Archive for the 'Guns' Category

Continuing his series on pistol skills and operation.

And demonstrating them too.  That’s a big collection for sure.

I’ve always admired this gun since I first saw it several years ago being demonstrated by Larry Vickers (by the way, does anyone have an update on how Larry is doing and whether he successfully got his weapons back from the ATF theft?).

For a mere $5300, you can have one too.

The possibilities.

First, you need to have a solid bench and vise to hold your gun in place.

Second, you, as the shooter, need to be calm and able to follow through on your shot. If you wiggle or flinch at the pull of your trigger, you will need to shoot more shells to accomplish a bullseye.

Third, it really helps if you have a buddy along who can assist you.

Fourth, your target needs to be at a distance where you will be able to see your bullet holes through your scope. Usually 50 or 100 yards is fine for most rifle scopes that go up to 9 or 12 power.

How the process works is that you shoot one shot right at the bullseye. If your scope is hitting the mark, you’re golden and very fortunate.

If you see your bullet is off the mark, there’s an easy way to rein it in.

While having the gun still pointed on the bullseye on your vise or rest, ask your buddy to move the reticle adjustments while you watch through the scope. Again, the key is for the rifle to remain in a fixed position. Only the reticles of the scope move during this process.

Advise your buddy to turn the scope adjustments in the direction to the bullet hole. Keep in mind the arrow directions on the scope may be opposite of what you are telling your assistant to go. If so, just say “the other way.”

Once the scope is now pointed at the bullet hole, you are ready to fire a second shot. Realize the gun never moved — only the scope’s adjustments advanced to go to the point of the first bullet’s impact.

If everything was held steady and you have a good follow-through, your second bullet should be on target. I like to shoot at least a third shot to make sure the second shot wasn’t a fluke.

My former Marine Corps son claims he can do with this without assistance.  The best I’ve ever been able to do is sight in a muzzle loader in about 6 shots, dead center at 50 yards.

I enjoy shooting, so it doesn’t much matter to me except for the cost of the ammunition, and that’s just a sunk cost for having fun.

The first rule of gun club is that you don’t talk about gun club.  But I will say this much.  I agree with Tim that Dan Wesson makes a very good 1911.  Dan Wesson is owned by CZ now.  That was a good purchase by an already good company.

I know very little about NODS, IR laser devices, or how they are used.  Therefore, I found this review to be interesting and informative.  I also find the narrator to be helpful and focused on the basics and rudiments when he needs to be, but not condescending like some presenters over YouTube.

BLUF: If you’re into this sort of thing, know what you’re getting.  It’s too expensive to throw money away.  For the rest of us, it’s just too pricey to enter the market.

For the reloader, it was his first time shooting a lever action 30-30.  He did well (missing only once), and that’s expected.  I find the 30-30 easy to shoot, easy on recoil, and powerful enough to take anything I want to take.  I think the rifle and cartridge are a pure joy.

If you believe him, this new Ruger (Marlin) lever gun is getting 1 MOA with .45-70.

I will remark that it’s beautiful.

I do disagree with him that the .45ACP is becoming less and less popular.

I think overall this is a fair analysis.  My experience is that if you pay for a good 1911, it serves you reliably.  As I’ve said before, I’ve shot thousands of rounds out of 1911s and never had a single FTF / FTE.  The things I like about 1911s are numerous, but here’s just a few of them

I like the grip angle.

I like the hammer fired operation.  I do not have striker fired pistols and will not have one in the future.  To me, pulling the trigger on striker fired pistol feels like letting a bucket full of compressed springs and rubber bands explode.

I like the smooth, crisp trigger.

I like the single stack design with the slim grip (which is good for my severe RA and gnarled up knuckles on my right hand).

I like the weight (what some people see as an undesirable, I see as a benefit).  Getting a commander size 1911 brings the weight close to most striker fired handguns.

And finally, I like the safety, which can be swept off by merely achieving proper purchase on the pistol if you desire.