.22 Bleg

So I am trying to decide what I want to save my pennies for--or use the tax return for, more likely, as a BAG-day gun. I know I want it to be a .22, but I can't decide. So here's the

What I want most is tied between a Ruger Single 6 or a lever action .22 of some sort (probably a Henry since I've wanted one of those since before I even had any guns!).  It's kind of funny to me that all the guns I really wanted before I started into this hobby were the old style single and lever actions, but when I actually got going everything I bought turned out to be more of the blacktical stuff... but I digress.

However, what I really ought to get, if anything, is more of a pocket .22, because lugging the Buckmark around to dispatch varmints in the trap is more difficult (and conspicuous) than I would like. On that front I would probably want either one of the new LCR 22's, but then I have an absurd desire to have one of those Taurus PLY's (ugly as sin, but who ever said wants were rational?). However, you all know Taurus' hit or miss reputation, and I know Butch, you really like that Beretta 21 Bobcat (I think it is) that the Taurus is modeled on. But then, looking around on the gun forums (for whatever that's worth, probably just as much as you paid for it), it appears that the newly made Beretta's don't really have a much better reputation than Taurus. (So, Butch, I was wondering what year the one your wife has was made--newer and the forums are blowing smoke like usual, or an older one with presumably "better craftsmanship"?) Now, all that being said, the smart choice would probably be to look for a S&W J frame type .22, since, well, I actually have a J Frame, and I could get some crossover use in terms of training.  But then again, what kind a features do you need on a double action revolver?  The manual of arms is pretty much identical across the board...

And then, all of THAT being said, the really smart choice would probably be to just spend the equivalent amount on 9mm and .308 ammo...

Anyways, that's what's on my mind, and I'd welcome hearing whats on yours.

Not that anyone cares about my opinion

But about the latest "DICK ON THE INTERNET" thing going around the gunblogs, I found this just plain hilarious.

From a website that says it's the place bringing "a touch of class?" 

"Whew, I sure am tired of digging this hole.  I should go and get the backhoe!"

They sure are using the classic anti-gun debate strategies, as well.

Lawyer Up!

I just found this little bit of legaleze to be very indicative of where we are as a country.

Sigh.

You've probably all seen this before

But I haven't, so there.



What can I say? I really like things going in slow motion.

I think we killed it.

Drat

My stock that's supposedly on order, that was supposedly going to be in stock as of yesterday, is now supposedly going to be in stock in a week and a half. 

Why do they bother estimating a date when it apparently has nothing to do with reality?

An Interesting Read

Military Times GearScout did a torture test on a whole lot of them there collapsible buttstocks.  Especially interesting is that they got comments from some of the manufacturers after they observed the failed products.

Since I've currently got a new stock on order (one of the ones on the list, even!) This is good information to know.  C'mon, Midway, ship it soon!

Up to 11

So Butch is goofing off with an air rifle, and I think it needs something more.  What do you suppose the most ridiculously tacticool thing you could put on a rifle would be?  I'm thinking it needs more rails, and probably a black (of course) adjustable M-4 style stock.  Then, on the rails you could put a bi-pod, and a laser, and a flashlight...

How Exciting!

The "in stock" date of the buttstock I want for my rifle has been pushed back every time I've looked at it on Midway since mid December, until the past week, when the date went out to the end of February, and then started coming back the other way.  It's now looking like it may be shipping within a week...  at which point I will declare myself momentarily satisfied on my setup (though there's still the bayonet, and the sling, and the [_____]).

I MUST get out shooting more!

Scoped

There.  Bushmaster ORC 308, with my new Vortex Diamondback 4-12x40 on a Burris PEPR mount.  I *think* it's boresighted in; as I've never done such a thing before, We Will See.  The front sight ordered for Christmas hasn't been heard from since the order confirmation email--Bushmaster either lost the order or they are really busy--but I did pick up a Magpul rear BUS.  And nowhere seems to have the butt stock I want in stock--or indeed any stocks.  The stocks are out of stock. For now I just need to get out shooting more...

Buycott

In support Borepatch's "I am TJIC buycott" (or is it Jay's?), I present to you my latest excursion into beefing up my ORC:

I've been looking for a scope for some time now, so the buycott was really just a good excuse to pick one up. This is a Vortex Diamondback 4-12x40. Seemed to hit my quality/price ratio in the right place (and it was the same price as the 3-9x40, so >>shrug<<), and it's the one that my old roommate in MT put on his 300 RUM (hmmmm... it's hiding in the back of the last picture of this post), so I figure it ought to hold up to my measly little 308. The proof, as they say, is in the pudding, but before I can prove it I must mount it on my rifle...

A sad thought for the day

Butch pointed me towards GEMTECH's website (he's trying to goad me into buying a .22 suppressor), and looking at their map, I am saddened once again by how fuddish my town is.  130,000 people, and ONE real shooting range, which is not open to the public? Nowhere to rent a gun if you are shopping around? And no one dealing with silencers for miles around?  I mean, hell, Vail has a GEMTECH dealer, even!  For being such a Republican, "Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition" type stronghold, I am very disappointed in the way things are.

2 guage shotgun

Yes, that's 2 gauge, not 12.

Ideal for home defense:



Home defense... from rouge battleships or flocks of T-rexes. Or eldritch horrors. Or swarms of flesh-eating sparrows.  Or __________. (fill in the blank)

RE:M&P, XD9-SC FYI

What with all the luuurve going around with S&W M&P pistols in the gunblogging world of late, I just thought I would point out that my XD9 Subcompact has over a thousand rounds through it now--from nice hollow points, to reloads, to cheap Blazer Aluminum.  I have yet to have had any problems whatsoever. 

Just seems like XD's are the gun that people have that they don't want to admit they have. Don't know if it's because they're made in Croatia or what. I, on the other hand, don't even think the subcompact XD is ugly...

Anyway, just thought that I would put that out there...

Thought for the day

You know, it's kinda freaky how fast Midway gets things shipped.

Books of 2012: Art of the Rifle

Well, since I got my rifle, I decided that some more usage information would be nice to go with it. So I picked up Col. Cooper's "The Art of the Rifle," which is widely recommended as the top resource for rifle shooting. It is short, yet full of information on all aspects of the subject--techniques, philosophy, and stories. In Cooper's own words, most of the book can be summed up with these two points:

1. If you can get closer, get closer.
2. If you can get steadier, get steadier.

As my new year's resolutions mostly involve finding the equipment and locations to wring out my rifle at longer and longer ranges, I fully expect to be paging through this book for the rest of the year, and the years to come. But I started 2012 off right.

I rate the book a good 8/10--it could have had a little bit more in-depth information, and it focused nearly exclusively on bolt action rifles.

Light a Candle to Prevent Violence

"All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing"

--attributed to Edmund Burke

(original idea from Weer'd)

(and Weer'd now has the other pictures up)

w00t

Mmmmmm... 200 more rounds of 308...

Sweet

Between a couple gift cards and a deal of the day special, I ordered a can of .308 and another PMag from Cabela's for [ridiculously good price]. And now I am happy.

If only that front sight from Bushamster would get itself into the mail...

Parts, bit by bit

Ordered the clamp-on front sight from Bushmaster with some more Christmas money.  Guess that means that I'm sticking with the stock gas block.  I think that I'm going to stay with the carbine length barrel for now, and if/when I decide to go further out than 500 yards or so (the longest range shooting range I have available besides the desert is only 300 yards), I'll maybe look into building a whole new upper.  This whole "LEGO gun" pop out parts and stick in new ones is pretty entertaining, I'll just keep saying.