The Gun Blogs

Gun controllers often say that they desperately need to close the "gun show loophole" because it allows people to obtain guns legally (illegally in their minds) without Government oversight. Apparently they've never heard of this, the greatest threat to peace and goodwill that they want to force upon you: The Manufacturing Loophole.

Wander over and take a tour of the landscape on this little-talked about method for obtaining guns: making your own.

I interviewed Drake Clark from Magpul about their new Masada rifle, the firearms industry and internet marketing.

I also discussed US procurement politics, the PDR (Personal defense rifle) and PMAGs

I hope you enjoy it. Read it here.

I heard about the CMP about three years ago, from a co-worker and fellow gun/motorcycle enthusiast.

The whole thing was kind of mysterious to me. It was like you needed to be in the right club, know the secret handshake, etc.

It's really very simple. Have a birth certificate (or proof of citizenship), have some experience with firearms and belong to any club recognized by the CMP.

That last one threw me for a loop at first (before I rejoined the NRA), but it turns out that there are plenty of online clubs where membership is affordable and easy to join. The CMP website even provides links.

Making it even simpler in my case, prior military service satisfies requirement numbers 2 and 3. I double checked with them, and found out that being retired military satisfied all three requirements:

Sir,
We will only need a copy of your Retired Military Id and the three page order forms completely filled out. The Retired Military Id will count for all of the qualifications.
Thanks

I was gonna reply "Don't call me sir, I work for a living", but no.

So then it was off to the CMP Rifle Sales page to see what was out there.

After some exchanges with Sailor Curt and eocoolj over at The Gun Thing forum, I settled on this:

M1 Garand, Springfield Armory, Service Grade

I was wondering if the Service Grade was worth the extra $100, and SailorCurt said:

Mine looks good (other than the FAT stamps and dings in the stock), has a bright, shiny bore with sharp rifling, and is more accurate than I am.

That's about as honest an opinon you can get. Of course, him being Navy, that whole accuracy thing is up for grabs... =)

Anyway, the paperwork's in the mail. Highly unlikely it'll make it here for Christmas, but that's OK. Everybody should have at least two Christmases.

PS: There are some "Correct Grade" Garands there, too, but I can't cough up the $950.

Malaysia has licence to make M4 assault rifles

Maybe cheaper AR platform weapons in our future?

New Sig 556 rifle review
AHH.
I brought home a new baby. A brand new Sig 556 rifle. Forward grip, stream light tactical light, HALO sight. What a wonderful piece of engineering! I have as of yet not done any formal accuracy testing, but during the basic sight in session, the rifle was easy to shoot, minimal recoil, very steady, and shot well. At 25yds it was easy to shoot overlapping groups from offhanded. With its thin barrel the rifle does heat up, however unlike an AR-15 none of the heat is felt by the user because of the well vented large handguard‘s. This first sight-in session was at night and I was very impressed about the lack of an overwhelming muzzle flash. the basic M-16 flash suppresser works very well indeed.
I suppose the last time I fired an M-16 style flash hider at night, I was in a small house in Mosul, with other things on my mind! Overall the I am very impressed by the weapon, if I was to compare the Sig 556 to anything I would have to say that it handles like an M249 SAW. The pistol grip even feels close! The piston system does an excellent job of reducing recoil, and to me it is more comfortable to shoot than my AR-15.
As for reliability testing I was again impressed. Normally when I had acquired semi-automatic rifles they might hick-up in the first few rounds. Not the Sig; Insert Magazine, rack bolt, pull trigger, repeat as needed. Of the 7 mags I used in the first shoot (30 rounders) not a single problem. Simply pull trigger, and repeat as necessary. That is what a tactical rifle is suppose to do.
Since that first play time I have exercised the rifle at 200 yards and I was having little difficulty hitting paper plates at that distance. Another 500 rounds and still not one malfunction. Playing with the rifle more I believe that it is slightly heavier than I would normally choose, but not to the point of being unmanageable. I am also calculating the weight based on end-user, IE what shooters actually put on these types of weapons.
I don’t think that I will stop using my AR-15, but I do think that this is a better rifle. I also don’t think that it will become as popular as the ar, if only because of the price. There is always room in the gun cabinet for new types of weapons, and cool new gadgets. The Sig will not supplant the AR in the regular sense of the word but I do believe that the gas-piston system will become a prominent feature in future combat rifles.

This is what I think.

This post refers to my blog The Firearm Blog and was originally posted here:

I approve all comments on my blog before they are shown. This is to prevent spam comments, mainly medications of dubious origin, from being displayed. This is common practice.
When checking the latest comments on my site this is what I came across:

This is blatant SPAM. I cannot believe DoubleStar Corp. would resort to such tactics. The commenter makes a vague one sentence comment about the blog post then goes on to push the Star15 rifle and link to it.
Have any other gun bloggers been getting this SPAM?
I will be contacting the company and asking them for any comments, ha, about their SPAM comments.

Hi Everyone,

My name is Steve. I am pretty new to the Gun Blog scene. Hi!

I am trying to compile a global "Gun Price Index" to see how gun prices compare around the world. Hopefully we will be able to see which countries are paying too much and who is getting guns cheap.

Unfortunately I only speak english and do not have local knowledge of other countries. So I really need help. Please check out my progress on my blog:

The Firearm Blog: Gun Bloggers and gun enthusiasts, I need your help!

If you can offer any help or have any suggestions please post a comment on the above blog entry or email me (my email address is on the left hand side of my blog).

Many Thanks,

Steve

Checking on the Taurus Thunderbolt page over at Taurus, I see their (never released) .357 version has been discontinued.

To say I'm disappointed is an understatement.

I've heard all kinds of rumors on why it was delayed, everything from metal shortages to quality issues, but damn, I wish they would have stuck with it.

Hey guys we have lowered our prices even more so come check us out again.

We now have photos for our products as requested.

Prices dropped anywhere from 10-30% and with our flat rate shipping of $25.00 we are without a doubt the Cheapest place online to purchase your firearms.

www.actionpawn.net

A take on what the proposed (now-dead) assault weapon ban SB.43 would have meant in Maryland.

This post is a reprint of one I posted on my own blog a while back, but I've got a bunch of cool new stuff to post pictures of, and I'm testing posting on this blog...

Anastasia is a New England Westinghouse manufactured Mosin Nagant M1891, dated 1915. (Although I've heard that all Westinghouse M1891s are marked 1915, even those made in 1916 or 1917) During World War I, Remington and Westinghouse manufactured the rifles under contract for Czar Nicholas II. Because of the unplesantness going on in Russia toward the end of the war, many of the rifles weren't delivered to Russia, but instead the US Government took possession of a large number of them and rebarreled them to .30-06. Anastasia, however, did make her way to Russia. At some point, the Finns got their hands on her (probably captured during or before the Winter War, at least, that's my guess) and put the tiger-striped stock on her, crossed out the old sight markings measured in arshins, a measure of distance equal to a soldier's stride, and stamped SA (Finnish Army) and a few other proof marks on the receiver. The picture really doesn't do the stock justice, it's in perfect shape, hardly a ding anywhere. The rifle's a few inches longer than the M91/30, and noticeably heavier. Shooting this rifle has less felt recoil than shooting any of my other Mosins, including the one with a slip on recoil pad. Oh, and I bought the rifle for $150 from an otherwise overpriced store. They usually sold ordinary mosins for at least that much.

I need some help
I recieved my grandfathers rifle after he passed away and i had it reblued and had a new butt and stock made.
I have been trying to research the Data sheet. I have gone to the winchester site and from there i got lost. Here is the data on the weapon

New Haven Co
Winchester repeating rifle arms Co
Model 64
30 W.C.F.
Serial # 1091961

thank you for your help

How's that for an attention getter?

Over at Kim's Place there's something going on you might want to get in on. Varmint Rig 2007 is a neat little deal.

Some commenters have taken exception to this, but I think it's a great idea. While I don't throw money at every bleg that rolls down the line, offer me something (or a chance at something) and I'll think harder about giving up my hard earned money.

Anyway, go take a look, see if you might want to participate. Hurry, though, according to this latest update, the deadline for entry is near.

Good luck!

[crossposted from my new blog at http://outdoorlogic.blogspot.com]

Not that we're really suprised by the folks in the Chicago area, but I found this on Icarry.org.
It's a new county ordinance expanding the ban on various so-called "assualt weapons" and features of assualt weapons"
Here's the text with a few of them highlighted with my comments:

ARTICLE VI. ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN
Section 6-1 Definitions.
As used in Article VI of this Ordinance, the following terms shall have the following meaning:
(a) "Assault weapon means:
(1) A semiautomatic rifle that has the capacity to accept a large capacity magazine detachable or otherwise and one or more of the following:
(A) Only a pistol grip without a stock attached;
(B) Any feature capable of functioning as a protruding grip that can be held by the non-trigger hand;

No more railed forearms and verticle grips. and, could the mag well and mag on an AR-15 fit this? Well, looks like they ban all ARs anyway at the bottom, regardless of features.

(C) A folding, telescoping or thumbhole stock;
(D) A shroud attached to the barrel, or that partially or completely encircles the barrel, allowing the bearer to hold the firearm with the non-trigger hand without being burned, but excluding a slide that encloses the barrel; or

Isn't this what the foreard grip on an AR-15 is?

(E) A muzzle brake or muzzle compensator;

It's not just flash hiders anymore, any muzzle brake..it's out, even on your semi deer rifle

(2) A semiautomatic pistol or any semi-automatic rifle that has a fixed magazine, that has the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds of ammunition;

(3) A semiautomatic pistol that has the capacity to accept a detachable magazine and has one or more of the following:

(A) Any feature capable of functioning as a protruding grip that can be held by the non-trigger hand;
(B) A folding, telescoping or thumbhole stock;
(C) A shroud attached to the barrel, or that partially or completely encircles the barrel, allowing the bearer to hold the firearm with the non-trigger hand without being burned, but excluding a slide that encloses the barrel;
(D) A muzzle brake or muzzle compensator; or

There goes any of the compensated pistols from Glock, Sig, etc. Almost all Open guns from IPSC

(E) The capacity to accept a detachable magazine at some location outside of the pistol grip.

There goes all of those fancy target .22 pistols...yea, they're a meanace to society

(4) A semiautomatic shotgun that has one or more of the following:

(A) Only a pistol grip without a stock attached;
(B) Any feature capable of functioning as a protruding grip that can be held by the non-trigger hand;

Does this mean the forward grip on all semi-auto shotguns? what qualifies as "protruding"

(C) A folding, telescoping or thumbhole stock;
(D) A fixed magazine capacity in excess of 5 rounds; or

No more "home defense" shotguns for y'all with the longer tube, even without a pistol grip stock etc.

(E) An ability to accept a detachable magazine;

(5) Any shotgun with a revolving cylinder.
(6) Conversion kit, part or combination of parts, from which an assault weapon can be assembled if those parts are in the possession or under the control of the same person;
(7) Shall include, but not be limited to, the assault weapons models identified as follows:

(A) The following rifles or copies or duplicates thereof:
(i) AK, AKM, AKS, AK-47, AK-74, ARM, MAK90, Misr, NHM 90, NHM 91, SA 85, SA 93, VEPR;
(ii) AR-10;
(iii) AR-15, Bushmaster XM15, Armalite M15, or Olympic Arms PCR;
(iv) AR70;
(v) Calico Liberty;
(vi) Dragunov SVD Sniper Rifle or Dragunov SVU;
(vii) Fabrique National FN/FAL, FN/LAR, or FNC;
(viii) Hi-Point Carbine;
(ix) HK-91, HK-93, HK-94, or HK-PSG-1;
(x) Kel-Tec Sub Rifle;
(xi) Saiga;
(xii) SAR-8, SAR-4800;
(xiii) SKS with detachable magazine;
(xiv) SLG 95;
(xv) SLR 95 or 96;
(xvi) Steyr AUG;
(xvii) Sturm, Ruger Mini-14;

Yes, now even the Mini-14 is banned. What was that about them not coming for your hunting rifle?

(xviii) Tavor;
(xix) Thompson 1927, Thompson M1, or Thompson 1927 Commando; or
(xx) Uzi, Galil and Uzi Sporter, Galil Sporter, or Galil Sniper Rifle (Galatz).
(B) The following pistols or copies or duplicates thereof:
(i) Calico M-110;
(ii) MAC-10, MAC-11, or MPA3;
(iii) Olympic Arms OA;
(iv) TEC-9, TEC-DC9, TEC-22 Scorpion, or AB-10; or
(v) Uzi.
(C) The following shotguns or copies or duplicates thereof:
(i) Armscor 30 BG;
(ii) SPAS 12 or LAW 12;
(iii) Striker 12; or
(iv) Streetsweeper.

As we all know by now, Col. Jeff Cooper passed away yesterday.

Never Yet Melted has an excellent biography.

Kim Du Toit has a couple good "Cooperisms"

Publicola has some links and a nice song.

It may be hard to find words befitting such an important man, but Michael Bane does a great job. Better than I could ever do.

Note: Migrating some entries from the Shooters' Carnival over to this site since no one posts at the carnival any more. Sorry if it's a re-run.

I finally managed to get the new and improved WASR-10 out to the range. Here's the post on some of the mods I made with before and after photos. But, for you folks too lazy to click, my AK set up is Romanian WASR-10, which you can learn everything about it by clicking here. Seriously, the guy's page is full of general info and how-to info that proved invaluable to me when doing my modifications. The modifications I've made have been to add this folding stock by Tapco; the Ultimak scout rail and mount to allow co-witnessing the iron sights of the AK with the red dot scope (see previous posts here and here); and a Tacpoint red dot sight (everything you ever wanted to know about the Tacpoint - good and bad - is here).

Here's the WASR in it's afterglow.

The magazine feeding problems I had mentioned before were nonexistent. On the advice of Robert, I used a Dremel to shave off part of the rear of the magazine well and the mag release. No problems at all. This also fixed the jamming issues. Not a single malfunction in about 150 rounds. So, how'd it shoot:

The target on the left was me sighting it in at 25 yards. Two in the same hole was good enough for me. The target on the right is a ten round group at 50 yards as fast as I can fire and seriously aim. Never got it out to 100 yards because the range was pretty full (odd for a Tuesday). It's about what I expected from an AK and what I expected from Wolf ammo. This is not a minute of angle rig, more like minute of goblin.

And what does the WASR look like compared to Mr. Blasty:

They get along OK but Mr. Blasty is still my favorite.

SayUncle wanted to see more activity here, so here's another crosspost from my blog from this week. This is an update for an older post, Cartridges of the Winchester 94, at my blog. As usual, if I've made any errors here, someone please correct me.

In a recent issue of Guns & Ammo, a letter-writer stated that in an article about the Winchester 94 from a few months back, they forgot to mention that it had also been chambered for the .219 Zipper. When I was doing research for my Cartridges of Winchester 94 post I didn't see mention of this cartridge anywhere, so it piqued my interest.

So here's what I've found, and I think I am correct. The writer in the magazine was not technically correct. The Winchester 94 was not chambered for the .219 Zipper. This cartridge was created for an updated lever-action model, the Winchester 64.

Winchester 64
Winchester 94

The Winchester 64 was introduced in 1937 or '38, discontinued during World War II, and permanently removed from the catalog in 1948. It was a fancied-up variation of the original Model 94, with a pistol-grip stock and some other operational improvements (so they say), and was significantly more expensive than the 94.

The Model 64 was produced in three calibers: .30-30, .32 Winchester Special, and .219 Zipper.

The Model 64 was an "improved" version of the 94, and the Zipper was a new cartridge created just for it. In a time when new bolt action rifles were all the rage, and sales of lever guns were suffering, Winchester wanted to produce a lever rifle that was pretty enough to compete with them. The .219 Zipper was Winchester's attempt to create a .22-caliber varmint cartridge for a tubular magazine, lever action rifle to compete with the bolt guns.

The Zipper was loaded with anything from 45- or 46-grain hollowpoints or soft points up to 55-grain softpoints. All bullets used were flat point, which was necessary in a tubular magazine. It also meant that, like other cartridges created for these kinds of guns, it lost velocity at longer ranges because of its poor aerodynamic design.

The .219 Zipper was based on a necked-down .25-35 WCF case and produced a muzzle velocity in the neighborhood of 3300 fps and a muzzle energy around 1300 fpe.

Remington later produced this round as well, and chambered their Model 336 for it. Both Winchester and Remington quit producing this round during the 1960's. It is no longer commercially produced, although brass and bullets are plentiful for the reloader. It is also listed at Old Western Scrounger, but is currently out of stock.

The .219 Zipper seems to have been a bright idea that in the end, wasn't so bright. It was crippled in its competition against other varmint cartridges by its poor aerodynamics. It might greatly benefit from being loaded with modern Hornady LEVERevolution bullets, but is probably too obscure to be commercially feasible.

And of course, although technically a varmint cartridge, it has been used to take numerous deer, especially in areas where the deer are fairly small (such as where I live).

Please feel free to add info or correct me in comments. I always enjoy learning more about old/obscure cartridges.

References:
219 Zipper
Old Western Scrounger
Cartridges of the World

Crossposted from Blogonomicon

The Garand I have- one of eight bought last year before the National Matches, is not for sale. The previous seven weren't either. I learn more from having several of one gun than of looking at one example, but this was the best shooting rifle of the bunch.
I shot a doe with it at 125 yards. Neck shot. Last year in the dusk at Clarksville, Texas.
Today I got the third offer to buy it- for twice what I paid.
I'm tempted, but I hate to be without a Garand.
I've got a boxfull of pistols I ought to sell, but I have the same problem with them. This morning I took out a perfectly useless .32 Colt 1903 pocket model. Good for nothing....but I LIKE the gun. I have another in .380 cal. Same thing. I'll never carry or shoot this gun except on a whim now and then for the heck of it. I ought to let it go and roll it into some gun I will shoot 5K a year- like a Hardball DCM 1911 to get Distinguished with.
It's not very Buddist to get attached to things. It's VERY Buddist to shoot.
The CMP will let an individual buy 12 Garands a year now- it used to be one a lifetime with the old DCM.
Rambling. Might as well go bait a trap with marshmallows and try to finish out the coon war.
Tomorrow is a Highpower Match with the AR. The backup AR is loaned out and will be on the line. Those are WORKING rifles.

A couple of years ago the CMP offered M1 Carbines for 350.00, down from their club price of 500.00. The carbines we got were non-import guns that had been re-arsenaled in 1953. Most of them were just lightly used and cleaned up very well. The CMP turned off the offer after a couple of months. Orest Michaels said they had plenty of carbines, but just hadn't tested or inspected them. Now he says they have none. I think they are just holding back until the market catches up. They have established a Carbine Match with it's own course of fire that will be fired this year at Perry.

The Carbines we got were full of old parts, high wood stocks, and flat bolts. I still have five of them in the safe. I keep thinking I am going to shoot a doe with one.