Guns and Guts

Archie was a Genius

October 17th, 2008

So, nothing’s changed basically.

LOL, Archie’s solution for hijackings.

Categories: Guns, Politics | Tags: humor, RKBA, socialist stupidity | No Comments

Awesome Ad Campaign by Ruger

October 17th, 2008

I gotta buy a green SR9 now. /snicker.

Categories: Guns | Tags: RKBA, semi-auto | 2 Comments

In Case You Didn’t Already Know This

October 16th, 2008

This will probably come as no shock to anyone, but it is worth bringing up again.

The American Civil Liberties Union, the self-proclaimed defender of our rights, does not believe the second amendment is an individual right. Not a shocker I know, but I was wondering if they had changed at all since Heller. The answer is, not so much:

The ACLU disagrees with the Supreme Court’s conclusion about the nature of the right protected by the Second Amendment. We do not, however, take a position on gun control itself. In our view, neither the possession of guns nor the regulation of guns raises a civil liberties issue.

ACLU

So, even after SCOTUS ruled that is in fact an individual right, they still don’t buy it. This is to be expected of course from such an organization, as they were founded by a Communist, and continually seek to expand what is considered a citizen’s right as long as it is something offensive to mainstream America.

The ridiculous thing about their argument is their clinging to Miller, and then on the same page they claim that it is a collective right even without Miller. Whatever. Please FOAD.

Edited to add: Oh, I just noticed their dumb slogan on their website. “Because Freedom Can’t Protect Itself”.

That is infuriating really. It isn’t protected by a bunch of communist, birkenstock-wearing, hippie lawyers either. It IS protected by an armed citizenry, and our wonderful men and women in uniform.

Categories: Guns, Politics | Tags: RKBA, socialist stupidity | No Comments

Staring Into the Abyss

October 16th, 2008

This week President Bush announced that the federal government will be buying shares in several large banks, and the FDIC will be insuring bank-to-bank loans.

Read that sentence again.

He has just nationalized the banks. Our supposedly conservative, free-market, Republican President, has turned to socialism to pull us out of this financial crisis. This is unbelievable. It is really very disappointing on so many levels. This man, who is despised by so many, has stood on his principles throughout his two terms as President of our great country, no matter the cost to him politically.

While we have disagreed with him vehemently on a variety of issues over these last eight years, we always knew that he would do what he thought was the best thing for the country. This provided some solace when he disagreed with conservatives on immigration for example. Turning to the dark, dark specter of socialism however, is not something I can overlook. While I am sure that he is still doing what he thinks is necessary to preserve the nation, turning to the failed policies of one of the biggest blights in humanity’s history, is certainly not the answer.
He knows this is wrong. You can see it on his face. I have no idea how Paulson convinced himself, much less the President, that this is the way to go. Once Paulson, a former credible conservative investment banker, took hold of Treasury, it seems he lost his brain somewhere along the way.

President Bush is stating that this is a temporary measure designed to preserve the free market. I have three major problems with this line of policy and thinking.

First, free markets must regulate themselves. If people are irresponsible they get punished by the market. If a large chunk is irresponsible, everyone suffers. That is how we learn lessons, and how overarching greed and corruption are contained. You don’t help freedom by, choking it with socialist policies and government nannyism. That approach is throwing the baby out with the bath water. It is stupid, and it is counterintuitive. “Bailing out” the financial sector does not foster healthy lending practices. Why should the banks act like banks, when they fail, and are rewarded for it by the American taxpayer? This goes beyond a bail out. That could be seen as a onetime investment to right the ship, and get us back on track. This is a takeover.

This brings up the quintessential problem with socialism/communism. Incentive. There is now no incentive for banks, and citizens shortly, to be good financial stewards of their depositors, or their own money. When the government will bail you out, you have no reason to not fail.
This tactic affects the good guys as well. The normal guy that goes to work, works hard, and pays his bills on time, has no incentive to continue to do so. Why does he have to do this, when the stupid bum that lives across the street is getting his mortgage renegotiated, reduced, and suddenly finding himself flush with government-guaranteed equity?

This leads to my second major problem with this boondoggle of a plan. The looming election of Barrack Obama makes this entire situation even more gloomy. First for the guy paying his mortgage. Obama is going to lean on him like never before to actually, pay for the bum across the street. His newly raised taxes of all sorts, will wreak havoc on the overall economy. So Mr. Responsible will be getting it from all sides now.

His job may be in jeopardy as his company looks to cut costs so they can pay Mr. Obama’s taxes. He will find that his beleaguered portfolio is getting hit harder than ever due to the markets dismal performance, and any gains he does make will be wiped out by Obama’s new capital gains tax increase. Poor Mr. Responsible is going to wish he had acted foolishly like the bum across the street. He is being punished unmercifully for actually being a responsible citizen. The only hope is that enough Mr. Responsibles will continue to be good Americans, and lead us out of this socialized darkness, by working their tails off.

This is only the beginning of the problem however. Mr. Obama has just been handed a socialized banking system, by his Republican predecessor. Hallelujah! He has no need to spend his political capitol, by shifting our country towards totalitarian communism himself. It has already been handed to him on a silver platter by a Republican no less!

So that temporary nature, of the nationalized financial system President Bush tries to convince us and himself about, will not be so temporary. It will become the norm, and slowly as government largess always does, creep farther and farther into the most successful free enterprise system in human history, destroying it bit by bit. This is the Pandora’s box, that Paulson, Bush, and the legislature have unleashed upon us. God help us all!

The third major gripe I have about all of this is simple. It hasn’t and won’t work. Socialism is a failed policy. The reason America has been better off than Europe is because of our free market system, not in spite of it. Free market capitalism is the best model for prosperity, incentive to improve oneself, and general happiness ever conceived. Turning to what we have already discussed as a blight on humanity, is the worst possible thing we could have done.

Socialism has just about ruined Europe. If you think our future entitlement responsibilities are great, try looking at Europe. They are set to become a society of do-nothings, getting paid to, do nothing, by the government. Who knows how they will pay for it. Maybe they can sell some paper to China as well, and we can eventually welcome the Chinese as our masters.

This nightmare is emboldening our enemies as well. Hugo Chavez has taken to calling Bush, comrade now. He sees what Bush is doing as a validation of his and Castro’s communist ideology. The rest of the world will see it the same way.

“Here is America, that has been preaching free market capitalism to us for decades. Now that they are in trouble they too have finally turned to socialism.” This is how we are being seen in the world. Obama’s policies will only further this perception. The Iranians are claiming that this is the end of free market capitalism, and see it as a further sign that their radical Islamic caliphate is even a better idea. Hell, even the American Communist Party is getting excited. It is a veritable, love-in of commies and terrorists, all filled with glee over Bush’s socialist utopian rescue plan.

This leads us to the abyss I alluded to in the title. We are standing on the precipice my fellow citizens. If we elect Barack Obama, we may well be pushed in. Right now we are at that point of being able to turn around, and fight our way away from the edge.

We are staring at the abyss of abject failure, and turning headlong into the cesspool of communism. We may be witnessing the beginning of the end of our great nation, and the most noble principles of government ever set forth by mankind. We are wasting the legacy of victory over the Marxists that our beloved Ronald Reagan entrusted us with. It may already be too late.
The only thing we have to cling to in these times, is our hope. Real hope, that the American people will wake up and reject this new direction we are clearly headed for. We must fight it in every way we can. We cannot succumb to the lurid sloth of subsisting off of the dark teat of a nanny government intent to deprive us of our rights as free men.

All of us that believe in our inalienable right to keep and bear arms may have to stand in the gap for our fellow weaker citizens. We may have to spill the blood of some of our people again, to insure that our values and way of life do not go quietly into the night. So, we must prepare ourselves for just such a situation. We all must prepare ourselves to be able to protect our families, and ourselves from oppression. We must prepare to defend ourselves from our own government, which of course is what the founders had in mind when they enshrined our ability to do so in our Constitution.

Categories: Freedom, Guns, Politics | Tags: 08 elections, civil rights, obama, RKBA, socialist stupidity | 2 Comments

Henry H003TM

August 2nd, 2008

This gun is just flat out fun to shoot! I am a big fan of Henry’s rifles. They are a family-owned company that makes some good quality guns at pretty affordable prices. This octagon-barreled beauty was a gift from my dear fiancée for Christmas 2006. It was an accidental purchase. I asked for a lever action .22 Mag, and Wal Mart shipped this gun instead. She must have ordered it, as it costs about $200 more than their bottom of the line lever WMR gun.

She was so upset when she realized it was not the right gun Christmas morning. We discussed taking it back, and decided to. I spent the rest of the day looking at the gun and handling it. Man this little guy sure does point nice! The short stroke on the pump is a bit weird, but it sure is comfortable! That octagon barrel, nice sights, and pretty wood sure are neat! After fondling it all day, I decided to keep it. I am so glad I did. It is a joy to plink around with.

The gun is more accurate than I am. I am fairly certain that it would do some really nice groups at 100 yards or more with a scope on it. I will never put one on it though.

Henry rifles are not fine bespoke guns by any means. They are affordable reminders of our past history however. The company has captured the nostalgia of the old American west so many of us are infatuated with. You can get into a standard lever action .22 from them for less than $250. The action they have created is incredibly smooth for the price. This is not a Marlin Golden 39a, but it is in my opinion the next best thing. My pump WMR will not be the last gun I purchase from Henry.

The company’s customer service is second to none. Emails from the company president are not uncommon, and I hear he answers the phone quite a bit as well. They seem to go out of their way to make sure the customer is happy with their purchase.

Henry’s trifecta of good quality, good value, and good service make them a winner.

Manufacturer’s Website:
Henry Repeating Arms

Pics:

Links:

Specs:
Model: H003TM
Action Type: Pump
Caliber: .22 Magnum
Capacity: 12 rounds
Barrel Length: 20 1/2″
Length: 38 1/2″ Overall
Weight: 6 lbs.
Stock: American Walnut
Sights: Fully adjustable rear, beaded front
Receiver: Grooved for scope mount
Finish: Blued barrel and receiver

Categories: Guns | Tags: guns i own, nostalgia, pump action, RKBA | No Comments

Marlin 1894 Cowboy

July 30th, 2008

My Marlin 1894 Cowboy, chambered in .45 Long Colt, was a gift from my wife last Christmas. It is an exceedingly beautiful rifle, that I will cherish forever. As of this writing, I have not shot it yet, but look forward to doing so in the near future.

The fit and finish of the rifle are excellent, and the action is tight and smooth. The gun points well. It has a good heft, while not being overly heavy, and the skinny forearm is perfect for my smaller hands.

The stock sites are very nice as well. They should allow for rather fine target acquisition. I will most likely have a tang peep sight installed in the future however.

Manufacturer’s Website:
Marlin Firearms

Pics:

Links:
Marlin Owners
Chuck Hawk’s Article
Kim du Toit’s Article

Specs:
Caliber: 45 Colt
Capacity: 10-shot tubular magazine
Action: Lever action with squared finger lever; side ejection; deeply blued metal surfaces; solid top receiver; hammer block safety.
Stock: American black walnut straight-grip stock; hard rubber butt plate; tough Mar-Shield® finish; blued steel fore-end cap.
Barrel: Tapered octagon with deep-cut Ballard-type rifling (6 grooves).
Twist Rate: 1:16″ r.h
Sights: Adjustable Marble semi-buckhorn rear, Marble carbine front sight. Solid top receiver tapped for scope mount; offset hammer spur (right or left hand) for scope use. Serial number is on left side of receiver instead of tang, allowing custom installation of a tang sight by a competent gunsmith.
Overall Length: 37.5″
Weight: 6.5 lbs.

Categories: Guns | Tags: guns i own, lever action, nostalgia, RKBA | No Comments

Marlin 917vs

September 27th, 2007

Categories: Guns | Tags: bolt action, guns i own, rimfire, RKBA | No Comments

Ruger Mark II 22/45 Bull Barrel

September 21st, 2007

This is actually Kim’s pistol. She loves it! I bought it for her as a starter pistol, so she could learn to shoot a 1911. Unfortunately she can’t stand the kick of my 1911, so she is sticking with the 22/45 for now.

The gun itself functions flawlessly with CCI Mini-Mags. You can shoot it all day long with no problems. It is also a very accurate pistol. It just hits were you aim. I personally like the traditional Mark I/II/III grip angle better, but this one does simulate the 1911 very well. The plastic grip is kind of subpar IMO, but it does not affect the functioning of the pistol at all. The bull barrel, undoubtedly contributes to the accuracy, as well as making the gun a pleasure to point.

Overall I would buy it again for her. At some point I will buy a Mark II Hunter for myself.

Manufacturers Website:
Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.

Pics:


Links:

Specs:
Caliber:.22 LR
Capacity:10 Rounds
Finish:Blued
Grip:Black Synthetic
Barrel Length:5 1/2″
Groove:6
Twist:1:16″ RH
Overall Length:9 1/2″
Weight:2 lbs
California Approved:Yes
Massachusetts Approved:Yes
Front Sight(s):Fixed
Rear Sight(s):Adjustable

Categories: Guns | Tags: guns i own, RKBA, semi-auto | No Comments

Bushmaster XM15 Heavy Barrel Carbine

September 20th, 2007

This is my first Guns That I Own post. I can’t think of a better subject than my first (for now only) black rifle. I LOVE this gun. I have put about 1,000 rounds through it so far, and have not had a single hiccup. She just throws ammo downrange in a quick and accurate manner.

The heavy barrel on this gun works great. I like the additional heft. It is easier for me to aim accurately than a lighter gun.

Manufacturer’s Website:
Bushmaster Firearms

Pics:

Links:
The Wonderful Evil Black Rifle

Specs:
A rugged, telescoping buttstock adds to the versatility of this .223 Remington caliber carbine, and the ribbed handguards keep swing weight to a minimum. Its handguards, pistol grip and “tele” stock are molded of hard thermoset polymer composite. The heavy barrel, with chrome lined bore and chamber, offers exceptional accuracy for its length and is externally manganese phosphate finished for complete protection against corrosion and rust - as are all steel parts of the weapon.
The barrel incorporates a “birdcage” style flash suppressor/compensator with closed bottom to eliminate dust signature when firing in the prone position. The M16A2 sight system, with two flip-up apertures designed for either short range shots at moving targets or long distance accuracy, offers adjustment for windage and elevation. The elevation adjustments are graduated from 300 to 800 meters and automatically compensate for bullet drop. Forged, lightweight 7075T6 aircraft quality aluminum receivers have all M16A2 design improvements including cartridge case deflector, last round bolt hold-open and raised ridges for magazine release button protection.
The A3 Type differs in that it’s Upper Receiver is “flat-top” style with an integral Picatinny rail to offer a variety of sight, scope or night vision mounting options. A 1/2 M.o.A. rear sight is incorporated into the Removable Carrying Handle.The carbine is shipped complete with 30 round magazine, instructional manual and carrying sling, all in a hard plastic shipping case..

Categories: Guns | Tags: AR-15, guns i own, RKBA, semi-auto | No Comments

Ruger Mini-14 Ranch Rifle

September 20th, 2007

Ah, the gun that started it all. This is the first gun I ever bought. That is excepting a 10/22 I got at 18 that was promptly stolen. I have had a love/hate relationship with this gun. It was purchased from a former roommate’s father for $450. The price, I would find out, was probably a bit high, but it did come with extra mags, all of which were complete crap.

The rifle was a dirty, inaccurate, and a jamming PITA.

I learned how to take it apart and gave it a thorough cleaning. This took care of the first problem. It was the only easy fix.

I shot it once or twice, and could barely hit the target at 50 yards. Admittedly some of this was my poor marksmanship, but most of it was the gun. The “adjustable” peep sight was loose for one thing. Duh! So I tried to tighten it up and one of the screw’s head split while I was tightening it and fell off. Doh! After a couple of months I got the screws replaced and got it adjusted. At this point I was able to put most rounds on a 12″ target at fifty yards. Better, but still horrible. My latest endeavor was installing an Ultimak rail and a cheap red dot. This vastly improved the rifle’s accuracy. Check out the mod section for more info on this little project. Let’s just say, it followed the M.O. for the rest of the rifle.

As for jamming, it doesn’t jam anymore. I quit using all the crappy mags it came with, and found a couple Ruger factory 30 rounders. These have functioned flawlessly.

The gun is now a fun gun to shoot. It is not as accurate as my AR, but it is acceptable. The Boy prefers the Mini to the AR. Go figure!

I have more in this gun than it is worth, so it will always be mine. Right now it is serving SHTF duty at the lake house.

Manufacturer’s Website:
Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.

Pics:

Mods:
Ultimak Scout Rail

Links:
Perfect Union Mini 14/30 Forum

Specs:
Caliber: .223 Rem
Capacity: 5 Rounds (up to 30 with other mags)
Finish: Blued
Stock: Hardwood
Barrel Length: 18 1/2″
Groove: 6
Twist: 1:9″ RH
Overall Length: 37 1/4″
Weight: 6 3/4 lbs
California Approved: N/A
Massachusetts Approved: N/A
Front Sight(s): Protected Blade
Rear Sight(s): Ghost Ring Adjustable Aperture
Other Features: Garand-Type Safety

Categories: Guns | Tags: guns i own, RKBA, semi-auto | No Comments