The Countertop Chronicles

Bleg 1: The outlook Bleg.

Here’s the deal. We have an organization that used to be the same as ours, but because of Congressional mischief we needed to spin off. My counterpart there is a good guy, but an engineer and definite type B (or C) personality. Nothing wrong with that, he’s the engineer I’m the lawyer. We make a good teamn. But sometimes he gets sensative if I forge ahead and forget to call. His boss asked if I could just, to keep him happyn make random weekly “shoot the shit” phone calls.

So my bleg #1 is this, is there an outlook plugin that won’t wreck havock which can randomly schedule weekly phone calls at various times?

Bleg #2: Barack wins. Son #1 says” does this mean I won’t ever be able to own a gun?”. I promise to get him an AR15 lower and build him (and his brother) each one for X-mas. I find lowers. I say I’m gonna buy them, then I have to travel and get back and said lowers are 1) sold or 2) $300 bucks.

So, anyone know where I can order 2 lowers tonight/tomorrow at reasonable proces ($150 or so)??

OK folks,

Which stripped lower do I get this afternoon.

$129 Stag Arms or the $135 DPMS?????
(I was going to order on line, but the cost of shipping and $20 transfer fee precludes that - sorry)

Is there any difference between the two???

So, my birthday is coming up next month, and in a little over 50 days we’ll have an election. And Hunting season is here. All adds up to - its time to buy another gun.

For awhile, I was thinking about plopping some change down on a Homeland Security Rifle - some evil liberal scaring nightmare rifle. But in recent weeks my thoughts have drifted towards something more Kerryesque - namely a nice side by side shotgun for bird hunting (don’t EVEN start on the idea of getting an O/U).

Now, I have a side by side - its a 12 gauge hardware gun that was my fathers. Its got some nice scroll work on it, and actually comes to point fine. But its a little heavy, and frankly it just isn’t as nice as some of the old school side by sides.

What I really want is a 16 gauge SxS. I have an old single shot 16 gauge - with some gorgeous walnut on it. But want a SxS. Unfortunately, I’ve yet to find one in my price range. So, I’m willing to look at 12’s and 20s and 28s. Amongst the guns I’m looking at is a German Guild Gun.

And thats where my question comes - what do they mean by Guild Gun?

And does anyone have info on German Guild Guns?

Well, I’ve been carrying the black Kel Tec around with me pretty much constantly (except for when I’m at work in DC) for well over 2 months.

It does its job, fitting pretty easily inside the font pocket of any loose pants I own (ever pair of shorts, most khakis, suits, etc) with less than a barely discernible pattern printed. Can’t complain about that at all, as its my preferred method of carry 90% of the time. However, over the last week, as we were in a high humidity atmosphere (a hurricane dropping 30 inches of water will do that) I did run into a slight problem with rust. I cleaned most of it up last night, but thought I’d post a short update here to highlight those areas where its worn well, where its worn rough, and where it has become, in the words of Phil-Z, a lint trap.

Lots of pics, and more, after the jump.
(more…)

So, this weekend and stumbled upon another 1000 rounds - 750 rounds of 40 S&W and 300 rounds of .38 Special.

I can use the .38, but I don’t have a gun in .40. Any thoughts on what I should do (and no, getting a gun in .40 S&W isn’t a viable option).

UPDATE

Here it is

So, as Bitter pointed out yesterday I did my part for the 2nd Amendment, local grassroots politics, and my own pleasure - and did it all for free by volunteering to help Ken Cuccinelli’s campaign out.

Now, with the hunting season fast approaching and a relatively new Kel Tec P11 in my possession I had some things I was on the hunt for and thought the Nation’s Gun Show at the Dulles Expo Center might be the best bet locally. Didn’t even mind the high prices, cause each was something I wanted to see and hold and/or cheap enough that to have it shipped would have substantially increased its underlying price.

Imagine my thrill, then, when I saw in the Cuccinelli Compass that they needed workers for their table at the show. Well, thats a no brainer. Ken’s a great guy, and a staunch supporter of the 2nd Amendment, and well . . . it was a no brainer.

Here’s a bit of a summary before I get to the heart of the matter

This was the single busiest and biggest and crowded gun show I’ve ever been too. I’ve attended in the past (has it really been 4 years since gun shows returned to Fairfax - what a struggle THAT fight was) but my general disdain for the high prices and lack of selection kept me from going for the last few years.

I had no idea what I was missing. Where those first few shows were largely filled with overpriced crap and lots of filler, little reloading or ammo supplies, a dearth of class III dealers, and paltry crowds, this weekends show had everything a gunnie could want (including plenty of women in revealing clothes!!)

But alas, I didn’t get what I wanted.

I had 4 targets I was shooting for.

1) I was hoping to get a belt clip for the Kel Tec. I found one guy who had one for the little .380 Kel Tec, but no one selling anything for the P11

2) Grips for my S&W Model 66. I actually saw some gorgeous grips there, and had a good discussion with a guy, but he was selling Nill grips and frankly I didn’t have $175 to pay for them (though if I did, I would have). What I wanted was a reasonably priced pair of Hogues, but didn’t find any for a square butt K Framed S&W.

3) Reloading equipment - I wanted a case trimmer. They run, new, somewhere between $60 and $70
online. I also need a tumbler to clean rifle brass. They generally are in the same price range. I was hoping I might find a deal on one or the other, or even a decent used one. What I found was a new Lyman case trimmer for $80 and a beat up trumbler for $60. Looks like I’ll just get them off of midway.

4) Reasonably priced 7mm bullets. Nope. There is no such thing as reasonably priced ammo any more. At least in Northern Virginia. Luckily, I’ll be heading down south next month to the beach and have a decent source for (reasonably priced) ammo in Georgia.

The Good

Lots and lots of class 3 stuff. Huge displays by 3 or 4 different vendors including an attorney, Lenden Eakin from Roanoke who runs a fantastic web page Class 3 Only.com.

In addition, to the class 3 goodness, while I didn’t find a clip for the Kel Tec, I did stop by the booth for the guys at Universal Holsters. They’ve developed an incredible deep concealed carry holster. Very much worth checking out!

The Bad

Well, I’ll just quote from the emails I sent Bitter.

Aaaaaah

Save me from GOA Shall Not Be infringed guy

Ken doesn’t need guys at his table spouting Mike V revolutionary crap

Followed by this

Mr Shall Not Be Infringed started spewing anti GOA stuff, ATTACKING
MCCAIN FOR SUPPORTING RESTRICTIONS ON FELONS POSSESSING GUNS.

When I tried to explain that’s not a good thing to be spewing at the table of a candidate for AG, he threatened that the folks at AR15.com will cut him down if they see him as supporting McCain.

And folks wonder why I get disillusioned with the GAOers.

And The Ugly

WTF. Seriously. Some one has to tell these guys to cut this shit out. They can sell it, if they want, but they don’t have to fucking flaunt it. Showmasters and C&E need to do a better job of communicating and policing the message.

Following up in the string of long overdue range reviews . . . comes the range report of the Kel Tec P-11. As you’ll recall, I purchased a couple (one black, one olive and black - his and hers if you want) as part of the Guns at Cost sale earlier this year in honor of the 2nd Amendment.

Well, I’ve had it now for a little over 2 months and in that time have formed some definite opinions on this little marvel as a day to day summer carry gun. But first, for the range review.

Range Report

The first shots I took, unfortunately at 25 yards, weren’t well recieved. Using 147 grain Hydra Shocks, I sent 10 rounds down range. None . . . I repeat none . . . landed on the target (or target frame for that matter). Now, of course, this is a compact carry gun, and one would presume that your not going to pull it and shoot it at a target 25 yards away, but still.

The Kel Tec Users Group has a whole list of recommended fixes for the gun. I can see how they are necessary. The trigger is stiff stiff stiff. And heavy. Heck, its got to be at least 10 pounds. That combined with my first time shooting it resulted in 10 wasted rounds. Seeing this, and still in shock over the cost of a 20 round box of Hydra shocks ($17.95) I decided to move on to the cheaper generic range ammo (125 (i believe) grain FMJ) at $11.95 for a box of 50. And I moved the target closer . . . to 10 yards, and all the shots landed on the target…not in a pretty cloverleaf or anything . . . . but in about a 5 inch spread. Not great, but it certainly will get the job done.

My brother actually has a theory here that has nothing to do with it being a new gun with a stiff trigger . . . he thinks that the 147 grain Hydrashocks are too heavy for such as small barrel. Any thoughts???????

Of course, the shooting isn’t all bad. I am always surprised at how light the recoil on a 9mm is - but was expecting such a small gun to have just a bit more kick. There was none. No recoil really at all - which makes it very easy for a woman or anyone else to control close range shots and get back on target. But, you better make sure you get the job done. The action/slide is very very stiff. I don’t doubt this thing will eat all sorts of ammo, but if your a small woman, you might want your boyfriend to rack the slide. And don’t bother getting a spare mag. You won’t need it (at least not in a gun fight) as there is simply no way to do quick elegant magazine change.

Carry Report

When I picked the gun up, I was a bit disappointed in that - in a holster - it left a pretty distinguished print on my front pant pocket. The gun itself is small, but its neither featherweight (when loaded) or small enough to disappear in the front pocket holster of a business suit. The solutions, I think, is to add the Kel Tec Clip (ordered, on its way). Once it arrives, I’ll clue you in on that. In the meantime though, I have pretty much carried it every day, every where, outside of work and DC (I work in DC so . . . . ) In a pair of jeans, or cargo shorts/pants, or anything with a heavier durable fabric, the gun itself just disappears.

The one complaint I would have with it, if there were any, is that after a relatively short time of carrying and shooting it (just a few days over 2 months) there is already signs of wear showing. For instrance, look at this slide lock

Now true, it largely a plastic framed gun and this is pretty minor in consequential damage to a part that gets handled perhaps more than any other on the gun. But still, the finish shouldn’t already be rubbing off. Here’s another view, with different lighting so you can clearly see what I mean.

That said, it is a pretty good gun and one I feel very comfortable carrying . . . especially now after having shot a few rounds through it and gotten a feel for how it shoots.

WHen I posted about it last time, there were some questions, so maybe I can try to respond them further here.

Phil-Z asked

I’m thinking about buying one, but the gap between the “frame” and the slide, visible in the pic above, kinda puts me off. Anyone have any thoughts on how bad that might be? I’m thinking it’s a lint trap, but I’m hoping I’m wrong.

Yes, the space is real. As this picture demonstrates . . . but I haven’t noticed it being a lint trap. Rather, I’ve had much bigger problems with dirt getting stuck on the back sight.

Roland had this to say

Is that actually a gap, or just some weird reflection? It can’t be seen in the close-up or the back lit photo in front of the window. It does look like bunny fur though.

I actually responded that it was my flash. I was wrong.

Yes, you can see right through the gun under the barrel, though so far that hasn’t caused any problems or accumulated much lint.

All in all, I think its a great little gun that you can manage to take with you everywhere. In this day and age of increased personal security awareness, I’d say its as vital as your Amex card. Don’t leave home with out it.

You could do worse than to pick this beauty up

This auction is for a Star Model PD 45 Caliber Revolver. NEW in the box condition, with original box and paperwork. I purchased it new nearly thirty three years ago.

Never fired since leaving the factory. It comes from the factory with a polished feed ramp. You can buy up to 10 round clips. This pistol has the owner’s manual, original warranty card and all the paper work that came in box (with the box) from the factory. No rust, nicks or scratches. No rub marks. No dry firing. Never carried or in a holster. It’s never been to a gun show. The only time the trigger has been pulled was to let the hammer softly down. Again, no dry fire.

If I didn’t have an exorbitant vacation to pay for - and a kid likely to be headed back to private school (and a stay at home wife) I’d pick it up in a second.