Muzzle Loading Handgun

Ever since the Blogger Kid Shoot at Nancy's I have been looking around for a new muzzle loader of some kind.

I think I will get one like this. A double barrel percussion cap handgun.

I am thinking .50 cal and some fancy finishes and maybe etching.

--Yes. I will let you talk like a pirate when you shoot it.

Names Matter

The proponents of Gun Control use several techniques to try and own the dialog. One of these techniques if pejorative names. Names like "Assault Rifle" for a sport utility rifle, "Sniper Rifle" for a bolt action rifle, "Street Sweeper" for a shotgun and "Saturday Night Special" for a small, easy to conceal handgun.

Calling AR15s "Assault Rifles" is like calling Sport Utility Vehicles "Assault Vehicles".

I like comparing guns to cars.

If there was attempts at "Car Control", like gun control, they would try to ban all cars that can go over 55mph in stead of setting the speed limit at 55. They would ban SUVs or any car that weighed over 2000 pounds because you could kill A lot of people with those things.

But the police and military could have fast cars and big powerful trucks.

All of this even though they can still build cars elsewhere in the world that can go fast.

--Because no one would dream of violating that law.

Quotes of the Week

"Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not."

--Thomas Jefferson

"Those who trade liberty for security have neither." ~

--Benjamin Franklin


"Once again, we see that “gun free zones” are hunting preserves for psychopaths who prey on humans."

 --Massad Ayoob


Bumper Stickers:

• Free men do not ask permission to bear arms.
• Gun control is not about guns; it's about control.
• You only have the rights you are willing to fight for.
• Know guns, know peace, know safety- No guns, no peace, no safety.
• Assault is a behavior, not a device.

Christian Bale

Christian Bale went above and beyond when he went to Colorado to visit the victims of the Aurora shooting.

There was no politics involved.

It wasn't about press conferences or image or about him at all.

I really respect the guy for it.

He even visited the spontaneous memorial.

--Good job Mr. Bale.

The Internet

One thing that is sort of new in the aftermath of the Aurora Colorado Movie Massacre is the focus on all the creative stuff you can buy on the Internet.

The Joker here apparently purchased a full set of SWAT armor and gear from tacticalgear.com. Who is now enjoying a huge spike in traffic and sales.

He also bought a lot of ammo from the web. They say it was around 6000 rounds. I call that a good start.

Talking heads are whining that these things are available on the web. They must live sheltered lives if they think this is the worse thing on the Internets. 

--I hope he gets death by firing squad.

Rubber Balls

Police in the Southern California city of Anaheim arrested 24 people overnight when store windows were smashed, fires set and people injured during a protest by more than 600 people over the police shooting of an apparently unarmed man.

Watching vids on TV of this riot I realized that the police were shooting into the crowd with paintball guns loaded with hard rubber balls to disburse the mob!

Those have got to hurt!

I have been shot with paint balls many times. They hurt. Bruising me big time.

I can imagine that if they were hard rubber you could crank up the pressure and really make them hurt! If you turn up the gas too high with paint balls they fly out as vapor. Rubber balls would not have that problem!

--Squirrels beware.

As Expected...

I saw on the national news tonight that, as expected, gun sales are way up in Colorado.

I also predicted correctly that applications for Concealed Carry Permits are way up as well.

I am not surprised by either of these facts.

Once again people are reminded that they are ultimately responsible for their own personal safety and the safety of their loved ones.

It's a tough lesson. I wonder how this would have played out if 10% of the crowd were carrying? Some say more people would have been killed. I do not believe that. Remember the 71 year old guy in the Internet Cafe? Or hundreds of other averted tragedies avoided and never made the national media.

--These assholes are cowards. The Shooters and the media.

Book: Zombie Fallout

I read a lot of crappy Zombie novels. Stories that make me want to scream, "Get a Gun!". To much whining and crying and not enough situational awareness.

Zombie Fallout by Mark Tufo is not one of those books.

The protagonist of this book is a lot like me. Just a regular guy that likes guns and has a big safe full of them. He has a beer fridge in the garage and loves his family. He has kids that know how to shoot and a wife that he knows still loves him even when she is royally pissed off.

This is also the first book of a series.  Book number 6 is in the works.

It is obvious that Tufo has experience with firearms. I will have to find a bio of that guy.

Miller Rating = 7 of 10

--Good stuff. Great summer fun reading.

Aurora Shootings Impact

I think there will be a flurry of talking heads dancing in the blood of the victims but public opinion will actually push even farther to the side of gun ownership.

Even the Washington Post, of all papers, agree.

I think it will be like the aftermath of the Gifford shooting. Lots of chest pounding followed by an increase in concealed carry permit applications and gun sales.

I don't think it will impact the election either. The topic is a hot potato that neither candidate wants to pick up. It only loses votes for people.

I wonder if Glock .40s, Remington 870 and S&W AR15s sales will skyrocket like after the Gifford shooting.

I bet there will be people that go to the Aurora 16, theater number 9 like a pilgrimage.

--The world is odd.

Quotes of the Week

"It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we can expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest." 

- Adam Smith

"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing."

- Abraham Lincoln

"Come to the edge, he said.
They said: We are afraid.
Come to the edge, he said.
They came. He pushed them,
And they flew..."

- Guillaume Apollinaire

Video of the Week

This video is bouncing around the Gun Blog Echo Chamber this week. An internet cafe suffer a robbery attempt that was thwarted by 71-Year-Old man.



--I want everyone to see this vid.

President Obama Quote

"You know, my daughters go to the movies. What if Malia and Sasha had been at the theater, as so many of our kids do every day?" 

I will tell you what would have happened Mr. President. The shooter would have gotten off about two shots and then armed men would have shot the bastard in his face! 

--I carry a gun because I can't afford body guards that would carry them for me!





 

Another Mass shooting

Ann Hathaway in The Dark Knight Rises

As of 6am, 12 people are dead, possibly including some kids and 50 others wounded after a gunman in a suburb outside Denver opened fire during a midnight showing of the Batman movie the "Dark Knight Rises," the police chief said at a press conference. The shooting began during a violent scene in the movie adding confusion.

The 24 year old suspect is in custody, Aurora police chief Daniel J. Oates told reporters. "This is a horrific event," Aurora police chief Daniel J. Oates said during a press conference carried live by local TV stations.

Oates said 10 people were found dead in the theater, and the others died at local hospitals.

My heart goes out to the victims and their families. This story will develop as the day goes by. Speculation details on the news are changing as the morning rolls by. At various times they said there were bombs and poison gas and smoke? Massive confusion.

I am preparing myself for being pissed off at the Brady Bunch rejoicing over the incident and dancing in the blood of the victims. 

--A rifle and a handgun were found at the scene.

Blogaversary

I saw several other bloggers celebrating their blog anniversary so I went and checked my first post date.

     June 11, 2008

So four years drifted by and I am still having fun.

I was wondering why so many bloggers started four or five years ago? Why did you?

I saw T-Bolt was having fun. That's why I started. That and I heard there would be delicious bacon.

--All turned out to be true!

Getting ready for college

Last night I spent the entire evening with my daughter cleaning out her bedroom in preparation for her going to college this fall.

You would not believe how many clothes for teenage girl can actually possess.

We sorted through toys and clothes and books and a Mountain of other things to sort out what was going to go to Goodwill.

Two thirds of all the things ended up going to Goodwill or to the trash.

I was proud to see that she still had all the flashlights pocket knives and even the binoculars I had given her in the past. All of which she's planning to take to college with her.

We even talked about going to the range one more time before she headed off to school.

--I'm proud of that girl.

Movie: Taking Lives

I watch a lot of movies. This one got by me somehow. Girls with guns always find their way into my home theater.

There wasn't a lot of guns in this movie. The murders were done mostly with cars and rocks.

Here are the guns in this movie from the Internet Movie Firearm Database:

• 1 SIG-Sauer P230
• 2 Glock 26
• 3 Glock 17
• 4 Ruger KP94
• 5 Taurus Model 80

 I must say for some reason I saw this plot coming. Even though I enjoyed Angelina Jolie naked in hot sex scenes the plot double reversals were a bit obvious for me.

Miller Rating = 6 of 10

--It earned 3 of those 6 points for naked girls and guns.

Techna Belt Clip

For several months now I have been road testing the belt clip style accessory on my small frame backup gun. You can get these clips on Techna.com.

These things are like the clips on half my pocket knives. Keeps them from moving around. Overall I really like the clip. I have had a couple issues though which I will detail later. 

THE GOOD STUFF:

1) It is Very Inexpensive. 

Compared to holsters the clips are VERY inexpensive.  They are available for a variety of small autos with more models coming all the time. They also do not interfere with a variety of aftermarket LASER targeting packages.

2) It's Easy to Install.

This Youtube video shows just how easy it really is. Only took me a couple minutes.

 

3) It's Small.

There are times when carry options are very restricted by your clothes. These clips give you way more options, especially for women.

I have worn the clip inside the waist band of my swim trunks at the beach.

I have a pair of boots that it fits perfectly just in the top inside.

I often carry a backup gun on my offhand side. This clip works perfectly in my left hand pocket with the butt facing forward.

There are also other creative options, as you can see, in the photos to the right. She wouldn't let me take a pic of an inner thigh, stocking/garter, setup but I trust your imagination can get you there.

Done right the clip keeps it where you want it.

4) It's Simple.

When you are trying to minimize the bulk of the gun you are carrying you reduce the size of the gun and the size of the holster. You can't get much smaller than no holster.

Once you start exploring the options it gives you, you will be surprised how many different places and ways you can use the thing. I found a perfect stash spot just under the dash in my truck where I can put it when I can't carry it.

Techna.com actually sent me one for review. I liked it so much I actually bought a few more for other guns I have.

THE NOT GOOD STUFF:

1) The Lint Buildup.

After I began using the clip I discovered that I would end up with serious lint buildup inside my firearm. The lubricants would be leeched away and in some cases would end up resulting in feed jams on the second shot. This may be a problem for all pocket carry setups.  This was simply the first time for me to pocket carry in anyway.

I solved this problem by frequent cleaning. Even if it had not been fired. That stopped lint and kept it lubed.

2) Holster Constraints:

With the clip attached the gun will not fit in some holsters. Some are just fine.

3) The Clip Can Snag.

I was on a camping trip with friends and was wearing my usual summer clothes including cargo shorts. I had a backup gun clipped in my thigh pocket.

When I got up from a folding chair, the clip snagged on the chair and actually sprung from my pocket without my notice. When I turned to retrieve my soda, there it was, laying on the chair. The clip slightly bent. Not good.

If it had to happen, that was the right place. No harm, no foul, no embarrassing loss of a gun. No "splaining" to do. 

SUMMARY:

All in all, I recommend the Belt clip. It gives you options!

Quotes of the Week

Eva F. Finkelstein's Bucket List 

”A free people ought to be armed.”
~George Washington

”[The Constitution preserves] the advantage of being armed which Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation (where) the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms.”
~James Madison

”The best we can hope for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed.”
~Alexander Hamilton

.”Four out of five politicians surveyed prefer unarmed, ignorant peasants.”
~Unknown

”Taking my gun away because I might shoot someone is like cutting my tongue out because I might yell `Fire!’ in a crowded theater.”
~Peter Venetoklis

”An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it.”
~Col. Jeff Cooper

Groupon and Guns

Every time I see GROUPON offer a gun related deal I smile because I know that the gun grabbers are cursing.

This simulator in Manassas is wicked cool. It's like the best first person shooter video game you have ever played.

Here is a link.

If you live in Northern VA you have to stop in and give it a try! It's becoming totally mainstream.

Makes for a great date night or even group fun!

--We are winning.

Gunsmithin: Part 3

In Part 2 I told you that I found an experienced Class III gunsmith near me.

He gave me a rough estimate of the price, with parts, and said he'll call with an exact estimate and schedule.

That was about two weeks ago.

I gave him a call last night to see if he had the estimate.

He was very professional on the phone and actually conveyed that he was amazed with the flood of work he was getting. He reassured me that he would be calling as soon as he could. I made sure he knew I wanted it done right, not right now. He said I could call or stop in anytime if I liked. He doesn't even know I am blogging about him!

It's been a long time since I have found a classic feel like this. The shop was in an unmarked building in an industrial park. Cluttered and smelling of grease and coffee with a tiny counter. Combined with smart, people and good customer service. I like them very much so far. 

--I will keep you updated.

911 FAIL

"We're sorry. 911 Service is currently unavailable."

You may have seen on the news about the big storms that hit Virginia and Maryland last week.

Over a million people were without power, many for over a week. A few even longer.

What you may not have heard was that the entire 911 emergency system went down as well.

In the county where I live there was no 911 service for just over seven days. This in a time when emergencies were actually happening all over the place.

It occurred to me I do not have the direct number to the nearest firehouse, hospital or police station. I still need to collect those.

This was just a THUNDER STORM. What if something really bad happened?

The police were in no position to protect us at all. Not even the usual illusion of protection.

--You are responsible for your own safety. Carry your gun.

The U.N. Arms Trade Treaty

If you have not heard of the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty you need to start paying attention. I thought we killed this piece of crap years ago during the Bush administration. Now the President and Secretary Clinton are making an end run on the desires of the American people.

I believe the administration may know that they are in trouble this election and may try to act before the election.

Even Forbes has noticed:

The Obama administration is actively engaged in negotiations to finalize details for a new global agreement premised to fight “terrorism”, “insurgency” and “international crime syndicates”. As U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon describes its purpose, “Our goal is clear: a robust and legally binding Arms Trade Treaty that will have a real impact on the lives of those millions of people suffering from consequences of armed conflict, repression and armed violence…It is ambitious, but it is achievable.”

Forbes continues:

On June 29, 130 Republican House members sent a letter to President Obama and Secretary Clinton arguing that the proposed treaty infringes on the “fundamental, individual right to keep and bear arms”. The letter charges that “…the U.N.’s actions to date indicate that the ATT is likely to pose significant threats to our national security, foreign policy, and economic interests as well as our constitutional rights.” The lawmakers adamantly insist that the U.S. Government has no right to support a treaty that violates the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

The problem is to meet the requirements of the treaty the Second Amendment gets gutted.

--It's time to start calling our representatives.

TV: Falling Skies

I got back yesterday from ten days on the road.

Of course the first thing I do is order pizza and start working on my Tivo queue. I had two episodes of the TNT Sci-Fi show Falling Skies.

"FALLING SKIES opens in the chaotic aftermath of an alien attack that has left most of the world completely incapacitated. In the months since the initial invasion, the few survivors have banded together outside major cities to begin the difficult task of fighting back. Each day is a test of survival as citizen soldiers work to protect the people in their care while also engaging in an insurgency against the occupying alien force"

There are so many guns on this show I can't even list them. Everything from M1 Cabines to Barret .50s. AKs, ARs, handguns, rifles and shotguns. Big and small.

I also like how they are depicted. They are depicted tools. Everyone has them; men women and children. There was even a 9 year old kid on guard duty with a an M1 Carbine. No one blinks an eye at the kid. No bleeding heart mom runs out, demanding he be able to hold onto his childhood as long as possible.

--Guns are security tools. It's how we do out part. Here in real life, too!

Road Day

I am literally on the road.

I am actually dictating this post through my smart phone as we drive through the mountains of Pennsylvania.

Only bit of gun content I have to provide for this post is the fact that while we were cleaning out my wife's father's house I found a classic BB gun in the basement.

I actually can't wait to get home, clean the thing up and then give it a try to see if it still works.

I'll take a picture and actually post it later and let you know if it works.

Update: It is a Daisy Field Master

–– I love being able to simply dictate.

Quotes of the Week

Most human beings have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for granted.

--Aldous Huxley

What more felicity can fall to creature, than to enjoy delight with liberty.

--Edmund Spenser 

If suffer we must, let's suffer on the heights.

--Victor Hugo

Speech is conveniently located midway between thought and action, where it often substitutes for both.

--John Andrew Holmes

Hidden Storage

A friendly reader sent me a photo of a cool gun storage idea.

This got me thinking that it might be a good idea to have some guns stashed about in handy, but secure places.

There would be several good reasons to do this:

1) They are more easily at hand in case of an emergency.

2) Burglars would have a greater challenge. Plus they could activate a secondary security system.

3) I love hidden rooms and compartments!

Using the simple idea as depicted, creating a simple drawer could be done in many locations. It's height need only be two inches to contain most firearms. This kind of compartment could be integrated into furniture, counter cabinets, bars, shelves and even walls with the right location.

--I will have to look at this idea more closly. Might be a project!

Vacations and People

Where I live and work I am mostly surrounded be Libertarian types.

It is very interesting when I wander the world a bit and spend time talking to people with a whacked view of the world.

Seems like everywhere I go people are talking politics from positions that make me cringe.

Especially if we start talking about about guns. I love it when I can sit back and let one of JBs "Converts" defend gun ownership. I love it when I hear a former, coolaid drinking liberal, say, "The second Amendment has NOTHING to do with hunting. It's insurance so we can keep the First Amendment!"

--I love the "quiet erosion of progressive ideology" that happens in my wake. Quoting a friend.

Where to Get Real Fireworks

Where I live in VA the Man is not tolerant regarding illegal fireworks.

Tons of "fireworks" are sold all over from roadside stands that pop up. Those are not the kind I am talking about. Those are the sparkler kind. The six foot high fountains. The smokey little magic snakes.

All suitable for kids and drunks.

Where I am now there must be a serious supplier of hard core ordnance around here somewhere.

Whole bricks of crackers set off at once. Big bangs like M80s or cherry bombs of my youth. Even professional mortar style sky show works. It must have cost these people a mint.

I swear amid the yells of, "Here, hold my beer!" and the surrounding explosions I could have emptied many an AK into the air and no one would have noticed.

--In fact, someone may have done that and I would not have known...

Independence Day

I woke up this morning thinking about all the July 4th days of my life. I was sure I would come up with a flag waving feel good post.

Wrong.

I kept thinking that on July 4th, 1982 was the day I got married for the first time. 30 years ago today.

Don't go congratulating me in the comments. The marriage didn't last long. It seemed like the thing to do at the time. We are still friends. She reminded me recently of an event that happened while we were married.

When we first were married we lived above a pizzeria in a tiny loft apartment. You can see the dormer window in the photo on the right. The pizzeria is closed now. Back then it was owned by her family and run by her brother. Two ovens, take out only.

One warm summer night I walked in the propped open front door while they were being robbed. One man had a gun and another had a knife.

I quietly backed out unobserved. I was unarmed in those days. (It was in upstate New York.) All I could do was call 911, but how do I get to the phone? No cell phones yet. Access to my apartment was in view of the robbers.

Without thinking I ran around to the alley rapidly "Spidermaned" to the roof by placing my feet on one side of the alley and my hands on the other and "walking up".  I got on the roof, climbed up and into my apartment window and called 911.

It took them almost 15 minutes to get there.

The robbers were long gone. We were lucky. No one was hurt. They never caught the guys. My greatest worry, looking back, is that those bastards went on to do more crimes and someone after that night was not so lucky. Today, I am sure that things would have played out differently.

--Have a great holiday where you are. Be safe.

Steampunk Designs

A friend emailed me this photo. He knows I am partial to Steampunk, Pirates, Redheads, Paale Skin and Guns.

The gun she is carrying is probably a plastic prop, but props in fiction like movies and TV often have new design elements that can catch on.

This has several interesting elements, and no I am not talking about the tiny hat.

Belt fed 12 gauge: I have seen some examples out there like this one. But not commercially.

Dog leg Pistol Grip: I have actually fired this kind of grip before. The are more comfy if shooting from the hip.

Chainsaw Grip: I have yet to fire a gun with a top mount chainsaw grip, but it's on my list.

--Put all these elements together in a real weapon and it would be a Lead Storm to put the old Street Sweeper to shame!

New laws in VA

New Pro-Gun Laws in Virginia Take Effect today.

After another successful legislative session this year in Richmond, law-abiding Virginians will see many important advances in their Second Amendment rights.

The following bills passed in the Virginia General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Bob McDonnell will go into effect on Sunday, July 1:


Senate Bill 563, introduced by state Senator Frank Ruff(R-15), allows for the submission of an initial concealed handgun permit application via U.S. mail and also restricts the clerk and the circuit court from requesting or requiring any information from an applicant other than that which is allowed on the concealed handgun permit application.

House Bill 22, introduced by Delegate Mark Cole (R-88), establishes that no locality or entity may participate in a gun “buyback” program where individuals are given anything of value or money in exchange for surrendering a firearm to the locality, unless the governing body adheres to a strict procedure. Such procedure requires the governing body to first pass an ordinance authorizing the gun “buyback” and also requires that any locality holding gun "buybacks" must sell the firearms to a federally licensed firearms dealer “or be disposed of” in an appropriate manner if they cannot be sold.

House Bill 940 and Senate Bill 323, introduced by Delegate L. Scott Lingamfelter (R-31) and state Senator Bill Carrico (R-40), repeals the prohibition on purchasing more than one handgun per month (gun rationing).


House Bill 20 and Senate Bill 245, introduced by Delegate Tony Wilt (R-26) and state Senator Mark Obenshain (R-26), updates the Emergency Powers statute by adding lawful carrying and transportation to the list of actions that cannot be prohibited during a declaration of emergency.

House Bill 26, introduced by Delegate Mark Cole (R-88), allows a court to waive a $25 dollar fine upon presentation of the permit to the court, if a person fails to display his concealed handgun permit when requested by a law enforcement officer.

House Bill 375, introduced by state Delegate Brenda Pogge (R-96), strengthens the state firearms preemption law by prohibiting local governments from enacting or enforcing workplace rules that prevent an employee of that locality from storing a lawfully possessed firearm or ammunition in their locked personal motor vehicle.

House Bill 754 and Senate Bill 67, introduced by Delegate Ben Cline (R-24) and state Senator Bill Stanley (R-20), removes the option for a locality to require an applicant for a concealed handgun permit to submit fingerprints with the initial application.


-- From the NRA news for VA.

On the road

I am on the road today. Trying the new blogger app on my iPhone. All I have to do is open it up and speak out loud and it gets transcribed directly into the blog.

It even spells better than I do.

I am spending the week in one of the few states that I do not have concealed carry permission. As I law abiding citizen my pants will be lighter this week.

And don't get any ideas about me being gone! I have a 300 pound security professional house sitting.

--I hope he has all the hookers out by Friday. Not like last time!!

Quotes of the Week

"Destiny is not a matter of chance,
it is a matter of choice;
it is not a thing to be waited for,
it is a thing to be achieved."

- Winston Churchill

"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing."

- Abraham Lincoln

"Come to the edge, he said. They said: We are afraid. Come to the edge, he said. They came. He pushed them, And they flew..."

- Guillaume Apollinaire