Extractors, Ejectors, & Kel Tec

My Kel Tec P-11 repair was a bit more complicated than I anticipated.  I initially called and explained that I needed an ejector.  I was assured that one would go in the mail that day.  Soon after, I got a package in the mail.  Excited to get my P-11 back in working order I ripped open the package, only to find a P-11 extractor.

Disappointed, I called Kel Tec again and made sure to enunciate and say the word ejector multiple times.  I'm sure the guy on the other end of the line thought I was crazy.  Four days later I finally got my ejector.

Ejector on the left, extractor on the right

Replacing the ejector was a snap.  Remove the slide, drift out the ejector retaining pin, catch it before it flies across the room, replace the ejector and put the pin back in.  As easy as that, I again have a fully functioning Kel Tec.

Man Gunned Down After Argument In Street

If all you ever read is the headlines, you might be temped to believe that the above headline would lead to a story about blood in the streets from one of those evil CCW people.

If you read the article in the Denver Post all the way through, two things become clear.

1. Nothing good happens on the streets at 4AM on a Sunday.
2. Car thieves, as a general rule, are not "good people".

 For some reason, the Post waits to reveal fact #2 until the last paragraph.  Don't worry though, it's not gang related.

Why The Number of Guns I Own = Many

I recently bought a new gun for concealed carry.  I took it an my every day carry gun, a Kel-Tec P-11, over to Blucore Shooting Center for some new gun wringing out and recoil therapy.

I shot both the new gun and the P-11, going through drills as well as just doing the usual get to know your new gun routine.

About 7 magazines through the P-11 I started to get FTE's.  I tried to keep going, but it was clear that the P-11 was done for the day.  At that point I moved back over to the Taurus TCP 738.  It performed well, giving me a fair grouping at 5 yards that I am confident I can improve on with a slightly different grip.

Back at the house I started with cleaning the Taurus 738.  The slide bound up (recoil spring) and required persuasion from a rubber mallet.  Not terribly confidence inspiring.

Next was the P-11, after cleaning it and verifying the extractor was working fine I finally spotted the problem.

The ejector done broked in half.  I called Kel-Tec the next day and they are sending a new ejector gratis.  That means my EDC gun is out of commission.  With the problems with the slide on the Taurus and the fact that it's only got about 50 rounds through it, I'm very glad I've got other options.

For the last couple days I've been comfortably carrying the 1911.  Having many options is nice when want suddenly finds a way to turn into need.

Wine Country Colorado

This past weekend, to celebrate my wife's birthday, we headed West to wine country.  We didn't go to Napa Valley or Willamette Valley.  We went to the Grand Valley and the small town of Palisade Colorado.  They have a new motel in town, but we chose to stay in a small bed and breakfast called A Divine Thyme, where we were served pig candy, fresh fruit, and cinnamon french toast.

From this excellent base of operations we headed out to sample the various fermentations of fruit, grain, and honey.

The first stop, at 10:30 AM, was Carlson Vineyards.  It is a charming setting up on the Mesa and the Carlsons are excellent hosts.  We tried a variety of wines and were well on our way to restocking the wine cabinet.

Of course, we had to take advantage of the February special of cherry wine and chocolate.  The gewurztraminer is also excellent.

From there we were off to sample the fermentation of honey.  The Meadery of the Rockies has both traditional meads and things like Raspberry Chocolate Satin mead.  I am a big fan of mead, and although my attempts at brewing mead at home have so far produced mixed results, I am still determined to make a great tasting mead here at home.

From there we hit Plum Creek, one of the Colorado wine makers whose wares we frequently enjoy.  Their wines are readily found at many liquor stores in our area.  We picked up a few of our favorites, including the Riesling which was on sale.

Our last stop on the winery tour was St. Kathryn Cellars.  They make use of the abundance of area orchards and produce some excellent fruit wines.  We took advantage of the pear and the strawberry rhubarb (tastes just like grandma used to make).

From there, after a short nap, we headed off to the Palisade Brewing Company.  The IPA was good, as was the Dirty Blonde (a dark wheat beer), but the stout left a bit to be desired.

After we had our fill of beer it was off to Peach Street Distillers.  They pour with a heavy hand and after a $7 quadruple martini and a copper cabra (vodka, lime, and ginger beer) it was time to call it a night.  We couldn't leave without some souvenirs however.

Once I break into the Colorado Straight Bourbon, I'll write up a review, but I can tell you now that the gin and vodka they distill is excellent and drinking from a copper cup is somehow very satisfying.  If you ever find yourself with time to kill in the Grand Valley of Colorado, Palisade offers many alcoholic diversions in a gorgeous high desert setting.

Tax Dollars Well Spent

Based on the Superbowl commercial for the Chevy Sonic below, I've got no other option but to assume that GM did what so many others in this country have done when given money they didn't earn.  That being finding the showiest and most obnoxious way to set it on fire.

If you'd like to see how part of your more than $23 billion dollars were blown just click play, sit back, and enjoy.



At least with all the airbags, the bungee jump should have an added level of safety.

Would Have Been Nice

It looks like Colorado legislators chickened out and decided that the citizens of Alaska, Arizona, Vermont, and Wyoming are more trustworthy than Coloradans.

Not that I expected that this bill would pass, but it sure would have been nice.  Maybe next year we will prove to the Democrats that we aren't all crazies.

Unexpected Christmas Gifts

I'd planned on going shooting with some of my family on Christmas Eve.  After an unsuccessful duck hunt I gathered up my son, my brother, and my soon to be cousin-in-law and headed to the shooting spot by the dump.  We shot the AR-15, the 15-22, and for the first time that I've owned it the Mosin Nagant.

In order to be accurate, the bayonet was affixed.  The fact that some previous shooters had left a rather large and only slightly shot SpongeBob was an unexpected early Christmas gift.  After poking several 7.62 mm holes in SB, my son was given the honor of finishing the poor sponge off.



One would think he'd been hanging out with Jay G