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!!

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