New Magpul Stocks

Look like they bridge the gaps between the CTR and ACS, giving you options for battery tubes with no compartment, or a compartment with no tubes, but still with an improved cheek weld.

I like.  I wouldn't mind trying the ACS-L on my newest build.

Sig P938

Sounds cool, but I'm sure will be far out of my price range.

Rally Fighter

I found my dream car...

















Local Motors Rally Fighter

$75k, which includes going to their place for 6 days to actually build your car.  Badass.

Spike's Tactical got one, and the vinyl wrap on theirs is pretty sweet too.

M&P Gets Belgium Contract

Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ: SWHC), parent company of Smith & Wesson Corp., the legendary 159-year old company in the global business of safety, security, protection, and sport, announced today that it has recently received a contract from the Belgium Federal Police calling for 20,000 Smith & Wesson® Military & Police (M&P) 9mm polymer pistols over a ten-year period. The police agency, a force with 12,500 officers, has received an initial shipment of 2,500 pistols as part of the full department conversion to Smith & Wesson duty firearms.

I'm pretty convinced the M&P is probably the best "agency gun" on the market.  It shoots well, is plenty accurate and very reliable, and the interchangeable back-straps make it comfortable for a huge spectrum of users.

The Telephone Game!

Madison, Wis.- Sheriff's deputies locked down the Madison courthouse after getting a call of a man holding a woman hostage inside.

Except...

Investigators later determined the woman's husband had sent her a text message with a picture of himself holding a gun to his head and wasn't in the courthouse.

We all know they shouldn't have overreacted like that, under Wisconsin law firearms aren't allowed in court houses.

S&W 442 Video

Short video of a few rounds from this morning.



Yeah... I need to work on reloads a little, and I am not responsible for the actions of Fudds in the background.

Overall, most round hit the little steel Practical Plinger, although a few went just left (need more dryfire time.)  I've got a little tender spot on the base of my right thumb that may or may not bruise, but really not too bad after 105 rounds (only 5 +P though.)

Now to get some dies and whatnot to reload for it.  Already have a bullet mold...

J-frame Range Report

It works! And 100 rounds, while not pleasant, isn't as bad as I expected.

Video to come as soon as I can find a free video editor I don't hate.

Guns Hidden Inside Books

Not quite what you're thinking.

G&C Stickers...

Looks like Rainier Arms has them for $1... I should probably get some eventually...
(These were inspired by the Starbucks/Brady group dust-up from February of last year and are not connected with the blog.  Just awesome for the sake of it.)

I'm Sure There's Something You'll Like...

O'so Taproom, Plover,Wisconsin.

Liquid Breakfast

Overnight shift followed by a 1am brewery tour. Good start to day.

Tactical Black Friday

Soldier Systems has a pretty sweet list of online deals.

Happy T-Day

Food shall be 'et, and guns shall be shot.

Have a good one.

Got My Permission Slip!!

Long time coming to this state.

Conveniently, UPS dropped of a box with a Desantis Nemasis holster as I was snapping this very photo.

Unfortunately, I haven't shot the little J Frame, so I'm not carrying it yet.  I can, however, get started on that review of a custom leather IWB holster I've had around for a couple months now.

Still no sign of Dad's, despite being sent from the same post office on the same day.

Still, I'm like a freakin' kid at Christmas.

Use a Holster!

Not only will it save your neck, it's also what separates us responsible gun owners from the common hood rat that simply shove their Gat down the front of their pants and blast their junk off.
(Also, thanks to blogger for canning all my post's content when I try to edit a typo.)

No Argument Here

Ryan Braun 2011 National League MVP.
(Fielder came in third as well.)

photo from MandaFern's desk

Remote Sensing Conundrum

Courtesy of China. Those of you who've been reading long enough know I'm slowly nibbling away at a degree in Geography with a heavy emphasis on Cartography and GIS, a large part of which is Remote Sensing, so I can't help but be intrigued by these things.

Is the Future of Cars Diesel and AWD?

Instapundit wonders, and I wouldn't be at all apposed to that.  MandaFern's Subaru is a treat to drive in just about any condition, and last weekend tooling down the interstate at 70 in the rain/sleet/snow mix wasn't any worse than driving my little Chevy in nice weather.  As long as they can manage to make the diesel run alright at sub-zero temps I wouldn't mind that either.

J-Frame!

Back in the Ancient Blogosphere days of 6 months ago or so, there was a massive re-hashing of the old "S&W J-Frames are great first guns for women!!" fallacy and a general discussion of the ups and downs of the classic Snubby.

Generally I agree, they're full powered center-fire feather-weight guns with low capacities and are slow to reload when compared to a modern auto.  They're thicker too, since they have the "revolver" thing going, and are almost always higher priced than their comparable auto brethren.  Combine that with the fact that I'm really not a big revolver guy, there never really was any reason for me to get one.

So... I ordered one anyways.  Figured it would make a good B.A.G. Day gun, and I wanted to try doing business with a newer local(ish) dealer.  Well... eight months later the stupid gun finally showed up, and I'm probably not dealing with him again.  Something this simple shouldn't have taken so long...

Yup.  A basic S&W 442.  Same thing I've looked at longingly in the cases at the big-box dealers the entire time I was waiting for mine.  Lesson learned about said dealer... On the upside, I paid for the silly thing so long ago it almost feels like I got a gun for free!

Anywho... I do love how light the little thing is (15oz. empty) and the shape of the frame lets me really choke my grip up and get a pretty low bore-over-grip height.  I'm hoping that will let me negate some of the jump inherent with hot loads in the little thing.  We'll see how that works out on Thursday when I duck out behind the barn at Grandpa's to pop a few rounds of and see if it actually works.

The original plan was to attempt to "master the snubby" over the summer, but it just means I'll get plenty of dry-fire practice and hopefully get my reloads down while combating cabin fever up here in the frozen north.  Also it'll give me a chance to get an Apex spring kit and drop that in (the stupid little thing feels so good in my hand that it's a shame the trigger is so "meh.")

Now if only Smith hadn't drilled a stupid hole in the side of the thing.........

Good 'Ol Wisconsin

Man Accused of OWI Comes to Court Drunk

Ammo Day Score

The Dime Club

Vuurwapen Blog reminisces about Scout Camp, and the shooting sports area, leading to a .22lr shooting challenge and ammo comparison.  I like going back to this type of shooting from time to time, simply to brush up on the basics, and I've found it helps almost all forms of shooting (I did find it severely handicapt me when going to skeet however.)

At the camp I worked at a couple years back, we have the full out NRA Marksmanship Course for the Rifle and Shotgun areas.  Turns out the medals are authorized for wear on the Scout uniform, and there's a sweet certificate to go along with them-

After a bit I was allowed to use one of the three Anschutz rifles the camp has (in this case, a beautiful vintage Match 54,) and since I had nailed my Expert rating the first year, I concentrated on the weekly staff high score.

I went undefeated for two summers straight.

That was my first "perfect" target, a score of 50.  Round number 4 nudged itself a touch up and right, but it's still breaking the ten ring.  The total size of the group from edge to edge is under .3"... that's firing 5 rounds from the prone with a sling at 50' using target peep sights (no optics.)  I shrank them down from there on a few occasions, probably averaging about .25"-.27" if I had to guess.

After my first year there, I had weapons qualification for the Army Reserve, and managed a 37/40 (those 250M targets always get me... can hit the 300 all day though.)  I also pegged a Cambell's Soup can at 100 yards with my buddy's M4gery at an informal range session with the first shot. It's tough to see a soup can at 100 yards, let alone shoot the silly thing with an unfamiliar rifle.

So if you get around my bragging, what I'm saying is a simple extended range session with your favorite .22lr, a brick of ammo, and some simple bullseye targets can do wonders for just about any shooting.  Plus it's cheap, and you can do it at just about any gun range.  There's really no excuse not to give it a try.

Gun Deer Season

Wisconsin's kicks off tomorrow. Last year they managed to go the entire season without a fatality too, despite having some 600,000 people out there with guns.  A repeat would be nice.

I never really got into the whole hunting thing (which confuses coworkers to no end... "what do you have all those guns for then?") but I do have lots of friends and family that do, and I wish them luck and would like to remind everyone to keep safe.

Ug...

While I like working the morning shift, it causes me to leave the house before I've had coffee, and thus leave my sunglasses in the pocket of my not-work clothes.

At least the coffee problem has been fixed.

B-CC & Matech Sight

The B-CC (Business-Class Carbine) is now range ready.  After a bit of a hassle with a messed up Amazon sale (third party, wrong price and product number for the item pictured and described...) I snagged a Matech rear from Ares Armor (this is the same BUIS on my issue M4.)  It folds pretty flat, and the ability to dial it in for range is pretty cool.

Eventually I'll toss an optic of some sort on the gun, but for now I want to concentrate on getting back to basics and plan on running it with just irons for a bit.

All the B-CC really needs now is a fittingly lightweight sling of some sort.  Wonder if Blue Force is going to add one to the Helium Whisper line...

National Ammo Day

Is right around the corner!

Geekiness

Yay Tuesdays!

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A-TACS FG

Officially released today.  I've been looking forward to it, and I think it looks pretty good.  I may have to get my hands on some for spring when the green comes back.

Spaghetti, Wenches, & Metaphysics

A Guide to the CoFSM
Episode 1 - The FSM

Spaghetti, Wenches & Metaphysics: Episode 1—The FSM from Matt Tillman on Vimeo.

Need a New Belt

Alrighty Gun Bloggers and Bloggees, with the advent of CCW in Wisconsin, I find my self in need of a new belt. My long time standby of the free kydex lined 5.11 had said kydex liner crack right at the holes behind the buckle, so it looks bad and is a pain to buckle.

I have a strong preference for something black and leathery, as my current holsters for the M&P9 are black.

Any suggestions/preferences for places to check out?  My wheelbarrow of cash is still in the mail, so that's always a consideration.

Like Weeds...

They're popping up everywhere.

I'm still waiting for my permit, but the list of places I'll no longer be going is getting bigger everyday. It's their right as a business owner, but that doesn't mean I have to like it (and it's a shame in some places, that steak Applebee's gave me Friday was really good.

I am wondering why many of these places waited until concealed carry to post though, and not after the surge in Open Carry a couple years ago? I guess if you can't see it, you can't ask them to leave and claim "it's making other customers uneasy."

Day Trip

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Zombie Prep

Toxic Russian Mars probe likely headed back to earth.

11/11

ITS Tactical Trauma Kit

This puppy looks good.



(review from Travis Haley of Haley Strategic)

The pack itself looks to have a great balance of accessibility, layout, and (most awesome) is much more streamlined than any other IFAK or blowout kit pouch I've seen yet.

Coffee

The non-house coffee at my preferred caffeine dealer has been the Kenya, a new(ish) roast that's not even on their website.  They describe it as having an earthy tone, with obvious chocolate and subtle fruit notes, with a smooth buttery finish, and I've got to say it's quickly moved up to one of my favorite coffees.  If you're in Central Wisconsin today it's worth stopping in and snagging a cup.

ETA: Today's special on the Cafe Espresso side is a Turkey Cheddar Sandwich with sauteed mushrooms and red onions, roasted red peppers and sweet pepper mayo.  It's about as wonderful as the above coffee, and actually a good pair for it.  No photos of the sammich, I ate it before I could get one.

More Colt Mustang-ness

The little thing is growing on me.  I may need to get my hands on one.

Anyway, short review and video over at Empty Cases.

"It's snowing!!!"

"Better drive 10mph!!"

Good gods people, try to remember you're Wisconsinites for once.

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Test

1 2 3...

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Wednesday

Means comics.

First Snow...

...of the year.  Makes me really just want to crawl back in bed and call the day a loss.

New Colt Mustang

Colt "Officially" announced it on their Facebook page this morning-

A CLASSIC BACKUP GETS EVEN BETTER WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Colt’s Manufacturing Company LLC, celebrating its 175th anniversary this year, is proud to introduce a new and improved version of the classic Colt Mustang. The new Colt .380 Mustang Pocketlite is small, lightweight and boasts enhanced durability, reliability and accuracy, making it an ideal handgun for personal protection. (more through the link.)

Nice Rack!

While I was off being an Army dude all weekend, MandaFern made a rack to keep the bikes from falling over onto each other on the porch (and did a really good job of it.)  PVC is a wonderful DIY material.

MSM...

Apparently the only things happening in the world is that a certain Republican Candidate likes to touch women, and some college football coach would rather touch little girls.  Oh, plus some doctor messed up and killed a guy, only this time it's some guy a lot of people had heard of, so "we" actually care for once.

Some mornings I think I should just crawl back in bed...

Business-Class Carbine

So when I was declaring the awesomeness of AIM Surplus the other day, I had good reason.  They recently had a deal going where you could get 5 free PMags with any complete Spike's Tactical upper assembly, and it ended a few days before my next paycheck, sucky, since I needed an upper along the lines of the 14.5" lightweight.

Bryan from AIM heard my laments on one of the major forums, and let me know that as long as it was in the next 10 days or so, they could hold my order and I wouldn't miss out on the mag deal.  Like I said, awesome.  So I ordered and let them know to hold it until last Thursday.

Tam on GI AR Mags

"Cheap, but probably avoid." Sounds about right.  Also, mags are expendable.  I generally spend a few bucks extra, get some PMags and call it good.  Plus they are good items to round out shipping on internet orders.

Wisconsin Castle Doctrine

Passed through legislature Friday (I'm in the Army this weekend, so I missed it.) The Governor is expected to sign it.

Between this and concealed carry, it's been a good year for 2A and self defense rights in Wisconsin.

More WI CCW Numbers

Data from the state Justice Department show that as of around 4 p.m. Friday, 20,476 applications had been submitted. Of those, 879 concealed carry licenses had been approved and roughly 793 had been printed.

Also, 117 applications were rejected. Agency spokeswoman Dana Brueck said applications can be rejected for a variety of reasons, including incomplete applicant data, insufficient training documentation or a missing payment.

Still waiting for mine.  So far (at least according to chatter on the Hometown forum on ARFCOM) it looks the only people that have received them so far are those that dropped them off by hand Tuesday morning.

Honey Badger Video

From AAC.

The Truth About TTAG

Weer'd makes some good points.  I personally stopped paying any attention to them when I noticed an overwhelming theme of cut and paste combined with forgetting to credit sources, along with refusing to acknowledge said sources, or remove material when called out on it.  The further drama a few months back only pounded the final nail in the proverbial coffin for me.

I can't help but wonder along with one of the commenters, why does Instapundit continue to regularly link to him, given these rather widely known facts?  Then again, maybe I just need to slam a Monster, get through this last two and a half hours of work, and crash... 

Castle Doctrine Passes Senate

But they tweaked it, so it has to go back to the Assembly. Still, it's progress.

Math Homework

Not going as fast as hoped. Simon is no help.

Apparently the Blogger App for Android doesn't upload the full size photo... grumblecakes.

Caffeinated Jerky

Apparently it's showing up in MREs, much like the Cool Caffeine Mints earlier this year.  I'll have to keep an eye out for it.

Wisconsin Castle Doctrine Passes Assembly

During an overnight session last night.  Now on to the Senate and hopefully the Gov's desk.

CCW Numbers Rolling In

As of about 4pm, the agency had issued about 120 licenses out of the roughly 150 applications received so far at the Department’s Capitol office. Of those applications received Monday, 90 licenses had already been printed and prepared for mailing.

Over 800,000 people viewed the application today.

Van Hollen says that his office will try to get them out as fast as they can, but they do have up to 45 days to process the initial flood of applications.  Mine went out today, so we'll see how long it actually takes...

I am a little irked that the boss-man (Van Hollen) made sure he was first in line to get his permit.

Wisconsin CCW Application

Is now available here.  Nice to see they maxed out the application fee there...

Wisconsin CCW!

Goes into effect today.  Brace yourself for the gunfights over parking spots and seas of blood to wash the streets.

Actually it really means the countdown begins to see how long it takes for the application to actually be posted and how long after that it takes to get processed and back to me.