Gun Gifts

There's an interesting poll up at MSNBC of all places asking about thoughts on giving guns as Christmas gifts.  The results are somewhat predictable.  After all, guns are one of my favorite gifts to give or receive.

Good Advice

How to stay happily married to a woman who decides to own a gun.  Caleb knows what he's talking about here.

BAG Day Purchase

I mentioned a bit ago that I picked up my BAG day treat a bit early. 

Pictures below.

As I mentioned before, this is a great trainer that is a lot of fun to shoot.  Now I just need to get my red dot and sling on it and either a VFG or an AFG.

Delicious Alterior Motives

I've been looking for an inexpensive case tumbler.  I can't see spending between $50 and $85 plus shipping and handling to make my brass purdy.  I have heard more than one person say that they use an old ice cream maker with good results.

With that in mind I went to look for a new shiny ice cream maker to replace my old one (soon to be repurposed as a super-duper brass cleaning device).  I found a reconditioned ice cream maker at Best Buy of all places for under $40.

The results were easy and delicious.  For anyone still making ice cream using the old ice and salt method, I would recommend switching to the new fangled prefrozen bucket post haste.  The results look like this:

In case you're wondering my new, not so shiny, brass tumbler is hard at work and doing a great job.

Training Quandry

I'm planning on buying a M&P15-22, setting it up with a bipod, and putting my 6 year old son behind it to start learning to shoot in earnest.  I am currently waffling on the subject of a sighting system.

When I learned to shoot rifle, I learned on an old .22 bolt action with open sights.  I think it can be a great way to make the subject of alignment of the shooter, barrel, and target a concrete concept.  On the other hand, putting a red dot on the rifle would make it easier for a new shooter to put holes where they want.  That could ease potential frustrations and make learning to shoot more fun.

What say you internets?

Pretending It's Either / Or

Without my kids and wife around to talk to / play with / holler at, I'm finding myself with a lot more time on my hands.  The first couple of weeks in the motel, I just relaxed and tried to deal with the stress of the somewhat lousy situation.

This week I'm starting to look around and wonder just exactly what I am going to do down here for the next 7 months and change.  I know I'll be fishing and hiking and generally exploring the countryside.  I also know that my beer making equipment will make the trip down shortly.

What I can't decide is if I need to start reloading or if I want to build an AR from the ground up.  I have long wanted to get into reloading, but I do wonder if starting it up down here in a house that is not my own is the best idea.  I mean, blowing up myself in the house that I own the bank owns is different than blowing myself up in the house I'm renting.  Building an AR sounds like a lot of fun and something that is right up my alley, but it looks to be a very addicting hobby.

The biggest problem I see is that if I put the barrel on the AR that I'm thinking about putting on top, I would likely need to start reloading anyway.  I guess the real question is do I start with the chicken or the egg...

It's Not The Degree, It's The Person

So over at the Denver Post is an article that touches on something that has bothered me for a long time.

There are so many folks out there that truly believe that you've got to go to college to be successful and find a good job.  They may be well intentioned, but they often deserve a well intentioned kick in the ass.  There's an easy way to determine if a person should go to college.  It looks like this:

Do you need a college degree to get the job you want?

If not, go get a job.  If yes then go to college, unless...

Is there demand for the job you want?  Will you be able to get a job in your desired field?

If not, go get a job.  If yes then go to college, unless...

Will you be able to pay back the required student loans with the pay from your chosen career?

If not, go find a cheaper (in state) school or go get a job.  If yes then go to college.

Any Excuse

So during my 8 month stint down south, in addition to being sans firearm, I learned that since my regular, trusty Blackhawk! knife - the Silent Partner - has a 3" blade it is not allowed on property either.  Here's a picture of the killer knife.

That meant a trip to the store for a new knife with a blade shorter than 2-1/2".  I mean I have to have a work knife, right?

What I found was a SOG Blink.  What they say is true, once I tried the spring assisted opening I couldn't stop clicking it open and shut.  So far I like it and think it will work well...for a knife with a 2" blade.

As an added bonus SOG knives are "Gunny Approved"