"Hipster" hunters?

Chris found two articles that I found interesting.  He's not yet sure how he feels about it, but I figured I'd share my thoughts.

It seems people are piggybacking on the Paleo diet craze that's picked up recently, and taking it to a degree I've never seen before.  The idea of truly primitive hunting is ... well, it's interesting.  And a bit nuts.  I'm not 100% on board with either idea, but I'm all for getting close to food, admitting food had a face, and acknowledging the origins of what they eat.  People need to take back responsibility for what they eat - that's how we got ourselves into the GMO crop and abused food animal problem in the first place.  If that movement gets more people hunting?  Awesome.  I'm all for it.

I guess my only real concern is that this will be another fad, and it'll die off in 6 months to a year...and my only hope is that some folks will get past the fad stage, find they really like it, and stick with it.  I can deal with it if they need justification for hunting - they can claim it's so they eat healthier, are getting back to their ancestral roots, or whatever.  Hell, dress up in silly clothes, dance around a fire, do whatever the hell they need to do to make themselves feel better about it.

Whatever they do, though, I hope they do these three things: Eat better.  Live better and don't be a douche about it.  And don't feel guilty for enjoying it, either...why else would we be alive, if not to enjoy the time we have?

You know...

After the month I've been having, I've got a hankering for a few of these.

Seriously, I was unaware one could make a classy Jello shot.  And now I need to make many.

Sigh.

Want.

Well this is interesting - attention Maryland people!

Every morning I get deals in my inbox from both Groupon and LivingSocial.  Today's "deal" from LivingSocial is particularly interesting.  Apparently you can get a package deal for Horst & McCann, up in Harford County.

Now, I've never used LivingSocial, and I've never been to Horst & McCann, so I can't vouch for this one way or another...but this might be a great idea for those people who've never been to a range before and want to learn how to shoot.

Who'dathunk we'd see package deals to the local shooting ranges on a deal site?  I sure didn't...

Knife News

I am going to make more of an effort to cover things slashy and stabby. I have been collecting knives for some time, and previously worked in the cutlery business. Talking to people with interest in sharp tools I've found, like anything else, I know what I like, but your milage may vary. Hopefully I might turn you on to something new or different.

So, without further ado, Spyderco announces The Schempp Rock -FB20FBK According to the website it's "Designed by renowned custom knifemaker Ed Schempp, the Schempp Rock is a purpose-designed “camp” knife that combines highly evolved ergonomics, exceptional edge geometry, and light weight to yield an incredibly easy to use tool."

It looks like a good all around design to me. It has a blade length of 6 3/4 inches, and the kukuri influence can clearly be seen. I'm sure that will assist you, adding leverage to your camp chopping chores. The MSRP on the site is $234.95

What's up with .357 SIG continued

So, in my earlier post we heard from SIG. They are concerned, but not in a panicky way…more like a “how do we get this cartridge and our name out there?” way. I moseyed across the floor past the Ruger Booth and its multitude of people trying to see their new 1911 when I spied a whole herd of 5.11 tactical pants and vests. I figured I must be close to my next target. Sure enough, I looked up and there it was: the FN USA sign. I tracked down a rep over by their FNP pistols and gave my spiel about the .357 SIG. I asked him if they were dropping the caliber and why. He kind of smiled and half laughed. He said they had indeed dropped it from their pistol lines and that the reason was pretty simple. It didn't sell. He said it was more of a “try out” for them. They wanted to be ready if it did catch on big, but it hasn't. I asked if there were plans for conversion kits for their remaining pistols and he responded with a resounding no. FN would, of course, service and support the existing .357 SIG pistols they had out there, but no new pistols or kits would be available. He finished by saying it really didn't sell at all. I thanked him for his candor and realized he didn't have anything else to say. He was very matter of fact, .357 SIG was no longer at FNUSA.

I walked away and tried not to jostle any operators as I contemplated what I had just learned and its meaning. I walked over a few aisles and became disoriented by the huge crowds at the Glock booth waiting to see R. Lee Ermey. Due to the congestion I figured I would hit them later and pushed onward. As I stumbled ahead, there it was: my next target. At an undisclosed, central location in the exhibit hall, under huge black and red signs I had found HK. Of course it had to be away from FN and Glock. You don't want to bunch up your operators, do you? I thought I was going to have to give the secret Gecko45 password to get in, but I was allowed access with nary a sideways glance. After making it through the ring of tactical force, mall operatives contemplating the insurgent stopping capability of the HK lineup I was surprised to be greeted by smiling friendly representatives. I looked at them a little puzzled; I asked where the stern looking German engineer types were. The sales rep chuckled and said, “We keep those in the back next to strike team Zulu, just in case we need them. How can I help you?” I explained again my quest and he nodded and said yes, HK will be discontinuing the .357 SIG pistols by the end of the year. He gave me pretty much the same story the rep at FNUSA had, .357 SIG is not selling. He went on to say he wasn't sure of any conversion kit offerings, but of course they will continue to support exiting pistols. He said that was about all he knew and that he thinks while the caliber is interesting and has some following, it just doesn't sell. That, as they say, was the end of that.

So what had I learned? Two very large companies are discontinuing their pistols in .357 SIG. What does it mean? I'm not sure. These 2 companies are primarily interested in contract sales, usually military contract sales. Due to regulations, agreements and sheer number of existing pistols owned by their usual clients, I can't see them successfully selling a whole new pistol caliber there. Because of this I'm not sure these two are good indicators of the calibers popularity or success. Maybe they were going to push harder into the law enforcement market and decided to try .357 SIG due to interest there, but then changed marketing plans because of poor sales. FNUSA has definitely dropped the caliber, but HK still has it listed. Perhaps they will change their mind and keep it around.

Whatever the case may be, it appears the people interested in this caliber are going to have fewer choices of pistols in the future.

Working on a backup blog...

Since Blogger crapped the bed this week, I've got a backup blog over at Wordpress.  Working on setting it up, importing everything, etc.

That's all I've got to say at the moment.  Have a few posts in the works, but I'm a busy bee in meatspace.

Wilson Combat Youtube Channel

Just a heads-up for those of you not on the Wilson Combat email list: they have started a Youtube Channel and have posted a bunch of free gunsmithing videos on their 1911 model pistols. Of course this info is pretty much the same for any 1911. So if you're a new 1911 owner or you were just wondering how "that part" comes out, they're pretty good, and free!

Self defense redux.

Back in February, I posted this.  Today, I had a situation reaffirm what I discussed in that post.

This morning was bad shortly after I woke up.  I got up late, had cat mess to clean up, was distracted, left the pepper spray and belt knife upstairs.

By the time I hit the highway, I realized I wouldn't just be late...I would be RIDICULOUSLY late.  Highway was backed up for at least a couple of miles.  Insert groan here.

By the time I neared work, I realized I'd forgotten to pack food...so I stopped at the grocery store nearest my office.  I have done this so many times before it's nearly second nature - pull in, grab food, pay, go.  It usually takes me 5 minutes, tops.

Today, however, something was definitely off.  Someone was following me around the store.  He was a white male, about 6'2" tall, maybe 200 lbs.  He apparently decided I was interesting, and decided to follow me around the store.  The guy didn't look at anything or anyone but me.  By the time I was midway through the store, I was fed up - screamed at him to get the hell away from me.  He took off running, and I completed my shopping.  Turns out, the guy was waiting for me on his scooter outside the door.  He waited until I exited the store to start his scooter.  I screamed at him again and called the police - fortunately, at that point he took off.

So, in summation: idiot decides I'm a tasty morsel of cowflesh.  I prevent him from doing anything.  I'm safe and at work, and he's...who-knows-where.  The police never showed up (which isn't surprising, really, in this town) and no one in the store reacted.  I'm angry with myself for leaving home the two things I own for situations just like this, but I'll be more vigilant tomorrow.  At least I HAVE a tomorrow.  At least I know that if someone tries to sneak up on me, it's like sneaking up on a goose - I'll be noisy and defensive, even when I'm not quite awake.  Hooray for gut reactions actually being appropriate.

At least I'm alright.  If the guy had a gun and decided to use it, however, I wouldn't be...and because the police didn't bother to show, I lack any sort of real record of this incident.  Not that it would be enough to get me a carry permit anyway...

Tactical Sammich!

One of the things we were hoping to get at the Meeting was a can or two of Tactical Bacon from the folks at CMMG.  Turns out they decided to leave the bacon at home because it weighs a crap-ton, so I can't really blame them.  They did, however, deliver something equally awesome and amusing:
I give you the Tactical Sammich.

Chris bought a few, mostly for the giggle factor, and I assumed it would just be something for the Meeting.  Well, to my surprise, the crazy monkeys at ThinkGeek are ALSO selling it.  AND they have a video.  It seems to be edible, so woo for that...and the guy in the video uses proper firearm handling (on what is likely a toy), so double woo.

Anyway, with a 2 year shelf life the sammiches make a fun/silly gift for the prepper in your family/circle of friends.



This was not paid for by anyone, I just think it's a neato idea and I happen to love ThinkGeek. The CMMG guys seemed pretty neat, too.