I forgot to mention the last newbie I took to the range.

Somehow I forgot to make this post...sorry, C. I know this is all about you, and I meant to post it eons ago.

Anyhow, on with the post.

My friend C. had been having a BAD week at work, and I happened to have ammo in the locker, so I suggested we meet at the range and I teach him a thing or two about shooting pistols. His experience was limited - he'd only ever shot a long gun or two - but he at least had the 4 rules down, so I had less concern about safety than I normally would. I'd also like to mention that C has played plenty of first person shooter type video games, so I knew he'd at least have a good grasp of proper aim.

When we arrived, we rented a large-frame .22 revolver, and got to work. The revolver in question may have been a S&W, but it's been so long I've forgotten (C, if you remember the brand, please let me know). It proved to be an effective introduction - he giggled like an idiot through most of that box of ammo, and was damned accurate. I think the lack of recoil helped.

We moved up to the Bersa (I swear, she gets around nowadays!) and let him fire off a round to see the difference between the two calibers. He knew it had a stronger recoil, but he managed the difference very well. Again, he was scary accurate...so we worked on his stance. I forced him to lean forward a little, since one's natural inclination is to lean back while firing, and his accuracy got better. I insisted he work on groupings, and his accuracy continued to improve.

He seemed thoroughly pleased with the evening, and still itches to go back. One of these days, when life isn't quite so busy, I think we shall.

Next range report will likely be an introduction for either my friend R, or my cousin V. Both have expressed interest, so we're working on scheduling.

Yet another Del-Ton delay.

I called Del-Ton again yesterday. I MAY see the uppers in July. Supposedly they're working on a day for day basis (they complete one day's orders from the month they were ordered, and complete them in a day). Right now they're finishing December and expect to be into January next week.

I swear, if they weren't so polite and forthcoming with information, I would have canceled my order and taken my business elsewhere.

I understand they were swamped with orders. I understand they've had to buy a new, larger shop. I understand they bought a barrel manufacturer to take care of the 20" barrel shortage (guess what size barrel I ordered for my rifle?). What I DO NOT understand is the lack of communication. I shouldn't have to hunt them down; I shouldn't have to call them. They should be sending out mass emails with updates every month (and an opt-out link at the bottom). I know there are those who are far less patient than I am...I'm sure they're having fits over this crazy amount of delay. I'm absolutely certain they've been calling the hell out of the company - when I called yesterday morning, the line was busy and the website was slow. At what point will a company realize "gee, maybe we should be proactive about letting people know what's going on"?

I mean, I'm patient. I really am. I would just like to see the items I ordered nearly six months ago to show up at my house sometime this year, and I'd like a constantly updated ETA on the site when I log in to see my status. That's all. I hope this is a simple enough request.

Good news!

Wal Mart is starting to see ammo in their shipments. Upon my visit on Saturday, the Wally World near my parents' house had 5 100-ct boxes of Winchester .380, as well as a handful of 9mm in various brands. Apparently the consumer resale prices of ARs have gone down, as well - some folks have seen them on Gunbroker for $600 for a complete rifle.

Hopefully the panic has died down. How have your areas fared? Are you seeing more supplies in stores?

Great googly moogly!

I just called Del-Ton, since it's been months.

They're still working on orders from NOVEMBER. The gentleman on the phone said they're just now hitting the end of November's orders, and will be getting into December's in a bit.


My ETA? "About 8 weeks, maybe more."


Looks like the majority of my rifle shooting this season will be with the Mauser, after all.



As a sidenote - I took another newbie friend to the range recently. Look for a full write-up soon.

Article: "You're Probably a Terrorist If..."

I came across this earlier this morning and spent a good amount of time reading, cackling, and agreeing with it.

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!!