Okay, so I’m a bit late to the Steven Hunter party. It looks like Point Of Impact was first published in 1993. I realize now that I’ve got some catching up to do.
You may have seen the movie Shooter (2007). Mark Wahlberg (a.k.a. Marky Mark, I’m sure he’d love the reference) is a sniper who gets framed for taking a shot at the U.S. president. I had seen the movie, but pretty much had forgotten all about it.
The high point of the movie, I vaguely remember. The main character, Bob Lee Swagger, the sniper, cuts down the man who really took the shot at the president, and then mows down a squad of shooters sent by the organization that framed him, aided somewhat by the FBI agent that believes he’s innocent. It’s maybe 12 minutes of shoot-em-up without much in the way of catch-phrases or billion dollar special effects, and it wasn’t enough to make a big impact at the box office. I don’t want to say that this is a minor part of the book, but the kicker in the novel is the surprise ending, which they did put into the movie. In the movie it only fizzles, and falls flat.
Let’s not get hung up on the mediocre movie though.
The novel starts out with Bob Lee waiting for a monster buck, near his home in the Oichita mountains in Arkansas. Bob Lee lives alone in the woods with his dozen or so rifles, a 1911, and a few thousand rounds of ammo, and has very little contact with anyone. He goes into town to pick up his mail, and to buy food now and then, but for the most part he just keeps to himself up in the mountains with his dog.
A few chapters in, you’re introduced to the villain, Col. William A. Bruce (retired), a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, who is played by Danny Glover in the movie. Col. Bruce needs a shooter, a real killer. He kicks some names around with his cronies. He rejects the suggestion of Carl Hitchcock (an obvious reference to Carlos Hathcock), because he’s made too much money selling books, and giving speeches at Soldier of Fortune conventions and whatever. Bruce wants “Bob the Nailer.” Bob Lee racked up 80-something confirmed kills as a Marine Sniper in Vietnam, with a few dozen more that couldn’t be confirmed. Pardon me, make that “The ‘Nam.”
Bruce goes up the Bob Lee’s place, along with Jack “Payne-O” Payne. Payne does the dirty work for Bruce, and he comes along to Bob’s place as a bodyguard. . . with a short barreled shotgun under his coat.
Bruce gets Bob Lee to come out to Maryland to do some shooting. He’s conviced Bob that he’s representing an ammo brand called Accutech. He gives some cock-and-bull story about using lasers to make the world’s best rifle ammo. Really what they are doing is laying the framework of a frame-up. They boost Bob’s ego, and then reveal that they’re tied up with Secret Service, and they have information that the Russian that shot Bob in the hip, and killed his spotter, has been hired by terrorists, and is planning on taking a shot at the President of the United States.
So Bob scouts some of the locations that the President will be visiting, and it seems that there is only one obvious choice. Col. Bruce talks Bob into sitting behind a spotting scope the day of the President’s speech, the day that the assassination is to take place. The trap is sprung, and Bob gets shot a couple times, but escapes. They set it up like Bob took the shot, and was shot by a police officer as he was making his escape. As Bob crashes out of the house, he practically lands on Nick Memphis, FBI agent, working with Secret Service. Bob takes Nick's Smith & Wesson 1076 10mm, and his government-owned car.
Nick had been in charge of going through the “Charlies,” random whackos, people who wrote letters to the government with too many exclamation points, people who just barely made it onto the radar of the Secret Service. Allegedly, Bob Lee had sent such a letter, and made it into the “Charlies.” Having been a former FBI sniper, Nick knew of “Bob the Nailer,” and didn’t consider him a real threat, and decided not to bump him up into the “Bravo” or “Alpha” groups.
So now it looks like Bob took a shot at the President, and took Nick’s service piece and car in the process. Nick is in hell, career-wise.
I may have gotten some of the details a little wrong, but that's mostly how it goes. If I tell you the rest, it will spoil the book for you, so I’m going to end the summary there.
I highly recommend this book. I wasn’t real sure if I would enjoy it at the start. I guess I’m kind of out of my “sniper phase,” but there is a lot of “gun culture” written into the book, besides the sniper stuff. After the shooting, you get to read the newspaper articles as Bob Lee reads them. I got a kick out the inane comments about the “telescopic-powered assault rifle.” Real pro-gun-ban newspaper articles are sometimes that bad.
The book is about 500 pages, and they’re pretty long pages too, but I never thought, “oh, just get on with it already, dammit.” Although I guess I really knew how it would end about half way through, you don’t find out how it happens until like the last 30 pages. There’s a big hint near the beginning, but after a few hundred pages I had pretty much forgotten about it.
If you’re a reader, and you have the time, pick up a copy. I don’t think you’ll regret it.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Making Kydex Holsters
This is my first posting to come out of a request.
This is a follow-up on the Custom Pocket Holster post.
I guess the first thing I should do is start with a disclaimer. If you are going to be forming a holster around an actual firearm, check to make sure it's unloaded three times before you start doing anything. Be really really sure it's unloaded, and periodically check to make sure it's still unloaded. We don't want anyone getting shot by an allegedly unloaded pistol.
If you have a blue gun, or a red gun, a resin movie prop gun, or a metal stand-in of the type typically used for making holsters, obviously use that instead of a real firearm. However, I expect that most who read this, are just normal shooters, who aren't going to go and spend $50 for a solid plastic gun to make one or two holsters. In case I haven't made it perfectly clear yet, if you are going to be using a real firearm to form a holster around, make sure it's completely unloaded first.
Kydex is a pretty forgiving material to work with. If you make a mistake, you can heat it back up and reshape it. One of the only ways you can really go wrong is to cut a piece too small, although you may be able to use that piece later for something else. If you get too agressive with a heat gun you might manage to scorch or really melt the material.
Kydex is also a very inexpensive material. At present, you can get a 12x24” sheet of black Kydex for about $15 shipped, which should be enough to make two dropped and offset race holsters for full-size pistols, possibly 3, 4, or maybe even more concealment holsters, depending on the design.
I bought my Kydex and Concealex from Knifekits.com. They have expanded their line of sheath and holster supplies to include metal belt clips, snaps and setting tools, a wider selection of rivets and setting tools, leather material and supplies, new colors and camo pattern Kydex, and a whole bunch of other stuff.
.060” thick Kydex is easier to shape, but Kydex is pretty brittle, and all the holsters and belt loops I’ve ever had, made of .06” Kydex have broken or cracked. The pocket holster for the Kahr is made of .09” thick sheet, and has been beaten pretty badly, but it's still intact. I made belt loops for the SuperTuck from .09” sheet folded over, and they’ve been hanging in for a couple years now. I don't have any experience with .08" Concealex or Kydex, or .125" Kydex. The 1/8" Kydex might do the trick for belt loops, but wasn't available when I ordered material.
There are a few different ways to form Kydex. I just use a heat gun to soften the sheet, and then I bend and form it as necessary. You may have seen vacuum forming on Mythbusters, that works with Kydex too, but I haven't bothered with making a vacuum forming set-up myself. I've heard of people using the oven, or a toaster oven to warm up the Kydex, and then they quickly try to form it before it cools down and sets. I have not tried the oven method yet, but I can see how it might have some advantages.
If you use the heat gun or oven methods, you'll need some kind of "Kydex press." You can order a nice, photo-friendly press from knifekits.com or elsewhere for about $85, but I made mine from some MDF I had left over from another project, and a couple layers of foam cut from a sleeping pad.
The top layer of foam is a little scorched, and the cut of the MDF isn't pretty, but it gets the job done.
You may have no choice but to hand-form sometimes. The Kydex press doesn't really do curves, unless you make some kind of buck to insert into the press with the hot material.
You'll need something to use as a heat sheild to just work small areas of your holster. I used a piece of aluminum flashing, but a scrap of plywood or something would work too.
I think I had cut the notch in the heat shield to rework the channel necessary for the slide lock lever.
I have used popsicle sticks taped to the pistol to form slots in the Kydex for the slide lock lever, and other controls. If you don't have any handy, you can find them labeled as craft sticks at Michael's or maybe WalMart. The wood slats, purchased from the hobby section of WalMart, I cut to make a stand-in belt to make belt loops. It's not pictured here, because I threw it away, but I once use the handle of a plastic spoon at one point for forming Kydex. Use your imagination.
Here is some hardware used to make the tension adjustment on the pocket holster for the Kahr. On top is a tee-nut (may alse be called a t-nut). On the bottom is a finish washer. On the right is a rubber bushing, which goes between the layers of the holster. On the left is a flathead Phillips 8-32 machine screw.
Except for the rubber bushing, this is the same type of hardware used to secure the belt loops to a Crossbreed SuperTuck holster. Crossbreed seems to have used a rubber washer cut from rubber sheeting to use as a spacer between the leather backing, and the belt loop.
The finish washers I was able to find at Home Depot. The tee-nuts and screws I ordered from MSC Direct, but they may be cheaper from McMaster Carr, although, if you need a heat gun, it's probably cheaper at MSC. If you are buying a heat gun, try to get one with the attachments for focusing the flow of hot air. It you can't get a heat gun with the attachments for a resonable price, you can get them from WalMart in the paint section for under $25 probably, or maybe from PepBoys.
More Holster-Making Links, in no particular order:
FreeIdaho - Scroll down the index on the left until you get to "Holster 1".
Engnath.com Sheath Page - It's about making knife and sword sheaths, but there's some useful information that can be applied to making holsters.
F1Design.us, Vacuum Forming an IWB Holster - Alternate method of making Kydex Holsters.
This is a follow-up on the Custom Pocket Holster post.
I guess the first thing I should do is start with a disclaimer. If you are going to be forming a holster around an actual firearm, check to make sure it's unloaded three times before you start doing anything. Be really really sure it's unloaded, and periodically check to make sure it's still unloaded. We don't want anyone getting shot by an allegedly unloaded pistol.
If you have a blue gun, or a red gun, a resin movie prop gun, or a metal stand-in of the type typically used for making holsters, obviously use that instead of a real firearm. However, I expect that most who read this, are just normal shooters, who aren't going to go and spend $50 for a solid plastic gun to make one or two holsters. In case I haven't made it perfectly clear yet, if you are going to be using a real firearm to form a holster around, make sure it's completely unloaded first.
Kydex is a pretty forgiving material to work with. If you make a mistake, you can heat it back up and reshape it. One of the only ways you can really go wrong is to cut a piece too small, although you may be able to use that piece later for something else. If you get too agressive with a heat gun you might manage to scorch or really melt the material.
Kydex is also a very inexpensive material. At present, you can get a 12x24” sheet of black Kydex for about $15 shipped, which should be enough to make two dropped and offset race holsters for full-size pistols, possibly 3, 4, or maybe even more concealment holsters, depending on the design.
I bought my Kydex and Concealex from Knifekits.com. They have expanded their line of sheath and holster supplies to include metal belt clips, snaps and setting tools, a wider selection of rivets and setting tools, leather material and supplies, new colors and camo pattern Kydex, and a whole bunch of other stuff.
.060” thick Kydex is easier to shape, but Kydex is pretty brittle, and all the holsters and belt loops I’ve ever had, made of .06” Kydex have broken or cracked. The pocket holster for the Kahr is made of .09” thick sheet, and has been beaten pretty badly, but it's still intact. I made belt loops for the SuperTuck from .09” sheet folded over, and they’ve been hanging in for a couple years now. I don't have any experience with .08" Concealex or Kydex, or .125" Kydex. The 1/8" Kydex might do the trick for belt loops, but wasn't available when I ordered material.
There are a few different ways to form Kydex. I just use a heat gun to soften the sheet, and then I bend and form it as necessary. You may have seen vacuum forming on Mythbusters, that works with Kydex too, but I haven't bothered with making a vacuum forming set-up myself. I've heard of people using the oven, or a toaster oven to warm up the Kydex, and then they quickly try to form it before it cools down and sets. I have not tried the oven method yet, but I can see how it might have some advantages.
If you use the heat gun or oven methods, you'll need some kind of "Kydex press." You can order a nice, photo-friendly press from knifekits.com or elsewhere for about $85, but I made mine from some MDF I had left over from another project, and a couple layers of foam cut from a sleeping pad.
Except for the rubber bushing, this is the same type of hardware used to secure the belt loops to a Crossbreed SuperTuck holster. Crossbreed seems to have used a rubber washer cut from rubber sheeting to use as a spacer between the leather backing, and the belt loop.
The finish washers I was able to find at Home Depot. The tee-nuts and screws I ordered from MSC Direct, but they may be cheaper from McMaster Carr, although, if you need a heat gun, it's probably cheaper at MSC. If you are buying a heat gun, try to get one with the attachments for focusing the flow of hot air. It you can't get a heat gun with the attachments for a resonable price, you can get them from WalMart in the paint section for under $25 probably, or maybe from PepBoys.
More Holster-Making Links, in no particular order:
FreeIdaho - Scroll down the index on the left until you get to "Holster 1".
Engnath.com Sheath Page - It's about making knife and sword sheaths, but there's some useful information that can be applied to making holsters.
F1Design.us, Vacuum Forming an IWB Holster - Alternate method of making Kydex Holsters.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Update, 8/1/2010
I found the website for the self-defense shows on Spike. So I updated that post. I also added descriptions of the shows.
Uploaded pictures of Heinie sights and LPA adjustable sights for Glock, and added them to my update post from July 18th.
August free shipping (for orders over $199) promotion code for DSG Arms = AUGSHIP
Uploaded pictures of Heinie sights and LPA adjustable sights for Glock, and added them to my update post from July 18th.
August free shipping (for orders over $199) promotion code for DSG Arms = AUGSHIP
Custom Pocket Holster
I had been carrying my Kahr PM9 in an Uncle Mike's pocket holster with an old Blue Cross card epoxied on at the bottom to give it some ridgity. Well the card broke into several pieces and the holster returned to a floppy, and now very ugly mess. So I made my own Kydex pocket holster from Kydex. Here it is:
I made it so that the Kydex covers the mag release, sights, and, of course, the trigger. The muzzle end is folded over, to try to protect the pistol from pocket lint as much as possible.
I sized it specifically to fit Wrangler jeans pockets, but it seems to fit in most anything else. Some pocket holsters are made too small, and the pistol ends up sideways, or eventually upside down. I didn't leave it any room to rotate.
I've been using this holster for a few months and it's working out well. It took a few tries to get it just right, but the Kydex can be reshaped without any negative effects, and it wasn't that hard. All in, with the heat gun, materials, foam and MDF to make the Kydex press, I still have less money in the holster than what it would have cost me to have someone else make it.
I sized it specifically to fit Wrangler jeans pockets, but it seems to fit in most anything else. Some pocket holsters are made too small, and the pistol ends up sideways, or eventually upside down. I didn't leave it any room to rotate.
I've been using this holster for a few months and it's working out well. It took a few tries to get it just right, but the Kydex can be reshaped without any negative effects, and it wasn't that hard. All in, with the heat gun, materials, foam and MDF to make the Kydex press, I still have less money in the holster than what it would have cost me to have someone else make it.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
.223 Remington to .22 Pellet Conversion
Here's something I haven't seen before. The Sportsman's Guide has a .223 Remington to .22 pellet conversion shell. It looks like a brass shell casing, but you put a 209 shotshell primer in one end, and a .22 pellet in the other, turning your .223 Remington rifle into a pellet gun.
Pretty neat.
Pretty neat.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Midway Coupon Codes From AR-15.com
From AR15.com e-mail newsletter
To receive your Savings:
- Place in-stock products in your shopping cart totaling:
$50 for $10 off - Use Promotion Code 171510
$500 for $50 off - Use Promotion Code 271510
$1000 for $100 off - Use Promotion Code 371510
Enter the promotion code in the box entitled "Promotion Code" on the shopping cart page.- You will see the discount on the Confirmation page before placing your order.
- Remember, this promotion code is valid for orders placed on MidwayUSA.com.
- Limited to in-stock products, one per Customer and one promotion code per retail order.
- Excludes Gift Certificates and Nightforce products, Sale priced products and Clearance products.
- Offer valid for retail Customers only.
- Offer cannot be combined with Birthday or Special Pricing.
- Hurry, offer starts at 12:00 AM CT July 15, 2010
and ends at 11:59 PM CT July 31, 2010.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
What I've Been Up To
I got some sights in from Richard Heinie on, er, Wednesday or Thursday, I think. I got a tall front sight for my Glock 21, which was shooting high. I also ordered a Ledge rear sight with tritium for the Glock 19, which I bought a couple years ago, but have mostly ignored, except for shooting 1200 odd rounds through it. The old front sight from the 21 went onto the 19. The 21 is now shooting to point of aim, and I'm ready to carry the 19. The 19 will also likely go along for a carbine training class at some point in the future.
I also ordered a tritium sight set for the Kahr PM9, hoping it would fix my problem of hitting high with that pistol. It didn't. The pistol still shot 9 inches high (!) at 50 feet. I can bring it down a bit by filing the rear sight, but probably not enough.
Heinie night sights for Kahr pistols
My Kahr With New Heinie Sights, and Custom Pocket Holster
Oh, and my AA Glock conversion upper is now sporting LPA adjustable sights. The rear sight holds a zero pretty well. Although the front sight is much taller than the Glock front sight, and may cause holster clearance issues, I like these a lot better than the plastic Glock sights. I can now see light between the edges of the rear notch and the sides of the front sight now. Another issue may be the hinge pin of the rear sight, which is a cheap roll pin. I've heard several stories of broken hinge pins in Bomar-type sights, and I don't imagine that roll pin will hold up to very many major .40S&W loads. I'll post more on these sometime later.
LPA Adjustable Glock Sight
I updated the Spike Network shooting/self-defense show post.
Heinie night sights for Kahr pistols
My Kahr With New Heinie Sights, and Custom Pocket Holster
I shot a Ruger Rimfire Match earlier today at Delaware County Field & Stream. Although I didn't shoot all that well with the AA Glock conversion pistol, I did pretty good with the 10/22, and it was fun. The same range is running rimfire pistol plate shoots on Wednesday nights, but I work nights and haven't been able to go. I now have a legitimate purpose for the 10/22 that I've used to burn through 25-round mags of cheap bulk ammo. See. . . I can shoot a rifle offhand. . . I just need 40 M.O.A. targets! :-P
UPDATE, 8/1/2010: Looks like I took second in unlimited class somehow, placing just behind the gentleman who set up the shoot. Don't quite know how that happened.
UPDATE, 8/1/2010: Looks like I took second in unlimited class somehow, placing just behind the gentleman who set up the shoot. Don't quite know how that happened.
Oh, and my AA Glock conversion upper is now sporting LPA adjustable sights. The rear sight holds a zero pretty well. Although the front sight is much taller than the Glock front sight, and may cause holster clearance issues, I like these a lot better than the plastic Glock sights. I can now see light between the edges of the rear notch and the sides of the front sight now. Another issue may be the hinge pin of the rear sight, which is a cheap roll pin. I've heard several stories of broken hinge pins in Bomar-type sights, and I don't imagine that roll pin will hold up to very many major .40S&W loads. I'll post more on these sometime later.
LPA adjustable Glock sight set
AA Rimfire Slide with LPA Sights
AA Rimfire Slide with LPA Sights
LPA Adjustable Glock Sight
UPDATE, 11/20/11: The LPA sights are still doing well. I don't recall ever adjusting the sights, after the initial adjustment just after installing them. I'm quite impressed, and would buy another set in a heartbeat, if I needed them.
A quick shopping note: DSG Arms is selling 5 PMags with 150 rounds of Fiocchi 62gr ammo for $109. I've got lots of AR mags, and I'm reloading .223. If not for that, I'd probably jump on this deal. Scroll a bit down this page for a free shipping code I posted recently if you're buying.
I updated the Spike Network shooting/self-defense show post.
Tapco U.S.-Made SKS Bolt
I just discovered this item in the Midway Gunsmithing catalog. Tapco is making, or at least contracting, replacement SKS bolts. The bolts are cut so that detachable magazines can be removed with the bolt in battery, which you can't do with origional equipment bolts. The bolt also has a spring-loaded firing pin to prevent slam fires. Even better, the bolt is made in the U.S., and counts as a compliance part if you need that, due to a "non-sporting" configuration.
Although my Chinese SKS is a pre-ban, I'd like to get one for use with the detachable Tapco mags, and for the spring-loaded firing pin. I'll probably pick one up from Midway at some point in the future. Cutting away the ridges for removing magazines isn't that hard, but I don't want to modify the Chinese bolt, because the rifle is worth decent money in ulaltered condition. New communist bolts are nearly as expensive from Numrich.
EDIT: Er, on second thought, the reviews on the Midway product page are not completely good. The price of a Chinese SKS bolt seems to have gone down significantly since the last time I checked also.
Although my Chinese SKS is a pre-ban, I'd like to get one for use with the detachable Tapco mags, and for the spring-loaded firing pin. I'll probably pick one up from Midway at some point in the future. Cutting away the ridges for removing magazines isn't that hard, but I don't want to modify the Chinese bolt, because the rifle is worth decent money in ulaltered condition. New communist bolts are nearly as expensive from Numrich.
EDIT: Er, on second thought, the reviews on the Midway product page are not completely good. The price of a Chinese SKS bolt seems to have gone down significantly since the last time I checked also.
PMag Coupler = 50 or 60 Round AR-15 Magazine
California Competition Works has developed a PMag coupler. It's made of anodized 6061 aluminum. You remove the baseplates and lockplates from your two Magpul AR-15 magazine and connect them together with the coupler, using the 30-coil magazine spring included with the coupler. You can use two 30-round magazines (which would be bloody long), or you can use a 30-round magazine and a 20-round magazine.
Although a little on the expensive side, it would definately make for a fun outing with an AR, and it would probably be good for 3-Gun matches.
EDIT, 7/20/2010: I've just remembered that 11 round magazines aren't legal in California, much less 50 or 60 round mags. I wonder how they do their engineering and T&E. Drive to Nevada?
also edittedd for speelng
EDIT, 7/20/2010: I've just remembered that 11 round magazines aren't legal in California, much less 50 or 60 round mags. I wonder how they do their engineering and T&E. Drive to Nevada?
also edittedd for speelng
Monday, July 12, 2010
Shooting/RKBA Shows on Spike Next Saturday
I was checking out what's on next week, and I happened to notice some new shows on the Spike network next week.
Sat, July 17th, 10 a.m. EST
Practical Tactical
Sat, July 17th, 10 a.m. EST
Conceal + Carry = Survive
Before those is Because Lives Depend On It, at 9:30 a.m., but the name of the show and the description given by the Comcast Cable DVR is vague, and I'm not really sure what it's about. I can't find anything about these shows on the Spike network Website.
UPDATE, 7/18/2010: Conceal + Carry = Survive now called Concealed & Carry School. Because Lives Depend On It is a self-defense show, and, so far, is the only one to feature a significant amount of shooting. Although the shows are pretty short, I like the content so far. I think they are showing shooters, and those concerned with self-defense in a positive way.
UPDATE, 8/1/2010: Found the website. http://www.dontbeavictimtv.com/
Because Lives Depend On It is a tactics show. This weekend they had Larry Vickers on to show how to work with a pistol and weapon-mounted or hand-held flashlight. Last week they did drills with 9mm, .45ACP, and .40S&W pistols, and discussed the pros and cons of these calibers for defense. This show seems to have the most shooting.
Practical Tactical seems to revolve mostly around home defense. Last weekend they focused on a hi-tech home with a lot of panic room features. This week they brought in K-9 professionals to talk about the use of a dog for home defense.
Concealed & Carry School is about what it sounds like. Mostly it is interviews with people that are going to the school. Why they went, how they felt about it, what they are getting out of it.
UPDATE, 8/21/2010: Another show added last week, I think. It's called What If. Last week it covered the shooting at the Holocost Museum in Washington, D.C.. This week it was a shooting at a restaurant in San Francisco's Chinatown. The show suggests things you might do if you mind yourself in these kinds of situations.
Sat, July 17th, 10 a.m. EST
Practical Tactical
Sat, July 17th, 10 a.m. EST
Conceal + Carry = Survive
Before those is Because Lives Depend On It, at 9:30 a.m., but the name of the show and the description given by the Comcast Cable DVR is vague, and I'm not really sure what it's about. I can't find anything about these shows on the Spike network Website.
UPDATE, 7/18/2010: Conceal + Carry = Survive now called Concealed & Carry School. Because Lives Depend On It is a self-defense show, and, so far, is the only one to feature a significant amount of shooting. Although the shows are pretty short, I like the content so far. I think they are showing shooters, and those concerned with self-defense in a positive way.
UPDATE, 8/1/2010: Found the website. http://www.dontbeavictimtv.com/
Because Lives Depend On It is a tactics show. This weekend they had Larry Vickers on to show how to work with a pistol and weapon-mounted or hand-held flashlight. Last week they did drills with 9mm, .45ACP, and .40S&W pistols, and discussed the pros and cons of these calibers for defense. This show seems to have the most shooting.
Practical Tactical seems to revolve mostly around home defense. Last weekend they focused on a hi-tech home with a lot of panic room features. This week they brought in K-9 professionals to talk about the use of a dog for home defense.
Concealed & Carry School is about what it sounds like. Mostly it is interviews with people that are going to the school. Why they went, how they felt about it, what they are getting out of it.
UPDATE, 8/21/2010: Another show added last week, I think. It's called What If. Last week it covered the shooting at the Holocost Museum in Washington, D.C.. This week it was a shooting at a restaurant in San Francisco's Chinatown. The show suggests things you might do if you mind yourself in these kinds of situations.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
"CRANE" Extractor O-rings for AR-15/M-16 - $9/100
I was recently reading an article about direct gas impingement AR-15s and reliability. The author was stressing the need for good springs, and a proper buffer. It reminded me that I should post about extractor o-rings.
You might have noticed the D-Fender extractor inserts or "CRANE" extractor o-ring upgrades available for AR-15 rifles in Brownells catalogs or wherever. You can use a pretty ordinary o-ring and get the same effect.
What you want, specifically is:
The D-Fender and "CRANE" o-rings will probably cost you $3 or more each from a gun shop.
Installing the o-ring is pretty simple:
On a somewhat related note, I'm also told that a #41 O-Ring over the front takedown lug of the upper receiver will help keep your upper and lower receivers from rattling together if there is a sloppy fit.
* - MSC runs a lot of coupon deals, check retailmenot.com for coupon codes if you're going to order.
You might have noticed the D-Fender extractor inserts or "CRANE" extractor o-ring upgrades available for AR-15 rifles in Brownells catalogs or wherever. You can use a pretty ordinary o-ring and get the same effect.
What you want, specifically is:
Viton AS568A Aerospace Standard ID Number: 006 Inside Diameter: 0.125 In. Thickness: 1/16 Outside Diameter: 0.250 In.That's that description from MSC Direct*, where I bought mine for $8.48 (in November 2009) for a bag of a 100. The part number from MSC is 09265067. McMaster Carr has them even cheaper, part number 9464k11, but I needed a 1 1/2" die stock, and MSC had those a lot cheaper.
The D-Fender and "CRANE" o-rings will probably cost you $3 or more each from a gun shop.
Installing the o-ring is pretty simple:
- Remove the bolt from the bolt carrier.
- If the bolt isn't clean, then clean it. :-)
- There are two pins in the bolt, one is solid, the other is a hollow roll pin. The solid one is the one that holds in the extractor. Push in on the extractor, and push out the solid pin. It should not resist too much, and no hammer should be required. The roll pin holds in the ejector and spring, leave that one alone, it is harder to remove and replace, and if you're not careful when removing the punch from the bolt, the ejector and spring may fly across the room, and you may never find them again.
- The extractor spring should be captured in a hole in the extractor. In the middle of the spring there should be a little rubber insert. If the spring is broken, get another one. If the insert is missing, or crumbled, get a new one. All you need to do to install the o-ring is to roll it over the extractor spring, and seat it up against the extractor.
- Reassemble the rifle and test fire. Make sure it still works. Just in case.
On a somewhat related note, I'm also told that a #41 O-Ring over the front takedown lug of the upper receiver will help keep your upper and lower receivers from rattling together if there is a sloppy fit.
* - MSC runs a lot of coupon deals, check retailmenot.com for coupon codes if you're going to order.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
DSG Arms Free Shipping Coupon Code
DSG Arms is offering Free UPS Ground Shipping on all orders over $99 for the month of July. Use promotional code FREEUPS99. Apply this promo code in your shopping cart as you check out at dsgarms.comThey've got Fiocchi .223Rem for $339/1000 rounds.
Sorry folks, that's kinda all I got for now.
Happy Independence Day!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Some Glock Mags Cheap
New "Law Enforcement Only" Glock 17 mags from CDNN Investments for $14.99. Direct Link to LE Glock 17 Mags. These are, of course, completely legal for those in free states with no magazine limits. Good deal, but I already have, well I don't know exactly, but more than 20 of 'em.
CDNN also has new Glock 22 mags for $18.99 each. IIRC, you can get them from Natchez Shooters Supply for about the same price. AIM Surplus has used G22 mags for $14.95.
I don't think I've mentioned it yet, but the cheaper Korean Glock mags don't always drop free, and they jam up with hollowpoints if they are loaded on the long side. The same hollowpoint ammo runs just fine through factory Glock, Kahr, Berretta, and S&W M&P mags. I have a bunch, but won't buy any more.
CDNN also has new Glock 22 mags for $18.99 each. IIRC, you can get them from Natchez Shooters Supply for about the same price. AIM Surplus has used G22 mags for $14.95.
I don't think I've mentioned it yet, but the cheaper Korean Glock mags don't always drop free, and they jam up with hollowpoints if they are loaded on the long side. The same hollowpoint ammo runs just fine through factory Glock, Kahr, Berretta, and S&W M&P mags. I have a bunch, but won't buy any more.
Monday, June 28, 2010
$1.75 Solution to a 9mm AR-15 Problem
I was just about to order a Spike's 9mm buffer, but did a quick search first. It would seem that someone on the AR15.com message boards discovered that 7 quarters dropped into the buffer tube, before installing the recoil spring and buffer, make a perfect buffer spacer.
I have an RRA 9mm buffer, but it is standard 5.56mm length. The 9mm bolts don't need to travel as far back as a .223Rem/5.56mm bolt carrier, and they're heavier. What happens is the 9mm bolt gets a good running start at the bolt catch. The bolt catches take a beating. I had a Model 1 bolt catch in the lower I first ran the 9mm upper on, and the catch quickly got bent to the point that I had to replace it.
You can get longer 9mm buffers from Spike's, Hahn, or Slash, but they aren't cheap. Spike's also makes a buffer spacer, for people like me who already have an acceptable short buffer, but it's still nearly $30 shipped, for a small piece of machined aluminum who's sole purpose is to take up a little space in the buffer tube.
Sure enough, the American 25¢ piece fit right in both Commercial and Mil-Spec carbine buffer tubes. Although I haven't tried the quarter trick live-fire yet, it should work just like the Spike's 9mm Buffer spacer. The quarters won't fit inside the coils of a buffer spring, so I have no reason to doubt those who swear it works very well, and there's really nothing to lose.
UPDATE, 9/12/2010: Tried it out. Seems to work well. Put 4 30-Round mags, and a 20-Round mag through my RRA 9mm upper, with Hahn mag block and RRA 9mm buffer, without any issues. I have, on a couple occasions, had stovepipe jams with this set-up without the quarters, but no problems today. I was running hollowpoints too.
It seems like I could get another quarter or maybe two more into the buffer tube, and still be able to lock the bolt to the rear.
I have an RRA 9mm buffer, but it is standard 5.56mm length. The 9mm bolts don't need to travel as far back as a .223Rem/5.56mm bolt carrier, and they're heavier. What happens is the 9mm bolt gets a good running start at the bolt catch. The bolt catches take a beating. I had a Model 1 bolt catch in the lower I first ran the 9mm upper on, and the catch quickly got bent to the point that I had to replace it.
You can get longer 9mm buffers from Spike's, Hahn, or Slash, but they aren't cheap. Spike's also makes a buffer spacer, for people like me who already have an acceptable short buffer, but it's still nearly $30 shipped, for a small piece of machined aluminum who's sole purpose is to take up a little space in the buffer tube.
Sure enough, the American 25¢ piece fit right in both Commercial and Mil-Spec carbine buffer tubes. Although I haven't tried the quarter trick live-fire yet, it should work just like the Spike's 9mm Buffer spacer. The quarters won't fit inside the coils of a buffer spring, so I have no reason to doubt those who swear it works very well, and there's really nothing to lose.
UPDATE, 9/12/2010: Tried it out. Seems to work well. Put 4 30-Round mags, and a 20-Round mag through my RRA 9mm upper, with Hahn mag block and RRA 9mm buffer, without any issues. I have, on a couple occasions, had stovepipe jams with this set-up without the quarters, but no problems today. I was running hollowpoints too.
It seems like I could get another quarter or maybe two more into the buffer tube, and still be able to lock the bolt to the rear.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Minisniping
Minisniping started as a game for air rifles, but there's no reason you can't do it with rimfires, or even centerfire rifles. The way it's done in the article, you sit a 9mm shell casing on a lump of clay 35 yards out from your shooting bench, and pick them off with your adult airgun of choice.
The price of ammo has gone up a lot since 1984, when the article was printed in Guns & Ammo, and even 9mm brass gets sold, so I wouldn't use 9mm brass, but you may be able to come up with steel 9x18 casings or something else entirely to use as targets.
Many of the newer centerfire rifles will shoot 1 inch groups at a hundred yards. Try putting some low-brass 12 gauge shells out, and try picking those off.
Maybe something like the Rimfire Tactical Precision Match is more your cup of tea. Put some steel targets out far enough for it to be a real challenge. Make up some terrorist/hostage targets (if your range rules allow). There are some more fun targets on the 6mmBR website to play with.
It summer, get out there and shoot. Make it fun. Dust off your imagination.
The price of ammo has gone up a lot since 1984, when the article was printed in Guns & Ammo, and even 9mm brass gets sold, so I wouldn't use 9mm brass, but you may be able to come up with steel 9x18 casings or something else entirely to use as targets.
Many of the newer centerfire rifles will shoot 1 inch groups at a hundred yards. Try putting some low-brass 12 gauge shells out, and try picking those off.
Maybe something like the Rimfire Tactical Precision Match is more your cup of tea. Put some steel targets out far enough for it to be a real challenge. Make up some terrorist/hostage targets (if your range rules allow). There are some more fun targets on the 6mmBR website to play with.
It summer, get out there and shoot. Make it fun. Dust off your imagination.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Man Uses Pistol For Protection in National Park
John R. Lott post on the Denali National Park shooting
LA Times Blog post on the shooting
You may have heard that a law passed this year allowing those allowing those permitted by state law, to carry firearms in national parks and wildlife refuges. It didn't take very long before the law paid off, not that I'm not surprised. . .
A backpacker hiking in Denali National Park in Alaska drew a .45caliber pistol, and fired "about 9 rounds," at a bear that charged the woman he was hiking with. The bear retreated, and was later found, dead.
LA Times Blog post on the shooting
You may have heard that a law passed this year allowing those allowing those permitted by state law, to carry firearms in national parks and wildlife refuges. It didn't take very long before the law paid off, not that I'm not surprised. . .
A backpacker hiking in Denali National Park in Alaska drew a .45caliber pistol, and fired "about 9 rounds," at a bear that charged the woman he was hiking with. The bear retreated, and was later found, dead.
Shooting Rampage in England. Bobbies Unarmed and Helpless To Stop It!!!
John R. Lott on shooting
BBC news story on Derrick Bird shootings in Cumbria
An unarmed police officer hears shots, and goes to investigate. He got into a passing car and followed the suspect, who had gotten into a taxi. The first Bobby was joined by two other unarmed officers, who joined chase in a police van.
The suspect, Derrick Bird, killed 12 and wounded 11, on a shooting spree in Cumbria, before finally eating a bullet. The police, not having any firearms, couldn't do much more than watch, and try to give aid to the victims. It's not their fault. It's the ridiculous idea that's spread through the U.K., that there's something wrong with self-defense, or the defense of others, particularly with a firearm. That they haven't figured out that it's not working, is rather sickening. We need to be sure not to let this happen here.
BBC news story on Derrick Bird shootings in Cumbria
An unarmed police officer hears shots, and goes to investigate. He got into a passing car and followed the suspect, who had gotten into a taxi. The first Bobby was joined by two other unarmed officers, who joined chase in a police van.
The suspect, Derrick Bird, killed 12 and wounded 11, on a shooting spree in Cumbria, before finally eating a bullet. The police, not having any firearms, couldn't do much more than watch, and try to give aid to the victims. It's not their fault. It's the ridiculous idea that's spread through the U.K., that there's something wrong with self-defense, or the defense of others, particularly with a firearm. That they haven't figured out that it's not working, is rather sickening. We need to be sure not to let this happen here.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Benjamin Marauder Pre-Charged Pneumatic Air Rifle, Part 2
Marauder Review Part 1 - Now With Pictures!
Accuracy
I was able to eliminate JSB Exact, and JSB Exact Heavy pellets just from 10 yard testing. The Heavies shot ½ inch groups at 10 yards. The regular JSB Exacts were strung out about two and a half inches across the target. Crosman Premier Hollow Points shot pretty well, mostly, but one spun off to the left about six inches, and one went almost a foot high, and missed the pellet trap entirely!
It looks like my factory tuned Marauder does not really like any of the lighter pellets. Although the Beeman FTS and JSB Exact Express pellets showed promise at 10 yards, the 25 yard groups were both over two inches. I believe both pellets are around 8 grains, and the Crosman Hollow Points are 7.9 grains.
I had reported on the MarauderAirRifle forum that my rifle preferred Beeman Kodiac Pellets (10.6 grains) over the Crosman Premier Ultra Magnum pellets (10.5 grains). I had done most of the testing with these two pellets at 10 yards, with the barrel band in place. At 25 yards, without the barrel band, the groups showed something else.
Those are 10-shot groups. I feel 10-shot groups give a more realistic picture of how a gun will shoot than lucky 3-shot or 5-shot groups. I knew I had made a mistake in calling the Kodiacs the favorite when I shot the first 5 heavy Premiers at 25 yards. They all went into one tiny bughole. The next 5 opened up the group a little, but the end results are still pretty good. My American dime measures just a little under 0.7” in diameter, and it will easily cover both of the 10-shot, 25 yard groups shot with the heavy Premier domes.
I feel less dumb for having bought two tins of the Premiers, and only one of the Kodiacs. I did spend a good bit of time washing, and swabbing bits of lead flakes out of the Premiers though. The Kodiacs didn’t really need the cleaning, and although I’ve inspected more of the Kodiacs, while goofing around the field target course, I’ve found much fewer with imperfections and none with any lead flashing.
Pressurizing the Marauder
The protective cap is removed to show the Foster male quick-disconnect coupler. The manual is very specific about using the Foster #12FS female coupler to charge the rifle. This is the same type of coupler used to charge late-model Daystate and BAM pre-charged air rifles, among others.
The Marauder can be charged with compressed air or CO2. Out-of-the-box the Marauder is set up or a 2500psi charge of compressed air. To get it to run on CO2, you would need to purge any compressed air in the tube, by using the (included) depressurizing tool. To charge with CO2 also requires a fill adapter to use with a paintball tank. Using CO2 also requires a 2000psi pressure tune.
The Marauder is one of few PCP airguns that can be set up to run on a charge pressure from 2000 to 3000 psi. There are adjustments for hammer stroke length, and hammer spring preload. The velocity can be adjusted by turning the valve metering screw, which is on the right side of rifle, above the trigger group, and hidden below the top edge of the stock.
Shooting at 50 yards, I noticed that the rifle gets really sensitive to fill pressure. You can see from this group that the group strung out vertically, and strangely, to the left, as the pressure went down.
I guess I really only get about 20 good shots from a full 2500 psi charge. The gauge built into the rifle just about matches the gauge on my Hill pump. Recharging after 20 shots takes about 45 strokes of the pump, and the pump really doesn't get very warm. If you aren't shooting at longer distances, you can squeeze out 10 more shots, and then it takes about 80 pump-strokes to refill, and you should probably stop after 60 strokes to let the pump cool off a little bit.
Trigger (Continued)
I degassed the rifle, and finished tuning the trigger. I backed out the return spring screw again, and turned it back in until it just barely reset the trigger. Then I adjusted the 2nd stage, to remove most of the creep.
The trigger pull was very light, but I would sometimes miss the 2nd stage, and the gun would go off before I was really ready for it. Turning in the return spring screw maybe a sixth of a turn more fixed it.
You want to know what the trigger pull weight is? Hold onto your hats folks. The first-stage pull is right around 3 ounces, and the second-stage trips at 3.5-3.7. Ray, of the A-Team had reported that his trigger, “is set at 2.4 ounces for the first stage and breaks at 3.3 ounces.” I figured some gunsmith at Crosman had slicked up the trigger for him, or worked some other magic, but now I’m thinking it may just be a matter of personal preferences in setting the trigger, or maybe it’s just a minor difference in trigger pull gauges.
And on that bombshell. . .
Accuracy
I was able to eliminate JSB Exact, and JSB Exact Heavy pellets just from 10 yard testing. The Heavies shot ½ inch groups at 10 yards. The regular JSB Exacts were strung out about two and a half inches across the target. Crosman Premier Hollow Points shot pretty well, mostly, but one spun off to the left about six inches, and one went almost a foot high, and missed the pellet trap entirely!
It looks like my factory tuned Marauder does not really like any of the lighter pellets. Although the Beeman FTS and JSB Exact Express pellets showed promise at 10 yards, the 25 yard groups were both over two inches. I believe both pellets are around 8 grains, and the Crosman Hollow Points are 7.9 grains.
I had reported on the MarauderAirRifle forum that my rifle preferred Beeman Kodiac Pellets (10.6 grains) over the Crosman Premier Ultra Magnum pellets (10.5 grains). I had done most of the testing with these two pellets at 10 yards, with the barrel band in place. At 25 yards, without the barrel band, the groups showed something else.
25 Yard Groups - Kodiac Match Pellets - 0.868" and 0.74" center-to-center
Crosman Premier Ultra Magnum Pellets - 0.445" and .430" center-to-center
50 Yard Group, different day, Crosman UltraMag - 0.9" C.T.C.
Those are 10-shot groups. I feel 10-shot groups give a more realistic picture of how a gun will shoot than lucky 3-shot or 5-shot groups. I knew I had made a mistake in calling the Kodiacs the favorite when I shot the first 5 heavy Premiers at 25 yards. They all went into one tiny bughole. The next 5 opened up the group a little, but the end results are still pretty good. My American dime measures just a little under 0.7” in diameter, and it will easily cover both of the 10-shot, 25 yard groups shot with the heavy Premier domes.
I feel less dumb for having bought two tins of the Premiers, and only one of the Kodiacs. I did spend a good bit of time washing, and swabbing bits of lead flakes out of the Premiers though. The Kodiacs didn’t really need the cleaning, and although I’ve inspected more of the Kodiacs, while goofing around the field target course, I’ve found much fewer with imperfections and none with any lead flashing.
Pressurizing the Marauder
The protective cap is removed to show the Foster male quick-disconnect coupler. The manual is very specific about using the Foster #12FS female coupler to charge the rifle. This is the same type of coupler used to charge late-model Daystate and BAM pre-charged air rifles, among others.
The Marauder can be charged with compressed air or CO2. Out-of-the-box the Marauder is set up or a 2500psi charge of compressed air. To get it to run on CO2, you would need to purge any compressed air in the tube, by using the (included) depressurizing tool. To charge with CO2 also requires a fill adapter to use with a paintball tank. Using CO2 also requires a 2000psi pressure tune.
The Marauder is one of few PCP airguns that can be set up to run on a charge pressure from 2000 to 3000 psi. There are adjustments for hammer stroke length, and hammer spring preload. The velocity can be adjusted by turning the valve metering screw, which is on the right side of rifle, above the trigger group, and hidden below the top edge of the stock.
I guess I really only get about 20 good shots from a full 2500 psi charge. The gauge built into the rifle just about matches the gauge on my Hill pump. Recharging after 20 shots takes about 45 strokes of the pump, and the pump really doesn't get very warm. If you aren't shooting at longer distances, you can squeeze out 10 more shots, and then it takes about 80 pump-strokes to refill, and you should probably stop after 60 strokes to let the pump cool off a little bit.
Trigger (Continued)
I degassed the rifle, and finished tuning the trigger. I backed out the return spring screw again, and turned it back in until it just barely reset the trigger. Then I adjusted the 2nd stage, to remove most of the creep.
The trigger pull was very light, but I would sometimes miss the 2nd stage, and the gun would go off before I was really ready for it. Turning in the return spring screw maybe a sixth of a turn more fixed it.
You want to know what the trigger pull weight is? Hold onto your hats folks. The first-stage pull is right around 3 ounces, and the second-stage trips at 3.5-3.7. Ray, of the A-Team had reported that his trigger, “is set at 2.4 ounces for the first stage and breaks at 3.3 ounces.” I figured some gunsmith at Crosman had slicked up the trigger for him, or worked some other magic, but now I’m thinking it may just be a matter of personal preferences in setting the trigger, or maybe it’s just a minor difference in trigger pull gauges.
And on that bombshell. . .
Thursday, May 27, 2010
TI25 10/22 Mags Down To $17.99
Tactical Innovations has reduced the price of their adjustable polycarbonate 25-round magazines to $17.99. They might have been up as high as $40 soon after the elections. The one I've been testing has been flawless.
If you're interested in color-anodized 10/22 trigger housings, triggers, and mag releases, they've got those too.
They are also offering free shipping on orders over $150.
If you're interested in color-anodized 10/22 trigger housings, triggers, and mag releases, they've got those too.
They are also offering free shipping on orders over $150.
FREE SHIPPING TERMS
Free shipping offer applies to online orders with combined products totaling $150 or more excluding shipping and taxes. Free shipping offer does not apply to FFL restricted items (firearms) as well as heavy or oversize items which would require additional freight charges. Free shipping carrier and service will be selected by Tactical Innovations based on package weight, package size and shipping distance. Customer reserves the right to designate carrier and service at customer's expense.
DSG Arms New Website Sale
To promote their new website, DSG Arms is offering a $10 credit if you update your account, by creating a new password. Here is the link to create a new password for your existing account.
Get $10 off on any merchandise order of $150 or more between now and 6/30/2010 for trying our new site. Use the discount code: 20100524 when you checkout. Watch for the 'Add a Promotional Code' box after choosing your address and shipping. Enter the code 20100524 and click the right arrow icon to apply your discount before completing your order..The coupon code may work, even for new customers. The e-mail they sent me doesn't really say.
Crime Rate Still On The Decline - CCRKBA.ORG
Although the gun ban lobby is still crying that guns cause crime, and we need more gun laws, the FBI numbers are out from 2009. Violent crime rates fell again, despite the continuation of high rates of gun sales and concealed carry permit applications, following the 2008 elections.
Alan Gottleib of CCRKBA.ORG reports that:
Alan Gottleib of CCRKBA.ORG reports that:
. . . the murder rate fell last year 7.2 percent in larger cities. Robbery declined more than 8 percent and forcible rape was down 3.1 percent. It might just be that criminals are less likely to attack someone out of fear their intended victim is armed. Robbers might be discouraged by the growing potential that the clerk behind the counter is willing to fight back. Maybe would-be rapists are deterred by the possibility that they might get shot.You can read the rest of the article here.
For many years, anti-gunners made all kinds of wild predictions that higher rates of gun ownership and the expansion of shall-issue carry permits would leave neighborhoods awash in blood. The data proves otherwise. America should turn its back on the gun prohibition lobby and their insidious policy of victim disarmament.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Benjamin Marauder Pre-Charged Pneumatic Air Rifle
My Marauder (without barrel band, which I'll explain), Hill Pump, and a selection on pellets it likes.
I think I should start with the box the rifle comes in. The box is glossy, and pretty classy, with pictures and a list of the rifle’s features. They stapled the damn thing closed, which I could have lived without, and this lead to me ripping the box trying to get at the rifle. I don’t have plans on selling mine though.
The rifle was held in the box with open cell foam blocks. There was an instruction manual, degassing too and instructions, magazine and instructions in the box also, but I have them stashed in another location. Sorry!
Bottom of the box shows the rifle's features, and Crosman accessories for their PCP airguns.
The Stock
I could live without the cheekrest on the right side of the stock, but otherwise, I don’t think the stock is as bad as some have opined. It’s got a matte finish, which I can see offending those who like their stocks mirror polished, but I don’t mind it at all. I found a few small. . . lumps, in the finish, and a dent in the top rear of the cheekpiece that’s about a quarter inch in diameter and about an eighth inch deep.
The stock fits me (6 foot, 2 inches), pretty well. It’s a half inch, maybe an inch, too short, but not short enough to be uncomfortable. The rifle is meant to be scoped so the cheekrest is appropriately high, though somehow sort of uncomfortable. The cheekrest feels like it’s too far to the left, for this right-handed shooter.
The ventilated buttpad is at about the right height I’ve heard complaints about the grip being too large, but it places the pad of my index finger on trigger, where I feel that it should be, so I’m not complaining. Although I’d prefer an adjustable buttstock and cheekrest, and a vertical grip or AR-15 pistol grip, I find the rifle to be much more ergonomic that I had expected. They seem to have put some effort into getting the ergonomics right, at least for a tallish American.
I was hoping that it wouldn’t be like the Crosman 2289 Backpacker (discontinued; basically a 2250, but a pumper rather than CO2 powered). The buttpad of the 2289 was several inches too high, and what would be the cheekpiece was more than an inch too low for use with a scope.
The stock comes with sling swivel studs. The studs only cost a couple dollars each, retail price, but are usually not included with factory rifles or aftermarket stocks. So the end user ends up paying a gunsmith $20 or so to get them installed, or pays about $30 to purchase a kit for installing swivel studs. No worries with the Marauder though.
The Magazine
The Marauder is a repeater. I didn’t think I really needed a magazine-fed air rifle, but when I started shooting in the basement, I remembered that it’s rather difficult to load a rifle when I’m sitting on the stairs. I could put the pellet tin to my left, on the next higher step, but I’m right-handed, so that really doesn’t work well. With the magazine, I can just rack the bolt, and keep shooting.
The magazine is pretty simple, but surprisingly difficult to load without first reading the instructions. With a little practice, it’s not hard to do though, and after you get the first pellet loaded, you no longer have to fight the magazine spring, which is nice.
To load the magazine, involves three steps.
- With the clear cover facing you, rotate the cover about 15 degrees short of a full turn clockwise. This preloads the magazine spring.
- While still holding the cover in position, insert a pellet into the 1st position through the slot in the cover, while holding a finger over the hole in the back, or perhaps I should say front end of the magazine. Once the first pellet is in place, you can release your hold on the clear cover. The spring tension of the rotor will hold the 1st pellet in place against the body of the magazine.
- You can now rotate the clear magazine cover counterclockwise and place pellets in positions 10 through 2 in the rotor through the slot in the cover, and then snap the cover back into position.
The magazine will stop you from closing the bolt when there are no more pellets left. This is to keep you from dry firing when you really want to put a hole in something.
I’m told the Marauder magazine is very similar to the Theoben magazines. The price of spare Benjamin magazines runs from $9.95-$20 depending on the source. You can also get a single-shot tray that fits in place of the magazine, and the price is about the same as what the magazines go for.
The Trigger
Out of the box, my Marauder had a first stage of about 1 pound, and a second stage of about a pound and a half. The first stage was fairly long. The second stage had a little creep, although the sear engagement appeared to be pretty small.
The trigger reach is somewhat adjustable, by turning the screw at the rear of the trigger housing. Adjusting the trigger reach with the adjustment screw, you can change the sear engagement, so be careful. As I said while discussing the stock, I found the trigger reach pretty good right out of the box.
The screw at the front on the trigger housing adjusts the trigger return spring. Inside the trigger housing, is another spring that serves the same purpose, and it’s not adjustable. If you leave that internal spring in place, you really don’t need the screw and spring at the front of the trigger housing. You cannot really use the rifle without either of these trigger return springs though, because the trigger will remain to the rear, and not reset, and the rifle won’t cock again without pushing the trigger forward manually. I found this out accidentally, having tried the trigger as is, making an adjustment, and then removing the non-adjustable “lawyer spring.” Without some tension on the front trigger return spring, and no internal return spring, the trigger pull was really too light to be even remotely predictable anyway.
Avv604's Trigger Lightening Post on Meandering Blog - Details on removing the "Lawyer Spring."
The trigger housing, by the way, is not sealed, and I was able to remove the cover without any prying. There are no tamper-resistant screws involved. All the adjustment screws have Allen sockets, as do the screws that hold the trigger group onto the rifle action, and the screws that hold the trigger group together.
The trigger group is a tight unit with machined steel parts. There is very little "slop" in the fit of any of the parts.
I did a little tuning, without the lawyer spring, and I think I got the trigger down to a safe 2nd stage weight of less than 10 ounces, with very little creep. I have a trigger gage, but I’m not going to bother measuring it until I’m finished tuning. I think I can get it a little bit lighter, and reduce the creep a little bit more.
I wish that I could get something similar to the Marauder trigger for an AR-15 target rifle.
Cleaning the Barrel
At first, I thought the flyers I was getting with the heavy Premier pellets was from less than stellar shooting (ahem), or a sitting position on the basement stairs that wasn’t so stable. Those might have been part of it, but I figured that I should try cleaning the bore. Reading some of the forums, I was finding reports of dirty barrels on Marauders that just came out of the box. Sure enough, I put about 20 patches through the bore before I got a patch to come out clean. The first few patches had smudges that were nearly black. I had only fired about 180 rounds at that point, probably less, and the bore should not have been that dirty.
But here is where the story gets a bit. . . interesting. To clean the bore, you sort of have to take the rifle apart. To get a pull-through rod into the bore I had to remove the bolt. There’s an Allen-head screw that holds the bolt in the breech. That’s pretty easy to remove; there’s a slot in the side of the breech where you can access this screw when the bolt’s closed. I had been warned (those forums again) that you can damage the bolt it you don’t back out the screw that’s on the top rear of the breech. That screw controls the spring pressure on the ball detent that holds the bolt closed. To get at that screw, I had to remove the scope, and move the B-Square Weaver adapter forward.
Bore was probably quite dirty before I even shot anything.
But wait, there’s more. If you try to push or pull a patch through the bore without removing the shroud or the baffles, the patches will get hung up on the baffles. So I removed the whole shroud, just to see what was going on in there. You could also unscrew the muzzle end cap and pull out the baffles, just make sure to take note of the order of the baffles and the o-ring. You could also try putting a drinking straw through the baffles from the muzzle end of the shroud.Having to do all that, just to clean the bore, sucked. It’s almost like having to remove all the suspension from a car to unbolt wheels from the backside, if you need to change or rotate tires. Cleaning the barrel should be a pretty regular maintenance task, and it shouldn’t be so complicated.
The Barrel Shroud
The shroud is surprisingly effective. The report from the muzzle end is pretty much non-existent. Pretty much all you hear when shooting is the PING of the hammer hitting the valve, and maybe the smack of the pellet hitting the target.
The shroud on my Marauder was touching the bottom of the barrel band, which probably isn’t really good, although it still shot pretty well. Tim McMurray at Mac1Airguns has reported on one of the airgun forums that Crosman is now shipping all Marauders with the slightly larger band that they were putting on the .25cal models. I learned that the barrel probably does touch the inside of the shroud from taking the shroud off to clean the barrel, which means that as the pressure changes in the air chamber as I shoot, it may have some impact on where the muzzle is pointing in relation to the scope. There is a pretty simple solution to the problem, which is just to remove the barrel band altogether.
Overall Impression
I am really impressed with this pre-charged adult airgun that you can get for about $413 shipped at the moment, maybe less if you can catch them in stock at Midway, and find a coupon at RetailMeNot. The Benjamin PCP rifles are competing with European models that cost nearly twice as much, and in some cases are matching the performance of rifles that cost more than double.
The trigger, without the lawyer spring, is NIIIIICE, after a little adjustment of the 2nd stage screw. The stock is much better engineered than I had expected, and the sling swivel studs are a nice touch.
If you are used to Crosman's cheaper air rifles, this rifle is really nothing like that. Except for the magazine, the baffles in the shroud, and the polymer bushings in the trigger group, there's really no plastic to be found. For the most part, everything fits together very well.
The shroud touching the barrel band is a bit of a disappointment, although I might be able to talk Crosman into sending me one of the ones they were using on the .25cal models. Having to take the scope off, remove a screw and bushing, and loosen another screw to clean the barrel will continue to make cleaning the bore rather tedious.
I’ll write some more about the Marauder at a later date after I get to spend some more time with it. I’ve still got 3 different types of JSB pellets, and the Beeman field target pellets to test yet. Eventually, I’ll get my Pact timer returned, and have it working with the sky screens as a chronograph, and I’ll be able to say how fast it shoots with various pellets, and how many useful shots it will get from a charge, and I might try adjusting fill pressure and velocity.
Airguns of Arizona - Looks like they have Marauders in stock for $399.00.
Crosman Airguns Official Website - .177 Marauder Page
Greg Davis Forum - Probably the #1 tuner of Marauder air rifles right now. Check link for information on tuning, along with some things you can do yourself.
MarauderAirRifle.com - Some good information in the forum.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Hawaii Passed Gun Owner Protection Laws?
Got an e-mail from the Second Amendment Foundation that Hawaii passed two laws to protect gun owners recently. One prohibits siezure of firearms in the event of a disaster; a law that came about after the mess in New Orleans after the hurricane. The other is a "Castle Doctrine" law.
I'm a bit shocked, as Hawaii certainly isn't the most gun friendly state in the country, with discretionary carry permits, and, IIRC, a state "assault weapon" ban.
It would be nice if Sam Rohrer would get elected as governor in Pennsylvania, and my state could get some of these laws along with one that would make it illegal for an employer to fire an employee with a legal firearm locked inside their car on company property. We are presently ruled over by "Fast Eddie" Rendel, who ranks up there with NYC Major Bloomberg in the list of anti-gun politicians.
I'm a bit shocked, as Hawaii certainly isn't the most gun friendly state in the country, with discretionary carry permits, and, IIRC, a state "assault weapon" ban.
It would be nice if Sam Rohrer would get elected as governor in Pennsylvania, and my state could get some of these laws along with one that would make it illegal for an employer to fire an employee with a legal firearm locked inside their car on company property. We are presently ruled over by "Fast Eddie" Rendel, who ranks up there with NYC Major Bloomberg in the list of anti-gun politicians.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
3-Gun TV Show Coming to VS Network
FNH USA (Fabrique National. You know. The PS90, SCAR, FiveseveN people) are sponsoring a show to air on the Versus TV Network. It's a 3-Gun competition show. The show is scheduled to begin in July of this year.
From what I'm reading in America's First Freedom, the show sounds a lot like the Front Sight Challenge show that aired on Versus a few years ago, but at least it will bring a shooting TV show to those (like me) who can't get The Outdoor Channel.
UPDATE, 8/7/10: Don't know what happened, but the show is on The Sportsman's Channel, or something like that, not Versus.
From what I'm reading in America's First Freedom, the show sounds a lot like the Front Sight Challenge show that aired on Versus a few years ago, but at least it will bring a shooting TV show to those (like me) who can't get The Outdoor Channel.
UPDATE, 8/7/10: Don't know what happened, but the show is on The Sportsman's Channel, or something like that, not Versus.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Brownells to Help American Cancer Society
For every Shoot Like A Girl gun case product sold though Brownells, they are donating 10% of the purchase price to the American Cancer Society to help fight breast cancer.
The Shoot Like A Girl cases are made in the USA from pink 1000-denier Cordura nylon, and there are cases available for pistols, scoped rifles, and M4 carbines.
Maybe not a bad idea for a Mother's day gift, if you've managed to get your mom or the mother of your child out to the range.
Brownells Shoot Like A Girl line
The Shoot Like A Girl cases are made in the USA from pink 1000-denier Cordura nylon, and there are cases available for pistols, scoped rifles, and M4 carbines.
Maybe not a bad idea for a Mother's day gift, if you've managed to get your mom or the mother of your child out to the range.
Brownells Shoot Like A Girl line
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Cheaper Than Dirt! Buy-A-Gun Feature
Many of you may know of Cheaper Than Dirt! from their firearm accessory catalogs, or at least their magazine ads. The CTD website has a new Buy-A-Gun feature to help people find guns that may be hard to find. If you click the "FFL Dealers" link on the right side of the page, you'll be prompted to enter you zip code, and then the website will generate a map of your area, showing the locations of nearby dealers, with addresses and phone numbers.
Also in the links along the right side of the page are links to databases of gunshows, gunsmiths, firearms training classes, shooting ranges, hunting guides, and a link to "Blue Book of Gun Values." A few other websites have hosted this type of information, but sadly a lot of them have folded. Hopefully CTD won't do anything stupid and go out of business.
Direct Link to Cheaper Than Dirt! Buy-A-Gun Page.
Also in the links along the right side of the page are links to databases of gunshows, gunsmiths, firearms training classes, shooting ranges, hunting guides, and a link to "Blue Book of Gun Values." A few other websites have hosted this type of information, but sadly a lot of them have folded. Hopefully CTD won't do anything stupid and go out of business.
Direct Link to Cheaper Than Dirt! Buy-A-Gun Page.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Bar-Sto is Moving Out of Commifornia
Bar-Sto Precision Machine, is a company in California that makes pistol barrels, and does gunsmithing work on 1911/2011 pistols, 870 shotguns, Glocks, Springfield XDs, and AR rifles. It looks like they are also making a metal memory-groove type grip safety for Springfield XD pistols.
Irv Stone, current owner of Bar-Sto credits the tax situation in California as the motivation for the move. There's no mention of the gun laws in Cali, but I imagine that's a part of it too.
According to the "Views and Reviews" column in the June 2010 issue of American Rifleman, the move is scheduled to take place sometime in the first half of 2010.
Irv Stone, current owner of Bar-Sto credits the tax situation in California as the motivation for the move. There's no mention of the gun laws in Cali, but I imagine that's a part of it too.
According to the "Views and Reviews" column in the June 2010 issue of American Rifleman, the move is scheduled to take place sometime in the first half of 2010.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Concealed Carry Poll - Connecticut Courant
Link to Connecticut Courant poll on concealed carry.
Should Connecticut Allow Open Carrying Of Guns?http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-poll-open-carry-handguns-0417,0,5186935,post.poll
Should Connecticut continue to allow people to carry permitted handguns openly?
- Yes. We allow people to own guns after going through a screening process, so why not let them have their holstered guns in plain sight?
- No. When a private citizen walks into a public place with a handgun visible for all to see, it can create a sense of fear or intimidation -- or something worse.
- Not sure
Monday, April 19, 2010
April 19th, Day of "The Shot Heard 'Round The World"
I just turned April 19th, here on the east coast, about an hour ago. April 19th is the anniversary of "The Shot Heard 'Round The World," the event usually credited with starting the American Revolution.
The British Army were ordered to collect and destroy firearms and other supplies stored by the militia in Concord, Mass. Long story short, the Militia fought back, and defeated three companies of British Army regulars at Concord, and then some.
The "Shot Heard 'Round the World," was fired in Lexington, though the exact story is unknown, with both sides having coming up with different version of what happened.
Most would agree that when the British regulars came into Lexington, on the morning of April 19, 1775, Lexington militiamen, who had been warned of what the Brits were coming to do, came out of a local tavern into the common to watch the regulars, along with a few dozen other locals.
The leader of the militia was Captain John Parker. Below is what he swore to after the fight:
The leader of the British regulars was Lieutenant William Sutherland. Sutherland reportedly called out, "lay down your arms, you damned rebels!"
Well, they certainly didn't, and someone fired a shot, and all hell broke loose.
Wikipedia - "The Shot Heard 'Round The World"
Wikipedia - The Battles of Lexington and Concord
"Odd Angry Shot: Pause and Remember the 19th of April, 1775," Guns Magazine, April 2010, by John Connor.
Connor writes:
The British Army were ordered to collect and destroy firearms and other supplies stored by the militia in Concord, Mass. Long story short, the Militia fought back, and defeated three companies of British Army regulars at Concord, and then some.
The "Shot Heard 'Round the World," was fired in Lexington, though the exact story is unknown, with both sides having coming up with different version of what happened.
Most would agree that when the British regulars came into Lexington, on the morning of April 19, 1775, Lexington militiamen, who had been warned of what the Brits were coming to do, came out of a local tavern into the common to watch the regulars, along with a few dozen other locals.
The leader of the militia was Captain John Parker. Below is what he swore to after the fight:
I ... ordered our Militia to meet on the Common in said Lexington to consult what to do, and concluded not to be discovered, nor meddle or make with said Regular Troops (if they should approach) unless they should insult or molest us; and, upon their sudden Approach, I immediately ordered our Militia to disperse, and not to fire:—Immediately said Troops made their appearance and rushed furiously, fired upon, and killed eight of our Party without receiving any Provocation therefor from us.
The leader of the British regulars was Lieutenant William Sutherland. Sutherland reportedly called out, "lay down your arms, you damned rebels!"
Well, they certainly didn't, and someone fired a shot, and all hell broke loose.
Wikipedia - "The Shot Heard 'Round The World"
Wikipedia - The Battles of Lexington and Concord
"Odd Angry Shot: Pause and Remember the 19th of April, 1775," Guns Magazine, April 2010, by John Connor.
Connor writes:
Historians tell us only about 3 percent of colonials actively fought as patriots in the Revolution, supported by about 1/3 of the population. One-third sat it out, remaining neutral. Another 1/3 were British loyalists, and in fact, toward the end of the war, more loyalists were fighting for King George and revolutionaries were fighting for their new nation. Against all odds, the 3-percenters prevailed.More on Three Percenters
Sometimes great deeds are done by the few, the committed. This 19th of April, let us remember those few, those brave, those 3-percenters.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Not All AR Parts ARe Created Equal
The Kuehl uppers use a Jonathan Arthur Ceiner rimfire conversion kit with the chamber adapter milled off, and a custom made rimfire barrel. Just by the way.
Upon closer inspection, the locking tab is also bent. Not sure when that happened, or if it came that way.
Closer, side-view, of the burr that brought my shooting session with the rimfire upper to a screeching halt.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Bushmaster ACR Review on AR15.com
Link to thread, ACR Observations.
Some new information and detail photos. Interesting.
Another thread, by Ghetto. Link is to page 5, where he actually gets the rifle, the first 5 pages are pretty worthless.
This is Post #250!!
UPDATE, 9/18/2010: ShooterReview comparison tests of Bushmaser ACR Basic, Robinson Arms XCR, and an Rock River Arms M4
Some new information and detail photos. Interesting.
Another thread, by Ghetto. Link is to page 5, where he actually gets the rifle, the first 5 pages are pretty worthless.
This is Post #250!!
UPDATE, 9/18/2010: ShooterReview comparison tests of Bushmaser ACR Basic, Robinson Arms XCR, and an Rock River Arms M4
Friday, April 2, 2010
Virtual Arsenal on Mythbusters
This week's episode of Mythbusters features a pretty wide assortment of firearms as they test the myth of bulletproofing a car with phonebooks. It's worth checking the TV listings for repeats of this episode, I'm sure it'll be on a few times this weekend, and maybe next Wednesday. They pretty much go all out to finally stop the SUV, and deflate the blow-up dolls (yes, really) on the inside.
They also use more explosives to test the movie myth that diving underwater will save you from being injured by an explosion.
Oh, and Kari's back (and still cute after having her baby)! I believe this is the episode that the photo of Kari with a .50BMG rifle came from, which you may remember if you follow The Firearm Blog.
They also use more explosives to test the movie myth that diving underwater will save you from being injured by an explosion.
Oh, and Kari's back (and still cute after having her baby)! I believe this is the episode that the photo of Kari with a .50BMG rifle came from, which you may remember if you follow The Firearm Blog.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Current Status of Gun Ownership In D.C.
Again from John R. Lott, from this FoxNews article, A Gun Ban By Any Other Name...
Lott tells the story of a D.C. man, a reporter, who spent $558.69 just in fees to get approved to buy a handgun. Besides the fees, he spent nearly 16 hours on the process, made 4 trips to the police department, went through two background checks, was fingerprinted, took a five-hour class, and had to take a written test.
Part of the Heller decision was that the D.C. laws that required all firearms to be kept unloaded and locked was deemed to be unconstitutional. Lott says, in his blog post about the article, "that D.C. law now requires that gun owners (primarily those owning long guns) only have to store their guns locked and unloaded if minors might have access to them."
I'm afraid to make any assumptions about what Lott said in the blog post, so I will just quote him as saying, "Despite the costs, about a thousand people may have gotten handgun permits. That is only about 0.2 percent of adults living in D.C."
Lott tells the story of a D.C. man, a reporter, who spent $558.69 just in fees to get approved to buy a handgun. Besides the fees, he spent nearly 16 hours on the process, made 4 trips to the police department, went through two background checks, was fingerprinted, took a five-hour class, and had to take a written test.
Part of the Heller decision was that the D.C. laws that required all firearms to be kept unloaded and locked was deemed to be unconstitutional. Lott says, in his blog post about the article, "that D.C. law now requires that gun owners (primarily those owning long guns) only have to store their guns locked and unloaded if minors might have access to them."
I'm afraid to make any assumptions about what Lott said in the blog post, so I will just quote him as saying, "Despite the costs, about a thousand people may have gotten handgun permits. That is only about 0.2 percent of adults living in D.C."
Sunday, March 28, 2010
MSNBC Concealed Weapons Poll
Link to MSNBC Newsvine Poll
How safe do you feel knowing there are people around legally carrying concealed guns?
How safe do you feel knowing there are people around legally carrying concealed guns?
- Very safe: If a crime is committed or a threat of violence made, they’ve got the means to respond.
- In danger: These people could be trigger-happy yahoos or stumblebums whose weapon might go off by accident.
- Not sure: How would we know? Wouldn’t it depend on the state laws involved and circumstances?
Saturday, March 20, 2010
My New Blog
Suburban's Other Stuff
This site has become so specialized, I kind of hate to post random stuff here. The new blog is someplace I can put political stuff, and post about cars, TV, music, stupid celebrity stuff, and whatever else pops up.
This site has become so specialized, I kind of hate to post random stuff here. The new blog is someplace I can put political stuff, and post about cars, TV, music, stupid celebrity stuff, and whatever else pops up.
Best. . . Para TTR. . . Article. . . Ever 8P
Getting to the point, Shooting Illustrated has an online article discussing the Para USA's TTR (Tactical Target Rifle). You may remember, essentially the same rifle, being marketed as the Z-M Weapons LR-300.
The Shooting Illustrated article talks about the Delayed Gas Impingement action of the TTR, something I've never heard described. There is a long gas block with a U-shaped channel. The channel increases the distance for the propellant gasses to travel before having an effect on the bolt. This increases the time between the firing pin hitting the primer, and the moment that the recoil impulse of the cycling action has any effect on the shooter.
Also news to me, is some discussion of the beefed up charging handle, and taller upper receiver.
Although I've read this part before, I'll repeat it for you, in case you haven't heard it before. The Z-M Weapons/Para TTR bolt carriers have a much longer bolt carrier key than that of an AR-15. The gas tube makes contact with the gas key out under the handguard, rather than inside the action, which keeps the action cleaner and cooler.
I'd really like to get my hands on a PARA TTR upper. Although I'm not sure that this is the greatest thing ever, it's certainly an interesting path to take with the AR-15 platform.
Oh, and by the way, the Para TTR was the winner of the Golden Bullseye Award in the rifle category by Shooting Illustrated.
Para Ordnance Official Website
Direct Link To TTR Page on Para Ordnance Website
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
New Midway Coupon From GlockTalk
New Midway coupon from GlockTalk in my e-mail today
To receive your Savings:Lightly edited, to look right on the page. Emphasis mine
1. Place in-stock products in your shopping cart totaling $50 for $10 off - Use Promotion Code 1038104
Enter the promotion code in the box entitled "Promotion Code" on the shopping cart page.
2. You will see the discount on the Confirmation page before placing your order.
3. Remember, this promotion code is valid for orders placed on MidwayUSA.com.
4. Limited to one per Customer and one promotion code per retail order.
5. Offer cannot be combined with Birthday or Special Pricing.
6. Offer valid for retail Customers only.
7. Offer not valid on MidwayUSA Gift Certificates and Nightforce products.
8. Hurry, offer starts at 12:00 AM CT March 8, 2010 and ends at 11:59 PM CT March 21, 2010.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Update, 3/8/10
LaserMax UniMax (red)
I had it out on the M&P the last couple times I went out to the pistol range. I carefully sighted it in the first time out, and by the time I took it back out again, I was shooting about 4" to the right. I lost the teeny-tiny Allen wrench that came in the plastic box with the laser somehow, and I have to resort to using the teeny-tinier Allen wrench that was stored in the battery compartment of the laser. I also discovered, by the way, that the teeny-tiny Phillips screw that holds the battery compartment door on is not captured, and very easily disappears into dark carpet.
The Millet scope is very clear, although it is of much lower power than scopes I normally use. Although I haven't measured it, it struck me that the objective lens of this 30mm scope seems to be a good bit larger than the objective lens of many 1" scopes. As I said about the scope mount, the combo is holding a good zero. Although the reticle and lower power don't really help to produce great benchrest groups, it's certainly adequate. I've shot several groups less than 1.5" at 100 yards, if you throw out a couple stray shots that were most likely due to the "nut behind the butt." The lighted reticle is not bright enough for use in daylight, which seem to bother some people, but the reticle is quite clear without the lighting. The scope does seem to have about an inch of parallax at 100 yards.
The Midway Dogtown 55gr Spitzer bullets are shooting just about as well as the Sierra MatchKing and Nosler Custom Competition bullets. The Midway bullets have flat bases though, and won't fit in the mouth of the brass, which makes loading with them more tedious. They are a lot less expensive than the match bullets though.
Information on loading rifle ammo in load books is a little lacking in detail, and I spent several hours doing research before I started pulling the press handle. I'm still taking notes.
I learned pretty quick that my idea of a "light spray" of Hornady One-Shot case lube must be different than Hornady's idea of a "light spray." Removing stuck bottleneck cases from sizing dies sucks. I have the RCBS tools for removing stuck brass, but it doesn't help much when the decapper rod/expander button are still in the case and won't let you drill all the way through the case head.
I've mostly been loading .233Rem, but have done some .308Win. The .308Win ammo has not been performing as well from my AR-10, but that rifle currently lacks a free-float tube, and I'm unsure of the scope riser that I bought cheap at a gun show a couple years ago. At least I now know that the AR-10 is capable of shooting better than 6" groups, like what I was getting with the crap surplus ammo. The AR-10 seems to have developed an ejection problem. The problem being that it doesn't eject. The round fires, and the bolt carrier goes back, and the empty brass stays in the ejection port. The ejector seems to be fine, I'm not sure what the problem is.
More detailed reviews will follow later, but I wanted to get something posted for you all to read for now.
I had it out on the M&P the last couple times I went out to the pistol range. I carefully sighted it in the first time out, and by the time I took it back out again, I was shooting about 4" to the right. I lost the teeny-tiny Allen wrench that came in the plastic box with the laser somehow, and I have to resort to using the teeny-tinier Allen wrench that was stored in the battery compartment of the laser. I also discovered, by the way, that the teeny-tiny Phillips screw that holds the battery compartment door on is not captured, and very easily disappears into dark carpet.
Millet DMS 1-4X Scope and ADM Recon-X Scope Mount
Although I would not particularly recommend the scope mount for a military or defense rifle, because it takes a little more time and coordination to remove than a Larue mount, it is getting the job done. I've put it on and taken it back off several times, and it's still holding a good zero.The Millet scope is very clear, although it is of much lower power than scopes I normally use. Although I haven't measured it, it struck me that the objective lens of this 30mm scope seems to be a good bit larger than the objective lens of many 1" scopes. As I said about the scope mount, the combo is holding a good zero. Although the reticle and lower power don't really help to produce great benchrest groups, it's certainly adequate. I've shot several groups less than 1.5" at 100 yards, if you throw out a couple stray shots that were most likely due to the "nut behind the butt." The lighted reticle is not bright enough for use in daylight, which seem to bother some people, but the reticle is quite clear without the lighting. The scope does seem to have about an inch of parallax at 100 yards.
Loading Rifle Ammo
The sub-1.5" groups I mentioned were shot with my 16" LMT M4 upper, and my reloads. I could just about put bullets into a 2" 10-ring all day long with good bullets. I've loaded a lot of pistol ammo, but just started loading rifle ammo. The transition has not been an entirely smooth one, as I've primed brass a couple times, forgetting to trim the brass to length first.The Midway Dogtown 55gr Spitzer bullets are shooting just about as well as the Sierra MatchKing and Nosler Custom Competition bullets. The Midway bullets have flat bases though, and won't fit in the mouth of the brass, which makes loading with them more tedious. They are a lot less expensive than the match bullets though.
Information on loading rifle ammo in load books is a little lacking in detail, and I spent several hours doing research before I started pulling the press handle. I'm still taking notes.
I learned pretty quick that my idea of a "light spray" of Hornady One-Shot case lube must be different than Hornady's idea of a "light spray." Removing stuck bottleneck cases from sizing dies sucks. I have the RCBS tools for removing stuck brass, but it doesn't help much when the decapper rod/expander button are still in the case and won't let you drill all the way through the case head.
I've mostly been loading .233Rem, but have done some .308Win. The .308Win ammo has not been performing as well from my AR-10, but that rifle currently lacks a free-float tube, and I'm unsure of the scope riser that I bought cheap at a gun show a couple years ago. At least I now know that the AR-10 is capable of shooting better than 6" groups, like what I was getting with the crap surplus ammo. The AR-10 seems to have developed an ejection problem. The problem being that it doesn't eject. The round fires, and the bolt carrier goes back, and the empty brass stays in the ejection port. The ejector seems to be fine, I'm not sure what the problem is.
More detailed reviews will follow later, but I wanted to get something posted for you all to read for now.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Paper For Sighting In
Perhaps you've had trouble sighting in. Your first shots aren't on the target, and there's so many holes in the backer, that you just don't know where your shots landed. You have someone spot for you, but they only see dust kick up from somewhere behind your target.
You need to cover that backer with something, right? But what?
As it turns out, there is an inexpensive solution readily available. I found tissue paper at the Rite Aid next to the wrapping paper and gift bags. For about $3, I got 24 sheets about 2 feet square, which is enough for me to sight in probably 8 times, using several sheets at once to cover the backer. .22 caliber bullet holes with the soot rings aren't too hard to spot through a spotting scope at 100 yards on the white tissue paper.
If it rains, then you're on your own. =D
You need to cover that backer with something, right? But what?
As it turns out, there is an inexpensive solution readily available. I found tissue paper at the Rite Aid next to the wrapping paper and gift bags. For about $3, I got 24 sheets about 2 feet square, which is enough for me to sight in probably 8 times, using several sheets at once to cover the backer. .22 caliber bullet holes with the soot rings aren't too hard to spot through a spotting scope at 100 yards on the white tissue paper.
If it rains, then you're on your own. =D
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Cabela's/Berry's Tumber Review
For a little while, very little while, I cleaned brass with soap and water, dryed in the oven, and polished by hand with steel wool. That got old really quick, and I ended up with a few splinters of brass or steel wool in my fingers.
Of the tumblers that were getting good reviews, the Cabela's model and the Berry's were two of the cheapest. With the exception of external appearances, the two are really the same. Berry's makes the tumbler for Cabela's.
I believe that the instructions that came with the Cabela's tumbler said to fill it 2/3 with media, and then load in the cases. The cases seem to come out cleanest and nicely polished when the tumbler is completely filled, and the motor doesn't seem to mind the full load. You don't have to fill it, obviously, but that's how I get the best results.
I run the tumbler 3 hours with a timer. Once-fired brass, if not too badly tarnished, comes out nice and clean. I probably don't need to tumble the once-fired brass from the indoor range the full three hours, and should probably cut that back in the future. The cases I reload with TiteGroup powder sometimes get scorched, and the tumbler doesn't remove that burn mark. I don't think that much of anything would remove the burn marks.
I store my cases in 1 Gallon Zip-Loc type bags, and the tumbler will hold about a half gallon worth of brass when filled 2/3 with tumbling media.
Although I'm not sure when I received it, I ordered it on 2/5/2007, and it's still going, knock on wood. When I first got it, I didn't have a whole lot of brass, and I was doing a lot of small batches, so I've got a good number of hours on the unit.
Capacity (approximate):
900 9mm casings550 .45ACP
500 .38SPL
450 .223REM or .357Magnum
Tumbling Tips
You can get big bags of KayTee brand crushed walnut shell at some PetSmart stores sold as bird litter. It is much cheaper than the stuff sold by reloading suppliers. I add in some paste brass polish that I picked up from the dollar store, but I hear that NuFinish car polish works well also.When/if you add liquid or paste polish to your tumbling media, run the tumbler for about 30 minutes without any brass. If you put in the polish and the brass at the same time, all the polish will end up caked into a few pieces of brass. It's not good, trust me on this. If you were tumbling bottlenecked rifle cases, you might have to throw out the pieces with polish and tumbling media stuck in them.
Get yourself a dust mask. The tumbling media will pick up lead from the primers in the cases, and you don't want to breathe that in. Besides the lead, dumping the media into a sifter will generate a lot of dust that you'll choke on anyway.
Run your tumbler outside or in your garage where any lead that might get out of it won't contaminate your living space. The motor in the tumbler can get hot, so don't put it on anything that might melt or ignite, like nylon carpeting or newspaper.
Cabela's Website - It's the model 400 tumbler. Check RetailMeNot for coupons.
Berry's Mfg. Website - Model 400 tumbler.
WARNING: Vibratory tumblers have been known to attract graboids. Use at your own risk.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Midway Coupon Code, Expires 10/21/10
From GlockTalk:
Place $50 or more of in-stock products in your shopping cart. Enter Promotion Code 105028104 in the box entitled 'Promotion Code' on the Shopping Cart page.
You will see the discount on the Confirmation page before placing your order.
Remember, this promotion code is valid for orders placed on MidwayUSA.com.
Limited to one per Customer and one promotion code per retail order.
Offer cannot be combined with Birthday or Special Pricing.
Offer not valid on MidwayUSA Gift Certificates and Nightforce products.
Hurry, offer ends at 11:59 PM CT February 21, 2010.
Place $50 or more of in-stock products in your shopping cart. Enter Promotion Code 105028104 in the box entitled 'Promotion Code' on the Shopping Cart page.
You will see the discount on the Confirmation page before placing your order.
Remember, this promotion code is valid for orders placed on MidwayUSA.com.
Limited to one per Customer and one promotion code per retail order.
Offer cannot be combined with Birthday or Special Pricing.
Offer not valid on MidwayUSA Gift Certificates and Nightforce products.
Hurry, offer ends at 11:59 PM CT February 21, 2010.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Zel Custom Tactilite T1 .50 BMG Upper Recall
Recall Notice - Potential for Very Serious Injury. If you have a Tactilite T1 .50 BMG with a bell-shaped handle with 3/16" threading and a roller, there is the potential for out of battery detonation. If you have a unit that fits this description, regardless of whether you have fired it safely in the past, we ask that you contact us immediately to arrange for replacement components. We are not aware of any incident of an out of battery detonation or any injury. However, we have been able to make this happen in our shop and out of caution we ask that customers contact us immediately to arrange for free replacement components.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Armalite AR-10 Mag Sale
The Official Armalite Website
Direct Link To Magazine Sale Prices
5 pack of 20-round AR-10 mags - $150
10 pack of 20-round AR-10 mags - $275
I've never seen Armalite AR-10 mags for less than $45! They have other magazine capacities available on sale too.
Direct Link To Magazine Sale Prices
5 pack of 20-round AR-10 mags - $150
10 pack of 20-round AR-10 mags - $275
I've never seen Armalite AR-10 mags for less than $45! They have other magazine capacities available on sale too.
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