A good friend of mine has been rightfully upset by a vicious gang attack on his brother this past week. His brother is only 16 and was walking through the park of a nearby town when a group of other teenage kids, headed by a 30-something man, jumped him and beat him bloody. Even once the brother was on the ground, they continued, the older man kicking him in the face.
After the attack, the police managed to get most of the attackers. Mr. 30something claims that the youth had pulled a blade on the large group and that they had acted out of 'fear' for their lives. This is typical and expected sort of lie, so it doesn't surprise me. What surprises me is how the authorities dealt with the victim.
The younger brother was to attended a required counseling session. During the course of the session he was asked how he felt about the attack and the people who attacked him. While he said he didn't wish anything particular bad on the younger participants, when asked about the 30 something year old man who lead the assault and kicked him in the face, the teen replied that he 'would like to kill him'.
Due to the threatening nature of his 'anger issues' my friend's brother has been sent to a juvenile facility for treatment. He refused the medication that would treat his 'unhealthy anger'. After repeated badgering for him to take the medication and kept there against his will, the teenager lost his temper and punched a wall in frustration. Two orderlies forced him down and sedated him. Sadly, the young man has seen that he cannot go home without compliance. He now takes the medication and goes along with their treatment for his 'anger problems'.
A youth is viciously assaulted in a public place, and he ends up imprisoned because he's angry towards his attackers? He's not the only one angry. His big brother is angry, his mother, his father, me, and most likely you! Lets seem them take the lot of us in.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
Proof the Police Cannot Protect Us
One of the big core beliefs of the pro-2nd amendment crowd is that we cannot expect to be protected by the government 24/7 from threats inside our country. Our personal protection is our responsibility. With our privately held arms, we provide that basic physical protection of ourselves and families that, if able, all creatures have a divine right to.
However, many misguided folks believe in the Nanny State. The government's agents are singly responsible for our safety. Only the police and other government based agencies have the training, mentality, and oversight to keep arms and use them to protect the peasants from themselves. We naturally scoff at this idea and strive to prove them wrong. I have found a perfect example at Walmart.
Walmart is a massive corporation that can claim to be the biggest retailer in the world. There are thousands of stores, and millions of employees. I am one of them. It is also one of the biggest victims of crime in the world.
Everyday in my store, we lose hundreds of dollars to theft and vandalism. In fact, may days that number is up into the thousand plus range. The range of the items stolen is mind boggling and disturbing. Commonly stolen merchandise includes video games, electronics, condoms, medicines, diet pills, cosmetics, clothes, infant care equipment, knives, and ammunition( As if it isn't hard enough to find ammo. God damn them all to hell!) Teenage kids, old women, men in suits, skeezy looking black guys, it doesn't matter what you look like. Someone that looks like you steals from Walmart.
Even some of my co-workers steal. One often brought stacks of DVDs to his department and later threw the packaging away with his trash. Though he was finally caught, he was never charged for the full amount of his theft during a year of work there. Most likely over five thousand dollars.
Walmarts are open for 263.5 days of the year. Everyone one of those days each one of the thousands of stores experiences shrink. Consider how much is lost, to simple greed? How much is passed on to the consumer? Or how many folks could have been on full time with insurance rather than the palry part time hours?
Well, with such an epidimic of crime, naturally the government would be falling over itself trying to clean up the communities of these petty fucks? You know, the ones not paying sales tax on their purloned goods? Wrong. Investigation and prevention of shoplifting is taken care of Walmart's own private asset protection department. Walmart has to pay for its own private 'detective' force to trying to fight back. These folks install cameras, monitor them, and actually stalk the shoplifters until they exist the building with stolen merchandise. Then they can use what little power they have to detain thieves. Only then are the police called for.
If an all-powerful, evil company can't rely upon the state to protect their millions and millions of lost property, what chance does Sally SoccerMom, and Tiffany TofuGnasher have of some protection?
However, many misguided folks believe in the Nanny State. The government's agents are singly responsible for our safety. Only the police and other government based agencies have the training, mentality, and oversight to keep arms and use them to protect the peasants from themselves. We naturally scoff at this idea and strive to prove them wrong. I have found a perfect example at Walmart.
Walmart is a massive corporation that can claim to be the biggest retailer in the world. There are thousands of stores, and millions of employees. I am one of them. It is also one of the biggest victims of crime in the world.
Everyday in my store, we lose hundreds of dollars to theft and vandalism. In fact, may days that number is up into the thousand plus range. The range of the items stolen is mind boggling and disturbing. Commonly stolen merchandise includes video games, electronics, condoms, medicines, diet pills, cosmetics, clothes, infant care equipment, knives, and ammunition( As if it isn't hard enough to find ammo. God damn them all to hell!) Teenage kids, old women, men in suits, skeezy looking black guys, it doesn't matter what you look like. Someone that looks like you steals from Walmart.
Even some of my co-workers steal. One often brought stacks of DVDs to his department and later threw the packaging away with his trash. Though he was finally caught, he was never charged for the full amount of his theft during a year of work there. Most likely over five thousand dollars.
Walmarts are open for 263.5 days of the year. Everyone one of those days each one of the thousands of stores experiences shrink. Consider how much is lost, to simple greed? How much is passed on to the consumer? Or how many folks could have been on full time with insurance rather than the palry part time hours?
Well, with such an epidimic of crime, naturally the government would be falling over itself trying to clean up the communities of these petty fucks? You know, the ones not paying sales tax on their purloned goods? Wrong. Investigation and prevention of shoplifting is taken care of Walmart's own private asset protection department. Walmart has to pay for its own private 'detective' force to trying to fight back. These folks install cameras, monitor them, and actually stalk the shoplifters until they exist the building with stolen merchandise. Then they can use what little power they have to detain thieves. Only then are the police called for.
If an all-powerful, evil company can't rely upon the state to protect their millions and millions of lost property, what chance does Sally SoccerMom, and Tiffany TofuGnasher have of some protection?
The Revolver vs the Semi-Automatic Handgun
I've had some good arguments about revolvers vs semi-autos. I usually carry a Smith 638 .38 special revolver. The plastic pistol patrol have made some serious derisive commits on that. I've had one fellow say that carrying a revolver for self-defense was like riding your skateboard to an office job. Doable, but no way a good idea. But is it that bad? Is a revolver such an abysmal defensive firearm? Is the semi-auto so leaps and bounds superior to the revolver?
I do concede that the double action revolver has some serious short comings. Capacity and reloading speed are the big one. Next, is the long heavy double action trigger of classic defensive revolver. The DA trigger can be difficult to master vs a lighter single action or DA-Only semi-auto trigger. However, this issue can be taken care of through proper practice and building good skills in training.
As for the question of how a revolver fares against a semi-auto? For the sake of argument lets say we have two guys. One has a S&W model 10 .38 special and the other has a Glock 17 9x19mm. Both guns are in excellent working condition, loaded, and both users know the guns well, and can shoot them well. What happens in the face off?
Semi-auto guys remember this: You have no advantage for six shots. The revolver is just as good as your Glock until it runs dry. There is no inherient disadvantage to revolver's design and no advantage to yours until that moment. It may be easy to say, "Well, he'll need to reload before I will, I win." However, a lot can happen in 6 shots. At the average distance of a self-defense situation, can you say for certain, you aren't hit and hurt before those 6 rounds have been spent?
Revolver guys remember this: You are on equal footing with the semi-auto for only 6 shots. Make them count before the Glock takes the advantage.
In the long run, the semi-auto will win. This is why they are the choice for military and police. However, in a defensive role, its no better than a revolver for the first 6 shots. Which are the shots in a magazine that count the most?
I do concede that the double action revolver has some serious short comings. Capacity and reloading speed are the big one. Next, is the long heavy double action trigger of classic defensive revolver. The DA trigger can be difficult to master vs a lighter single action or DA-Only semi-auto trigger. However, this issue can be taken care of through proper practice and building good skills in training.
As for the question of how a revolver fares against a semi-auto? For the sake of argument lets say we have two guys. One has a S&W model 10 .38 special and the other has a Glock 17 9x19mm. Both guns are in excellent working condition, loaded, and both users know the guns well, and can shoot them well. What happens in the face off?
Semi-auto guys remember this: You have no advantage for six shots. The revolver is just as good as your Glock until it runs dry. There is no inherient disadvantage to revolver's design and no advantage to yours until that moment. It may be easy to say, "Well, he'll need to reload before I will, I win." However, a lot can happen in 6 shots. At the average distance of a self-defense situation, can you say for certain, you aren't hit and hurt before those 6 rounds have been spent?
Revolver guys remember this: You are on equal footing with the semi-auto for only 6 shots. Make them count before the Glock takes the advantage.
In the long run, the semi-auto will win. This is why they are the choice for military and police. However, in a defensive role, its no better than a revolver for the first 6 shots. Which are the shots in a magazine that count the most?
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Been Shooting Today
Hit the range for some good ol revolver practice. In combination of heat and fired rounds my cylinder got really hot, making reloads kinda like a game of hot potato. I put 100rds of .38 special +P into some steel plates at about 25 feet. Didn't do too well actually. Single action is easy, but double action isn't. Even then, my front ramp is really hard to see against the gray steel plates. Going to add some of the paint I used on my Makarov's front sight to my GP-100. might be a bit different being a serrated ramp type. I need much more practice, too. I wish .38 special was cheaper.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Night Shoot!
I recently participated in a night-time IDPA match at my gunclub. It was fighting by flashlight. I have made some important observations on this.
- Night fighting is hard. Train moar.
- You need to practice with your EDC flashlight. Firing with and reloading mags with.
- Your EDC flashlight needs to be easy to use.
- Your EDC flashlight must not easily be switched to different light modes. IE I need a new light!
Undefendable?
As a collector and avid reader of comics and manga, I am more than a bit concerned with a recent case involving comic collector Chris Handley. The man was charged and ended up pleading guilty to "possession of obscene visual representation of the sexual abuse of children" a felony under the PROTECT act. The medium was Japanese comic books. He may very well spend a goodly amount of the next decade in prison.
Its hard to defend such vile comics, but I can't say that lines on paper are worth a felony conviction. Unlike child pornography, obscene visual depictions do not involve an actual child being harmed or exploited in any way. However, many state that it causes or enables such crime.
In one discussion, my opinion that a graphic drawn depiction of a minor being abused was a victimless crime was countered by "horseshit". "it's victimless right up to the point where some unstable person decides he wants to go try this out on an eight year old". one worthy blogger said.
That sort of logic... Under that logic I would have to burn many of my books, too. My comics would fall into the same category. Movies? I don't think my action films are going to survive it. My first person shooter games are absolutely forfit. Angry german music? Gone. Cable television will need to be cancelled.
Why?
Think about all the crimes mentioned, depicted or described in these media sources. Guess what? Some unstable person could decide they want to try any one or number of these on someone else. Just let them watch Law & Order: SVU. After a good TNT marathon, you'll have more ideas for deviant crimes than you can shake a stick at. As an added bonus, POLICE BRUTALITY.
I'm ashamed that a pro-gun individual would use this argument. How many times we been told that we are nothing more than criminals that are waiting to commit a crime with our terrible evil guns?
It is not cool to defend some freak's comic about little girls getting fucked by farm animals. I shouldn't have to! Folks should just know not to make shit like that. However, I cannot say that its morally worse than a comic about kids getting slowly fed in woodchipper. Its all gross shit! But it is one of those slippery slope things. What's next? We gotta stand with even the bad stuff sometimes, to make sure the good is protected.
For some further reading here's a post by Neil Gaiman on defending 'icky speech'. There's an excellent Southpark that makes some interesting points about obscenity and weapons. "Good Times with Weapons."
Its hard to defend such vile comics, but I can't say that lines on paper are worth a felony conviction. Unlike child pornography, obscene visual depictions do not involve an actual child being harmed or exploited in any way. However, many state that it causes or enables such crime.
In one discussion, my opinion that a graphic drawn depiction of a minor being abused was a victimless crime was countered by "horseshit". "it's victimless right up to the point where some unstable person decides he wants to go try this out on an eight year old". one worthy blogger said.
That sort of logic... Under that logic I would have to burn many of my books, too. My comics would fall into the same category. Movies? I don't think my action films are going to survive it. My first person shooter games are absolutely forfit. Angry german music? Gone. Cable television will need to be cancelled.
Why?
Think about all the crimes mentioned, depicted or described in these media sources. Guess what? Some unstable person could decide they want to try any one or number of these on someone else. Just let them watch Law & Order: SVU. After a good TNT marathon, you'll have more ideas for deviant crimes than you can shake a stick at. As an added bonus, POLICE BRUTALITY.
I'm ashamed that a pro-gun individual would use this argument. How many times we been told that we are nothing more than criminals that are waiting to commit a crime with our terrible evil guns?
It is not cool to defend some freak's comic about little girls getting fucked by farm animals. I shouldn't have to! Folks should just know not to make shit like that. However, I cannot say that its morally worse than a comic about kids getting slowly fed in woodchipper. Its all gross shit! But it is one of those slippery slope things. What's next? We gotta stand with even the bad stuff sometimes, to make sure the good is protected.
For some further reading here's a post by Neil Gaiman on defending 'icky speech'. There's an excellent Southpark that makes some interesting points about obscenity and weapons. "Good Times with Weapons."
Monday, May 18, 2009
Retro Tactical!
At the recent NRA convention, Stoeger unveiled something of an oddity. An ATAS side by side double barreled shotgun!
The Stoeger Double Defensive Coach gun comes in 12 or 20 gauge. It has 20inch barrels, is only about 36inches over all, has a fiber optic front sight, and possesses both a top rail for optics and an under slung accessory rail from forearm to muzzle. I'm sure this seems really overkill and downright silly, but I can see some real utility here.
The double barreled shotgun has long been an important utility weapon. Side by sides have served in just about every capacity a gun can serve in. Security, police, military, sporting, and even pest control in the past. It continues to harvest game, remove pests, and protect homesteads around the world. These additions are not an attempt to make the shotgun into a SWAT or infantry weapon, but rather to make it more useful a tool.
The optics rail allows for traditional scopes or newer optics like red dots and holographic sights. The new generations of modern optics allow a firearm to be on target faster and clearer in low light conditions. Useful when dealing with fast flying and destructive black birds or rabbits in the garden. The real winner is the accessory rail. When checking out noises outside the home at night, a light is an absolute necessity. Long arms need both hands to use properly and safely. Pump actions have a myriad of mounting options for lights, why not a double?
The tactical treatment could easily be applied to other older types of firearms. Bolt actions, lever actions, and pump actions rifles and shotguns. Also, double action revolvers, and even single action revolvers could be served with a few 'tactical' improvements.
The Stoeger Double Defensive Coach gun comes in 12 or 20 gauge. It has 20inch barrels, is only about 36inches over all, has a fiber optic front sight, and possesses both a top rail for optics and an under slung accessory rail from forearm to muzzle. I'm sure this seems really overkill and downright silly, but I can see some real utility here.The double barreled shotgun has long been an important utility weapon. Side by sides have served in just about every capacity a gun can serve in. Security, police, military, sporting, and even pest control in the past. It continues to harvest game, remove pests, and protect homesteads around the world. These additions are not an attempt to make the shotgun into a SWAT or infantry weapon, but rather to make it more useful a tool.
The optics rail allows for traditional scopes or newer optics like red dots and holographic sights. The new generations of modern optics allow a firearm to be on target faster and clearer in low light conditions. Useful when dealing with fast flying and destructive black birds or rabbits in the garden. The real winner is the accessory rail. When checking out noises outside the home at night, a light is an absolute necessity. Long arms need both hands to use properly and safely. Pump actions have a myriad of mounting options for lights, why not a double?
The tactical treatment could easily be applied to other older types of firearms. Bolt actions, lever actions, and pump actions rifles and shotguns. Also, double action revolvers, and even single action revolvers could be served with a few 'tactical' improvements.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Gunflight by Flashlight
I've been thinking a lot about fighting at night lately. Its certainly much different than fighting by day. I want to do some low light training. I'm going to see if I can get some other interested persons in my gunclub to join me in some extremely early morning IDPA style practice with a flashlight and a handgun. No score card, but just running through a stage or two with said flashlight and handgun in the inky black Tennessee darkness. Could be fun, too!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
20/20 needs a 30-30 to the face.
A few days ago, I heard that this week's 20-20 was going to be about guns. Specifically, the piece was titled "If I Only Had a Gun". Being the self-destructive masochist that I am, I went to ABC's website and found some of the segments from this show online. I've only watched two of them. However, I can only find that it is merely more of the yellow journalism that we have come to expect from the Media.
The clip I'll be bitching about was of an experiment about the folly of armed self-defense involving 6 college kids. ABC went out and selected 6 volunteers from colleges. Then they took them and gave them a course on handling and shooting handguns with a police instructor. They claimed that the course was more in-depth than most state CCW courses. The guns were modified to shoot paint cartridges. After receiving this training, they were set in a real life self-defense situation. They concealed their modified glock 17s in On-the-WaistBand holsters, and covered with a large bulky jersey type shirt. They also were armored against the paint rounds. Then one by one they sat in a classroom, not knowing when the SD situation would happen, but told it would happen later in the day. The other people in the classroom are 'cops or other people working for ABC to replicate the chaos of real people in real crisis'. Then at a random time, the shooter bursts into the room opening fire with his own paint firing handgun. In each case the CCW student fails miserably. Only one making any hit against the attacker. One of these students claims to have at least 100 hours of firearms experience. He fails to even unholster his pistol and is taken down 'execution style'. Oh, one thing I forgot the mention. The shooter is the very same instructor that trained these kids. A nicely stacked deck, ABC. Masterful work. Hamfist, smoked to perfection.
So how about they play a different game? How about the kids trade places with the cop? But wait, I don't think I could trust him not to throw it on purpose. How about, the kids go verses kids? Only on the absolute worst case scenarios would the shooter be a professional like a firearms instructor, or other similarly extremely proficient firearm user. In the best of circumstances you can't expect rookie kids to do well against such an opponent. We just aren't seeing any shooters with that level of skills and experience. A veteran cop is going react much differently than a scared guy with a few dozen hours at the range with a 9mm. Why not use just a random beat cop as the shooter? Or perhaps someone who is NOT a professional? You know. Like in most shootings. Why not use some folks that have had their CCW permits for some time too? Let them carry what and how they're most comfortable with. There's a reason while full sized handguns are less popular for CCW. Why not a babyglock? Thats much more reasonable and a very common choice for CCW. OWB might not work so well, but IWB might do better. With an open jacket, even seated, IWB can be easily accessed. Then there's pocket, cross draw, you name it!
ABC just stacked the deck to make the result that they wanted happen. It was expected, but it was just horrible to watch. Yellow bastards.
Just found an excellent(much better than mine) post on this very subject!
http://sensiblyprogressive.blogspot.com/2009/04/abc-anti-gun-hatchet-job-on-2020.html
The clip I'll be bitching about was of an experiment about the folly of armed self-defense involving 6 college kids. ABC went out and selected 6 volunteers from colleges. Then they took them and gave them a course on handling and shooting handguns with a police instructor. They claimed that the course was more in-depth than most state CCW courses. The guns were modified to shoot paint cartridges. After receiving this training, they were set in a real life self-defense situation. They concealed their modified glock 17s in On-the-WaistBand holsters, and covered with a large bulky jersey type shirt. They also were armored against the paint rounds. Then one by one they sat in a classroom, not knowing when the SD situation would happen, but told it would happen later in the day. The other people in the classroom are 'cops or other people working for ABC to replicate the chaos of real people in real crisis'. Then at a random time, the shooter bursts into the room opening fire with his own paint firing handgun. In each case the CCW student fails miserably. Only one making any hit against the attacker. One of these students claims to have at least 100 hours of firearms experience. He fails to even unholster his pistol and is taken down 'execution style'. Oh, one thing I forgot the mention. The shooter is the very same instructor that trained these kids. A nicely stacked deck, ABC. Masterful work. Hamfist, smoked to perfection.
So how about they play a different game? How about the kids trade places with the cop? But wait, I don't think I could trust him not to throw it on purpose. How about, the kids go verses kids? Only on the absolute worst case scenarios would the shooter be a professional like a firearms instructor, or other similarly extremely proficient firearm user. In the best of circumstances you can't expect rookie kids to do well against such an opponent. We just aren't seeing any shooters with that level of skills and experience. A veteran cop is going react much differently than a scared guy with a few dozen hours at the range with a 9mm. Why not use just a random beat cop as the shooter? Or perhaps someone who is NOT a professional? You know. Like in most shootings. Why not use some folks that have had their CCW permits for some time too? Let them carry what and how they're most comfortable with. There's a reason while full sized handguns are less popular for CCW. Why not a babyglock? Thats much more reasonable and a very common choice for CCW. OWB might not work so well, but IWB might do better. With an open jacket, even seated, IWB can be easily accessed. Then there's pocket, cross draw, you name it!
ABC just stacked the deck to make the result that they wanted happen. It was expected, but it was just horrible to watch. Yellow bastards.
Just found an excellent(much better than mine) post on this very subject!
http://sensiblyprogressive.blogspot.com/2009/04/abc-anti-gun-hatchet-job-on-2020.html
Friday, April 3, 2009
The .380 acp! 101 years old and going strong!
Since the rise of Concealed Carry laws in the 1990's, .380 acp has been enjoying an resurgence in popularity. Ruger just produced their Kel-tec look-a-like, the LCP this past year. Walther has redesigned their popular P22, in a larger size to accommodate this century old caliber dubbing the new polymer framed pistol the PK380. Even Sig has gotten into the swing of things. Pictures of new Sig p238, a virtual clone of the Colt Mustang, have been plastered all over forums and blogs since the last ShotShow.
The .380 acp or 9x17 Kurz(short) (as it is often known in Europe), was found in the magazines of many compact pistols favored by police and military in the early 1900's. It was to Europeans what the .38 Special was to the United States. It is not a powerful cartridge. It was designed to be used in blowback semiautomatic handguns. The blowback system uses a frame mounted barrel, and only uses springs to retard the effects of recoil on the slide and return the slide to the ready position. This system is very simple and cheap, but limits the power of cartridges that can be used. At its best is only roughly on the same power level as standard pressure .38 Special. The .380 is considered by most to be the dead minimum cartridge for serious defensive work. Despite this, a plethora of handguns were chambered in it. Its small size, low recoil, and ability to be chambered in the early 1900's smallest fighting handguns made for great success. Its position as a dominant military and police caliber was gradually encroached and supplanted by the more powerful 9x19 parabelum cartridge.
The .380 acp has enjoyed a lot of resurgence after the CCW laws started passing in the 90's. Both new and classic designs have done very well. New technology has worked to make .380s smaller and lighter to satiate the massive public demand for lightweight, easily concealable handguns. However, many of the same technological inroads have started to apply to more powerful calibers. 9x19mm started to gain serious ground with subcompact and compact designs like the Glock 36 and 19, Kahr's pm and pk lines, and even tiny allow 1911s from various companies. However, despite the power and cost advantage 9x19mm holds, the .380 isn't slowing down. Why choose a less powerful .380 when there are 9mm's in the same size factor? Cost, weight, and ergonomics.
Cost: .380 is definitely less powerful, even in +P versions. However, that lack of power is not a weakness in all areas. That lower pressure cartridge does not need the same level of structural strength in a pistol that a 9x19mm will. Aluminum alloy and plastic can be used more liberally, and are easy materials work with in comparison to steel. Also, the recoil operation need not be as complex. A 9mm in the same size may need much more complex operation.
Weight: Once again, less and lighter weaker materials can be used in your average .380. With the lower recoil, it can still be effective as a weapon at this lower weight.
Ergonomics: I can hold and use a full size pistol like a sig 226 without troubles, but my wife can barely use it in single action. Many CCW holders are women. Not all of the male holders have big man-hands. Double stack compacts and subcompacts are fine, if you can comfortably use it and conceal it. I can think of a few single stack compact and subcompact handguns of decent quality and modern manufacture in 9mm para off the top of my head. The Kahr 9 series(TP9. T9, CW9, K9,P9,MK9,PM9.), the Sig-Sauer p239, taurus PT709, Sky CXP-1, Kel-tec pPF-9. The Taurus hasn't even hit the shelves yet. I can name off only a few of double stack .380s. The Beretta Cheetah 84, cz-83, Taurus 138 millium, Taurus 58, Taurus 93, Bersa thunder 13rd, and the Glock 25 & 28(neither of which are sold to the American public). I can name a lot of single stack .380s. Their numbers seem to be growing. Also single stack designs tend to be flatter, and conceal a bit better. Especially in the butt. Heh.
The .380 is going to keep going strong until the big names in the 9mm business decide to make some handguns in similar sizes that work well. The .380 killer needs to be 20oz or less, single-stack, and at a $400 or less price point.
The .380 acp or 9x17 Kurz(short) (as it is often known in Europe), was found in the magazines of many compact pistols favored by police and military in the early 1900's. It was to Europeans what the .38 Special was to the United States. It is not a powerful cartridge. It was designed to be used in blowback semiautomatic handguns. The blowback system uses a frame mounted barrel, and only uses springs to retard the effects of recoil on the slide and return the slide to the ready position. This system is very simple and cheap, but limits the power of cartridges that can be used. At its best is only roughly on the same power level as standard pressure .38 Special. The .380 is considered by most to be the dead minimum cartridge for serious defensive work. Despite this, a plethora of handguns were chambered in it. Its small size, low recoil, and ability to be chambered in the early 1900's smallest fighting handguns made for great success. Its position as a dominant military and police caliber was gradually encroached and supplanted by the more powerful 9x19 parabelum cartridge.
The .380 acp has enjoyed a lot of resurgence after the CCW laws started passing in the 90's. Both new and classic designs have done very well. New technology has worked to make .380s smaller and lighter to satiate the massive public demand for lightweight, easily concealable handguns. However, many of the same technological inroads have started to apply to more powerful calibers. 9x19mm started to gain serious ground with subcompact and compact designs like the Glock 36 and 19, Kahr's pm and pk lines, and even tiny allow 1911s from various companies. However, despite the power and cost advantage 9x19mm holds, the .380 isn't slowing down. Why choose a less powerful .380 when there are 9mm's in the same size factor? Cost, weight, and ergonomics.
Cost: .380 is definitely less powerful, even in +P versions. However, that lack of power is not a weakness in all areas. That lower pressure cartridge does not need the same level of structural strength in a pistol that a 9x19mm will. Aluminum alloy and plastic can be used more liberally, and are easy materials work with in comparison to steel. Also, the recoil operation need not be as complex. A 9mm in the same size may need much more complex operation.
Weight: Once again, less and lighter weaker materials can be used in your average .380. With the lower recoil, it can still be effective as a weapon at this lower weight.
Ergonomics: I can hold and use a full size pistol like a sig 226 without troubles, but my wife can barely use it in single action. Many CCW holders are women. Not all of the male holders have big man-hands. Double stack compacts and subcompacts are fine, if you can comfortably use it and conceal it. I can think of a few single stack compact and subcompact handguns of decent quality and modern manufacture in 9mm para off the top of my head. The Kahr 9 series(TP9. T9, CW9, K9,P9,MK9,PM9.), the Sig-Sauer p239, taurus PT709, Sky CXP-1, Kel-tec pPF-9. The Taurus hasn't even hit the shelves yet. I can name off only a few of double stack .380s. The Beretta Cheetah 84, cz-83, Taurus 138 millium, Taurus 58, Taurus 93, Bersa thunder 13rd, and the Glock 25 & 28(neither of which are sold to the American public). I can name a lot of single stack .380s. Their numbers seem to be growing. Also single stack designs tend to be flatter, and conceal a bit better. Especially in the butt. Heh.
The .380 is going to keep going strong until the big names in the 9mm business decide to make some handguns in similar sizes that work well. The .380 killer needs to be 20oz or less, single-stack, and at a $400 or less price point.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Why a revolver?
I carry a revolver. A J-frame .38special. It has only 5 shots, but I trust it. Why? I've had 3 semi-auto pistols that regularly jammed. My first handgun, a Star Model B Super, was repaired by smith to work perfectly. My second handgun, was a EAA Witness polymer in .40 S&W. It jammed like a fiend. 300rds down the pipe and still jams. When I decided to get my CCW, I bought a keltec p-32. It had a problem with light strikes. I needed a pocket carry handgun for CCW. I ended up handling a S&W j-frame snub. It fit perfectly, and it was light weight. I've put nearly 400rds through it without a single problem or malfunction. I trust it. Its only got 5 shots, but it hasn't failed me once. Every semi-auto I've owned has either stovepiped or jammed at least once. Even my beloved Makarov. I know that its only 5rds, but I trust it. It will shoot those 5rds regardless if I hit or miss. Whether there are 10 attackers or just 1. If it fails me when I need it, I am dead regardless if it was a semi-auto or a revolver.
I am not opposed to semi-auto pistols. I carry them on occasion. I want to find some that I like and would carry more. I love all guns. I just think that they're all useful in their own way. I think a person armed with a revolver is not exactly something to sneeze at. Some folks will and do, and they do so at their peril. We all stand more of a chance of dying of a puny .22lr than we do any caliber bigger.
I am not opposed to semi-auto pistols. I carry them on occasion. I want to find some that I like and would carry more. I love all guns. I just think that they're all useful in their own way. I think a person armed with a revolver is not exactly something to sneeze at. Some folks will and do, and they do so at their peril. We all stand more of a chance of dying of a puny .22lr than we do any caliber bigger.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
What would the World Do?
If we have to fight against our own government to restore our liberties, what will the rest of the world do? Will they stand by and watch what happens? Will they be too concerned with their own unrest? Will the UN send peace keepers to help the federal government? Or perhaps will the more militant countries take a chance and jump us?
Monday, March 23, 2009
The Desert Turkey
I'm really sick of seeing Desert Eagles in the movies, on TV, in video games, and in books. How many kids have wanted a 'Deagle' so they can pwn zombies or counter terrorists and look awesome doing it? I do not really want to know. It would depress the hell out of me.
The truth is the Desert Eagle is one of the LAST 'weapons' I would want to own for impending zombie hordes, civil unrest, home defense, every day carry, concealed carry, and/or nazis. It should be one of the last ones YOU want either!
The Desert Eagle is a semi-automatic gas operated pistol designed by Magnum Research. Its Wikipedia article is available if anyone is interested in specifics. It is designed to fire high caliber and magnum cartridges. It can be found in .357 Remington Magnum, .41 Magnum, .44 Remington Magnum, and .50 Action Express.
First off, most of these calibers are rimmed. The .357,.41, and .44 were all designed around use in a revolver rather than a semi-automatic. The protruding rims are not designed for use in a vertical magazine. They have done very well in horizontal magazines such as on lever action rifles. However, inside a vertical magazine there is the possibility for the rims to catch on one other, causing a rimlock jam. The .50 Action Express is rimless as most automatic cartridges.
The size of the cartridges causes another set of problems. The cartridges are all very long. At 33mm for the .357 and only slightly under that for the rest, these cartridges' cases are longer than a loaded 10mm auto or a .45 acp. Having been designed for use in a revolver's cylinder, length was not so much issue. However, in a grip magazine its longer than most people can comfortably can hold.
The next problem is ergonomic. All of these calibers of Desert Eagle are single stack magazines. The capacity is limited to single digits. A mere 7rds for the .50AE version. Despite this, the grips are still massive. They are as wide as many double stack automatics and considerably longer. Considering the problems folks with smaller hands have with Berettas and Glocks, the Desert Eagle is downright unfriendly. Next, the weight of a Desert Eagle is monstrous. At 4lbs 2.5 oz. its heavy enough to break open doors or crush small children. Well, at least its nearly as heavy as the classic m1-carbine! It weights 50% more than a classic steel framed 1911 and nearly double the weight of many modern alloy and polymer framed handguns.
Reliability is going to be a major issue. Care must be taken to select the proper ammunition if the rimmed cartridge versions are used. Revolvers can take just about any shape of bullet and fire reliably. Lead, semi-wadcutter, full metal jacket, jacketed soft point, hollow point or whatever will fit in the hole will work. Automatics are not so forgiving. They must smoothly slide from magazine into the chamber. Anything that might hang is a risk even in the best of autos. If that wasn't enough, the rounds must be powerful enough to engage the slide to go fully back. Revolvers never had to worry about this, so some .44 mag you find in some drawer might be a light load, when your Desert Eagle needs a full house load! The gas system is also unusual and will need watching. Its complex, and will need cleaning.
Cost is another issue that demands attention. The DE starts out at $1,300 USD for any model. Depending on options, it can escalate beyond $2,000. Wait, it gets worse! I think anyone wanting a combat pistol, needs to think about having at least 50rds in magazines and or speed loaders(including in side the pistol) rounding up. For the .357's 9rd mags thats 6 magazines. .41 and .44 mag get 8rd mags so 7. The .50 AE needs 8 magazines to be ready to go. CDNNInvestments has these magazines for any caliber marked for $38.99. We can deduct one from the count for the single magazine that would come with these monsters. $233.94, $272.93, and $311.92 plus shipping! And ammunition? Good lord.
For a minimum of 100rds of quality defensive ammunition we hit up AmmoEngine. For the .50 AE its Hornady HPs, for $1.26 at shot. So $126.00 for quality ammo. Well how about for training? $1.25 per round.
The .44 magnum is much more reasonable. Its only 56 cents per round for the cheap Jacketed Hollow Point. If it works out for you. If you want better like the Speer Gold Dot, expect around $25 a box of 20. For training its FMJ, its .56 cents a round again from Magtech.
The .41 magnum doesn't have a big following, nor do I think they actually make the DE in this caliber anymore, but its still out there. Winchester silvertips will run you $1.14 per shot. Making the 100rds rounds of HPs pricey. The cheapest load for plinking with this semi-auto might be another JHP from Ammo direct for only 63 cents a round.
.357 magnum really has the advantage here. Its less expensive than the others as its wildly used still for self-defense. At a mere .38 cents per round of training ammo its much cheaper to shoot more. Quality defensive rounds are less than double that per round. And theres a lot to choose from! Sadly, the DE cannot take .38special like a .357 revolver can.
The Desert Eagle is not a military weapon, its a big loud TOY. It has a niche in sport shooting, and some utility in hunting. If you want a powerful fighting handgun, either go with a tradition double action revolver or a semi-automatic in one of the more common higher powered automatic calibers such as 10mm auto or .45 super.
The .357 version would be the 'best' choice the shortbus group due to its larger magazine size and the commonness of .357mag. But is it worth it? Why not spend less on the gun, and more on the ammunition and equipment? Why not a nice revolver? Like the 8shot Smith & Wesson 627 line! The subject of my next post.
Edit: I think Turkey is a better word than sparrow.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
In Competition with the Cops!
While toiling endlessly for the good of my Dark Corporate Masters, a customer service page sent me scurrying over to Sporting Goods as the usual stocker was at lunch. A passing cashier told me a policeman was wanting some ammunition. I slipped behind the counter and asked what he needed. He just asked me what all handgun ammo we had. That is kinda unusual, usually we get asked. I told him what we had .25 acp, .357 sig, 9mm, .40 S&W, 44 remington magnum, and 45 ACP. Thats just all we have left. He asked specifically for .38 special repeatedly, but I had personally bought that out days before. He even asked for .357 magnum. So he asked to see a box of the .44 mag and then he asked for all 8x100rd boxes of 9x19mm we had left. He didn't ask for any .40 S&W, which is the caliber of Kentucky Law Enforcement. He told me that "We can't find this stuff anywhere."
Judging by the purchasing, its for qualifying with their Back Up Guns. I assume that their .40 S&W is bought in bulk through direct contracts. But for the personal weapons that cops like to keep around just in case, they're buying it from Walmart like everyone else. While its all fine and dandy that police want to qualify to the minimum required standards, it also means that they're in direct competition with us civilians for an already scarce resource.
As far as walmart's stock goes... We carry 3 different brands of handgun ammuniton. Winchester, CCI Blaser, and Remington. I very roughly estimate that when fully stocked a SuperCenter will have over 6,000 rds of 9mm alone, and usually more. An additional thousand can be neatly stored under the counter, and even more in the strong room in the back. Now consider that .45 acp, .40 S&W, and .38 special are terribly far behind the 9mm. Now we have hardly anything left.
Judging by the purchasing, its for qualifying with their Back Up Guns. I assume that their .40 S&W is bought in bulk through direct contracts. But for the personal weapons that cops like to keep around just in case, they're buying it from Walmart like everyone else. While its all fine and dandy that police want to qualify to the minimum required standards, it also means that they're in direct competition with us civilians for an already scarce resource.
As far as walmart's stock goes... We carry 3 different brands of handgun ammuniton. Winchester, CCI Blaser, and Remington. I very roughly estimate that when fully stocked a SuperCenter will have over 6,000 rds of 9mm alone, and usually more. An additional thousand can be neatly stored under the counter, and even more in the strong room in the back. Now consider that .45 acp, .40 S&W, and .38 special are terribly far behind the 9mm. Now we have hardly anything left.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Shooting Again! FINALLY
I haven't been out shooting since the great ice storms hit Kentucky back at the end of January. The range located in a state run park is out of commission due to the massive amount of trees down throughout the park. There simply isn't the money or manpower to restore that range any time soon. Rangeless, I've been trying to join a private gun club down in Tennessee.
The application system is a bit arduous, but the facilities are excellent and the people seem really nice. My only real complaint so far, is that I am not allowed on site unless I am either there for an event or with a full member. I found this out the hard way. The president claimed there was no foul and let me shoot anyway, but he seemed annoyed. He ran though the list of requirements again 'to make sure we were on the same page'. The way he looked through it made me wonder if he was looking for the very thing he told me. As if to prove that I had just been careless or forgetful in my reading of the process. I have to wonder if this will effect my attempts to join.
My anti-social tendencies scream to me to just give up and wait for my quiet public range to reopen. One of the reasons I am trying to join, is to get resocialized. Having worked the midnight shifts so long, I feel like some dog that just not used to people, and doesn't know how to act with them.
On to the good part, I got to put 100rds of .38 special through my revolvers. My GP-100 is an easy to shoot but a bit harder to line up than the S&W model 15. The 15 has a red ramp front sight and adjustable white outline rear sights. The GP is just all gray, with fixed sights and its plain gray front sight. The tiny jframe was of course hardest to shoot, so I shot it the most. It my EDC CCW, I need to be able to use it better. Overall, I think I'm getting better. I do enjoy the revolvers a lot. Getting good at loading 2 at once. The HKS speedloader for the GP... It leaves a lot to be desired. I need to try the Safariland type.
The application system is a bit arduous, but the facilities are excellent and the people seem really nice. My only real complaint so far, is that I am not allowed on site unless I am either there for an event or with a full member. I found this out the hard way. The president claimed there was no foul and let me shoot anyway, but he seemed annoyed. He ran though the list of requirements again 'to make sure we were on the same page'. The way he looked through it made me wonder if he was looking for the very thing he told me. As if to prove that I had just been careless or forgetful in my reading of the process. I have to wonder if this will effect my attempts to join.
My anti-social tendencies scream to me to just give up and wait for my quiet public range to reopen. One of the reasons I am trying to join, is to get resocialized. Having worked the midnight shifts so long, I feel like some dog that just not used to people, and doesn't know how to act with them.
On to the good part, I got to put 100rds of .38 special through my revolvers. My GP-100 is an easy to shoot but a bit harder to line up than the S&W model 15. The 15 has a red ramp front sight and adjustable white outline rear sights. The GP is just all gray, with fixed sights and its plain gray front sight. The tiny jframe was of course hardest to shoot, so I shot it the most. It my EDC CCW, I need to be able to use it better. Overall, I think I'm getting better. I do enjoy the revolvers a lot. Getting good at loading 2 at once. The HKS speedloader for the GP... It leaves a lot to be desired. I need to try the Safariland type.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Cowards and Hospital Beds
My wife and I just got back in yesterday afternoon after spending a few days in the hospital sitting with my grandmother. My grandfather had a mild heart attack and then surgery to fix it up. He's already up and moving, but my grandmother had a fall the day of the surgery and is now bedridden. They're pretty old folks. Nearly 89 years old for my grandmother and 85 for my grandfather, a world war 2 veteran. Sadly, my grandmother is now well under the affects of dementia. My wife and I spent an entire 8 hours just trying to keep her in her bed during the course of a night trying to get home to her mother who has been dead for over 50 years. It was impossible and very sad. She's been in decline for several years and this is largely expected. My grandfather has taken care of her and well during this decline, but now he can't do it by himself and needs care for her nearly 24/7. The heart attack may have been brought on by his use of ladders and repeat trips with said ladders back and forth from his shop. He has kept his health all his life. Despite diabetes and other health problems he's more fit than many 20 year his junior. Will there be anyone left like this after the ww2 vets are all gone?
While I was trying to iron out care details with my grandfather and my mother, the shit hit the fan in Alabama! A cowardly shithole went on a brutal shooting spree that ended with his suicide. I'm conflicted with how my first thought about this was not one of concern for the people and families damaged by this coward, but rather how this event would affect my rights to defend myself with the best weapons available. Worrying about the eventual knee-jerk first, and the people last, is just not how I want to be a good human. But I can't help it. I blame the sissy-bitches in power. Well shit. I just learned that a gunman killed and/or shot 10 students in Germany. There's a lot of gun control there. I expect a knee jerk total disarmament for their citizens shortly. Lovely. This has not been a good week.
While I was trying to iron out care details with my grandfather and my mother, the shit hit the fan in Alabama! A cowardly shithole went on a brutal shooting spree that ended with his suicide. I'm conflicted with how my first thought about this was not one of concern for the people and families damaged by this coward, but rather how this event would affect my rights to defend myself with the best weapons available. Worrying about the eventual knee-jerk first, and the people last, is just not how I want to be a good human. But I can't help it. I blame the sissy-bitches in power. Well shit. I just learned that a gunman killed and/or shot 10 students in Germany. There's a lot of gun control there. I expect a knee jerk total disarmament for their citizens shortly. Lovely. This has not been a good week.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Bad Doggie! No Donut!
Over on the waronguns blog, I found this article about a police dog attacking an innocent man taking out the trash. It ran 2 blocks from its handler and viciously attacked a man following him into the bed of a truck to continue its assault. I try to imagine myself in that situation. What would I do? If a random dog attacked, I would shoot it. If that failed, I keep a very vicious little claw knife and I'd be doing my damnedest to slice that dog a new asshole. But trying to save my own life would be dangerous in such a case. What if the cop shot me? What if I went to jail for assaulting and murdering an officer? Furry as they may be, hurting a police dog will land you extra time in jail or extra punishment. They are officers and thus above us.
This idea that officers are superior to civilians... Its wretched. Anything done to them, will net you extra punishment. They are not superior to us! They work for us! They should treat us with dignity and respect as ANY service industry worker is expected. They should not get away with so much. Local cops will take what they want from late night gas station service marts. These stations usually have a deal to provide coffee and certain snacks to any cop that comes in. But instead of limiting themselves legally they will take beef jerky, cookies, and pretty much anything else they want. Its their right as our Overseers? Okay... So you want to give the Police these superior rights and trust them above the normal citizen? Ok. Then give us something to work with. Double the punishment for Law Enforcement personnel for doing something that betrays the public's trust. When a cop uses his badge to force sex out of a woman, he must be punished twice as much as a normal rapist. When a judge sends children to detention for money, he should be rotting in jail for the entire time he illegally sentenced those children to. If a drug cop lies to get a warrant, murders an old woman lawfully defending her home, and then plants drugs on the premises to try to hide their crime. They should never see the light of day. If they are going to get these special privileges they must truly PAY for their misbehavior.
This idea that officers are superior to civilians... Its wretched. Anything done to them, will net you extra punishment. They are not superior to us! They work for us! They should treat us with dignity and respect as ANY service industry worker is expected. They should not get away with so much. Local cops will take what they want from late night gas station service marts. These stations usually have a deal to provide coffee and certain snacks to any cop that comes in. But instead of limiting themselves legally they will take beef jerky, cookies, and pretty much anything else they want. Its their right as our Overseers? Okay... So you want to give the Police these superior rights and trust them above the normal citizen? Ok. Then give us something to work with. Double the punishment for Law Enforcement personnel for doing something that betrays the public's trust. When a cop uses his badge to force sex out of a woman, he must be punished twice as much as a normal rapist. When a judge sends children to detention for money, he should be rotting in jail for the entire time he illegally sentenced those children to. If a drug cop lies to get a warrant, murders an old woman lawfully defending her home, and then plants drugs on the premises to try to hide their crime. They should never see the light of day. If they are going to get these special privileges they must truly PAY for their misbehavior.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Good ideas and poor skills
I have this awful problem. I'm a pretty creative guy. My brain at times goes really fast, and suddenly I get these ideas. Once several years ago, I had the idea for laptop pads that sucked out the heat from the laptop away from your legs and groin. Now someone has made a lot of money on those. Today's current idea is for a house robe that has holster and magazine pockets for when you go to check out a noise, or just puttering around the house. One of the guys from the Gunblogger Conspiracy IRC room suggested MOLLE mountings too. How the HELL can I make money off my ideas?! I also had an idea for a rail bayonet before CZ went and made one. One of the 'smart gun' technologies that Colt is working on now, I had the idea before I knew they were working on the same thing! On top of these product ideas, I have several books worth of sci-fi and fantasy stories inside my noggin, but have so far lacked the willpower to write it all down. Getting back into the writing habit is one important reason for this blog. Oh yeah, and because it makes me feel pretty on the inside.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Free the MeatBees Within!
Ok guys.... The entire meat bees thing. It comes from a really awesome flash animation known as Crazy Pete and the sequel Crazy Pete seeks help. The reference is to the latter, but you must watch the first to get it.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Every Day Carry
A few weeks ago on the excellent GunNuts Radio, Caleb and Breda talked about carry gear. I really hated to miss that one, so I'm posting my EDC gear. This is the stuff I generally carry on any given day.
The pistol is the Smith & Wesson 638-3 Airweight. It is an aluminum framed model of the 5rd J-frame revolver family. It is chambered for .38 special, rated for +P use, weighs only 15oz unloaded, and has a bodyguard style hammer. The holster is one of Mika's excellent Pocket Holsters. I highly recommend Mika's product for comfortable carry. My reload is in an HKS speedloader.
The particularly vicious looking little knife is an Emerson made version of Fred Perrin's La Griff. It is my backup to my paltry 5rds of .38 special and rides on my left side in a kydex belt sheath by On/Scene Tactical in Canada. The finger hole makes this thing damn hard to drop or loose grip of. It is an effective little claw.
Next on the list is the Fenix LED P2D. Great light. It served me well when the power went out during the ice storms back in January. I have a nice full write up over at thehighroad.org. I recommend the Fenix line to anyone looking for tactical, EDC, or utility flashlights.
My other knives are two that I currently carry depending on mood. I feel very naked without a good folding knife. There's always tape, plastic, or lunch that needs cutting at work and I'd rather not dull my fixed blade until absolutely necessary. One with the worn black clip is a Benchmade 530, a 3inch folder with their nifty axis lock system. The blade is very thin and is in 154cm. Its done well enough for cutting but I've been nervous with it with heavy plastic zip ties that I run across. The other is a new addition as of this past week. Its a Kershaw Skyline. Its the first Kershaw I've carried since I had to retire my excellent Leek due to a bent tip. It opens purely from the flipper and has a nice thick and wide blade. Its also half the price of the Benchmade, thus more expendable. The finger groove gives it a good grip that feels like it'd stay put if really jabbed something that needed it...
The multitool you see is a Swisstech Microtech 6 in 1. A tiny pliers, and both normal types screwdriver heads. I'm not impressed by the Philips though. I had a Leatherman Skeletool for a short time, but thats a story for another day. Maybe later this week?
The final tool I got from CountyComm. Its a micro-wedgie tool. I mainly use it for pulling metal out of pallet jack wheels. CountyComm has a LOT of neat stuff over there. Take a few min to check out the rest of their site.
Most of the time, I have this stuff on me, or next to my computer. I'm still looking for some other things to carry or upgrade. The multi-tool isn't too great. Still looking for an upgrade there that isn't total crap but doesn't weigh a crapton. Screwdrivers seem to always be the breaking point there. Also always looking at knives. Most likely the next knife I get will be a Benchmade Griptilian. Good feel to the hand and sturdier blade than the 530. Some cash in my truck maintenance fund must be replaced first. I feel that the S&W model 15 is well worth the wait for a new knife!
The pistol is the Smith & Wesson 638-3 Airweight. It is an aluminum framed model of the 5rd J-frame revolver family. It is chambered for .38 special, rated for +P use, weighs only 15oz unloaded, and has a bodyguard style hammer. The holster is one of Mika's excellent Pocket Holsters. I highly recommend Mika's product for comfortable carry. My reload is in an HKS speedloader.
The particularly vicious looking little knife is an Emerson made version of Fred Perrin's La Griff. It is my backup to my paltry 5rds of .38 special and rides on my left side in a kydex belt sheath by On/Scene Tactical in Canada. The finger hole makes this thing damn hard to drop or loose grip of. It is an effective little claw.
Next on the list is the Fenix LED P2D. Great light. It served me well when the power went out during the ice storms back in January. I have a nice full write up over at thehighroad.org. I recommend the Fenix line to anyone looking for tactical, EDC, or utility flashlights.
My other knives are two that I currently carry depending on mood. I feel very naked without a good folding knife. There's always tape, plastic, or lunch that needs cutting at work and I'd rather not dull my fixed blade until absolutely necessary. One with the worn black clip is a Benchmade 530, a 3inch folder with their nifty axis lock system. The blade is very thin and is in 154cm. Its done well enough for cutting but I've been nervous with it with heavy plastic zip ties that I run across. The other is a new addition as of this past week. Its a Kershaw Skyline. Its the first Kershaw I've carried since I had to retire my excellent Leek due to a bent tip. It opens purely from the flipper and has a nice thick and wide blade. Its also half the price of the Benchmade, thus more expendable. The finger groove gives it a good grip that feels like it'd stay put if really jabbed something that needed it...
The multitool you see is a Swisstech Microtech 6 in 1. A tiny pliers, and both normal types screwdriver heads. I'm not impressed by the Philips though. I had a Leatherman Skeletool for a short time, but thats a story for another day. Maybe later this week?
The final tool I got from CountyComm. Its a micro-wedgie tool. I mainly use it for pulling metal out of pallet jack wheels. CountyComm has a LOT of neat stuff over there. Take a few min to check out the rest of their site.
Most of the time, I have this stuff on me, or next to my computer. I'm still looking for some other things to carry or upgrade. The multi-tool isn't too great. Still looking for an upgrade there that isn't total crap but doesn't weigh a crapton. Screwdrivers seem to always be the breaking point there. Also always looking at knives. Most likely the next knife I get will be a Benchmade Griptilian. Good feel to the hand and sturdier blade than the 530. Some cash in my truck maintenance fund must be replaced first. I feel that the S&W model 15 is well worth the wait for a new knife!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Welcome! I want a FUBAR!
Howdy folks. You can call me Roadkill or RK. I got that nick back in '99 or so when I first started playing Quake 2. It was my first FPS handle, and still my favorite. I use it on the gunblogger conspiracy IRC room and malodorousroadkill is my nick on the old HighRoad forum. I know, its run by a thief. I really need to join the dot.us one.
I'm currently preparing for the coming zombie apocalypse, and other various disasters that may befall Kentucky. Be it another crushing winter storm, quakes, or the fruits of an anti-constitutional government. This provides a good place to organize my thoughts and get some meaningful discussion and feedback. Guns, knives, holsters, gear, foodstuffs, shelter, cheese, clothing, and even eye wear! So many delectable subjects to beat like a dead horse! I almost pity you, my sweet sweet readers. On to todays first topic. The FUBAR!
Sadly, I work at a walmart while I and my wife are trying to get finished with college. Sometimes, we find some pretty neat stuff in the halls of my Dark Corporate Masters. Sunday morning, I found a nifty tool in Hardware.
The Stanley FatMax FUBAR. It describes itself as a "Functional Utility Bar." This is a vicious looking beast that looks to be the product of a drunken orgy of a hammer, a crowbar, and some sort of strange claw-like fixed wrench. This is the most basic model. Its about 2.5 lbs with a hammer head, a claw wrench(I can not really think of other ways to describe it), and a pry bar at the end. It is designed for demolition work mostly. Where the claw can tear apart boards and rip through dry wall, while the hammer can smash through walls and windows, and the crowbar can pry stuff up. I saw this thing, and I started thinking what it could to do to some zombie skulls. Afterwards, it could be used to nail boards to secure a doorway. Then off to pry open a cabinet full of goodies. All those things in one relatively light package. There are larger and heavier versions.
The Extreme series features an 18inch(pictured above) and 30 inch versions. 4lbs for the smaller and a whopping 8.5lbs for the 30inch! These are meant for heavier duty demolition. Ripping through houses like a Grabiod through alluvial soil. Then there are the Forcible Entry versions.
These are nasty looking monsters designed for use by rescue teams, firemen, etc. They will also open and close various valves as necessary. According to some forums, firemen will modify these with window breakers and other tools of the trade. A very convenient tool for these folks and for you too! Check 'em out at http://www.stanleyfubar.com/ Now, I have to consider which one I want. My BoB is getting kinda heavy as it stands though...
I'm currently preparing for the coming zombie apocalypse, and other various disasters that may befall Kentucky. Be it another crushing winter storm, quakes, or the fruits of an anti-constitutional government. This provides a good place to organize my thoughts and get some meaningful discussion and feedback. Guns, knives, holsters, gear, foodstuffs, shelter, cheese, clothing, and even eye wear! So many delectable subjects to beat like a dead horse! I almost pity you, my sweet sweet readers. On to todays first topic. The FUBAR!
Sadly, I work at a walmart while I and my wife are trying to get finished with college. Sometimes, we find some pretty neat stuff in the halls of my Dark Corporate Masters. Sunday morning, I found a nifty tool in Hardware.
The Stanley FatMax FUBAR. It describes itself as a "Functional Utility Bar." This is a vicious looking beast that looks to be the product of a drunken orgy of a hammer, a crowbar, and some sort of strange claw-like fixed wrench. This is the most basic model. Its about 2.5 lbs with a hammer head, a claw wrench(I can not really think of other ways to describe it), and a pry bar at the end. It is designed for demolition work mostly. Where the claw can tear apart boards and rip through dry wall, while the hammer can smash through walls and windows, and the crowbar can pry stuff up. I saw this thing, and I started thinking what it could to do to some zombie skulls. Afterwards, it could be used to nail boards to secure a doorway. Then off to pry open a cabinet full of goodies. All those things in one relatively light package. There are larger and heavier versions.
The Extreme series features an 18inch(pictured above) and 30 inch versions. 4lbs for the smaller and a whopping 8.5lbs for the 30inch! These are meant for heavier duty demolition. Ripping through houses like a Grabiod through alluvial soil. Then there are the Forcible Entry versions.
These are nasty looking monsters designed for use by rescue teams, firemen, etc. They will also open and close various valves as necessary. According to some forums, firemen will modify these with window breakers and other tools of the trade. A very convenient tool for these folks and for you too! Check 'em out at http://www.stanleyfubar.com/ Now, I have to consider which one I want. My BoB is getting kinda heavy as it stands though...
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