Cats and Dogs Living Together!!!

Dismissal of gun-rights suit upheld by 5th U.S. Circuit...

In her dissenting opinion, however, Judge Jennifer Walker Elrod said she disagrees with the majority's conclusion that the Second Amendment doesn't protect an individual's right to a specific firearm unless the government has prevented that person from acquiring others.

Elrod argued the majority impermissibly treated the Second Amendment as a "second-class right" by carving out an exception.

"It is particularly unfortunate for our circuit to endorse the atextual, ahistorical rule that the Second Amendment does not protect particular firearms," she wrote.

Marjorie Esman, executive director of the ACLU of Louisiana, praised Elrod's dissent and said the group would weigh its options, including asking the entire 5th Circuit to review the case.

"Sure, (Houston) could go buy another firearm, but he shouldn't have to because he already owns one," Esman said.

NRA and ACLU taking the same side of a case?

What forces have unleashed that unholy alliance?!!!

Dr Ray Stantz: Fire and brimstone coming down from the skies! Rivers and seas boiling!
Dr. Egon Spengler: Forty years of darkness! Earthquakes, volcanoes...
Winston Zeddemore: The dead rising from the grave!
... Dr. Peter Venkman: Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria!

Projects, we got projects...

...posting to the blog? Not so much.

Picking away at a rifle vise in between things. Lucky if I get 15 minutes a week on it. Out of sight out of mind. Tired of working on longguns laying on a bench top. I'm hoping this will make a more orderly and secure setup: especially for mounting scopes. Yeah, there's a few of those in the project queue to mount/move. I'm putting off starting that scope dance till this wood project is finished. It's ready to drill and mount the over center clamp for the buttstock.


Outside? Yeah, this wall has been a long time in the making. Poured the footing over a year ago. Finally got it formed and poured. It didn't go as well as planned.

What that you say? Home DIY construction foul-ups? Yeah, I'll fess up. Worst ever. Pipe burst inside form. Flooded and blew out form. Down the line my forms buckled and bulged some and I lost my straight form line. Oh the shame of bad prep work cast in concrete for future generations to see and sneer. Unggghhh... There were some exciting minutes there doing damage control.
Yeah, yeah, I know. Never time to do it right. Always time to do it over.

That'll be enough outta you.

2nd Amendment Saturday

"The possession of arms is the distinction between a freeman and a slave. He, who has nothing, and who himself belongs to another, must be defended by him, whose property he is, and needs no arms. But he, who thinks he is his own master, and has what he can call his own, ought to have arms to defend himself, and what he possesses; else he lives precariously, and at discretion."

- James Burgh


Who, you may ask, was James Burgh?

From the Wiki

James Burgh (1714–1775) was a British Whig politician whose book Political Disquisitions set out an early case for free speech and universal suffrage: In it, he writes, "All lawful authority, legislative, and executive, originates from the people." He has ben judged "one of England's foremost propagandists for radical reform"[1].

Burgh also ran a dissenting academy and wrote on subjects such as educational reform. One of his first books was Thoughts on Education (1747).

Yeah, another Scotsman. Always stirring up some trouble, those Scots...

Speaking of poodleshooters...

...has me reminiscing about the AR varmint rig build the Son&Heir and I did last spring as a High School grad gift.

Lower completed. Kaiser Defense lower with Rock River 2 stage National Match trigger

Build completed. DPMS flattop upper with a 20" full floated varmint barrel, 1:9 twist.
The flip up sights were for his familiarization with iron sight install and zeroing. They came off after he learned the drill.

A Leopold VXIII 3.5x10 sits on it now. A 4x12 would prolly be a wee bit betta suited for this rigs intended use (P'dogs and 'yotes).

2nd Amendment Saturday

a little early this week...

"Thus, the peaceable part of mankind will be continually overrun by the vile and abandoned while they neglect the means of self-defense. The supposed quietude of a good man allures the ruffian; while on the other hand, arms like laws discourage and keep the invader and the plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world, as well as property. The balance of power is the scale of peace. The same balance would be preserved were all the world destitute of arms, for all would be alike; but since some will not, others dare not lay them aside... Horrid mischief would ensue were one half the world deprived of the use of them;... the weak will become a prey to the strong. The history of every age and nation establishes these truths, and facts need but little arguments when they prove themselves."

- Thomas Paine (1737-1809)

New Year resolution: Get regular exercise

“A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks."

— Thomas Jefferson to Peter Carr, 1785

Making Sausage and Tax Laws

Somethings you're just better off not seeing. Here's another. The insides of my Taurus 85UL, 38 Special +P revolver.

It's said that a snub is the hardest handgun to shoot well. To get and stay proficient requires practice. I've done that. Lots of rounds have gone through this revolver. Tonight I finally took off the sideplate to give it a deep cleaning and see what lubing it up with the recent batch I bought of wonderlube "Slipstream" does for it.

Sort of wish I'd left well enough alone. Even inspecting without the benefit of magnification I see why so many smiths refuse to work on Taurus revolvers. I may be sending this back to Taurus and asking for them to clean up some ugliness on functional surfaces. The roughness on the cylinder pawls alone make me want to run to Brownells website and see if a replacement part is available. The hammer torques so much in DA mode that when it comes down it's striking the sideplate and sliding down it until it hits the transfer bar. yechhhh.

I got this about 3 years ago. Lots of guys base on Taurus quality but I've had a .357 Taurus since the 80's that's been a peach so I went ahead and got this 38.

Since then it's my primary carry piece. All in all I've been very happy with it. Yeah the double action trigger is notchy and varies widely from one cylinder to the the next but I shoot it pretty pickin' well if I do say so myself. Practice, practice, practice.

It's a nice compromise in size and weight for a snub. Fills my hand better than the benchmark lightweight S&W J-frame (a good thing when shooting +P loads). However, due to the alloy frame still much lighter than the Ruger SP101 I almost bought instead of this piece. I'm glad for the lighter weight.

I'll sleep on it but odds are I'll be checking into Taurus warranty.

Range day

First up the AR15. Check out the nifty brass catcher bag!

Bought the M16A2 front sight tool online and cranked the front post all the way down. From what we saw a couple weeks ago at the 25yd line we estimated it needed at least 10 clicks down. Maybe 12. Only got 8 or 9 clicks before bottoming out the adjustment. I'll need to file it down if it needs to move more.

Next up the .270 Winchester Model 70. We've been meaning for the Son&Heir to make this his primary hunting rifle since I got it a couple years ago and sighted it in. Somehow or other we hadn't got it to the range with him. This is his first shot with with it -- just for familiarization.

Ok. So both of them are on the paper at 50 yds.



...and some actions shots. It's a blur! Slinging that bolt like Tommy with his SMLE during a mad minute!


...and now that he's a bit more familiar with the rifle and the larger round -- a leaning supported offhand.
No pic of the paper for those shots but still minute of goblin at 50yds. Prolly about an 8 ring effort.

Check out the figure in that custom maple stock. Yeah. Eat yer heart out Roy Weatherby!

Parts is parts

The Red, White & Blue Truck of Happiness came yesterday with some odd bits needed to dial in the Son&Heirs AR15 the rest of the way.

We got to the range last weekend and functioned tested it. The windage adjust dialed in quickly. However, the elevation adjustment is on the front sight post. We need to move it down about 12 clicks. It can be done with .223 FMJ bullet tip but we didn't want to risk marking up the finish on the sight.



There's an M16A2 style front sight adjust tool in that pile. Also there is a "bullet button" mag release and a nifty little "bullet button tool" keychain. The CA legal mag release we installed requires an allen wrench every time the mag is pulled. It is a ridiculous bit of hardware. This style release should be a nice upgrade.

There's a new extended upper action release pin in the pile too. I have a spare lower parts kit that was missing that pin so figured I get one in on this order on the same postage charge.

Final'd!!!

Got the final inspection sign off on the pool today. Yee-HAH! It's been open since September. The signoff included closing out an improperly handled permit from way back in 2000 for when we replaced our main power panel. That old issue's been a real thorn. Kept coming up and getting "closed out" then showing up again. I think we finally nailed.

Now to finish all the remaining pool details. Sealing the expansion joint. Planting, irrigation in planters, topping out fence for grape arbor, another 60+ ft of smaller retaining wall to control erosion below the lower pool fence, touch up metal fence paint, patio furniture build, pool side power and walk lighting. The list goes on ad nauseum.

It's been a week for finishing projects started last fall. Such as...



...the Son&Heir's AR build. Just set up with iron sights for now. We'll scope it later after getting some time with "real" sights. :-) Now to clean, lube and get some range time.

Father's Day

Talked with my Dad, 1200 miles north briefly today.

Spent a quiet afternoon around the house with the Son&Heir. We're batching this week it while all the women folk are away working at girls church camp.

Later in the day we sat down at the dining room table and pieced together the HS grad gift he unwrapped last Sunday.



Got the lower complete. Just need to torque the recoil tube and secure the buttstock for real. Then we'll see about hanging the upper on it.

Banning Water

Doctor, Doctor give me the news!



Quote of the day goes to Uncle Ted writing about the annual NRA Convention,

"Peace and love will get you killed, and unarmed helplessness is a welcome mat for evil."

Taking it from the top:

Annual NRA Pow-Wow
by Ted Nugent

05/15/2009


Water, water, everywhere water. Know it, embrace it, manage it or drown. Same goes for cars, trucks, chainsaws, knives, crowbars, blowtorches, teakettles and guns. Based on the inept, clumsy, irresponsible failure of braindead, uncoordinated nitwits, I will not be denied the pragmatic, functional utility of anything.

I will not drown, drink and drive, chainsaw massacre anyone, stumble, slice, burn or shoot myself, nor will I ever hold up a bank. So the best advice would be to think, improvise, adapt and overcome, man-up, but by all means, leave me the hell alone. You don’t ban electric guitars just because someone may have a lapse in logic, goodwill and decency and spontaneously break out into country and western music.

*edit: ROFL!
...read the entire article


Related topic:
Interview with John Lott, Jr, Law and Economics professor and author of "More Guns Less Crime"
LINK

Vintage Custom Mauser

Ok, now humor me while I geek out on a beautiful piece of custom gun work. A long time ago somebody paid a pretty penny for this fine bit of what looks to be German or Austrian gunsmith art -- or at least in that tradition.

It brought back memories. The older man who got me into reloading and took me along on many of my early deer hunts had a very similar rifle. An 8mm-06 of Austrian craftsmanship with double set triggers and a similar stock (sans fancy scope and carving).

I apologize for the crude photography. This particular merchant of death must be saving on his power bill. I've been in better lit bars.

The wood and metal are in fine condition even though the blue is long gone. The metal is mostly in the white but not pitted.

First off look at the lovely butter knife bolt handle. Don't stop there.
Get a load of the double set triggers (sigh).
Try and look away from that scope and dovetail mounting system with see through mounts.

Go ahead. Take your eyes off it. I dare you.

HAH! Sorta like trying to maintain gentlemenly above the neckline eye contact while conversing with Jessica Simpson isn't it?
I forget what that mounting system is called. I do remember it's insanely expensive. Only seen nowadays on the finest bespoke rifles from the continent.
How about those classic open sights? Wake up in cold sweats at night dreaming of taking a shot at a onrushing dangerous game? Then those are the sights for you.

Next photo: get a load of the finely formed Schnabel forearm. Oooh-ahhh...
See that sling swivel soldered to the barrel?
Hard to make out in this shot but once more with feeling: Ooooh-ahhhh...



Finally a better look at the wood. Nicely figured walnut but not overly fancy -- still tightly grained enough to be strong and utilitarian for a magnum field rifle.

Here's the last big ticket item. A fine piece of wood working. Out of fashion these days but really a well executed piece of classic custom stockmaker's art.


Caliber? The barrel is stamped.338 mag. I dunno if that's a .338 Win Mag or a Norma Mag. This being a European piece of work, or at least heavily influenced by European style, I wouldn't be surprised if it's a .338 Norma Magnum but I don't know the history of that cartridge. The .338 Win Mag was introduced in 1958. This rifle and scope look to be that nearly old; at least as far as styling goes.

I reckon you couldn't touch it new for less than $4-5K these days. Maybe more. I dunno. That's not a market price point I venture into. You can have this one for just north of US$800.

lead poisoning

Well sort of. Casting lead (boolitts and shot) has been on my wish list of potential diversions for a couple years now. Casters call the hobby a disease. /heh

I have the minimum set of equipment for smelting scrap lead into suitable size ingots (camp stove, old plumbers pot, rusty muffin tins, cast iron ladle).

What I've lacked til now is a supply of scrap lead -- in particular used wheel weights. I've made a few inquiries at larger tire shops and snooped around online sales sites like Craigslist, Ebay, Gunbroker and such. Buying scrap(no matter how cheap and "worth it" just seems to run counter to the spirit of the quest. Sure it's about the casting process but it's also about the joy of being frugal (miserly? obsessively cheap?).

Well I feel like I hit the jackpot yesterday when I was at my regular auto mechanic's shop getting an oil and diesel fuel filter changed. Only recently did I realize they did a small but regular business selling tires in their back service bay.

"Hey!" says I to the owner's son. "Whattya do with your old wheel weights?" Thinking they had some scrap buyer relationship.

"We just throw 'em out" says he. Well, I nearly fell over.

"Mind if I leave a bucket here for you and come get them regularly?" asks me.

"No problem."

Yee-hah!
I drove away with a partial bucket full (screaming and doing a jig inside my car) and returned with another bucket w/ my name and number on it later in the day.

When seconds count...

A lady at church asked me in alarm recently, "You have a gun?!!! Why?"

I answered, "Because a cop would be too heavy."

A Tucson homeowner, alerted of an impending home invasion by his home security cameras, arms himself and takes matters into his hands last Thursday when four armed suspects attempt to break into his home.

You see a vehicle pull up, and four men run out. One of them is carrying what appears to be an AR-15 or M-16, a weapon which could be fully automatic.

The robbery happened in broad dayligh More..t at a home on West Vande Loo Street. All the action was caught by the homeowners outdoor surveillance system.

The victim was able to get back inside his house, close his door, semi barricade it, reach for a weapon that was easily accessible.

The homeowner shot at the suspects.
He even put a bullet through the windshield of the suspects car, which is also caught on camera.

The four men retreated and took off.

...more


When seconds count the police are minutes away.

There hath no temptation taken you...

...but such as is common to man;

Both the Backup and Speed Six sold before I got back there. Whew! My already blown budget was saved by the bell.

...and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able,...

Now back to life's priorities before those momentary distractions: God, family, church...

Of course, lurking around the corner there's always another CMP spend, a CZ 9mm RAMI 2075...
... or the ultimate for me -- a leap off the collector's (and financial) cliff by getting a Curio & Relics collectors license (Type 03 FFL).

...but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. I Corinthians 10:13

Lust of the eyes

I made a mistake and walked into one of my favorite local merchants of death's parlor yesterday.

First to catch my eye was a .380 AMT Backup on consignment at an attractive price. Not many options in that form factor available in CA. No Ruger LCP's and such allowed for sale except to LEOs. The little pocket piece was tempting but not sure about the trigger and reliability of the AMT. They went out of business.

Next to catch my eye was an immaculate 2 3/4" stainless steel Ruger Speed Six in 9mm.
(click to see full images)
Holy 147 +P+ JHP potential Batman! That Ruger's strong enough to run handloads in a 9mm to nearly .357 power levels.

I've had no interest in 9mm revolvers but that Speed Six was like butter in my hands. Also was at an attractive price point -- from checking auction sites it looks like I could make money on it.

The little revolver's an unusual piece. That's an autoloader cartridge in a revolver. It requires use of moon clips. I'm beginning to see the advantages in the moonclip arrangement. Esp here in California with all the restrictions on loaded carry. Moonclips are faster into battery than speed loaders in a revolver. In fact, a revolver with moonclips can be put into battery as fast as an autoloader. Then it can be unloaded and ready to be reloaded again w/ less hassle than a magazine feed gun which always has the loose round from the chamber than needs set back into the magazine.

Also moonclips are handy for unloaded open carry or unloaded vehicle carry in a lockbox (moonclips eliminateissues w/ loose rounds when unloading/reloading).

*Back to the merchant of death's display cases...

den I spots da 2 1/2" 7 shot S&W 686.

I'm dying now.
Kid in a candy shop.
Sensory overload.
Man, that is just about the perfect handful. Better move on down the counter...

Ohh noooooo, two 6" Model 27s of 70's vintage.
Nearly the epitomy of American artistry in blued metal and walnut.
Keep moving.
I'm dying. I need air. Must. Get. To vehicle.

Ignore the Model of 1917 45ACP in the next case.

Too. Much. Stimulation.

Did I mention the old nickel plated 4" Colt 38 special? The one with the ivory grips?


Never mind.
/walks away trying to refocus on life's proper priorities

Benched.

Thought I'd be off to the range at some point on Inaugeration Day to exercise a freedom in (what may be) it's twilight. Chest cold and low grade fever changed that plan. Benched me for the day.

Speaking benches...
I did make it to the reloading bench though. Made a bit of a pile.

Those piles of lead and brass goodness should be enough to make a hoplophobe squirm.

Done with 45 ACP for now. As you might discern I'm breaking down that press setup.

Next up? Develop some 30-30 loads for the Cowboy Assault Rifle. Which is of course "All the Gun You'll Ever Need."

Still cheaper than therapy.

Hot potato

You say potato, I say potat-owwww!

Spent some time at the range over the weekend with the Son&Heir with 1911(s), 22 pistol and M1 Carbine. He got to shoot his first ever reloads in the 1911. That's an extra treat for anyone.

He also got to shoot the M1 Carbine for the first time. That's when he caught an ejected casing in the collar of his new Xmas flannel jacket. Hoo-boy, he felt that. Raised a welt he can be proud of. /heh

Give credit for being a quick study. Didn't hesitate to turn that collar up and tuck it tight. ;-)

Still cheaper than therapy.

Headed out the door this morning. Looked at the storm starting outside, the swirling wind, the rain starting and knew what lay ahead. Rain commutes in SoCal = potential insanity, guaranteed gridlock.

Stopped to check the lock on the garage side door and noted about half a tube of primers still on tap in my press. Well, why not pull a few?



Ran a few minutes till primer tube emptied. Then locked up and got in the car -- mellowed and ready to roll. Made it to my desk uneventfully.

Ahh, rhythms.