Archive for the ‘From the Field’ Category

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RangeMaster Course, by Tom Givens: My Main Takeaway

Tuesday, May 31st, 2011

I took advantage of the opportunity to train with Tom Givens of RangeMaster, at the LuckyGunner blogger machine gun shoot, Memorial Day weekend, 2011.  Tom, Lynn and his crew are adaptable, precise, and to the point.  We had fun, we wasted no time, and we learned.  The main thing I learned: I need more training.

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Great Quote on “Why I Carry”

Friday, January 21st, 2011

From a mom traveling with her daughter, explaining her alert mindset:

“Most good parents worth the title often proclaim that they would die to keep their kids safe. This is noble and selfless and good, but at one point I asked myself why I should die to save Sweet Daughter? Why should she spend the rest of her life without her mother? Wouldn’t it be better if the Bad Guy went down instead? I’m willing to die for my daughter, but more importantly, if one of us is going to take a permanent dirt nap, I’d prefer it not be me.

Found at Excels at Nothing and hat tip to Say Uncle for picking up on this.

So, yes. If the threat is there, I’m willing to kill for her.

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Bluegrass Armory’s “Moon Shiner”

Friday, January 21st, 2011

Bluegrass Armory rolled out its own compact, bullpup, convertible-barrel sniping rifle at SHOT 2011 and named it the “Moon Shiner” because “One shot’ll do ya.”  The receiver is machined aluminum with no welds or polymer; the trigger is nice, at 3 pounds.  The gun’s total weight comes in at 11 pounds.  The company’s owner Norman Clifton puts an MSRP of $2,995 on the Moon Shiner.  As all moonshine, it’s made in the USA.  The Moon Shiner adds popular 30 calibers to its .50 caliber Viper XL 50.

The Moonshiner

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Desert Tactical, Stealth Recon Scout (SRS) & Covert Rifles

Thursday, January 20th, 2011

Seen at SHOT 2011: Stealthy, compact, bullpup firepower, convertible  between .308, .300 Winmag, .338 Lapua Magnum, and .243 Win. into Desert Tactical models SRS, and Covert rifles.  To put this into perspective, the Stealth Recon Scout is shorter than the M-16 rifle.  The SRS is not a “scout rifle” but is, instead, designed to serve as a sniper rifle system.  Pictures below.

The “Covert” model is even shorter, measuring only 26″ even with its 16″ barrel.  Desert Tactical calls it the shortest sniper rifle in the world,” and offers it in .308 and .338 Lapua Magnum.

Desert Tactical Stealth Recon Scout sniper rifle, with kit

Desert Tactical Covert

Desert Tactical Model Covert

Desert Tactical Stealth Recon Scout with new calibers

The rifles convert quickly: I know this because I watched the Desert Tactical rep change out the barrel and bolt in about a minute, using the T-handled tool you see below. Click on the Desert Tactical link to take you to their site for more detail, but MJM is impressed at the compaction of such firepower.  I would like to fire the .338 from the Covert.

Desert Tactical SRS and Covert rifles' conversion tool

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Shirts for Concealed Carry by Concealed Designs

Thursday, January 20th, 2011

MJM was impressed with the practical design and quality of these shirts, by Concealed Designs.  The outward appearance conceals the innovative snap system that closes side-seams, and the shirt button-up front.  I talked with one of the owners. His background in the apparel industry is apparent.

Now, the disclaimer: MJM is not featured in the “Best-dressed Lawyer” articles run locally.  Having said that, these shirts are cleverly designed to conceal both in dress and casual mode.

Concealed-carry shirts in dress and casual

Snap closures without Velcro

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Seen at the SHOT Show: “Be the Resistance”

Thursday, January 20th, 2011

Freedom Group’s DPMS Panther entrance had razor wire over the top, with an entrance encouraging us all to “Be the resistance.”  I guess the question is, “Which side of the razor wire do you want to live on?”

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Seen at SHOT: SWAT Magazine is Here

Wednesday, January 19th, 2011

SWAT staff having fun at SHOT

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More Detail on the Kel-Tec KSG, 2-tube, 14-Round Magazine, Pump Shotgun

Wednesday, January 19th, 2011

I posted a concise video description yesterday (Thanks, Toby, at Kel-Tec).  Here are some more specs:

  • MSRP $880
  • Caliber 12 gauge, 2 3/4″
  • Barrel 18.5″ cylinder bore
  • Sights not included, picatinny rails top & under
  • Total dual tubular magazine capacity 7 + 7 + 1 in chamber (tubes are selected manually)
  • Wt. empty 6.9 lbs.
  • Weight loaded 8.5 lbs.
  • Length 26.1″ (that is not a mistake)
  • Height 7″

This is Kel-Tec’s first shotgun.  Ejection is downward; loading from underneath;

Receiver and integral (welded) magazine tubes are hardened steel.  Lower receiver group is glas reinforced nylon Zytel.  Disassembly of lower is by pushing out 2 pins that tore in the grip once removed.  Disassembly of upper requires a coin to loosen the 2 front magazine tube nuts and sliding the assembly forward.

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The Next Market Shortage

Wednesday, January 19th, 2011

This post may not have the appeal of a description of “The Raging Judge,” but if you have been out in the woods for days on end, in less than adequate boots, pants, coat, hat, and gloves, then you might perk up.  More on guns and ammo later.

Ammo disappeared, seemingly overnight, in ’08.  Now, industry insiders are projecting that the outdoor clothing we buy is going up.  Cotton and some of the polyesters are fluctuating in price.  If you are planning to re-outfit or upgrade, now might be the time.

‘Cause when your boots and socks are soaked, the rain has found its way inside your rain gear as it has a way of doing, and you are NOT getting back to civilization for days….

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Aimpoint: What is New and What Will Not Be New

Wednesday, January 19th, 2011

For those of you who might appreciate the bit of sharpening up 2 power magnification would offer in a red-dot sight, Aimpoint told me the company now offers no 2x products (not even the hunting scopes) and has no plans to offer a sight with 2x.

New is a law enforcement only model, the Patrol Rifle Optic (PRO), essentially an M3 with 2 MOA dot, with the quick release mount (model QRP2).  This sight comes with a clear rear lens cap so that the officer need not flip up the rear cover to acquire the dot and target.  Emphasis is on keeping the cost down for law enforcement departments and getting the units to them; thus, the initial offering is law enforcement only.