05:00:00.000-05:00

FNH PS90

I was talking to a gun buddy at work and he told me he had the chance to shoot some firearms made by FNH. He has been looking for a new hand gun and really liked the FNP-45 and was very surprised to see it was stamped as being made in Fredricksberg VA.

Fredricksberg VA is only about 30 miles from where I live. I wonder if they would be interested in giving a group of gun bloggers a tour?

     FNH USA Inc - www.fnhusa.com

     59B Jack Ellington Rd
     Fredericksburg, VA 22406

FNH is the maker of the PS90 carbine. I have had this guy on my list for a long time.

--Yet another reason to love Virginia.

Emily Gets Her Gun, Trying to Anyway...

2011-12-19T05:00:00.000-05:00

Emily Miller

Washington Times Opinion Page Senior Editor Emily Miller has a blog covering our Second Amendment freedoms. Follow her on Twitter @EmilyMiller.

As part of the "Emily gets her gun" series, Emily Miller needs to find a handgun that she could buy to register legally in Washington, D.C.

Emily details her quest to get a legal handgun in Washington, D.C., the daunting nature of it. She has been overwhelmed by all that is required before she can take legal possession of a purchased gun. She talks about how she needed to get organized, make a checklist of the required steps, bring order to the complicated mess of instructions given by the city.

--Follow her as she works her way down this list.

Quotes of the Week

2011-12-18T05:00:00.000-05:00

No kingdom can be secured otherwise than by arming the people. The possession of arms is the distinction between a freeman and a slave. He, who has nothing, and who himself belongs to another, must be defended by him, whose property he is, and needs no arms. But he, who thinks he is his own master, and has what he can call his own, ought to have arms to defend himself, and what he possesses; else he lives precariously, and at discretion.

-- James Burgh

This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. My rifle, without me, is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true.

--Major General William H. Rupertus

I Was Surprised!

2011-12-17T08:03:00.000-05:00

The media makes our country sound so bad. We barely made the top 10 by actual count. We were not even close in the per capita numbers.

Provided by Emergency Preparedness

--Sometimes we need to be reminded how good we have it.

WANT: Glock Carbine

2011-12-16T05:00:00.000-05:00

I have a Christmas wish. That Glock would make a pistol caliber carbine that takes the same mags as the handguns.

I took the liberty of mocking one up with Photoshop that has the features I want including the adjustable AR stock, picitinny quad rails, factory 16.5 inch threaded barrel, mag compatibility and that famous Glock price and reliability.

Glock 121 .45ACP Carbine

--If they made this I would buy it the first time I saw it!

PART 3: How to Buy a Suppressor

2011-12-15T05:00:00.000-05:00

My GEMTech Waits Patiently

I got home from work last night to find my ATF Form 4 paperwork package returned in the mail.

The County Sheriff has added his signature to mine, the Class III dealer and dated both copies. The next step is to put the following items together in a package:

Two copies of the ATF Form 4 with pics and signatures.
Certification of Citizenship Compliance U.S.C. 922(g)(5)(B)
Two printed signed and certified fingerprint cards.
A check for $200

All of this I will scan as a file copy before it gets mailed. The process states that payment should be a personal check or money order. Mail it to:

        BATFE
        P.O. Box 530298
        Atlanta, GA 30353-0298

--Took me about 5 minutes and now I wait again. Estimated wait is four months.

Side by Side

2011-12-14T05:00:00.000-05:00

Let me start off by stating that my daily carry firearm is a small frame 1911 .45ACP with slim grips. I carry it because it's a slim single stack. I saw this chart at pdb and thought it was awesome. head over there and read his post. I am book marking it.

--I guess I need a good IWB Glock 17 holster!

Iain Harrison Becomes U.S. Citizen

2011-12-13T05:00:00.000-05:00

I got to meet Ian Harrison at the NRA convention this year in Pittsburgh. We were lucky enough to spend and evening with him over dinner and drinks.

We had a lot of laughs. He has a great sense of humor. We talked a while about the weirdness of becoming famous. He is a really great guy.

Anyway, Ian became a U.S. Citizen this week! On the morning of December 3rd, 2011, the 446th Airlift Wing bestowed the enormous honor of swearing him in as a U.S. citizen in the cargo bay of one of its enormous C17 aircraft. Read about it in his own words!

--Welcome home, Ian. Don't forget to vote!

My Father

2011-12-12T05:00:00.000-05:00

I should have posted this on December 7th.

This photo of my father in Panama was taken on December 7th 1941.

He was an aviation instrument mechanic in in the Air Corp. He was stationed in the jungles above the Panama Canal when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. When they took this photo that day they had no idea what had happened in Hawaii.

--Is that an M1 Garand he is holding? Click the photo for a larger version.

Quotes of the Week:

2011-12-11T05:00:00.000-05:00

"When buying and selling are controlled by legislation, the first things to be bought and sold are legislators."

--P.J. O'Rourke

"Central governments have managed to turn murder from a hobby pursued at home by individual craftsmen into a wholesale industry churning out slipshod and substandard corpses in numbers that can’t be read without sounding like Carl Sagan. Even the worst serial killer has to operate at a retail level; you need uniforms and flags and stylish logos to go truly wholesale."

--Tam

"People like Bloomberg can end up in positions of such power are one of the reasons I think gun ownership is important."

--Sebastian

WANT: I need a new belt!

2011-12-10T11:02:00.000-05:00

I am on a trip with the wife this weekend and I forgot my damn belt. This should not be a problem except I have been on a fitness program and have lost a ton of weight recently. I wish I had this one!!

--Headed to Goodwill for a belt while holding up my pants with one hand!!

Cx4 Trigger

2011-12-09T09:02:00.001-05:00

Cx4 Storm .40

At the recent Blogshoot in West Virginia I was lucky enough to shoot a lot of various firearms.

I was paying particular attention to the trigger action on the various guns I was shooting.

OLD NFO has guns that have triggers that are soft and smooth as butter. The comparison to the trigger on my Cx4 was dramatic.

I never thought the trigger on the Cx4 was all that bad until that day. It felt absolutely sandy by comparison. I will be making a project out of smoothing out the trigger on this firearm.

--I still love it. It couldn't be that bad! I was ringing the gong at 250 yards, even with the sandy trigger.

Groupon Listens

2011-12-08T05:31:00.000-05:00

Late last week the gun blogging community was all over Groupon for its position regarding Gun related content.

Well they actually listened.

There has already been multiple Groupons that feature guns and shooting sports.

I applaud their choice. Actually it's just good business sense because there are more shooting entheusists in this country now than ever. In fact, Black Friday booked record numbers in gun purchases!

--Support Groupon! Buy gun stuff!

BING!

2011-12-07T05:00:00.001-05:00

TBolt was ringing the 18 steel gong at 250 yards with his M1A like a monk. All those Zombie missions have paid off in spades when it comes to that .308!

The iron sights on this baby are excellent. The trigger is smooth. I even picked it up and hit that gong four times in a row.

Now that we have discovered this new range we will be doing more training at long distances.

I wish I had brought my Armalight AR-10 and my Savage 110FP.

I love Steel targets. I am going to get a few gongs of various sized. I love the satisfying feedback of that resounding BING!

--Gotta remember to bring my the spotting scopes next year!!

Stephanie Hayden Has It

2011-12-06T05:00:00.000-05:00

Stephanie Hayden in "Bikers vs Nazis"

What does she have?

Trigger Discipline.

They never talk about the classic four rules. They never harp on safety. They exhibit good practices though. They always warn the audience not to try their shit at home. Much of the time there is no need. I am NOT going to restore a flame thrower!!

I will restore my fathers old Fulton 20 gauge.

She always has good trigger and muzzle discipline. They always wear ear and eye protection when they step over to the single lane next door.

They have even used remote trigger pulls at time.

--If the viewing population learns any lesson from about safety from the show. Let it be one about Stephanies lovely finger...

Mid-Atlantic Blogshoot I

2011-12-05T05:00:00.001-05:00

50, 100 and 250 yard lanes

I want to begin by thanking our hosts from Lagniappe's Lair for an excellent Blog Shoot!

I hope this becomes a regular event because this facility was excellent!

We met at the Peacemaker National Training Center in Inwood West Virginia. This is a new facility that has recently opened this year. It has several ranges for handgun, shotgun and rifle at various distances all the way out to 1000 yards. The staff was very friendly and helpful and were obviously shooting enthusiasts themselves.

The range we were set up on had a handgun range and rifle ranges of 50, 100 and 250 yards. It was a beautiful sunny day but a bit cold. Everything was frosted when we arrived. There was lots of rifle stations for everyone. I ended up sending over 800 rounds down range during the day. Mostly .22LR because I was airing out my new Ruger 25 round mags (more on that later).

We all were enjoying ringing the steel target out at 250. Old NFO brought some more of his sweet gear. His sniper rifle had the best scope and trigger I have ever used. I never missed using it. I also was amazed by the fact that I rang 250 yard steel, 4 out of 4 times, with the iron sights on T-Bolts Sweet M1A. I even managed to hit it with my Cx4 carbine and my Ruger 10/22 with some help from a spotter. It was big damn fun.

--Several more posts will follow about this Blog Shoot! Next time I will have even more long range fun!!

Quotes of the Week

2011-12-04T05:00:00.000-05:00

"The young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible -- and achieve it, generation after generation."

- Pearl S. Buck

"Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end."

- Scott Adams

"To guarantee success, act as if it were impossible to fail."

- Dorothea Brande

"The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it."

- Michelangelo

"Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or to lose."

- Lyndon B. Johnson

We are Americans and we are exceptional. And that is worth being thankful for!

- Michael Bane
The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at home in the bosom of my family.

- Thomas Jefferson

Blogshoot

2011-12-03T07:04:00.001-05:00

I am about to head out to the Blogshoot in West Virginia!

--Looks like it will be good weather. I will post about it later!

Product Placement!

2011-12-03T05:00:00.000-05:00

This roll of tools was pried from the cold dead fingers of a guy on the TV Series The Walking Dead!

--I would love to keep one of these rolled up in the back of my truck!

WANT: JRC 45

2011-12-02T05:00:00.001-05:00

I just found the carbine that I have been looking for. The JR Carbine 45ACP - For Glock Mags.

JR Carbine .45 ACP

It has the features I have been looking for:

.45 ACP Carbine
Takes Glock 21 magazines including my 27 rounders
Price: $639 retail
Simple, reliable, straight blowback operation
Ambidextrous bolt - configurable for left or right-hand ejection
Lightweight 16-1/4" barrel
Free-floating quadrail forend
Picatinny rail machined into top of receiver
Telescoping 6-position collapsible M-4 style buttstock
Standard M-4 buffer tube, buttstock, and pistol grip
Utilizes standard M-4/AR-15 furniture and trigger components
Lightweight - approximately 6.5 lbs.
Overall length: buttstock extended 33-1/2", collapsed 30-1/4"
Made in the U.S.A. (no 922r problems)

It's also available in 9mm (Glock mags), .40cal (Glock mags) and .45 using 1911 mags. I hope I can find one to handle because I want it bad! I will also be able to use my suppressor from my Glock 21! Add an EOTech to this baby and the Zombies will be dropping!!

(Update: T-Bolt had a good discussion about it yesterday)

--This will be my next purchase.

Triggers at NRA HQ

2011-12-01T17:43:00.001-05:00

You Need These

2011-12-01T05:00:00.000-05:00

Rainier Arms Spork

We talk about camping and survival preps pretty often on around here. It is good to find nice, light, well designed items to add to your camping gear or Bug Out Bags (BOB).

This new Rainier Arms Spork is an excellent addition to a desk drawer at work or a side pocket of your Get Out Of Dodge (GOOD) full pack.

The price is $2.99 and is very easy to order ten or twenty and seed them all over the place.

--They should make a bottle opener jaw on it!

Part 2: How to Buy a Suppressor

2011-11-30T05:00:00.000-05:00

Gemtech Blackslide 45

In Part 1 I forgot to mention to how important it is to know the pitch and direction of the threads in your threaded barrel.

The Glock 21 factory barrel I purchased is described as M16x1LH. Some suppressors come threaded like this from the factory. Some require adapters. Some have throats that can be swapped out.

This is notable because it can add cost to an already expensive accessory.

Is this episode of tracking the process here is what I did next:

I went to CVS and obtained two passport photos. It took five minutes and cost $9.95.
These photos I attached to the ATF Form 4 in the required spot. I filled out the form. It took about five minutes.
Next I went down to the County Courthouse and got my fingerprint cards done. $10 and it took 35 minutes because there was three people in line in front of me.
I then dropped off the package for the Sheriff to run a local background check and sign off. No fee.

The clerk at the counter was very polite and professional. She reviewed the items to ensure I had signed everywhere I needed to and included everything required. She said that I will get it returned in about two weeks with the Sheriffs signatures.

--Next up: Write a check for $200 and mail it to the ATF!

Shooting Carts

2011-11-29T05:00:00.000-05:00

So when I was at the Bull Run Shooting Center on Sunday I saw multiple shooters that has rigs that looked like converted jogging baby strollers.

Chatting with them they told me you can get them on the web at Rugger Gear.

They are called "Shooting Carts" and that are designed to hold 1 to 4 guns and gear. They can run on lots of different kinds of ground. They can carry a lot of gear like guns, ammo, gear, a cooler, food and it even has cup holders!

--If you skeet and trap shoot a lot, this baby is a big help.

Skeet Shooting

2011-11-28T05:00:00.000-05:00

My friend Bets.

I went skeet shooting with my awesome friend, Bets. She has magic powers. She makes me invisible. No one sees me when I stand next to her! I call her "Bets" because she is a wicked poker player and it's shortens "Betsi" even farther. She is on an Adventure Jag lately. Last week she drove a race car on a NASCAR track, the week before she went skydiving, today we went shooting. Crushing her bucket list!

We went to the Bull Run Regional Park Shooting Center. It's located at:

     7700 Bull Run Drive
     Centreville, VA 20121
     (703) 830-2344

It's open Wednesday thru Friday Top Fields from 4pm to 8pm, Thursday and Friday Sporting Clays opens at 2pm by Reservation.Weekends and holidays from 9am to 5pm. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

We shot two rounds. Each round consumes twenty five shells and traverses nine different stations that vary in level of difficulty. The first round we did there was five of us in the group. The second round was just Bets and me.

The Range Staff there is excellent. Professional, helpful and very safety conscious. He was very good in the way he handled a n00b that actually swept his muzzle on us all, TWICE.

I need to go more often. I was warmed up by the end of the first round. I was shooting her Remington 1100. I must say it sure is nice to go home and not be the guy that cleans all the guns!!

--Let me know if you want to go! I am planning on hitting Bull Run Shooting Center more often.

Shotguns and Coffee

2011-11-27T07:50:00.000-05:00

I am off this morning to drink some coffee and shoot some shotguns!

One of the things I love about Virginia is that my Parks and Recreation system here support shooting sports.

This morning I am heading to Bull Run Regional Park Shooting Center for a few hours of excellent skeet and trap shooting. I will take some pics while I am there! It is suppose to be sunny and 66 degrees today which is pretty close to perfect for me!

--I will let you know how I did when I get back!

Quotes of the Week

2011-11-27T07:46:00.000-05:00

“First — keep reading. Writers are readers. Writers are also people who can’t not write. Second, follow Heinlein’s rules for getting published: 1. Write it. 2. Finish it. 3. Send it out. 4. Keep sending it out until someone sends you a check. There are variations on that, but that’s basically what works.”

--Anne McCaffrey, writer of the Pern novels, who passed away this week at the age of 85.

"The reality of the other person lies not in what he reveals to you, but what he cannot reveal to you. Therefore, if you would understand him, listen not to what he says, but rather to what he does not say."

-- Kalil Gibran

PART 1: Tracking the Process

2011-11-26T18:42:00.001-05:00

Gemtech Blackslide 45

Today I begin a new series of blog posts: How to Buy a Supressor

I am going to detail everything I do to buy a new suppressor for my Glock 21.

Before today, I already did several things to prep for this purchase. I bought a Glock 21, factory threaded barrel. I looked are a huge variety of suppressors, picked a Gemtech and finally today I said, "I'll take it."

The gun shop where I bought it does a lot of Class III business so they were well practiced in the drill.

I filled out a simple ATF Form 4 and provided my Drivers License.
Five minutes later they had printed off, and signed, three copies for me to sign. They included them in a packet with instructions and fingerprint cards.
I paid for the suppressor. Just the suppressor.
They boxed it up, labeled it and put it in the safe.

--That was it for today. Next up: Two passport photos.

My new Zombie Gnome

2011-11-26T05:47:00.000-05:00

My wife gave me my birthday gift early! The best lawn Gnome ever.

These guys are brilliant! Talk about a market that is being tapped while it's hot! Zombie Gnomes!

This should keek those damn squirrels at bay!

Local Blog Shoot!

2011-11-25T08:11:00.000-05:00

Careful where you park!

In Berkley County, WV on Saturday, Dec. 3rd there will be a Blog Shoot! This is good news for me because it's only about an hour away.

I love going to these get togethers. There are always good people, fun shooting, great firearms and in the past, even some fun targets. At the Northcoast II blogshoot this year we got to shoot up a car!

Anyway! Come to the shoot! Dress warm.

--So if you're interested, please shoot Murphy an e-mail at martinihenrywv@gmail.com.

The Blunderbuss

2011-11-24T08:28:00.001-05:00

The Classic Thanksgiving Gun

d
Happy Thanksgiving world!

Before I go and stuff myself with turkey and pie I wanted to tell a gun story from when I was a kid. It seemed like every turkey hunting, Thanksgiving, cartoon character, that was drawn with a gun, always had a Blunderbuss.

One of my uncles actually has one of these that I got to fire a few time. I have no idea how the hell you could ever use the damn thing to hunt. Flint lock! Flash pan! Wait 2 full seconds after you pull the trigger, then it goes off. Unless the turkey is like, "Hey what's that noise, that flash and oll that smoke?" BANG!

The spread of the shot was wide too. A bow would be easier.

From Wikipedia:

The term "blunderbuss" is of Dutch origin, from the Dutch word donderbus, which is a combination of donder, meaning "thunder", and buss, meaning "Pipe" (Middle Dutch: busse, box, tube, from Late Latin, buxis, box).[1]The transition from donder to blunder is thought by some to be deliberate; the term blunder was originally used in a transitive sense, synonymous with to confuse, and this is thought to describe the stunningly loud report of the large bore, short barreled blunderbuss.[2]

The term dragon is taken from the fact that early versions were decorated with a carving in the form of a mythical dragon's head around the muzzle; the muzzle blast would then give the impression of a fire breathing dragon.[3]

--Happy Thanksgiving All! Be safe and enjoy!!

Forgotten Weapons

2011-11-23T05:00:00.000-05:00

I found myself on a new blog called Forgotten Weapons. Go there and spend some time.

--Hat tip to SayUncle!

I need a new range bag

2011-11-22T05:00:00.000-05:00

I have been struggling with my damn range bags. I have tried several several different sizes and configurations. Duffels and backpacks of various sizes.

I need to pack the bag with several standard items and leave it packed. Right now I pack it the day I go. I always seem to forget something: Alan wrenches, first aid kits, tools, cleaning supplies, disposable ear plugs, lens cloth, muffs, glasses, batteries, a hat, even coins for vending drinks.

I need a case that is ready. Just add guns, mags and ammo and you're off. I need it to be able to hold several guns of various sizes.

I and recently been checking out the ones with wheels that act like a hand truck. Some of these are even re-purposed camera bags. I like the concept. I need to look a bit closer at those.

--Let me know what you like! What's in your bag?

Four Reasons

2011-11-21T05:00:00.000-05:00


Glock 21

I cleaned both my Glocks this weekend. Can't help it. Habits. I also cleaned and reloaded all the mags. I do this less often but realized that it had been more than a 1000 rounds since I cleaned them last.

When the Balloon Goes Up had a great post on four reasons he carries a Glock.

Head over and read the whole thing. I agree with every point.Here is the Cliff Notes version:

I am a simpleton.
I'm a wimp.
Clicks are bad when you want a bang and bangs are bad when you don't.
I really don't care about my Glocks!

On the same day I read this post I also read a news piece on the accidental death of a man that was legally carrying a Glock concealed, but loose in his pocket or his waistband.

Glocks are simple. You pull the trigger and it always goes BANG. This is usually a very good thing. Unless it's pointing at a main cable in your leg!

--Extreme reliability, large capacity, durable, and simple. Much like me!

Quotes of the Week

2011-11-20T10:22:00.000-05:00

"Luck is often on the side of large magazines."

--Oleg Volk

"You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running, to work by working, and just so, you learn to love by loving. All those who think to learn in any other way deceive themselves."

--Michelle Stanley. Francis de Sales

"Freedom is the greatest fruit of self sufficiency."

--Epicurus

"The only problem with having a bright tomorrow is you have to get through the night before."

--Moist Von Lipwig

Bloogroll Update

2011-11-19T05:00:00.000-05:00

When the Balloon Goes Up!

"The term "when the balloon goes up" has been used since WWI when observation balloons were used to gather intelligence, exposing allied troops and triggering enemy fire. It's use continued in WWII due to the use of barrage balloons being lifted in preparation for air raids. Historically, the ascension of balloons has been a sign of impending incoming fire."

"This blog and the associated forums have been created to discuss the preparations, tools, equipment, mindset and training required to handle the first 0-72 hours following the rise of the balloon. Additionally, I hope the forums will become a place to discuss hypothetical scenarios and to learn personal experiences."

Musings Over a Pint

"You should expect to see lots of stuff about craft beer, especially craft beer from Virginia. I love the United States of America and I have exactly no tolerance for those who feel otherwise. I enjoy shooting pistols and occasionally participate in USPSA and other organized matches. I am blessed with a lovely wife and fine young son. Surely there will be postings about those subjects too. Yes, I'm proud to be a conservative Virginian. Musings over a pint; the title says it all. "

--Welcome to the Blogroll!

National Ammo Day

2011-11-18T05:00:00.000-05:00

November 19 is National Ammo Day.

It is a nationwide BUYcott of ammunition. You buy ammunition. 100 Rounds a person.

"The goal of National Ammo Day is to empty the ammunition from the shelves of your local gun store, sporting goods, or hardware store and put that ammunition in the hands of law-abiding citizens."

"Make your support of the Second Amendment known—by voting with your dollars!"

"There are an estimated 75 MILLION gun owners in the United States of America. If each gun owner or Second Amendment supporter buys 100 rounds of ammunition, that’s 7.5 BILLION rounds in the hands of law-abiding citizens!"

--I will be shopping! Will you?

Adios ATF

2011-11-17T05:00:00.000-05:00

I live and work in the Washington DC area.

As I wander through the world inside the beltway I hear stuff. It usually doesn't have any gun content. This week the talk around the cooler had Firearms! The F in ATF!

The air is buzzing with word spreading that the BATFE is going to be completely disassembled and disbanded. The entire Bureau will be gone. Some parts eliminated and the staff laid off and some other parts transferred to places like the FBI or Dept of Homeland Security or the Dept of Education (kidding about DoE).

(Update: Looks like the target date is Feb 1st. Might be a press release in the next week or two.)

Keep a close eye on the news over the next few weeks.

--Action Adventure.

Movie: Magnum Force

2011-11-16T05:33:00.001-05:00

Do you feel lucky?

I have in my DVD collection all the Dirty Harry movies. I love these movies.

If you have not seen these films recently you should bump one up in your Netflix queue.

Miller Rating = 8 of 10

The following guns are listed in the Internet Movie Firearm Database:

--I love the snapshot of time in this film. The cars, the clothes AND the guns!

Another 922r Challenge

2011-11-15T04:30:00.000-05:00

Derya Yeni Anakon Magazine Fed 12ga Shotgun

I love my Saiga 12ga shotgun. It was huge pain in the ass making it 922r compliant because of being foreign made.

The Derya Yeni Anakon Magazine Fed Shotgun shotgun is the next one that doesn't fit the bill. It comes with a 4 round mag and you cannot add a 20 round drum because of the 922r laws.

So why bother?

What we need is an American company to make a dam shotgun like this. If Mossberg or Remington would make this it would not carry any import restrictions and I would buy two of them!

--It looks like it has the feature set I want! I just need it to be Made in the USA!

That's About Right

2011-11-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

--A friend emailed this to me.

Quotes of the Week

2011-11-13T05:00:00.000-05:00

"That a well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the proper, natural, and safe defense of a free state, therefore, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed; that standing armies, in time of peace, should be avoided as dangerous to liberty; and that in all cases the military should be under strict subordination to, and governed by, the civil power."

--Virginia State Constitution: Article 1; Section 13

"Voted to save one of Ohio's working families - her own."

--Breda Fallacy

Movie: The Professional

2011-11-12T04:52:00.000-05:00

I watched the movie Leon: The Professional.

I love that movie.

I saw it originally in the theater many years ago. This was the first time I ever saw Natalie Portman on the big screen! She was really good in the role too.

I didn't remember how many great guns were in this movie.

The Miller Rating = 8 of 10

Here is the list of the gun as listed in the Internet Movie Firearm Database:

Thank you

2011-11-11T11:57:00.001-05:00

...to all who have served. May we be strive to be worthy of your sacrifice.

Gun Dreams

2011-11-11T05:00:00.000-05:00

Dust and Decay

I was on point. The Sky was steel gray. It would be dusk soon.

I carried my Cx4 Storm as we moved slowly through a ruined compound. The grass was hip high here as we approached the gothic staircase that swept up to the main entrance doors.

The double doors were wide open like a gaping maw. We slipped in silently. Two tactical lights switched on and swept the huge foyer. Leaves were blown and piled into the corners. Hundreds of broken chairs filled the foyer as if thrown from the balcony above. Blocking the hall completely. It allowed only one path to proceed.

I moved right up the stairs.

In the dim, I glanced back at her. Her face was turned toward the window. Obscured. Her AR-15 was at the ready.

I moved on. Up and to the left into a long hallway. Tall windows letting in enough light. Enough light to notice that the dust was thick and undisturbed on the floor. It made me relax a little. No one had been here in a long time.

Thunder rolled.

We found a large room as the rain began. It was very dry. A perfect place for the night.

--Thick undisturbed dust...

Traveling With Long Guns

2011-11-10T04:38:00.000-05:00

Yesterday my post was about my fathers shotgun.

I picked it up from my sister who had been holding onto for me for several years. The catch was I was flying home. I have never traveled with long guns before. Hand guns are easy. Fill out a short form. Check them in your locked luggage.

The procedure is the same for long guns. At the check-in counter you fill out a short form, show them it is not loaded, and lock it into the case. It gets a little extra TSA X-ray love and off it goes.

Where the FUN begins is at the destination. The rifle case rolls off the luggage belt and everyone raises an eyebrow. I have to say that it was all kinds of fun to walk through the airport with a large, scary, black, rifle case.

--Smiling at the uniformed TSA rent-a-cops all the way...

The Collection: The Fulton

2011-11-09T04:52:00.000-05:00

I just picked up a family heirloom, a Fulton 20 gauge double barrel shotgun.This was my fathers shotgun. It was always hanging over the kitchen door, with ammo, the entire time I grew up.

This is the very first firearm I ever shot. My brother said, "Make sure you pull both triggers at the same time." that asshat. I was 10 years old.

Fulton 20 Gauge Side by Side

You can see in this picture that my father was no gunsmith. He was a farmer. I can't say I ever even saw him clean this gun. This gun took many rabbits and squirrels in my youth.

Special Advanced Farmer Modifications Using Tractor Parts

It has not been fired for about 20 years. After I clean it up I will have a gunsmith look it over before I shoot it. I will get some light loads initially to shoot. I will make it my fireplace gun. I'll make a nice mount for it.

My Next Project

--It's ugly, in bad condition, dirty and may not work but it's mine now!

"This is a test."

2011-11-08T19:17:00.000-05:00

"The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in partnership with the Federal Communications Commission and the National Oceanic and Atomospheric Administration will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) at 2 p.m. EST on Wednesday, November 9. The test will be transmitted over radio and television stations. Once the alert is sounded, the message will be: "This is a test." Regular programming will resume once the test is over. FEMA asks everyone’s assistance to spread the word so people will know what to expect and no one is caught off guard."

--Zombies!!

Sons of Guns: Stephanie Hayden

2011-11-08T05:00:00.001-05:00

As you probably know by now I enjoy the TV Show: Sons of Guns on The Discovery Channel.

Not only do I love Red Jacket Firearms, their guns, the builds, the wacky challengers and way too short deadlines, I love Stephanie Hayden. The show would be way less without her.

Look, I know it's a reality TV show. I know that it's setup for it's entertainment value. I still like her. She's fun and hot.

I am even a friend on Facebook. Me and 74,713 other of her closest friends! I like her posts. She seems real. Is having a lot of fun with the fame thing and not taking it to seriously. She is even going to start a movie career! Bikers vs Nazis! That is going to be fun.

--Check out the show, the movie and her Facebook page! You know you wanna!

Stephanie Hayden

Bug Out Bag

2011-11-07T05:37:00.000-05:00

Bug Out Bag - a good pack is essential

So it was Daylight Savings time this weekend.

In addition to testing your smoke detectors it's time to review your BOB contents.

Rotate the power bars and water
Refresh your First aid kit
Do a fresh inventory
Make sure your pack in good repair

Here is a typical BOB content list:

Food and Water, three days worth
First aid kit including blow out kit
Multitool(s)
Compass and region maps
K-Bar
Bic Lighters
Duct tape
Para-cord
Rain poncho
Small binocs
Small cook kit and stove (I like a twig stove)
Emergency space blanket
55 gal trash bags
Zip lock bags
Small camo tarp
Two small LED flash lights and extra batteries
Small Transistor radio and earbuds
Altoid tin of fishing gear
Small spool of strong wire
Altoid tin sewing kit
Clothes, socks, underwear, shirts, pants

Separately, I keep other things handy like a sleeping bag, coats, firearms and gear, and many other items. I keep additional things in the vehicles.

--This is a min prep. A BOB to get you through three days.

Quotes of the Week

2011-11-06T05:25:00.000-05:00

"The problem with Socialism is that you eventually run out of other peoples money."

--Margaret Thatcher

"Of the billions of living things on Earth, only Man ponders his existence. His questions lead to torment, for he is unable to accept, as the insects do, that life's only purpose is life itself."

--Dr. Hellstrom

More Walking Dead

2011-11-05T07:00:00.001-04:00

So I have been catching up on The Walking Dead on my Tivo. I am getting kind of frustrated because these people are idiots.

Here is what I would do:

Everyone gets an AR-15 and a high capacity handgun, preferably Glocks
10 loaded mags for each gun
Get suppressors on all of them
Even children old enough to shoot a .22
Get a Brinks armored car, smooth sided, gun ports, skid plates, large fuel capacity.
Collect water, food, ammo, clothes
Drive immediately away from cities
Find heavy leathers, biker armor, gloves, full face helmets, all tough to bite through
This armor is to be worn while foraging
Foraging is done in teams, 1 forager, 1 shooter
Establish a secure base. Multiple layers of defense.
More secure vehicles.
Establish Communications, CB and HAM
Begin rescue operations
Pied piper operations, draw Zombies away with sound and vehicles.
Begin farming

--At least they could find some yellow pages and an RV dealership!

Local Elections: Tom Gordy

2011-11-04T05:11:00.002-04:00

Tom Gordy

I hope everyone is paying attention to their local elections.

I live in the 29th District of Northern Virginia. I am going to vote for Tom Gordy.

I like a lot of his positions on issues like immigration, jobs, taxes and size of government. But this is a gun blog so I am going to look at that.

Gordy received an "A" rating from the NRA. His opponent, Colgan, received a "D" rating and has worked to limit private sales and transfers of firearms of all kinds, even between family. Gordy is a true believer in the Second Amendment.

Please take the time to look at your local elections now.

--I know, I don't blog much about politics. But Vote, damn you. Who ever you vote for.

Bloomberg Takes a Fieldtrip to Virginia

2011-11-03T05:00:00.000-04:00

Michael "Freedom Hater" Bloomberg

Michael Bloomberg has donated $25,000 apiece, from his own pockets, to the campaigns of six Democratic candidates for the Virginia state Senate who share his dumb-ass beliefs on gun control.

Bloombergs five of the candidates are mostly Democratic incumbents: John Miller, Mark Herring, Toddy Puller, Dave Marsden and George Barker. A sixth, Barbara Favola, is running for an open seat.

I would like to thank you sir for a very clear list of the people that we will vote against.

To repeat. All gun owners should vote AGAINST:

John Miller (Not me, no relation, dammit)
Mark Herring
Toddy Puller
Dave Marsden
George Barker
Barbara Favola

--Let's make him regret coming to Virginia.

RIP William the Coroner

2011-11-02T04:30:00.000-04:00

I met William the Coroner a few times over the last couple years. He was another blogger and was mistaken for my brother because we looked similar. I don't know why. None of my brothers look like me. He was at the NRA convention and the Northcoast Blogshoot this year. He was also 9 years younger than me...

"He was formerly a Deputy Coroner for the Cuyahoga County Coroner's Office, a visiting professor at the College of Wooster and a Visiting Assistant Professor at the Case Western Reserve University School of Nursing."

Here is the link for visitation hours and the funeral.

Visitation: Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Funeral Service: Friday, Nov. 4, 2011, 11:00 am

--It is so odd that just a few days ago he was blogging about cats...

Kids and Shooting

2011-11-01T18:25:00.000-04:00

These kids are my niece and nephew at the range. They are enjoying an afternoon of shooting .22LR rifles.

I harp all the time about getting kids to the range early and often. They need to know the 4 Rules in their bones.

We teach out kids how to swim and how to be safe around swimming pools!

I challenge you to find a kid that you love and teach tem about gun safety. Then take them to the range! You will be amazed at how much fun you will have!

--And then they can be heroes when the Zombies come...

When Hobbies Collide

2011-10-31T04:30:00.000-04:00

This weekend I went to a PEZ convention with my wife. Yes, that's right, I said PEZ convention.

She collects PEZ, I collect guns. She supports me, I support her. She has like a thousand of the things.

Anyway, a weekend in a resort hotel, on the beach, with my wife. Nuff said.

There was lot's of people there selling and trading PEZ items.

We were visiting seller after seller. It's a very social hobby. That's when I saw the PEZ handgun. I shit you not. A toy that was designed for kids to shoot themselves IN THE MOUTH.

Imagine all the executions that were played out! The firing squads! The pretend suicides! Fun Fun Fun!

I actually bought a functioning orange one. They even have magazines you load with PEZ for rapid fire action. I wanted the black one, but new in the package they were going for like $300!

"Ready - Aim - Fire!"

--My favorite ammo is Grape.

Quotes of the Week

2011-10-30T07:37:00.000-04:00

"Americans have the right and advantage of being armed – unlike the citizens of other countries whose governments are afraid to trust the people with arms."

– James Madison

"They have gun control in Cuba. They have universal health care in Cuba. So why do they want to come here?"

– Paul Harvey

"A sword never kills anybody; it is a tool in the killer's hand."

– Lucius Annaeus Seneca, c. 4BC - 65AD.

"After a shooting spree, they always want to take the guns away from the people who didn't do it. I sure as hell wouldn't want to live in a society where the only people allowed guns are the police and the military."

– William S. Burroughs

Second Amendment in Motion

2011-10-29T09:47:00.000-04:00

--I love people with hobbies.