And the payoff

A while back, I posted a teaser for a project the BBTOH brought parts for.  Tonight, I got everything assembled, and now it's time for the reveal.  But first, the story behind the project.

Sometime around Thanksgiving of last year, Baby Brother and I learned that Dad has never owned a .22.  We both felt that this was a serious wrong that needed rectified.  In about the same time frame, I got to pining for the .22 I learned to shoot on, a Marlin 60, which Baby Brother had acquired from me a few years back.  A deal was brokered, and a couple of Glenfield 60s in decent shape were acquired.  I got my Marlin back, and Baby Brother and Dad both end up with a Glenfield.  Baby Brother's rifle worked like a champ from day 1, but we knew that Dad's rifle needed some love, so I've spent the past six or so months diagnosing, tuning, and loving on the old girl.  The firing pin was .1" short, and the stock was ROUGH.  Mr Potterfield's hero squad at Midway had the hot deal on a new firing pin and stock.  A little Birchwood Casey Cold Bluing Paste (a phenomenal product, BTW) from the local gunshop, and we're in business, I think.  Test firing isn't until this weekend, but everything seems in spec quite nicely.

And now, pictures!

The main action screw, after the Birchwood Casey treatment.  The center area will get more work after it's in the gun and less likely to be scarred.

The completed project.

I love you, Dad, I hope you like it.

Lokidude

It's gonna be a good day

The sun is shining, the sky is blue, and the grass is green.

On the way to work today, the radio told me that the racist, statist, bastard KKK Senator from West Virginia went to his eternal reward.

Shortly thereafter, I learned that the US Supreme Court punched Mayor Daley's "Sad Panda" button.

I may have to look at AKs...

Lokidude

Published with Blogger-droid v1.3.6

Top Shot, Week 4

This week is a "judgement" challenge, it seems.  The teams are using AR-15 rifles, in practice, they have to turn, and shoot a series of targets of a declared color, while not shooting the other color.

Blue looks decent in practice, the collection of former military definitely doesn't hurt them.  JJ, claiming he knows nothing of rifles, puts on one hell of a show.  Jim shoots slowly, but is frighteningly accurate.

Red starts off with Andre and Pete demonstrating "every Marine a rifleman."  Kelly puts up a horrible practice round, for his sake, I hope Pete's advice afterward helps him out.

Back at the house, Blue is showing some drama over Jim's speed.

The team challenge is a game of Concentration.  The target is a 6x6 grid, revealed for 30 seconds, then the targets are obscured before the shooters fire.  7 rounds and 20 seconds to hit as many "foe" targets as possible.  Red picks Blake, JJ, and Iain to sit out this round.  +1 for a foe target, -1 for a friendly.

Red

Denny +6
Brad +7
Kelly +6
Andre +1 (with a -1 hit)
Peter +5 (leaving 2 rounds intentionally in the magazine)

Blue
Caleb +5
Adam +5 (with a -1 hit)
Tara +3 (fumbled her load, and still left ammo in the mag)
Jim +3 (with a -1 hit)

Blue was mathematically eliminated with a shooter still on the bench.

The debate back at the house doesn't seem so much who HAS to go into the elimination challenge as who GETS to go in.  Jim volunteers himself, as does Iain.  Caleb puts up a fair bit of protest to Iain volunteering himself.

"Just so you know, Adam, that is the first time that anyone has missed a nomination target." -- Colby

Iain's description of the plan is beautifully simple.  "We don't want to be whiny )#&%)%# like the Red team, so we made a plan and we're sticking to it."  Iain and Jim, as planned, go into the elimination challenge.  In another first, Blue could cover Iain's nomination target with a quarter.  Red doesn't seem to understand how Blue is completely amicable and friendly about elimination, which Red has so far been unable to do.

The elimination challenge is shooting a moving target with a TZ99 pistol.  Jim seemed to have a bit of difficulty with the pistol, but he's decidedly optimistic.  Iain seems entirely comfortable, both with the pistol and the challenge.

The elimination challenge is another "friend or foe" target setup, 15 seconds, 3 of each color.  Iain shoots first, and rocks all three foe targets.  Jim also hits all three foe targets, but he also hits a friend target, and loses the challenge.

Lokidude

California contemplating license plate ads

In a misguided attempt to chisel away at their crushing deficit, the state of California is looking at placing advertisements on digital license plates.

The device would mimic a standard license plate when the vehicle is in motion but would switch to digital ads or other messages when it is stopped for more than four seconds, whether in traffic or at a red light. The license plate number would remain visible at all times in some section of the screen.

Not only is this a bad idea, because it exploits the public in yet another way, but who chooses what ads are displayed on a particular license plate?  You want to put ads for the Sierra Club, Humane Society of the US, and PETA on my truck?  Fat chance.  I might not scream quite as loud if the ads were for Remington, Shakespeare, or the Big Sky Brewery in Missoula, but I'd still be more than a bit pissed.

Double-plus ungood idea.

Lokidude

The content of "the joke."

It dawned on me today that I never detailed the joke that caused the drama between Kelly Bauchard and Bill Carns, and that some of my readers might not watch Top Shot, for whatever reason. So here it is. Bill mentioned something to Kelly about his ex-wife's new fiance shooting himself in the chest. Kelly's unfiltered 22 year old reply: "Is she really that bad?"

Like i said before, having an ex-wife, I snickered a bit. Sure, it was inappropriate and off color, but as Caleb said in his writeup of the episode, we were all 22 once and said stuff at least that stupid. Kelly made numerous attempts to aoplogize, Bill wanted nothing of it, and public opinion seems to fall on Kelly's side.

Also, this is the first post I've done using Blogger-droid, but it seems like a decent app so far.

Lokidude

Published with Blogger-droid v1.3.5

Top Shot Week 3: Flippin' Slivers

This week on Top Shot, longbows!

The practice field is set up at 100 yards, so they're basically firing artillery-style.  Which, historically, is how a longbow was used.  Nobody seemed to have a particular advantage going in, but Kelly seems to perform well.

And the reality TV drama comes out.  Kelly apparently made a pretty off color joke about Bill's ex-wife, which Bill reacted badly to, and now there's some red team strife.  Caleb laughed at it, and I'll admit, having an ex-wife, I snickered a bit too.

The team challenge is an accuracy/speed competition.  30 seconds to score one arrow closest to the bull.  Flames show what ring you hit in.  Red, being down 2 members, picks Chris and Adam to sit out.  Caleb is stepping up to lead for Blue team, and JJ volunteers to fire last.

Kelly takes an early lead that nobody can touch, until JJ beats him on his fifth arrow, putting Blue in the lead.  Bill, being the solitary remaining shooter, must hit closer than 26" from the bull at 100 yards.

Blue wins yet another week, meaning Red faces their third straight elimination challenge.

Red seems to be in utter chaos when picking who they send to the elimination challenge.  The only thing that seems certain is Brad seems to be ostracized.  Kelly is trying to swing Denny to his side, but Denny doesn't seem interested in making any deals.

The nomination is entirely political, and ends up being Bill v Brad.  Brad was pretty predictable, as he's alienated much of his team, but Denny's deciding vote for Bill was mildly surprising, in light of his comments about not liking being told how to vote.

"I'm mad because I'm an IPSC Grand Master and I'm gonna be competing with a goddamn bow and arrow." -- Brad

Seems he's missing the point of the show.

Elimination challenge is using crossbows.  In practice, Brad seems to take to the weapon easily.  Bill also shoots relatively well, but seems to be shooting consistently to the right.

Elimination is a William Tell shoot.  Apples at 10, 20, 30, and 40 yards.  Bill seems to have problems cocking his bow, but scores his 10 yard apple first.  Brad picks up the 10 yarder on #2, but Bill goes 2 for 2 before Brad gets #2 on his third bolt.  Brad takes the lead on his third apple.  Bill keeps missing on #3, seems to have wind problems.  Brad is very close, but still having a hard time on #4, while Bill finally hits #3.  Brad scores on #4, winning the challenge and retiring Bill Carns from the competition.

Back with more next week.

Lokidude

Gun Show AAR

Went to the funshow today.  No money in the budget for new boomsticks at the moment, but I wasn't after a gun anyways.  (Not that I would have minded one of the two Schofields I saw, or the other No 3 in 44-40.)

But no, my specific purpose was to track down "the grip lady."  Seriously, if you ask at the door for "the grip lady," everybody knows exactly who you mean.  She has several display cases chock full of various grips, both factory and aftermarket, and for some pretty obscure handguns.  A friendly exchange of currency later, this:

Into this:

The grips are about 3/16" wider, and a touch longer.  Makes for a very hand-filling grip.  I'll try and get out this week to see how it affects my shooting, but just handling it is a fair bit more comfortable.

Lokidude

And we shot the last one, too...

A bunch of hubbub is being made of the fact that the State of Utah is gonna put 4 .30 holes in one Ronnie Lee Gardner tonight.  Also, the fact that the last firing squad execution was performed 14 years ago.  I remember that execution quite well, as it was also performed by Utah lawmen.  John Albert Taylor, convicted of a brutal rape and murder, was given the just rewards for his crime, as well.

I'm not going to make any commentary on it, beyond this:  That's how Utah rolls.  Texas may have an express lane, but Utah still gives the touchy-feely "misguided choirboys" crowd the finger, and the folks that need killing high-speed lead poisoning.

Lokidude

Well, damn.

I just found out my favorite gunstore, located 35 miles away, is packing up and moving.

TO THE END OF MY STREET!

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Goodbye paycheck.

Lokidude

Top Shot, week 2

Okay, we're gonna try liveblogging Top Shot this week in a slightly different fasion, something a bit more streamlined than last week.

This week, the weapon is a Beretta 92F.  That's an M9 to you military folks.  The practice session target setup looks BRUTAL.  And some of these pistol boys make me realize how much improvement I have to do with my sidearms.

Jim from the blue team is struggling horribly.  Blake makes shooting the 92 well look stupid easy.  Kelly looks very good, especially for only having put 15 rounds through a 92 previously.

The team challenge has 7 tubes, decreasing from 4"-1.5".  Each shooter gets 1 round to go through their designated tube, and if they miss, must step back and wait for everyone else on their team to fire their one round in turn.

And damn, the red team gets to pick who on the blue team sits down.  And they pick the obvious choice, Blake.

Shooting orders, big to small

Blue

Jim
Caleb
Iain
JJ
Adam
Tara
Chris

Jim was the only blue teamer to miss his first shot, but he redeemed himself on the second shot.

Red
Andre
Kelly
Denny
Frank
Peter
Brad
Bill

Frank, Brad, and Bill missed their first shots.  Frank missed his second, Brad hits, and Bill misses again.  Frank hits his third, as does Bill.

Red team 2:34, Blue team 2:07.  Jim shot slow, but he hit slow, and hits count.  Red team is going to lose another shooter.

Frank drew 3 votes straight off, Brad and Bill drew a pair.  The tiebreaker is drawing the name of one member of the team that's not involved in the tiebreaker or elim to break it.  Peter is drawn, and votes for Brad to face Frank in the elimination.

Hot damn, this elim challenge looks like a blast.  Riding a chair-zipline, while shooting at targets on either side.  Looks hard as hell, but Bex and I agree that it looks like more fun than should be allowed by law.

Brad is up first, and scores 5.  Frank, shooting second, also hits 5.  Re-ride!

Second trip through, Brad scored 5 again, Frank scored 1.  The cop goes home, and the red team is officially down 2 shooters.

Next week, longbows!

Lokidude

This just in

Whale Wars on Animal Planet makes me swear.  A lot.  Loudly, using words that would impress conventions of mechanics and Marines.  Seriously, why hasn't the Japanese Navy, or the navy of any of a score of other nations, prosecuted and executed these self-righteous assholes as the pirates they are?  In a truly just world, the whalers would be returning fire with guns, blowtorches, and hydrochloric acid in response to the thrown acid, boarding attempts, and laser target designators, amongst other assaults on their vessels.  And any of the Sea Shepherd clowns that survived until capture would be summarily executed.  International law with regard to pirates is clear, and unchanged for hundreds of years.  Play pirate games, receive pirate rewards, to paraphrase JayG.

They sail under a Jolly Roger.  Technically, that's enough to get them at least investigated and boarded by authorities.

Lokidude

The Evil Plan Advances

Just got approval to buy a pair of Solex Kadron carbs for the VW.  Was just informed that the heads necessary to use them will mate up to my current motor.  I'm gonna need to start saving up for the speeding tickets.

The car weighs ~1300 pounds.  Less when I'm done, I hope.  120 hp is the goal.  120 hp, all motor.

Just try and keep up.

Lokidude

Top Shot

Okay, Top Shot is starting momentarily, and I'm gonna attempt to liveblog, because what the hell.

Harblz is the last to enter, and seriously, black mock turtleneck?  I will say, the boy is in some VERY deep company.

8:05 Mountain:  Team competition, rifle match.  Red team, with the USA Rifle Team member on it, looks quite strong.  M14, 1891 Mosin-Nagant, 1903 Springfield, and an SVT.  2 Comblock, 2 US weapons, a semi and a bolt from each.  The lone female, a former Marine, seems to know her stuff, too.

Aaaand the team challenge is an obstacle course/relay race.  Targets at 50 and 100 yards.  I'd say Caleb would have some kind of advantage, but everybody else is in just as good of shape as he is, if not better.

8:18 Mountain:  The race is on.  Chickypoo pops her target first, 1903 Springfields at the first station.  And Chicky is a shit spotter...

Okay, Blue is moving on, Harblz and Blake, with SVT-40s.  Harblz has the short shot, apparently in one.  Red is down 4-1.  JJ the speed king and the old dude Jim are on a rope obstacle, and the old dude kicks it's ass...  Don't mess with old dudes.

Blue is up 6-1.  Red is pretty much jacked at this point.

And Blue wins, 8-1.  Wow, Red got SMOKED!

8:34 Mountain: I expected more from Mike Seeklander.  This "public vote" elimination is gonna be a drama factory, I'll bet lunch for a week.

Bex commented on just how safety conscious everybody is.  It's true, the gunhandling is textbook.  I approve.

And the elim shoot is gonna be Mike v. Kelly.  I'm cool with that, but the comment about Kelly's experience?  Bullshit.  The kid has as much experience, at a MUCH younger age, than the rest of them.

8:45:  And the elim is a rifle challenge, using a Remington 700.  It's a weapon Mike is sure to know, but Kelly's specialty is rifles.  Mike is dependent on the spotter in practice.  Kelly is calling his own.  If Mike survives, he'll definitely have earned it.  And the smiley face was a nice touch.

200, 400, and 600 yards, one target at each range for elimination.  Kelly made a sharp call for his spotter.  Head to head at the 200 yard targets, and Kelly goes ahead by one at 400 yards.  One more target to eliminate Mike.

2 shots at 600 and Kelly drops Mike Seeklander.  Of course, this is Kelly's discipline, so I really am not that surprised.

Lokidude

Utah, Omaha, Juno, Gold, Sword

"You are about to embark upon the great crusade, toward which we have striven these many months." -- General Dwight D Eisenhower

With those words, 66 years ago today, Operation Neptune, the initial assault phase of Operation Overlord, commenced.  The bold attacks carried out by brave men turned the tide of war in Europe.  Always remember the brave men who fought and died in those days, running into the teeth of hell to do what had to be done.

Lokidude

Teaser Time

The BTOH stopped by the Workplace of Dude today, and brought me things. I give you this teaser:

So, anybody know what I got?

Lokidude

Hittin the skids

It would seem that the Funboy and the Queen of Censorship are hitting Splitsville.

Having been divorced, I don't normally wish it on a snake.  We'll have to see what comes out as the reasons for the split.  However, any mention of Tipper Gore gets Dee Snyder in reply.





Lokidude