V8 Powered Bar Stool

Hoss Fly Website

Stacy David built one of these on Gearz last week. Basically it's a go-cart frame that you bolt a small-block or big block V8 engine onto. A bar stool top gets screwed onto the top of the air intake.

For the price of a complete Hoss Fly, you could probably buy a late model Camaro, but you'd have a hard time beating it for power to weight ratio.

Safety is somewhat questionable, but it's definately interesting.

Like AC/DC? Check out Airborne!

Not long ago, I was introduced to Airborne by one of the few local DJs that gets to play music that hasn't been on the Top-40 list. The band has a very AC/DC type sound, and the lead singer sounds a lot like Bon Scott.

I checked out the Runnin' Wild CD, and it's really good.


So. . . Fred, Bob, "go to it!"

A Short Kahr PM9 Review

Every now and then, someone asks about pocket pistols, or the Kahr PM9 specifically. This is what I have to say on the subject:

I've had one [Kahr PM9, 9mm, with DLC finish - Kahr model PM9094] for a couple years. I've been carrying it pretty much every day, even if I've got something bigger on my right hip. I carry it in my front pockets pretty much exclusively, even in some places where I'm not supposed to carry (by rules, not by law).

I've got about a thousand rounds through mine, though I haven't checked the official count in a while. The only stoppages were user induced; you need to keep your thumbs clear of that huge slide stop lever. 9mm is a fairly potent round for such a small and light pistol, and it's not a lot of fun to shoot. I find that fatigue starts to set in after about 50 rounds.

I haven't seen any signs of excessive wear or peening on mine.

It is minute of index card accurate out to at least 10 yards. Trigger is smooth, though you need to completely release the trigger before it resets. It has real, windage adjustable sights, unlike some pocket pistols that have only a groove or tiny sights that are cast/forged into the slide.

I get a kick out of shooting the Kahr after a couple months of pocket carry.  The first few rounds send pocket lint and fluff flying off the slide.

I dumped the Kel-Tec P-3AT, after it puked a third time, and I could not be happier with the little Kahr, even if it does cost a few hundred more then the KT.

UPDATE 8/2/2010: I put Heinie night sights on the PM9.  Round count is up to 1750.

Lee Auto Prime - Hand Priming Tool Review

I’ve used mine to prime several thousand pieces of brass, including a couple thousand with the Federal primers that Lee strongly recommends not using with the tool. I could prime on the press, obviously, but I don’t like handling metal tubes full of impact-sensitive high-explosive. I’d rather size/deprime and flare, prime with the Lee tool while watching TV, and then load.

I have not had any problems with breakage so far, knock on wood, though I could imagine that the pivot in the handle might break if there was a casting flaw near that area. I also have some doubts about the latch that holds the plastic primer tray lid on.

The cam (for lack of a better term) did develop notches from priming several thousand pieces. I ground it smooth, and it happened again. I bought another one, and case hardened the "cam" with Casenit, and it seems to be holding up with no sign of wear. Not a big deal considering the tool costs less that $20, and I had lost a spring anyway.

Probably my biggest complaint is that it’s not very comfortable to use. Rubber grips on the handle and lever would be greatly appreciated. This is something that nobody else does either for some reason.

That’s pretty much all there is to say, it’s a simple and affordable tool, and it works.

First Ruger LCP Review is out at GunBlast

Ruger LCP .380 Pocket Pistol Review at GunBlast

Although I can't recommend one myself, because it's practically a carbon copy of the Kel-Tec P-3AT that I had trouble with, the review is favorable.

Mini-14s with 20-Round Magazines

Click here to see the spec page for the NRA Mini-14 Rifle

I saw the announcements for these rifles in the NRA magazines. I was shocked. Ruger hasn't sold 20-Round Mini-14 magazines (directly) to civilians in more than a decade. For $205 over the retail price of base model (wood stock, blued finish) Mini-14, you get two 20-Round magazines, a Hogue Overmolded stock, a 16 1/8" barrel, and a limited edition serial number. A portion of the purchase price goes toward the NRA.

I'm not sure what the street price will be. Retail price on the standard Mini is $830, and I can get them locally for $614.

I was excited to see this at first, but I though the Minis were a lot cheaper. For just a little bit more than a standard Mini, I could build an AR-15 Carbine.

Still no sign of post-2004 Ruger Minis with factory folding stocks.

Reloading Disclaimer

Reloading can be dangerous even when following published load data. All reloading and firing of reloaded ammunition is done at your own risk. The load data published on this blog is intended for use by experienced reloaders only.

Do not attempt to reload until you have read and understand at least one printed reloading manual. Always wear safety glasses when reloading. Do not smoke while reloading. Keep primers and powder away from heat and open flames. Keep primers and powder where they cannot be accessed by children. Work up your loads following the standard procedures described in printed load manuals.

Firing reloaded ammunition will almost always void firearm manufacturers warranties. The author assumes no responsibility for damages done to firearms while shooting reloaded ammunition.

Although every effort has been made to provide accurate data, the author assumes no responsibility for injuries, deaths, or damages due to typographical errors in the data, or any other mistake on the blog or made by the individual reloaders.

To reiterate, all reloading and firing of reloaded ammunition is done at your own risk, the author(s) of this blog assume no liability for death, injuries, or damage due to the use of this, or any other load data.

The New SuperTuck IWB Belt Loops

I attacked a sheet of Kydex with a heat gun and a Dremel until I had a belt loop made from a double thickness of .09" thick Kydex.

Broke one of the first, one of the 2nd, and the third one is mine. Although it might be a bit bulky if you're going to actually tuck the holster, it'll work for me. The monster loop is made specifically for my belt, and should stay in place better.

New Season of Top Gear Starts Tonight

I probably should have posted a bit earlier, but I just plum forgot.

The latest season of the British car magazine TV show starts today on BBC America. If you get the channel, and are at all interested in cars, be sure to check it out. They test out all the latest supercars (and some not-so-super cars), and in every episode, the hosts have some crazy project to do, and hilarity ensues. There is some bashing of America and American cars, though.

The show is on 8 p.m., and then again at 11 p.m. EST, and several times during the weekend.

Crossbreed Super-Tuck Part 3

I first wrote of the Super-Tuck in Some Random Concealment Holster Reviews.
Then there was, Crossbreed Super-Tuck Part 2 after my first Super-Tuck cracked, was returned, and Crossbreed sent me a new one.

And Now for the New Business
I broke another belt loop. This one came with the new holster, and was made from 0.09" thick Kydex, which is about as thick as you can get it, really.

I'll try making my own loops from 0.09" thick Kydex folded over for a double thickness. If one of those breaks, then Kydex belt loops are completely hopeless and I'll have to start experimenting with other holsters.

Oh, and the SnapLok belt clips? They work pretty well. However, any untucked cover garment will likely get caught on them, which is why I went back to using the belt loops.

UPDATE
New belt loops are made. They are even beefier than I had imagined. I don't think I'm going to break one of these suckers. As an added benefit, the tighter fitting loops don't let the holster slide backwards.

Concealed Carry in Schools Poll

http://www.khq.com/global/story.asp?s=7879641

Same deal, copy and paste into your browser.

Funny how this one is going so much better than the WGN poll.

WGN Radio Poll: NIU Shootings and CCW

Please vote!! We are taking a beating in this one, somehow.

http://wgnradio.com/

The poll is part way down on the left side.

Cut and paste the URL into your browser, so they don't know where you linked from.

1911s for Duty. Eeek!

I happened to come upon this article on the 10-8 Performance website: 'Choosing a 1911 for Duty Use'

My experience with 1911 type pistols is pretty limited. I owned an STI 2011, a double-stack pistol, for a few months. It ran okay for a while, and then I started to have feed failures. I didn't like the way the grip felt anyway, so I sold it off (at a substantial loss).

Dad's Colt Defender ran okay for a little while, and then started to choke about once per magazine. Several different recoil springs and magazines were tried, but it still continued to puke. It was traded for a Kimber, which I can't vouch for one way or the other.

After reading this article, I think I am now completely scared of trying to keep a 1911-pattern pistol running, and I'll probably just stick to more modern designs.

Be sure to check it out. I had no idea that there was so much involved in keeping a 1911 running properly.

Weapon Lights and Pistol+Light Holster Review

I stumbled upon an article on PoliceOne.com about weapons lights and brief reviews of holsters for pistols with mounted lights.

Click Here to jump to the article.

Weird! Another Colt Official Police Review.

I just found another review of a Colt Official Police revolver at The Gun Zone. Less than a year ago, Guns magazine ran a review of the Official Police. A few months later I found another review on the Shooting Times website.

Why is that weird? The Official Police was first introduced in the late 20's.

I've got one of these that was my Dad's, and probably served as a Police duty pistol before that. It was probably his first centerfire, and as best as I can remember, it was the first centerfire that I ever shot. Dad fitted Pachmayer grips, and I fitted a nickel plated Python trigger*. The one that I've got is more accurate than the one fired in the The Gun Zone review. I take it out now and then when I get the itch to shoot something different. . . or I'm running low on 9mm ammo. I guess it's another pistol that I need to take a picture of.

* - The Python trigger is more comfortable than the full serrated Official Police trigger.

2008 Glock Annual is Out, G30SF coming soon

I hear that the 2008 Glock Annual magazines are out. The Glock Annual is a magazine with articles on Glock pistols in military and police service, competition, and civilian self-defense. There are lots of Glock ads, and there's obviously a bias, but if you can get one for free, it's not a bad deal.

There is usually a Mossad Ayoob article in the Annual. Ayoob writes for American Handgunner magazine, Guns magazine, Guns and Weapons for Military and Law Enforcement, and probably a few others. Ayoob invented the Stressfire shooting techniques. He owns/runs the Lethal Force shooting/self-defense academy.

Click here to go to the Annual catalog request page at the Team Glock website.

Oh, by the way. Glock has announced that there will be a G30SF coming out this year. Like the 21SF and 20SF, the 30SF will have a smaller grip than the regular model 30.

Guliani Dropped Out of the Race

Although it seems a bit premature, that's one more left-winger out of the way, and I'll shed no tears.

Now, if Romney* would drop out, and McCain^ would just say something incredibly stupid to turn everyone against him, gun owners just might stand a chance after November 2008.


* - from Romney's website - " Governor Romney does not believe we need any more gun laws in this country. Like President Bush, he would sign a gun law if it was carefully written to target weapons of unusual and unnecessary lethality or power."

^ - McCain helped draft the McCain-Feingold Act, which became law, and it gagged the NRA and other non-profit groups from endorsing candidates in the months before the 2004 election. He has a record of voting for all kinds of liberal bills.

Lauer DuraBake Paint Review

This stuff is advertised as being one of those wonderfinishes. The result I got was far short of wonderful.

I followed the directions on the can. I degreased the brass slug plug and mystery metal belt buckle, sprayed them, and put them in the oven for 10 minutes at 300 degrees.

The paint doesn't stick as well as Krylon spray paint, and it runs. Maybe it was because I had to move the parts while they were still wet to put them in the oven. Either way, runs are bad. It wasn't long at all before the paint was starting to wear off the hard edges of the plug and belt buckle. After carrying my G17 for about a week, the finish on the grip plug has gone from "matte black," to what is, at best, semi-gloss black.

Perhaps if I had abrasive blasted the parts, and baked them longer and hotter, the results would have been a little better, but I really doubt it.

I'll have to see if I can send whats left of the can back to Midway for a refund.

UPDATE:  I sent the can back to Midway, and they refunded me the full amount.

Cleaning, My Way

I've been using the Otis Tactical cleaning kit exclusively to clean everything from rimfire benchrest rifles through .45ACP pistols. I'm pretty confident that the "rods" will not harm the barrel, which I cannot say of rigid push-through rods. The only downside that I can think of is that the rods will probably not be able to push the bullet of a squib load from a barrel. Would be nice if it came with an AR-15 chamber/lug brush (it IS a tactical cleaning kit) and a small brush for cleaning breechfaces and other tight areas. There is a little extra room for cotton swabs (in lieu of the brush) in the pouch, which is about the size of thermos cup.
Updated 1/2/09


The little tube of solvent is a CLP (Cleaner, lubricant, protectant) type deal. Doesn't work horribly well for cleaning bores, but will get the job done in a pinch. At home, I've used Kroil, Shooter's Choice, Butch's Bore Shine, or Hoppe's, whichever is easiest to come by and cheaper.  I still use CLP for rust protection sometimes, but I started to use multi-purpose grease (the $2/pound stuff you can find in the automotive aisle) for lubrication.  A coat of the grease works to prevent rust too.


The patches that come with the Otis kit can't really be used 6 times, 3 times is about the max before they're so dirty you can't tell if you're really making any progress. Sontara patches don't unravel, so there's no threads to hide in the guts of your guns and make them jam.  You may want to order a size larger if you like your patches to fit tight in the bore.  If you are cleaning a 9mm bore, order the 20 and 12 gauge shotgun patches, for example.


How often to clean depends on the action, ammunition, and whether you NEED the firearm to work 100%. Rimfire target barrels probably shouldn't be cleaned too much, you'll just have to dirty up the bore a bit to get it back to where it was the last time you shot. Carry and defense guns should probably be kept pretty clean. AR-15s bolts and bolt carriers should be generously lubricated.

Pat Roger's Keep It Running article on how to maintain AR-15/M-16 type rifles.


Larry Vicker's tips on AR-15 lubrication.


Shotgun cleaning is not an area of expertise for me, and I will not begin to tell you what to do with scatterguns.

Hogdon TiteGroup Powder

Can't be used to load particularly hot 9mm or .45ACP loads without generating high pressures. It can be used to load inexpensive practice ammo, minor power factor loads for 9mm and .40S&W, and minor though hardball replica loads (major PF) in .45ACP. Leaves a fairly tough black coating on surfaces exposed to the smoke, but is not excessively dirty. Powder does throw sparks when the rounds are fired. It doesn't seem to produce as much recoil and is not as loud as some slower burning powder. Meters pretty well in a Hornady Lock-N-load powder measure, but doesn't like to be used with Lee 9mm expander die, as the powder gets fluffed up when the case pops out and the press shakes.

UPDATE, 11/1/09: I had my Glock 26 (3.5" barrel) out last weekend trying out a variation on an old load; 4.6 grains loaded under a 115gr hollowpoint at 1.5". The rangemaster stopped me, because there was a lot of sparks coming out of the barrel. Although I knew it was just the powder, I checked the barrel and the shells for bulges and flattened primers anyway. As I suspected, it was just the powder, possibly with the flash enhanced by the short barrel.

Oh, and I'm at about 10,000 rounds of both 9mm and .45ACP, and still on the first 8 pound jug.

UPDATE, 6/2/2012:  Having run out my small supply of .38 Special factory ammo, I.started to reload 38s.  I have noticed that my hands and forearms aren't getting peppered with bits of carbon or unburnt powder when shooting the TiteGroup reloads, like I was getting with the factory ammo.  I like that.  The garbage that was coming out from between the cylinder and forcing cone was HOT.  4" service revolver or 2" snubby, it doesn't seem to matter.

Unfortunately, when you load TiteGroup under a cast lead bullet, you get a lot of foul-smelling grey smoke.  I don't like that so much, and it's probably not very good for your health.  I bought some Clays powder for use with lead bullets, and I'm not getting as much smoke.