I took a friend to the range recently.

He's a newbie shooter, and wanted to be broken in gently.

I had him shoot a .22, my .380, and a 9mm to start.

The .22 was a Kimber 1911. While it was a very nice firearm, I decided I won't be getting a .22 conversion for the 1911 I intend to purchase in the next 12 months or so. It had consistent FTE (failure to eject) issues, and more than one FTF (failure to fire). This may have simply been a symptom of firing range ammunition through a 1911, but I'm not willing to waste money on my own to find out the hard way. A .22 conversion kit runs about $200-$300 on average.

My friend thoroughly enjoyed moving up to the Bersa. He noted it had a much more solid feel because of the harder kick. He didn't like that it was made for a righty, as he's a southpaw. Unfortunately, this caused him some difficulties with the slide release and mag release. He also seemed afraid to damage it, as he consistently released the slide entirely too gently. Fortunately, there were no ejection or firing issues for him...just a right-handed configuration for a left-handed shooter.

He moved up to an XD-9, and had a horrible time. Because he's such an extreme lefty, he couldn't manage the slide release. Because he's a newbie, he had a case of the DreadedLimpWrist, and let it kick up far too much...and misfire, FTE, etc. He then switched to an H&K P2000 - an ambidextrous pistol - and had a huge thrill. He blew through a box and a half of 9mm before he decided he was done for the night. He intends to shoot a few more, but I think the H&K is on his short list.

I enjoy taking newbies to the range when they're interested in learning, and pay attention to what they're told. I also revel in their delight when they discover they enjoy it so much they want to come back.

I wonder, who of you will accompany me next? :)

Sigh, backorders.

Just checked on the status of our uppers. Per Del-Ton, they're still working on orders from NOVEMBER.

So...those of you who ordered and are waiting on parts, it'll be awhile. The (rather polite) woman who answered the phone said I can expect 2 months before I'll see our parts.


ARGLEBARGLE. I hope the weather's not too bad in May/June...whenever we get them...

...No.

What the flying fuck?

Please note, this is to protect Mexico.













LOL. My ass.






EDITED FOR UPDATES:
Thanks to In Jennifer's Head, I came across two other articles that give me some hope. Pelosi isn't keen on the idea of a gun ban right now, and there's going to be a task force on gun rights that appears to be bipartisan. We'll see what happens, there.

Today I find myself more annoyed by people in general.

A friend of mine directed me to this post, which discusses a "guns for diamonds" deal at a pawn shop.


This isn't what irritates me...it's one of the commenters, one Sarah in Chicago, who fully believes that those of us who enjoy firearms should not be allowed to own them. She then goes on to say that people who "like guns" are essentially unstable.

Then she goes on to compare gun owners to computer owners, claiming that people only own one computer.

Please, someone go educate this girl on nerds and firearms enthusiasts...I don't have the energy for it today.

Surprise purchases are sometimes the best kind.

A friend of mine contacted me Thursday and asked me if i was interested in his Mauser. It's a 1937 model (no swastikas or "dirty birds") with a walnut stock (nicer/stronger as later models used laminated wood).

This was the info he shared with me...which ultimately led me to purchase it from him:

After lots of research, I decided to buy a 1937 model because Germany wasn't at war yet in 1937 so the wood was a nice walnut (expensive) and the gun was made with much higher tolerances / quality than the ones made when the war broke out. After the war, Russia took almost all of Germany's Mauser K98s and shipped them back to be stored, so if they ever went to war with the USA, they would have about 10 million rifles ready to go. As a result, any K98 that you buy now will have a thick nasty coating of red cosmoline all over the gun to protect it as it lay in storage. I had that all removed, professionally cleaned and the stock was just recently re-sealed with tung oil. I have also added a cleaning rod and a leather sling. It's a great shooter and lots of fun, especially since ammo is so cheap. Every time I shoot my K98 at the local rifle range, people always put down their AR-15 or Ak47 and come over and ask to shoot her. It's a really awesome gun to have.

The gun, leather sling, plus one stripper clip of 5 rounds of 8mm ammo all for $275. Most K98's you find online will not be de-greased, will not include the sling and cleaning rod. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this K98. The headspace has been checked by a gunsmith and was found to be perfect. This is a great shooter.

There are 3 Waffenamt armory stamps and 2 Weimar eagles clearly visible on the bolt and the housing. There are no swastikas or Waffen SS marks on it since the Nazi's didn't start that until the 40's. I like that because you can show this gun to someone and not feel like they might be offended.

My friend showed up about an hour ago and let me tell you, internets...this thing is beautiful. I don't think I've held a prettier rifle. It's clean, it's solid, and it's about 80% original...numbers match on most of it. No rust, pitting, or throat erosion. Bore is shiny and beautiful. I took the bolt out and checked it meself - utterly beautiful and clean. Did i mention it's clean? :D

Anyway, I'm tickled to bits with this rifle. I've always wanted a Mauser, and this one literally dropped in my lap. No more gun purchases for me for awhile, I think...I'm going to savor this beauty for awhile. My partner played with it once he got home, and said it's one of the better rifles he's seen...the metal isn't marred in any way, and the wood is in great shape. It's obvious it was used, but nowhere near the amount a 1940 would have been used.

And of course, I can't end this without pictures (click to embiggen):



Yes...I'm happy. I don't think I've been this giddy about gun shopping/buying since I bought my pistol. I can't wait to shoot it!!

I have to share my excitement...

Once my tax return gets deposited, I'll be ordering our uppers. Yes, I'm excited...they're actually in stock right now, and we'll be able to get our rifles put together and locked up before anything bad happens on the legal end of things.

After that, I'll be able to start shopping for the revolver and shotgun. Wee!

Well then.

Good luck, guy. You talk a good talk, but you've promised us the world. May you do the best you can while actually upholding the Constitution, like you've promised...and may the next 4 years be educational and positive for you and your family.



I need a drink.

Related, but only slightly, to the previous post...

My partner calls the Stoeger the "ZombieKiller 2000," and recently emailed me this picture (click to embiggen):




Aww. <3

Range report and a bit of applause for a parent worthy of it.

My partner, two friends of mine, and I decided to hit the indoor range this afternoon. It was rather crowded (not surprising), and lots of different individuals were filtering in and out. More on these folks later. I also gave myself a reminder to find a S&W Model 36 with a 3" barrel at some point...that, or the Taurus equivalent. The last time we were at the range we rented this, and I found it an utter joy to shoot.

We brought the house firearms with us, and our one friend brought two long guns and a pistol.

Hokay. So. Let's keep in mind for a moment that I am female, and rather petite (5'4", in thick-soled shoes). I also have short arms and small hands.

From the inventory we brought with us:
Colt 1911 Government in .45 = Big Effing Pistol. Fun to shoot, if you already know how. I don't think I'd have been able to handle it early on in my firearm experience. This thing is a bloody hand cannon. I think I may shoot it more, but I'm going to want to be wearing driving gloves or something similar to protect my hands. My partner installed an extra bit on the grip that literally makes my hand feel like ground beef. It works for him, though, so I will make do.

Stoeger Coach Gun in 12gauge = DO NOT SHOOT if you're built like me and don't want shoulder ouchies. Thanks to the shot size and the barrel length, I had a hard time controlling it, and only got one shot off before I handed it over to my partner. It rocked me back hard enough to deter me from wanting to shoot it again. I shot 2 3/4" shells...I cannot imagine the 3" ones! At least I know I can handle the recoil if I had to shoot it. Besides, it's not like one would need to aim a shotgun...with buckshot/bird shot, just point it in the general direction you want the pellets to go, and you'll hit ... well, everything in front of it.

Bersa Firestorm .380 - this is my pistol (my friend also brought his with him today). I haven't been to the range in over a year, and it shows. I really need to work on breath control and grouping. Must start picking up ammunition when I see it so I can practice more. I also hope to convince a lady friend of mine to come out with me sometime soon - she's expressed interest, and I think shooting the Bersa would be a good way of introducing her. I'm certainly glad I purchased this as my first pistol, as it fits.

Also shot a friend's old semiauto .22 rifle and Saiga .410:
The .22 is, as always, a blast to shoot. I can't wait until I get mine. These have no recoil whatsoever and ammunition is cheap, so it's easy to just blast through a full clip (or tube, in the case of this particular gun) in seconds. I believe it jammed once, but this is due to age and not being cared for or shot once in quite a few years. This belonged to my friend's girlfriend's father before he passed away, and it hadn't seen the light of day since. It has some rusting in the tube, and just needs a good cleaning.

The Saiga was fun, but it made me feel like a hobbit for having such short arms. I doubt my sweatshirt, long-sleeved tshirt, and coat had anything to do with that. ;) I need to work on my upper body strength before we get our ARs built...I know I'll need far better control than I currently have. It also seems to be a tad finicky with some parts...it wasn't ejecting properly, and my friend mentioned he'd had problems with that before.

Now, for my observations of the crowd today.

First of all, I saw two GSG-5 rifles in the span of an hour. Is it just me, or are people realizing how awesome these rifles can be? It's a rifle with the look of an MP5, but shoots .22LR, so it's CHEAP AS HELL to take to the range. I intend to get one of these eventually, assuming they're not banned.

There were a pair of ladies in the lane next to us who definitely drew my eye. They were shooting what appeared to be all 9mm handguns. The shorter of the two was teaching the taller how to shoot...I couldn't help but grin. I love seeing more ladies at the range, especially one as competent as the shorter of the two. The taller asked lots of questions, paid attention and adapted her shooting style based on the critique of her friend, and seemed to really enjoy herself. I like that.

In fact, there were maybe 6 or 7 ladies at the range today. Almost all of them were enthusiastic about being there, especially one young lady in particular.

While we were in the lobby, waiting for two lanes to open up, a gentleman came in with his 10-year-old daughter. It was her first day at the range, and as I watched her and her father, I noticed something different about her.

She listened.

Her dad explained the 4 rules in a way she'd understand, and she paid very close attention to every word he said. He pulled out a .22 revolver (I didn't notice a brand...it seemed either relatively new or very well cleaned) and showed her how to use it. He opened it, showed her where the ammunition goes, showed her how to open and close it, and asked her to hold it. She seemed rather comfortable with it, so they rented a lane, bought a couple of targets (the adhesive kind that shows neon green when it's been hit), and took their lane. They ended up 2 lanes down from us, so I was able to watch her. She never tried to take off her glasses or ear protection, never pointed the gun anywhere but at the target, and showed complete concentration when it was in her hand. She didn't appear to jump when the booms were more BOOM than CRACK. Her composure was better than most new ADULTS at the range.

All in all, I was impressed by this child...and her father. I mentioned to him later that I thought it awesome to see such a young girl behave so well, particularly when it was absolutely necessary. I also applaud his constant dialog with his daughter - he asked her repeatedly if she was having fun, if she wanted to leave, if she felt comfortable, etc. If cameras were permitted inside the range I'd have gotten a picture of them. It was just too cute. She had this mop of curly blonde hair, and she was wearing a SKIRT, of all things. I'm guessing it was probably an after-church father-daughter bonding day. In any case, she's not the girl I'd have expected to see at a firing range.

They left a bit before we did, but they were still in the lobby when we settled our bill...I recall hearing her father ask her if she wanted to go back. She answered with an enthusiastic yes.


I hope to see them again soon.

happy new year!

hope everyone's hangovers have at least gotten a little better by now...

i managed to remain hangover-free, but that's only because we made tons of food for dinner. steamed shrimp, OMGBESTDELMONICOSTEAKEVER, and some mashed 'taters for extra alcohol absorption. 2 bottles into our champagne stash and i still felt nothing (which is saying something, since i'm a complete lightweight).

so. get rest, eat something, and hopefully everyone who has to go to work tomorrow will feel OK by then.