Oct 2007
Damn...
Wednesday, October 31, 2007 Filed in:
Blog stuff, Other resources
I'd just uploaded today's
entry, only to find that Tam scooped me by 21 minutes.
(She's probably still sore about that whole geek thing...)
-=[ Grant ]=-
(She's probably still sore about that whole geek thing...)
-=[ Grant ]=-
|
Green with envy
Ever run across someone who
does something so much better than you, that you are simultaneously
awed and angered?
I get that way when I read Marko's blog "The Munchkin Wrangler." His writing positively sparkles; he's able to relay conceptual topics in an elegant and concise manner that is so much better than my lame attempts.
His latest missive deals with the idea that one should simply "give criminals what they want and they'll leave you alone." It's so good, it should be required reading for everyone - whether they carry a gun or not.
Don't miss it.
-=[ Grant ]=-
I get that way when I read Marko's blog "The Munchkin Wrangler." His writing positively sparkles; he's able to relay conceptual topics in an elegant and concise manner that is so much better than my lame attempts.
His latest missive deals with the idea that one should simply "give criminals what they want and they'll leave you alone." It's so good, it should be required reading for everyone - whether they carry a gun or not.
Don't miss it.
-=[ Grant ]=-
Even the best families have their fights
Monday, October 29, 2007 Filed in:
Political Action
I've always assumed that
readers of this blog are probably NRA members; I'm sure more than a
few are GOA or JPFO members, as well. Like many of you, I've
belonged to the NRA for some time, and appreciate the work that
they do.
That doesn't mean, however, that I'm in lock-step with the NRA, nor do I believe that supporting them means that I should turn off my brain. I criticize them when they need to be criticized, because if that didn't happen they would morph into an organization that none of us could support.
When they've caved on important issues or made odd political endorsements, I've been critical. I think that is part and parcel of responsible membership.
Say Uncle has a good post on this topic. I agree with him.
-=[ Grant ]=-
That doesn't mean, however, that I'm in lock-step with the NRA, nor do I believe that supporting them means that I should turn off my brain. I criticize them when they need to be criticized, because if that didn't happen they would morph into an organization that none of us could support.
When they've caved on important issues or made odd political endorsements, I've been critical. I think that is part and parcel of responsible membership.
Say Uncle has a good post on this topic. I agree with him.
-=[ Grant ]=-
FRIDAY SURPRISE: The Russians Aren't Coming! The Russians Aren't Coming!
Well, definitely
not in
these!
Owing to my unnatural fascination with old and abandoned things, I find the concept of an aircraft boneyard to be absolutely irresistible. The most famous of them is no doubt the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center outside of Tucson, but there are others.
The Russians have such things, too, and they can be a fascinating glimpse into the "other side" of the Cold War.
-=[ Grant ]=-
Owing to my unnatural fascination with old and abandoned things, I find the concept of an aircraft boneyard to be absolutely irresistible. The most famous of them is no doubt the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center outside of Tucson, but there are others.
The Russians have such things, too, and they can be a fascinating glimpse into the "other side" of the Cold War.
-=[ Grant ]=-
A sign of things to come?
Wednesday, October 24, 2007 Filed in:
General gun
stuff, Shooting
industry
Last week Ruger did
something unprecedented, at least for them: they introduced a 9mm
striker-fired autopistol.
Those who frequent my little corner of the internet know my general feelings regarding autoloading handguns (I wouldn't turn one down if given to me, but I'd sell it to buy another revolver!) Still, I've got to admit that the engineering and design of the new SR9 are quite good, for a bottom-feeder, and it even looks nice. I'm sure it will sell well for them.
But that's not the best part of the story.
What's more interesting to me is the path by which this gun came to market. Ruger has a new management team these days; with the death of Bill Ruger Sr. and the retirement of Bill Jr., the company has finally gotten some fresh blood into their stodgy executive suite. It shows in this, their first collective effort. They were willing to take some risks, do something that "wasn't Ruger", and the result is a very attractive, well designed, innovative, yet affordable firearm.
The other interesting part of the gun's birth has been the means by which it has become known to the public. Everyone is making a big deal about this being the first gun to be introduced primarily through electronic media, and while that is intriguing I think there is something far more important at work.
The fact that the SR9 project was kept quiet right up until launch is an important sign, an indication that this is a seriously new Sturm, Ruger & Co. No "sneak preview" with a ridiculous one- or two-year gestation period, like every other gun company does. Ruger developed the gun in secrecy, and announced it when it was actually ready to ship. Someone, it seems, has been watching Steve Jobs very closely - this is a stunning about-face from the way the firearms industry usually works, and is very much like the way Apple, Inc. operates. Ruger has decided that "vaporware" has no place in their business, and for this alone they should be loudly applauded.
(Attention, CZ-USA: you could learn something here - though I'm not holding my breath, since you didn't take my advice last time!)
From my perspective, I'm excited to see these changes at Ruger because I suspect it means that we'll finally see some new revolvers from them. Perhaps a lightweight version of the SP101? How about a compact 6-shot revolver to take the place of the much-missed Colt Detective Special and Magnum Carry models - a market segment positively crying for attention, yet completely ignored by all of the revolver companies? Maybe, just maybe, a .44 Special version of the GP100? Please???
Ruger is finally recovering from their infamous anal/cranial inversion. The SR9, despite being a gun I will probably never own, is exciting to me not because of what it is, but because of what it says about the future of the company - a company that just happens to make other products that DO interest me.
Go Ruger!
-=[ Grant ]=-
Those who frequent my little corner of the internet know my general feelings regarding autoloading handguns (I wouldn't turn one down if given to me, but I'd sell it to buy another revolver!) Still, I've got to admit that the engineering and design of the new SR9 are quite good, for a bottom-feeder, and it even looks nice. I'm sure it will sell well for them.
But that's not the best part of the story.
What's more interesting to me is the path by which this gun came to market. Ruger has a new management team these days; with the death of Bill Ruger Sr. and the retirement of Bill Jr., the company has finally gotten some fresh blood into their stodgy executive suite. It shows in this, their first collective effort. They were willing to take some risks, do something that "wasn't Ruger", and the result is a very attractive, well designed, innovative, yet affordable firearm.
The other interesting part of the gun's birth has been the means by which it has become known to the public. Everyone is making a big deal about this being the first gun to be introduced primarily through electronic media, and while that is intriguing I think there is something far more important at work.
The fact that the SR9 project was kept quiet right up until launch is an important sign, an indication that this is a seriously new Sturm, Ruger & Co. No "sneak preview" with a ridiculous one- or two-year gestation period, like every other gun company does. Ruger developed the gun in secrecy, and announced it when it was actually ready to ship. Someone, it seems, has been watching Steve Jobs very closely - this is a stunning about-face from the way the firearms industry usually works, and is very much like the way Apple, Inc. operates. Ruger has decided that "vaporware" has no place in their business, and for this alone they should be loudly applauded.
(Attention, CZ-USA: you could learn something here - though I'm not holding my breath, since you didn't take my advice last time!)
From my perspective, I'm excited to see these changes at Ruger because I suspect it means that we'll finally see some new revolvers from them. Perhaps a lightweight version of the SP101? How about a compact 6-shot revolver to take the place of the much-missed Colt Detective Special and Magnum Carry models - a market segment positively crying for attention, yet completely ignored by all of the revolver companies? Maybe, just maybe, a .44 Special version of the GP100? Please???
Ruger is finally recovering from their infamous anal/cranial inversion. The SR9, despite being a gun I will probably never own, is exciting to me not because of what it is, but because of what it says about the future of the company - a company that just happens to make other products that DO interest me.
Go Ruger!
-=[ Grant ]=-
Let's catch up a bit...
If you've hung around here
for any length of time, you've noticed that on Mondays and
Wednesdays I try to keep the blog somewhat on the topic of
firearms, preferably on revolvers.
Today is not going to be one of those days.
Why? I was so busy over the weekend I didn't even get a chance to think about the blog, let alone write anything! Well, that - and the fact that my elbow hurts like heck!
As you may recall, I'm suffering from a very painful occurrence of tendonitis in my right elbow. So painful, in fact, that it hurts to type! As I mentioned last week I took it fairly easy for several days, and was feeling vast improvement until I did something so innocuous that I am startled at the outcome. It involved a Junkyard Dog.
No, not the kind you're thinking of - this kind of Junkyard Dog.
As it happens I live equidistant from the knife companies of Kershaw and Benchmade (and, by extension, the firms of Gerber, Leatherman, and Lone Wolf Knives. I guess you could call this "Edged Alley"!) Over the years I've bought many Benchmade knives, and generally avoided the Kershaw brand. Kershaw just didn't have the quality of blade that I desire in my knives, and despite having met Pete Kershaw himself I was never persuaded to carry one of his products.
When Kershaw moved a lot of their production from overseas to right here in my own stompin' grounds they got my interest, but not enough to make me want to put one of their products in my pocket every day. It was when I found that they were transitioning from the use of cheap 440A and 440C steels to Sandvik steels that I became truly interested.
(Bear with me - this does eventually get back to my tendonitis!)
I have quite a bit of experience with Sandvik blades, particularly with their 12C27 steel as used in the famous Swedish Mora knives. It is, in my estimation, one of the better 'all around' steels that one could use on a general purpose knife. It holds an edge well, is very resistant to breakage, and is easy to sharpen. The fact that there were almost no folders made out of that superb yet underrated steel annoyed me greatly, and I was left to console myself with my Moras.
It was when I found out that Kershaw had gone to Sandvik steel (13C26, a very close relative of 12C27) that I decided I had to have one. The Junkyard Dog II had gotten rave reviews over at Bladeforums, so I decided that I was to get one.
(Luckily my wife intervened, and got one for me as a gift, thus saving me from the guilt of buying it for myself!)
It arrived at the end of last week, and from the start I was smitten with it. Fit and finish is quite good, easily up to the Benchmades that I own, and at the price point it is astounding. I haven't gotten a chance to resharpen the edge and really test it yet (any factory edge is downright primitive compared to what a few minutes with a set of stones can achieve), but I expect great things.
The trouble is that the blade is really quite heavy, and flicking it open delivers a solid "whack" to one's muscles. I was absentmindedly doing that while watching television the other night: opening and closing it repeatedly, just because it's fun to do. After about a half-hour of such foolishness I found that my elbow was as sore as it ever was, and then some!
So now you have, as Paul Harvey would say, "the rest of the story."
-=[ Grant ]=-
Today is not going to be one of those days.
Why? I was so busy over the weekend I didn't even get a chance to think about the blog, let alone write anything! Well, that - and the fact that my elbow hurts like heck!
As you may recall, I'm suffering from a very painful occurrence of tendonitis in my right elbow. So painful, in fact, that it hurts to type! As I mentioned last week I took it fairly easy for several days, and was feeling vast improvement until I did something so innocuous that I am startled at the outcome. It involved a Junkyard Dog.
No, not the kind you're thinking of - this kind of Junkyard Dog.
As it happens I live equidistant from the knife companies of Kershaw and Benchmade (and, by extension, the firms of Gerber, Leatherman, and Lone Wolf Knives. I guess you could call this "Edged Alley"!) Over the years I've bought many Benchmade knives, and generally avoided the Kershaw brand. Kershaw just didn't have the quality of blade that I desire in my knives, and despite having met Pete Kershaw himself I was never persuaded to carry one of his products.
When Kershaw moved a lot of their production from overseas to right here in my own stompin' grounds they got my interest, but not enough to make me want to put one of their products in my pocket every day. It was when I found that they were transitioning from the use of cheap 440A and 440C steels to Sandvik steels that I became truly interested.
(Bear with me - this does eventually get back to my tendonitis!)
I have quite a bit of experience with Sandvik blades, particularly with their 12C27 steel as used in the famous Swedish Mora knives. It is, in my estimation, one of the better 'all around' steels that one could use on a general purpose knife. It holds an edge well, is very resistant to breakage, and is easy to sharpen. The fact that there were almost no folders made out of that superb yet underrated steel annoyed me greatly, and I was left to console myself with my Moras.
It was when I found out that Kershaw had gone to Sandvik steel (13C26, a very close relative of 12C27) that I decided I had to have one. The Junkyard Dog II had gotten rave reviews over at Bladeforums, so I decided that I was to get one.
(Luckily my wife intervened, and got one for me as a gift, thus saving me from the guilt of buying it for myself!)
It arrived at the end of last week, and from the start I was smitten with it. Fit and finish is quite good, easily up to the Benchmades that I own, and at the price point it is astounding. I haven't gotten a chance to resharpen the edge and really test it yet (any factory edge is downright primitive compared to what a few minutes with a set of stones can achieve), but I expect great things.
The trouble is that the blade is really quite heavy, and flicking it open delivers a solid "whack" to one's muscles. I was absentmindedly doing that while watching television the other night: opening and closing it repeatedly, just because it's fun to do. After about a half-hour of such foolishness I found that my elbow was as sore as it ever was, and then some!
So now you have, as Paul Harvey would say, "the rest of the story."
-=[ Grant ]=-
FRIDAY SURPRISE: You'll get a charge out of this
When we think of a battery,
we invariably think of the lead, acid, or alkaline components that
have become synonymous with the concept. But chemical repositories
are not the only ways to store energy; it can also be stored in its
kinetic form.
That's the idea behind the mechanical battery. Read all about it, courtesy of Damn Interesting.
-=[ Grant ]=-
That's the idea behind the mechanical battery. Read all about it, courtesy of Damn Interesting.
-=[ Grant ]=-
On the injured list
Light blogging today, owing
to a nasty recurrence of the tendonitis in my right arm. A
combination of hard work and shooting way too many lightweight,
heavy recoil revolvers is starting to take its toll!
It hurts to type or hold tools firmly, and work in the shop has slowed to a crawl in the last few days. I've decided to take it easy the rest of the week, which (in my experience) should allow enough healing to enable me to "hit it hard" again next week.
Sigh.
I never thought I'd get old enough to complain about getting old enough to complain!
-=[ Grant ]=-
It hurts to type or hold tools firmly, and work in the shop has slowed to a crawl in the last few days. I've decided to take it easy the rest of the week, which (in my experience) should allow enough healing to enable me to "hit it hard" again next week.
Sigh.
I never thought I'd get old enough to complain about getting old enough to complain!
-=[ Grant ]=-
Vee haff vays of making you feel insignificant!
I'm really glad that HK
doesn't make revolvers. People complain about the supposed
snobbishness of Python owners, but even the most rabid Colt fan
can't hold a candle to the receptionist at Heckler &
Koch.
How do I know, you may ask? One day I had the temerity to call them with the simple goal of obtaining a replacement trigger spring for an HK P7. To characterize the reception I got as "cold" would have been massive understatement. Siberia is a veritable tropic paradise in comparison.
Even after putting me through their version of the Nuremberg trial (boy, do they carry a grudge) they still wouldn't sell me the part.
Having therefore experienced their Teutonic haughtiness, I laughed the laugh of the knowing when I read this post at Monster Hunter Nation.
(Oh, be sure to read the comments. All of them. There are some gems there, especially toward the bottom.)
-=[ Grant ]=-
How do I know, you may ask? One day I had the temerity to call them with the simple goal of obtaining a replacement trigger spring for an HK P7. To characterize the reception I got as "cold" would have been massive understatement. Siberia is a veritable tropic paradise in comparison.
Even after putting me through their version of the Nuremberg trial (boy, do they carry a grudge) they still wouldn't sell me the part.
Having therefore experienced their Teutonic haughtiness, I laughed the laugh of the knowing when I read this post at Monster Hunter Nation.
(Oh, be sure to read the comments. All of them. There are some gems there, especially toward the bottom.)
-=[ Grant ]=-
FRIDAY SURPRISE: Something in the air
Friday, October 12, 2007 Filed in:
Friday
Surprise!, Completely
irrelevant, Technology, History, Things I like
It's confession time: I'm a
geek. A card carrying,
spent-all-my-high-school-time-in-the-library,
know-how-to-use-a-sliderule geek. I love computers,
think physics should be taught in kindergarden, and generally find
technology of all kinds (modern to ancient) fascinating.
Seems I'm not the only gun blogger to claim that moniker: the infamous Tam purports to be a geek, too - but is she? Is she really? Oh, yeah, she makes a big deal about her old computers - but did she ever have a DEC PDP-11/70 (running RSTS, no less) in her garage like I once did? I think not!
I, on the other hand, can prove my exalted status beyond a shadow of doubt, as I possess the ultimate geek credential: an amateur radio license. No, not your simple no-code-Tech paper, but a real I-passed-the-Morse-code-test-and-have-HF-privileges-to-show-for-it General class ticket. In the world of the terminally socially inept, the ham radio license is Da Bomb. Let's see you beat THAT, Tam! Hah! Hah-hah-hah!
(I think I've been reading far too much Mogambo Guru. But I digress...)
This nerd calling-out is just a pathetically unimaginative way of introducing today's topic: an abandoned Ionospheric Research Station hidden deep in the Ukrainian wilderness. You see, such installations are all about antennas, and any ham radio operator worthy of the title is really into antennas. I sure am; I have books about antennas, have pictures of antenna installations, and generally love looking at anything to do with antennas - the more esoteric, the better!
They don't come much grander than this one, courtesy - once again - of that web site for all geeks, Dark Roasted Blend. (If after viewing the site you have an irresistible urge to buy a pocket protector, I cannot be held responsible!)
-=[ Grant ]=-
Seems I'm not the only gun blogger to claim that moniker: the infamous Tam purports to be a geek, too - but is she? Is she really? Oh, yeah, she makes a big deal about her old computers - but did she ever have a DEC PDP-11/70 (running RSTS, no less) in her garage like I once did? I think not!
I, on the other hand, can prove my exalted status beyond a shadow of doubt, as I possess the ultimate geek credential: an amateur radio license. No, not your simple no-code-Tech paper, but a real I-passed-the-Morse-code-test-and-have-HF-privileges-to-show-for-it General class ticket. In the world of the terminally socially inept, the ham radio license is Da Bomb. Let's see you beat THAT, Tam! Hah! Hah-hah-hah!
(I think I've been reading far too much Mogambo Guru. But I digress...)
This nerd calling-out is just a pathetically unimaginative way of introducing today's topic: an abandoned Ionospheric Research Station hidden deep in the Ukrainian wilderness. You see, such installations are all about antennas, and any ham radio operator worthy of the title is really into antennas. I sure am; I have books about antennas, have pictures of antenna installations, and generally love looking at anything to do with antennas - the more esoteric, the better!
They don't come much grander than this one, courtesy - once again - of that web site for all geeks, Dark Roasted Blend. (If after viewing the site you have an irresistible urge to buy a pocket protector, I cannot be held responsible!)
-=[ Grant ]=-
If you own a revolver, you need one of these
Wednesday, October 10, 2007 Filed in:
General gun
stuff
Back in the "olden days"
(no, kids, that does not mean the 1970s) it was common to carry a
revolver and a rifle that used the same ammunition. There is still
a lot to recommend the practice! If you have a wheelgun in .357,
.44, .32-20, .41 Magnum, or .45 Colt, Marlin makes a lever action rifle
to take your
ammunition.
Let's consider the .357: in a revolver the .357 is a formidable cartridge, but In a rifle it gets a big boost in performance with surprisingly low recoil. Many people use the .357 carbine as a deer gun at moderate ranges, and there are even some who swear that they can be used for elk. I'll dispute that latter contention, but as a short-range deer gun it is superb.
Of course the .357 rifle will also handle .38 Special ammunition. Using light loads, it can be used for jobs like plinking cans and hunting squirrels. I ran across a fellow a few years ago who used his for hunting sage rats! It should go without saying that recoil from these loads is nearly non-existent.
As a home defense gun it is easily handled by all qualified members of a family, no matter how sensitive they are to recoil. I don't have to tell you of the .357's reputation for "stopping power"!
Light, fast handling, and very low recoil, it may be the very best "all around" rifle you could own. If you don't have a lever action to complement your wheelguns, you're missing out on a whole lot of fun - and utility as well.
-=[ Grant ]=-
Let's consider the .357: in a revolver the .357 is a formidable cartridge, but In a rifle it gets a big boost in performance with surprisingly low recoil. Many people use the .357 carbine as a deer gun at moderate ranges, and there are even some who swear that they can be used for elk. I'll dispute that latter contention, but as a short-range deer gun it is superb.
Of course the .357 rifle will also handle .38 Special ammunition. Using light loads, it can be used for jobs like plinking cans and hunting squirrels. I ran across a fellow a few years ago who used his for hunting sage rats! It should go without saying that recoil from these loads is nearly non-existent.
As a home defense gun it is easily handled by all qualified members of a family, no matter how sensitive they are to recoil. I don't have to tell you of the .357's reputation for "stopping power"!
Light, fast handling, and very low recoil, it may be the very best "all around" rifle you could own. If you don't have a lever action to complement your wheelguns, you're missing out on a whole lot of fun - and utility as well.
-=[ Grant ]=-
Tongue-tied
Monday, October 08, 2007 Filed in:
Blog stuff, Revolvers, Completely
irrelevant, Techniques &
Training
I just can't think of
anything to say today. This is beyond writer's block - my mind is
simply blank.
I'd thought of commenting on an email I received that was critical of my position in the article On Safety, but it seems like beating a dead horse.
Tam put up an interesting post on the S&W Model 53, but a simple link is hardly sufficient for a whole blog post.
A tragic shooting in small-town America shows just how ridiculous it is to insist that only the police and military have guns. I could comment, but I think the story is self-explanatory.
I guess I'll just fall back on this: it's stupid to make pets out of wild animals. Especially heavily-armed wild animals.
-=[ Grant ]=-
I'd thought of commenting on an email I received that was critical of my position in the article On Safety, but it seems like beating a dead horse.
Tam put up an interesting post on the S&W Model 53, but a simple link is hardly sufficient for a whole blog post.
A tragic shooting in small-town America shows just how ridiculous it is to insist that only the police and military have guns. I could comment, but I think the story is self-explanatory.
I guess I'll just fall back on this: it's stupid to make pets out of wild animals. Especially heavily-armed wild animals.
-=[ Grant ]=-
FRIDAY SURPRISE: All the king's horses and all the king's men...
Friday, October 05, 2007 Filed in:
Friday
Surprise!, Completely
irrelevant
So, let's say you've got
some precision tools, a dozen eggs, and some time on your hands.
What would you do?
How about carving up those eggshells?
-=[ Grant ]=-
How about carving up those eggshells?
-=[ Grant ]=-
Damn it all!
Wednesday, October 03, 2007 Filed in:
Blog stuff
Oh man....
When I started this blog I installed a comment system. I've got it set up so that it sends me an email whenever anyone makes a comment, so that I can moderate the exchanges. It won't show a comment unless I've approved it, which is a guard not against dissension but against malicious spamming.
At first I got a few comments, all of which I approved, then nothing. For many months there has been nothing. I figured that no one was reading, or perhaps no one really cared to make their voice heard. After all, I'm not a muckraker like Michael Bane, nor a practiced curmudgeon like Tam, nor even a philosopher like Marko. I'm just a guy who likes to talk about revolvers!
So it came as a surprise to get an email today, that essentially said "I've made a bunch of comments, and I know others have, and we never see them. Is something wrong?"
Yes, in fact, there was something wrong: the comment system wasn't sending me notifications that anyone had commented! This prompted me to log into the commentary site (HaloScan, for those in the know) and guess what I found? Seven pages of comments patiently awaiting my judgement!
If you've made a comment, and wondered where it was, I've probably got it somewhere in this pile. I'll be going through all the comments and posting them over the next few days, so if there's an article that you left feedback for go back and check it - unless you're promoting a porn site, chances are it'll show up shortly!
If you asked a question that I didn't answer, my sincere apologies. I'll be correcting that as well, although it may take a bit longer - I don't type terribly fast!
-=[ Grant ]=-
When I started this blog I installed a comment system. I've got it set up so that it sends me an email whenever anyone makes a comment, so that I can moderate the exchanges. It won't show a comment unless I've approved it, which is a guard not against dissension but against malicious spamming.
At first I got a few comments, all of which I approved, then nothing. For many months there has been nothing. I figured that no one was reading, or perhaps no one really cared to make their voice heard. After all, I'm not a muckraker like Michael Bane, nor a practiced curmudgeon like Tam, nor even a philosopher like Marko. I'm just a guy who likes to talk about revolvers!
So it came as a surprise to get an email today, that essentially said "I've made a bunch of comments, and I know others have, and we never see them. Is something wrong?"
Yes, in fact, there was something wrong: the comment system wasn't sending me notifications that anyone had commented! This prompted me to log into the commentary site (HaloScan, for those in the know) and guess what I found? Seven pages of comments patiently awaiting my judgement!
If you've made a comment, and wondered where it was, I've probably got it somewhere in this pile. I'll be going through all the comments and posting them over the next few days, so if there's an article that you left feedback for go back and check it - unless you're promoting a porn site, chances are it'll show up shortly!
If you asked a question that I didn't answer, my sincere apologies. I'll be correcting that as well, although it may take a bit longer - I don't type terribly fast!
-=[ Grant ]=-
Following the safety rules religiously
Tuesday, October 02, 2007 Filed in:
General gun
stuff, Techniques &
Training
In last week's
article, I mentioned that there was
an ancient religious principle that can help keep you safe from
firearms accidents. Allow me to digress for just a moment to give
you the necessary background.
As you may know, Orthodox Jews have a rather rigorous set of rules that they follow. According to their tradition, there are 613 commandments in the Torah (their Bible, which consists of the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.) Imagine trying to keep track of, let alone follow, 613 commandments!
To make the job easier and to prevent the unintentional transgression of a commandment, they have a concept called gezeirah, which is explained as "building a fence around the Torah." This idea, which goes back roughly 800 years, refers to the additional precepts that one should follow to avoid even coming close to violating a commandment itself. They supply a sort of early warning system; if you know that you've broken the lesser rule, you know that you're in danger of violating the more sacred one.
Now I'm not saying that everyone should run out and become Orthodox Jews (you'd have to give up Saturday morning cartoons and pepperoni pizza, for starters), but the concept of a "fence" around a core set of rules is as good for keeping us physically safe as it is for safeguarding their spiritual well-being.
So, if our overriding precepts are the Three Commandments of Gun Safety:
These additional rules don't relieve you of the need for always following the Three Commandments, and are never to be considered any exception to any of them. They are a supplement. They provide one extra guard, one extra layer of security, before you're put into a situation where the "fail-safe" of the Commandments is all that stands between you and grievous injury. They set up an attitude, a frame of mind, that makes an accident all the less likely.
For instance, I have my own fence: my shop is a sterile area, meaning that there is no live ammunition in the shop area proper. (Need I mention that there are no exceptions?) I still follow the Three Commandments, mind you, but following the rule of no live ammo in the shop area makes the constant handling lots of guns even safer.
Now go and sin - ballistically speaking - no more!
-=[ Grant ]=-
As you may know, Orthodox Jews have a rather rigorous set of rules that they follow. According to their tradition, there are 613 commandments in the Torah (their Bible, which consists of the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.) Imagine trying to keep track of, let alone follow, 613 commandments!
To make the job easier and to prevent the unintentional transgression of a commandment, they have a concept called gezeirah, which is explained as "building a fence around the Torah." This idea, which goes back roughly 800 years, refers to the additional precepts that one should follow to avoid even coming close to violating a commandment itself. They supply a sort of early warning system; if you know that you've broken the lesser rule, you know that you're in danger of violating the more sacred one.
Now I'm not saying that everyone should run out and become Orthodox Jews (you'd have to give up Saturday morning cartoons and pepperoni pizza, for starters), but the concept of a "fence" around a core set of rules is as good for keeping us physically safe as it is for safeguarding their spiritual well-being.
So, if our overriding precepts are the Three Commandments of Gun Safety:
What kinds of rules might constitute our "fence"? Well, they might include the "Seven Rules of Dry-Fire":Never point a gun - any gun, loaded or unloaded - at anything you are not willing to shoot.
Always be sure of your target, and the backstop behind it.
Keep your finger out of the triggerguard until your sights are on target and you are ready to shoot.
The NRA has a poster of 10 or 12 firearms rules that could constitute another fence, and I'm sure you'll find more. Some may be very general, others may be specific to the range you're using or the particular shooting activity in which you're participating.- Select the proper time and place (alone, no distractions, safe backstop).
- Remove all live ammunition from your training area (including those in your own gun and the gun that you will use for dry fire).
- Go into “practice mode” state of mind. Say out loud: “This is practice time, I am going to practice now.”
- Perform practice.
- When practice is over, go into “reality mode.” Say out loud: “Practice is over, this is real.”
- Put the gun into the condition in which it is normally kept.
- Put the gun away immediately (secured).
These additional rules don't relieve you of the need for always following the Three Commandments, and are never to be considered any exception to any of them. They are a supplement. They provide one extra guard, one extra layer of security, before you're put into a situation where the "fail-safe" of the Commandments is all that stands between you and grievous injury. They set up an attitude, a frame of mind, that makes an accident all the less likely.
For instance, I have my own fence: my shop is a sterile area, meaning that there is no live ammunition in the shop area proper. (Need I mention that there are no exceptions?) I still follow the Three Commandments, mind you, but following the rule of no live ammo in the shop area makes the constant handling lots of guns even safer.
Now go and sin - ballistically speaking - no more!
-=[ Grant ]=-
More reloading goodness
As I
promised, here are some more
reloading accouterment
that I've been
playing with this year.
I finally got tired of my haphazard brass organization and decided to do something about it. At Wal-Mart I bought some Sterilite 6-quart plastic containers, which just happened to fit neatly on the shelves in my reloading room. Into the containers went all of my brass, and wonder of wonders - I can see what's in the box! (I have, of course, labeled them as well.)
Big plus: I can see how much of each I have; no more digging through cardboard boxes! They've really made dealing with brass much more pleasant.
Here's an idea that someone gave me (though for the life of me I can't remember who it was.) At my local pet emporium I purchased this cat feeder, which has now been turned into a self-feeding bullet dispenser!
Much better than a tray/bin/overturned box for those long reloading sessions. Cost: $4.95. I'm looking for Dillon to have them made up in blue plastic, with a price tag of $19.95. (I'm kidding, I'm kidding! Sheesh, lighten up!)
Some months back I reported that I was experimenting with new bullets and powder. I'd been using the Rainier Ballistics plated bullets for some time, but could never get acceptable accuracy from them. (This is, as I was to learn, not an uncommon complaint with the product.) When my stock finally got low enough, I started looking around for a better but affordable "bulk" bullet for general use and gun testing.
I came across a polymer-coated lead bullet put out by Master Blasters, and gave them a try. I've gone through about 5,000 now, and am fairly happy with them. They are a definite step up accuracy-wise from the Rainier, though they're by no means a top-flight match slug. (For occasions when I need better accuracy, and can shoot lead, I continue to rely on the superb bullets put out by LaserCast - still the ones to beat, in my book.) They are, however, reasonably priced and the company is fairly quick to ship.
Along with the new bullets, I changed my "everyday" powder. I'd used Hodgdon Universal Clays for years in 9mm, .45 ACP, and .38 Special +P loads. It is a great powder for those uses - extremely clean (the cleanest I've used), and good accuracy. When I started loading standard pressure loads in .38 Special and .44 Special, however, a problem cropped up: Universal doesn't like light loads! Once the loading density falls to a certain point, unburned powder grains become a certainty. They really foul up a cylinder, and always find their way under the extractor!
I searched for a powder that would burn cleanly and completely, even with relatively mild loads. I ended up with Alliant Red Dot, and it has performed very well. It's a bit sootier than Universal, but burns completely in all loads - even very light .44 Specials. I've used Blue Dot for years in Magnum cartridges, and was impressed by it; the Red Dot is just as impressive. (I'm not a fan of Alliant Bullseye, which I've always found far too dirty, but the "Dot" line is really quite nice. The fact that you can readily identify it in the powder measure - they really do have red flakes and blue flakes mixed in - is a nice bonus!)
Happy reloading!
-=[ Grant ]=-
I finally got tired of my haphazard brass organization and decided to do something about it. At Wal-Mart I bought some Sterilite 6-quart plastic containers, which just happened to fit neatly on the shelves in my reloading room. Into the containers went all of my brass, and wonder of wonders - I can see what's in the box! (I have, of course, labeled them as well.)
Big plus: I can see how much of each I have; no more digging through cardboard boxes! They've really made dealing with brass much more pleasant.
Here's an idea that someone gave me (though for the life of me I can't remember who it was.) At my local pet emporium I purchased this cat feeder, which has now been turned into a self-feeding bullet dispenser!
Much better than a tray/bin/overturned box for those long reloading sessions. Cost: $4.95. I'm looking for Dillon to have them made up in blue plastic, with a price tag of $19.95. (I'm kidding, I'm kidding! Sheesh, lighten up!)
Some months back I reported that I was experimenting with new bullets and powder. I'd been using the Rainier Ballistics plated bullets for some time, but could never get acceptable accuracy from them. (This is, as I was to learn, not an uncommon complaint with the product.) When my stock finally got low enough, I started looking around for a better but affordable "bulk" bullet for general use and gun testing.
I came across a polymer-coated lead bullet put out by Master Blasters, and gave them a try. I've gone through about 5,000 now, and am fairly happy with them. They are a definite step up accuracy-wise from the Rainier, though they're by no means a top-flight match slug. (For occasions when I need better accuracy, and can shoot lead, I continue to rely on the superb bullets put out by LaserCast - still the ones to beat, in my book.) They are, however, reasonably priced and the company is fairly quick to ship.
Along with the new bullets, I changed my "everyday" powder. I'd used Hodgdon Universal Clays for years in 9mm, .45 ACP, and .38 Special +P loads. It is a great powder for those uses - extremely clean (the cleanest I've used), and good accuracy. When I started loading standard pressure loads in .38 Special and .44 Special, however, a problem cropped up: Universal doesn't like light loads! Once the loading density falls to a certain point, unburned powder grains become a certainty. They really foul up a cylinder, and always find their way under the extractor!
I searched for a powder that would burn cleanly and completely, even with relatively mild loads. I ended up with Alliant Red Dot, and it has performed very well. It's a bit sootier than Universal, but burns completely in all loads - even very light .44 Specials. I've used Blue Dot for years in Magnum cartridges, and was impressed by it; the Red Dot is just as impressive. (I'm not a fan of Alliant Bullseye, which I've always found far too dirty, but the "Dot" line is really quite nice. The fact that you can readily identify it in the powder measure - they really do have red flakes and blue flakes mixed in - is a nice bonus!)
Happy reloading!
-=[ Grant ]=-