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.