What is one of the major problems with the war in Afghanistan? Just your friendly, neighborhood home made arms, and the open air market that sells them.
The famed Khyber Pass is home to some of the most entrepreneurial and passionate people on the face of the planet. From the video, these people believe in "many sons, and many guns." In a normal world, I'd say that is a good thing to have; in this region, it often means dead US soldiers. To me, that means just one more reason as to why we are fighting a war on a front which is not winnable but only manageable. The video itself is dated 2006 with an edit and tack on from 2009. The situation hasn't changed all that much removed from either of those dates.
If you scroll down the article, it does take a pot shot at the NRA for it's devout opposition to the UN and it's international arms trade "regulation" schemes. My question is in that region where for thousands of years, conquerors have failed to master the terrain and the people, how does even the UN think it will be able to regulate what is a pure black market? Simple answer is, that it can't, and it won't.
This post did not start out as one about our 2A rights, but it certainly is a nail in the coffin of the bureaucrat that believe they can control us, even from their "high perch" in New York. If anyone for any minute can watch this video and believe the UN is sincere in stopping "small arms trade of illicit and illegal guns" throughout the world, then you are either a libtard, a Utopian, an idiot, or just plan naive.
Showing posts with label Guns. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Guns. Show all posts
31 May 2011
09 April 2011
Hello, Hello!
So, as you may or may not have figured out by now, I'm the new "author". Fightin' is an old friend as indicated; from way back in the day, and I came to him recently with frustration over our federal government and their inability to pass a budget(more on that later), and my general disdain for their lack of progress towards resolving something that is pretty important as far as our country goes. I asked him if I could pen(really, type) an editorial piece for his blog; he kindly invited me to join as a contributor, so, here I am!
As for a little background about myself. I'm in my late 20's. I like guns, good beer, good friends, and the outdoors. Baseball is America's national pastime, and to that I say, LET'S GO O's! I build computers in my spare time, and in the "old days" Fightin' and I wrenched on/played with cars together. I'm fired up about Washington, and their frequent inability to do the job that was granted to them by the people, regardless of political feelings.
Ok, so, enough about me, onto the good stuff, in a little while....
As for a little background about myself. I'm in my late 20's. I like guns, good beer, good friends, and the outdoors. Baseball is America's national pastime, and to that I say, LET'S GO O's! I build computers in my spare time, and in the "old days" Fightin' and I wrenched on/played with cars together. I'm fired up about Washington, and their frequent inability to do the job that was granted to them by the people, regardless of political feelings.
Ok, so, enough about me, onto the good stuff, in a little while....
10 February 2011
Thoughts on Apple iARs
If you're a follower of gun blogs, no doubt you've seen this and this, and perhaps this.
As others are saying with the whole "Uses proprietary ammo. Shuts off when shooting unapproved targets," those thoughts aren't completely unfounded. In the gun community, should we be concerned that this is a wolf in sheep's clothing?
Let us considering this; Steve Job's campaign contributions over various election cycles for the past 20 years. It ain't pretty. From Fox:
Obviously, being a free market guy, I have no problem with Jobs and company trying to make a buck. Admittedly, my wife is an iPhone geek and a Mac user, and perhaps I'm becoming a convert, but what merrying of computer and guns will we see from Apple? Should we have to worry about a push of technology for "smart guns." With Jobs' billions and seemingly political clout, what new front does this acquisition of Saber Defense present to the gun rights movement?
Obviously, this announcement should be treated with a bit of skepticism at first, but perhaps we will see innovative products that will permeate through out our armed forces, and thus, into the hands of the civilian market. Until we see any changes from the Saber Defense portion of Apple's portfolio, we should proceed with caution, and hopeful optimism. However, let us put Jobs on notice that pushing products that are contrary to the protected and functional meaning of the 2A, and then further using his clout and the legislative process to game the economic system to his advantage, will absolutely not be tolerated.
As others are saying with the whole "Uses proprietary ammo. Shuts off when shooting unapproved targets," those thoughts aren't completely unfounded. In the gun community, should we be concerned that this is a wolf in sheep's clothing?
Let us considering this; Steve Job's campaign contributions over various election cycles for the past 20 years. It ain't pretty. From Fox:
“Steve Jobs is Democratic-leaning based on who he gives money to and what he says. And Jobs has never let it be known how he votes, but he supports Democratic causes and has contributed about $225,000 to Democrats since the 1980s,” McDonald told FoxNews.com. While Jobs may appear Democratic, Apple's policies are simpler, he said: "They promote what's going to make them the most money.”
And for what it's worth, former Vice President Al Gore is also on the Apple board of directors.Obviously, the list has some pretty unfriendly names upon it, including good old Dead Fish very prominently at the top. So what is the end game here?
Obviously, being a free market guy, I have no problem with Jobs and company trying to make a buck. Admittedly, my wife is an iPhone geek and a Mac user, and perhaps I'm becoming a convert, but what merrying of computer and guns will we see from Apple? Should we have to worry about a push of technology for "smart guns." With Jobs' billions and seemingly political clout, what new front does this acquisition of Saber Defense present to the gun rights movement?
Obviously, this announcement should be treated with a bit of skepticism at first, but perhaps we will see innovative products that will permeate through out our armed forces, and thus, into the hands of the civilian market. Until we see any changes from the Saber Defense portion of Apple's portfolio, we should proceed with caution, and hopeful optimism. However, let us put Jobs on notice that pushing products that are contrary to the protected and functional meaning of the 2A, and then further using his clout and the legislative process to game the economic system to his advantage, will absolutely not be tolerated.
16 January 2011
Dog Bites Man = Fox Shoots Hunter
Apparently, the hunters in Belarus do not follow the primary gun safety rules.
Someone should have told the man to poke the fox with the muzzle while properly indexing so as not to get into a hand to paw combat situation. Using a tool (gun as a club) is using the wrong tool for the job (unless of course, it's an AK out of ammo).
Someone should have told the man to poke the fox with the muzzle while properly indexing so as not to get into a hand to paw combat situation. Using a tool (gun as a club) is using the wrong tool for the job (unless of course, it's an AK out of ammo).
15 December 2010
QOTD: Repub Freshman Should Pass Mandetory Gun Purchase Law
[The new] Republican House should pass a law requiring the entire populace to purchase a gun. "But Mr. Limbaugh, guns kill." Yeah? So do diseases...The fact that disease kill more people than guns do, did not stop the fact that congress passed the "must purchase" mandate. I wonder if this will cause an increase in malpractice considering we have all seen the email that doctors are more likely to commit malpractice than a gun is to kill someone? Yet, that was the "death sentence" handed out.
While I realize that some district courts have ruled for Obamacare, and others against it, I am not certain that the current SCOTUS will over turn this law. Please take the proceeding sentence at full face value, and then consider how absurd the quote from Limbaugh is, to out and out require an individual to purchase and own a firearm based on federal (key word) law. Now, Rush isn't advocating for a passage of such a law and did not debate the merits or negatives behind it, but merely used this as a metaphorical example of how slippery and steep the Commerce Clause has become with regards to regulation.
Yes, we have all heard the auto insurance arguments, but to my knowledge, this is by and far the first federal law requiring an individual to purchase any item or service. Therefore, it stands to reason, as us libertarians and fiscal conservatives have said, where will it stop? While the suggestion to pass laws mandating "conservative" ideals are noble in philosophy, they to are infringements upon the free man, and should never be considered in the context of constitutional government. Just because the precedent has been set, does not mean that it should be followed, contrary to SCOTUS dicta or political leadership.
27 November 2010
Tax Free Guns
AWESOME! Kudos South Carolina, too bad I'm not a state resident (or in the general vicinity to at least take advantage of the long guns).
Too bad we'll never see such a tax holiday like this in the state of Maryland, since we have to sue for our rights.
H/T
Too bad we'll never see such a tax holiday like this in the state of Maryland, since we have to sue for our rights.
H/T
09 October 2010
Remington Upgrading M24 Sniper Rifle
The tried and true Remington 700 has been a workhorse of US military sniping for almost a quarter-century. Now, it's getting a face lift. According to the Military Times the M24 variant will get a caliber upgrade (which will increase it's effective range), as well as a new suppressor and optics system, and a detachable box mag. This is sure to keep your back yard sniping monkeys (author included) drooling over a tool 99.9% of us don't have a need for.
These changes come at the behest of the Tenth Mountain Division's request for a new weapon to "reach out and touch someone," with. Considering the long engagement distances seen in the mountains of Afghanistan and the use of other, larger and further reaching calibers of our NATO allies, it was only a mater of time before the US Armed Forces got a similarly capable weapon. Not that the .300 Winchester Magnum round will produce a new distance record in the near future, it at least provides our boys with a bit more to make the most out of their mission.
As always, to our men and women in harms way, stay safe.
These changes come at the behest of the Tenth Mountain Division's request for a new weapon to "reach out and touch someone," with. Considering the long engagement distances seen in the mountains of Afghanistan and the use of other, larger and further reaching calibers of our NATO allies, it was only a mater of time before the US Armed Forces got a similarly capable weapon. Not that the .300 Winchester Magnum round will produce a new distance record in the near future, it at least provides our boys with a bit more to make the most out of their mission.
As always, to our men and women in harms way, stay safe.
27 August 2010
Slice of Life: Friday Bonus Double Post; Gun Range w/ Foxtrot Uniform
Obviously with my newly received VA Non-Res CHP, I had to go to the gun range, and I did that last night with a good friend of mine, Foxtrot Uniform (he told me to use it, I swear). With the cost of ammo lately, and now with my permit in hand, I wanted to closely examine if I had the best arm for carry duty.
The first handgun I ever purchased was a 1911. Something nostalgic and American about John Browning's design with your bugger hook on the bang switch, but as much as I love that arm, I never intend upon it to be much more than a pleasure / target gun. So that necessitated picking up an 4" service model XD in .40 from a friend who was selling it about 4 years ago. I've shot that gun plenty, but then the little birdy in my ear (read AKFan) has been telling me to ditch it for a 9mm Glock. Having shot an old G21 when buying my 1911, I about wanted to shoot myself with the Glock 21. I've been thinking of switching to an XD(m) in 9mm to compensate for the soon to be departure of the .40. I listened to AKFan and test drove a Glock last night.
After renting a Ruger LCR (Foxtrot Uniform wanted to give that one a run), a Glock 17 fourth gen, and a Beretta 92 (the latter two in 9mm), I have to say I'm done with the .40 game. High pressure rounds mean recoil and harder second shot placements. I used to be the kind of shooter who preferred more power at the expensive of sensible control, but as usual, AKFan has finally trained me to become a believer of doing things the "right way" versus the marginally harder way.
The G17 was a dream to shoot for a service model and could quite potentially become my future carry gun. Good, consistent trigger squeeze, with good break meant my first shot was dead center X on a full sized target. Follow up shots for the 13 rounds at a reasonable combat pace yielded 2 "fliers" in the 8 ring at 10 yards. I know I don't shoot often enough, but, the last time I shot my .40, I didn't have nearly that consistency. Maybe part of it was me, but not having the gun practically jump out of your hands every shot means you can focus on pulling the trigger and getting back on target rather than re-grasping the gun.
The 92 was also nice. If I had to pick a handgun in 9mm to strap up for "duty" operation, I would seriously consider this one. Being a DA/SA means the first shot (unless cocked and locked) is long and heavy, but it was consistently smooth as well. In SA mode, the trigger was like a chem class glass rod snapping in two with short travel and reset. I contend it may be better than my 1911. If I didn't have to compromise and stick to a budget, there is the chance I'd be buying two new guns, but I don't have a need to be that spendy at the moment.
In summary, a night at the range with a buddy is always good therapy. Especially when you get to come home to a loving wife who wants to go out to dinner afterwords with her friends. Hat tip to a gem of a chick who even ponied up for dinner and congrats to her and her new fiance on their engagement.
Until next slice of life, keep the "front towards enemy."
The first handgun I ever purchased was a 1911. Something nostalgic and American about John Browning's design with your bugger hook on the bang switch, but as much as I love that arm, I never intend upon it to be much more than a pleasure / target gun. So that necessitated picking up an 4" service model XD in .40 from a friend who was selling it about 4 years ago. I've shot that gun plenty, but then the little birdy in my ear (read AKFan) has been telling me to ditch it for a 9mm Glock. Having shot an old G21 when buying my 1911, I about wanted to shoot myself with the Glock 21. I've been thinking of switching to an XD(m) in 9mm to compensate for the soon to be departure of the .40. I listened to AKFan and test drove a Glock last night.
After renting a Ruger LCR (Foxtrot Uniform wanted to give that one a run), a Glock 17 fourth gen, and a Beretta 92 (the latter two in 9mm), I have to say I'm done with the .40 game. High pressure rounds mean recoil and harder second shot placements. I used to be the kind of shooter who preferred more power at the expensive of sensible control, but as usual, AKFan has finally trained me to become a believer of doing things the "right way" versus the marginally harder way.
The G17 was a dream to shoot for a service model and could quite potentially become my future carry gun. Good, consistent trigger squeeze, with good break meant my first shot was dead center X on a full sized target. Follow up shots for the 13 rounds at a reasonable combat pace yielded 2 "fliers" in the 8 ring at 10 yards. I know I don't shoot often enough, but, the last time I shot my .40, I didn't have nearly that consistency. Maybe part of it was me, but not having the gun practically jump out of your hands every shot means you can focus on pulling the trigger and getting back on target rather than re-grasping the gun.
The 92 was also nice. If I had to pick a handgun in 9mm to strap up for "duty" operation, I would seriously consider this one. Being a DA/SA means the first shot (unless cocked and locked) is long and heavy, but it was consistently smooth as well. In SA mode, the trigger was like a chem class glass rod snapping in two with short travel and reset. I contend it may be better than my 1911. If I didn't have to compromise and stick to a budget, there is the chance I'd be buying two new guns, but I don't have a need to be that spendy at the moment.
In summary, a night at the range with a buddy is always good therapy. Especially when you get to come home to a loving wife who wants to go out to dinner afterwords with her friends. Hat tip to a gem of a chick who even ponied up for dinner and congrats to her and her new fiance on their engagement.
Until next slice of life, keep the "front towards enemy."
06 August 2010
Slice of Life: Day at the Range with Family
Ahhhhhhhh. A Saturday with range time! It has been far to long since I got to put a few live rounds down range, and I was able to accomplish that with a visit to my parents this past Saturday. Their undisclosed location has enough land where I can safely and legally practice with my arms and without the hassle of having to deal with unwanted company. It even affords me an opportunity to hangout with my old man and sometimes teach him a thing or two.
Don't get that wrong however, he still kicks my ass every time we hit the skeet range or sporting clays course, but that's not a surprise. He was practically raised with a goose gun in his hand and the older I get, the more I appreciate that about him. It also means that his wing shooting is more developed and more refined than mine will ever hope to be. Then again, he has hundreds of hours in the field compared to me and repetition is what this sport is all about. Drill it until you can't get it wrong.
I have been hoping that my wife, who isn't the biggest fan of arms, would become more interested in learning about shooting. If nothing else, it would do some good for her to be able to dismiss some of the emotional and irrational fears that she has with firearms. Both my dad and I were unsuccessful in attempting to get her to shoot a .22 pistol on Saturday, but that means I will just have to try harder. Death by 1,000 paper cuts! (Love you dear).
Obviously, the cost of ammo these days is one of the prohibiting factors in lack of arms training, and it showed on Saturday. While, I've been doing some aiming drills with my AK from time to time in the basement, I need to remember to do the same with my pistols. I was all over the place with my XD in 40 cal from 25 yards. Moving in to get on to the paper yielded slightly better results. I like that arm, but I hate it's trigger. Long, hard, and heavy with a squishy break are not the best attributes for a trigger of any kind, especially on a handgun. I have been toying around with trading or selling it for either a Glock, XDm, or perhaps a Rugger SR9, all in the more affordable to shoot 9x19mm.
Compared to that XD, a 1911's trigger is a dream. Unfortunately, at $.40 a round, I tend to keep that ammo pretty well built up in reserve for the "emergency" stash. The solution? A .22 LR conversion slide, barrel and magazine. Just need to get spousal approval for such a purchase (along with the other items on the non-discussed "dream" list). Of course, dear readers, if you're so gracious in gratuities, I have no problem accepting donations for the "gear" pile (shameless plug, not obligatory, more tongue in cheek of course).
I did get to test out two new pieces of gear. My Eagle Industries AK47 6 Mag Chest Rig and my tactical sling. Lessons learned on gear? K.I.S.S. The sling works for it's intended function, but it has too much "fluff" on it with the quick detach and a three point design. It got caught up on the chest rig going from ready to aim nearly every time. No matter which way I sliced it, it always seemed to be in the way on the forward hand guard when using it from a "two" point position. Single point didn't have that issue, but there was still the strap running the length of the rifle which seemed to be in the way. I'm not ready to throw it away yet, but I will keep my options open. Perhaps after I take an AK carbine course and get some instructor feedback, I might look for a better sling option.
The chest rig on the other hand, while over kill for the range, worked great. I hauled 4 full mags with me and used the other two indexes for pistol mags. No rattle, no clang, and loaded out with 4 mags it fits better without all the weight from 6 mags of Combloc ammo. Now, to train up and go to a three gun shoot (yes, I know, it's overkill for that too). AK report? It's an AK. I goes bang. It makes holes in targets and from 30+ yards (or my personal, don't come much closer distance if SHTF) I am affective with it by keeping full mags inside a pie plate (except for a few fliers). I can even say I have better groups with it than my father can manage. I'm trying to work on him to get one, but he just doesn't appreciate fine Soviet engineering. Made to function with cheap ammo and anyone who has gotten blood in their vodka stream.
All of that stuff said, the shooter needs to do his job and shoot more. Which is one thing I have resolved to do over the rest of the year. Considering I have an indoor range not that far from my residence, I will start to make it a regular trip a couple times a month for handgun practice. Additionally, every time I make a trip to my parents and the weather is half way decent, I'll take the AK along. While affective from SHTF range, I want to work on up to 100+ yard distances, for the "just in case" set of skills. Perhaps I need to find an Appleseed shoot?
Was it a good day? Yes it was, and I really need to do that more frequently!
Don't get that wrong however, he still kicks my ass every time we hit the skeet range or sporting clays course, but that's not a surprise. He was practically raised with a goose gun in his hand and the older I get, the more I appreciate that about him. It also means that his wing shooting is more developed and more refined than mine will ever hope to be. Then again, he has hundreds of hours in the field compared to me and repetition is what this sport is all about. Drill it until you can't get it wrong.
I have been hoping that my wife, who isn't the biggest fan of arms, would become more interested in learning about shooting. If nothing else, it would do some good for her to be able to dismiss some of the emotional and irrational fears that she has with firearms. Both my dad and I were unsuccessful in attempting to get her to shoot a .22 pistol on Saturday, but that means I will just have to try harder. Death by 1,000 paper cuts! (Love you dear).
Obviously, the cost of ammo these days is one of the prohibiting factors in lack of arms training, and it showed on Saturday. While, I've been doing some aiming drills with my AK from time to time in the basement, I need to remember to do the same with my pistols. I was all over the place with my XD in 40 cal from 25 yards. Moving in to get on to the paper yielded slightly better results. I like that arm, but I hate it's trigger. Long, hard, and heavy with a squishy break are not the best attributes for a trigger of any kind, especially on a handgun. I have been toying around with trading or selling it for either a Glock, XDm, or perhaps a Rugger SR9, all in the more affordable to shoot 9x19mm.
Compared to that XD, a 1911's trigger is a dream. Unfortunately, at $.40 a round, I tend to keep that ammo pretty well built up in reserve for the "emergency" stash. The solution? A .22 LR conversion slide, barrel and magazine. Just need to get spousal approval for such a purchase (along with the other items on the non-discussed "dream" list). Of course, dear readers, if you're so gracious in gratuities, I have no problem accepting donations for the "gear" pile (shameless plug, not obligatory, more tongue in cheek of course).
I did get to test out two new pieces of gear. My Eagle Industries AK47 6 Mag Chest Rig and my tactical sling. Lessons learned on gear? K.I.S.S. The sling works for it's intended function, but it has too much "fluff" on it with the quick detach and a three point design. It got caught up on the chest rig going from ready to aim nearly every time. No matter which way I sliced it, it always seemed to be in the way on the forward hand guard when using it from a "two" point position. Single point didn't have that issue, but there was still the strap running the length of the rifle which seemed to be in the way. I'm not ready to throw it away yet, but I will keep my options open. Perhaps after I take an AK carbine course and get some instructor feedback, I might look for a better sling option.
The chest rig on the other hand, while over kill for the range, worked great. I hauled 4 full mags with me and used the other two indexes for pistol mags. No rattle, no clang, and loaded out with 4 mags it fits better without all the weight from 6 mags of Combloc ammo. Now, to train up and go to a three gun shoot (yes, I know, it's overkill for that too). AK report? It's an AK. I goes bang. It makes holes in targets and from 30+ yards (or my personal, don't come much closer distance if SHTF) I am affective with it by keeping full mags inside a pie plate (except for a few fliers). I can even say I have better groups with it than my father can manage. I'm trying to work on him to get one, but he just doesn't appreciate fine Soviet engineering. Made to function with cheap ammo and anyone who has gotten blood in their vodka stream.
All of that stuff said, the shooter needs to do his job and shoot more. Which is one thing I have resolved to do over the rest of the year. Considering I have an indoor range not that far from my residence, I will start to make it a regular trip a couple times a month for handgun practice. Additionally, every time I make a trip to my parents and the weather is half way decent, I'll take the AK along. While affective from SHTF range, I want to work on up to 100+ yard distances, for the "just in case" set of skills. Perhaps I need to find an Appleseed shoot?
Was it a good day? Yes it was, and I really need to do that more frequently!
23 July 2010
UNPOSSIBLE DEPT: Darth Vader has a Gun Permit?
To steal a line from falnfenix, UNPOSSIBLE! Considering you have to go through a stringent, non-Constitutional litmus test to get a gun permit in NYC, there is no way that Darth Vader would have been able to obtain a gun permit. The police surely would have denied him on the spot knowing that his "non-moral" character and propensity for Jedi death grips from across the universe screams "murdering, empirical scum."
So, considering that, the UK Dailymail is reporting that Vader not only obtained his permit, but used it in a non-state sanctioned way when he robbed a bank on Long Island, it's safe to say that any moral upstanding citizen can now legally carry in NYC (or state), even ahead of the Second Amendment Foundation's lawsuit. What's next, Mayor Bloomberg allowing permits to be issued to some Tusken Raiders ahead of the local Star Trek convention? Perhaps we'll see them sniping the Trekkies from the top of the Empire State Building instead of swamp rats or pod racers from the top of Beggars Canyon.
So, considering that, the UK Dailymail is reporting that Vader not only obtained his permit, but used it in a non-state sanctioned way when he robbed a bank on Long Island, it's safe to say that any moral upstanding citizen can now legally carry in NYC (or state), even ahead of the Second Amendment Foundation's lawsuit. What's next, Mayor Bloomberg allowing permits to be issued to some Tusken Raiders ahead of the local Star Trek convention? Perhaps we'll see them sniping the Trekkies from the top of the Empire State Building instead of swamp rats or pod racers from the top of Beggars Canyon.
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