You Need These

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

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:

1. I went to CVS and obtained two passport photos. It took five minutes and cost $9.95.
2. These photos I attached to the ATF Form 4 in the required spot. I filled out the form. It took about five minutes.
3. 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.
4. 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

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

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

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

“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

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.

1. I filled out a simple ATF Form 4 and provided my Drivers License. 
2. 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.
3. I paid for the suppressor. Just the suppressor.
4. 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

 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!

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

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

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

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

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:

1. I am a simpleton.
2. I'm a wimp.
3. Clicks are bad when you want a bang and bangs are bad when you don't.
4. 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

"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

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!