Lost another quiet hero

Houston McCoy, police officer who shot UT Tower sniper, dies

 A man, a public servant, and quiet hero.  This man ran toward the sound of the guns, stepped out into the killing zone of a deranged mass murder, and ended a rampage with a 12 Ga. shotgun.

 THESE are the men we need to remember and honor.  Not some entertainment monkey,  not some blowhard that convinced the gullible to vote for them , but a true hero.  Someone that had the steel taste of fear in his mouth, yet went forward into danger, and did the hard things that saved lives.

 Rest in peace, Officer McCoy.   You have earned it.

 

Oh, and here is a double middle-finger salute to the Un-American Spaceman.  A hero requested that the name of the shooter be omitted from his final story.  So, they put the shooter's name in the headline.  You guys are a bunch of assholes.  Honor his courage, sacrifice, and his last wish, you jerks.

Range trip!

If I can get a decent group from this, I am going to try and get a deer with it this weekend. Range report coming soon

Hour wait to get on the range.  No report... Sorry.

Prayer request

That Kid is in the hospital with what appears to be double pneumonia. Any prayers, good thoughts, vibes, or Druidic chants would be appreciated.

Lego channels Larry Correia

Very cool.  Lego monsters and "Fighters". Vampires, werewolves, ghosts, swamp monsters, mummies,  zombies, Agent Franks! Etc...

If I get time, I am building a killer gingerbread house with Lego monsters.  Hell yeah.

http://monsterfighters.lego.com

Sandy Hook Elementary in CT

As a parent of a young child, my condolences go out to the families of the victims.  This is unspeakable horror visited on the most innocent of all victims, and I cannot imagine the pain that the families are going through.  I wish I could do more than offer my prayers.


I hope the shooter is burning in hell right now.

Coal Powered Motorcycles

The latest news being hyped by morons of facebook.  Coal Powered Motorcycles:

Zero Motorcycles

For $7700, you get a city range of 28 miles and a top speed of 55MPH.  For fuel, you plug into a wall outlet and burn dead dinosaurs from miles away while spewing toxic fumes into the atmosphere and poisoning the planet.  Plus, there is the fun of toxic batteries that wear out and must be recycled, and can explode in a fire, or electrocute rescuers after an accident...

Does not seem like a great trade off against a normal internal combustion engine.

Carry knife meme

T-Bolt put his up, so I thought I would join in, in lieu of actual content.  The whole point is:

Take the knife out of your pocket and take a picture of it.  Post it on your blog.

So.  Here is mine.

Welcome!

I just noticed that I picked up a couple of new followers.  Thanks "West Tx At Heart" and "Josem5" for clicking the follow button. 

I know I am slack and thanking everyone, and I wish I could be as good at it as Stephen but I'm not.

Anyway, I know I promised more of the story on the buck I shot.  I'll get it on here ASAP. 

Finally got one!

Smaller than I wanted, but the pressure is finally off. Deer down, meat in the freezer.

December 7th, 1941

Today, we remember the attack on Pearl Harbor that brought the US into WWII.  Take a moment today to remember those that fought and died, those that fought and lived, and those that made sacrifices on the homefront to secure our victory.

Thank you to all that served.

Verizon wants to know what you are doing

So, Verizon has patented a DVR that can see what you are doing while watching TV, and target the ads to your activity.

They want to:

 target viewers “cuddling, fighting, participating in a game or sporting event, and talking” and match them up with appropriate advertising content.

I see you have changed the channel to Cinemax.  Care to buy some lotion?

 They seriously want to know if you are cuddling with your significant other while watching TV.  I'm sorry, this is just so f***ng wrong, I cannot describe.  It's nuts.  I can't believe ANYONE thought this was a good idea.

Alone with 30 cats?  Verizon suggests a box of Franzia White Zinfandel.

How long until the FBI starts demanding Verizon turn over the records of this 'service'?

"Our records show you were watching "The Walking Dead" while repeatedly working the action of an AK-47.  Come with me, please.

If anyone knows the exec that greenlighted this, kick them in the balls for me, please.

(H/T to Say Uncle)

Things that need to be said.

1) To you people who have some sort of inflatable yard decoration out from Mid-September through Mid January:  When your so-called 'decoration' is turned off, it looks like a giant has thrown a used condom on your front yard. 


2) I can't believe this needs to be said.  NO TALKING IN THE MEN'S ROOM!  This is a long standing and time honored rule.  If you are talking to someone and you walk into the men's room, pause the conversation until you leave. 

Exactly!

"I’ve found that larger gun store employees rank right up in knowledge about firearms as Best Buy employees do on computers"

 Rob completely nails that attitude that I outlined in Rule #2 in this post

'Tis the Season

ARP at the Range

Took the new AR Pistol to the range at lunch.

My freaking camera died while I was there.  No real pics or video of it running.  All I can say is that it shot well, did not fail in any way, and was pretty fun for blasting.

The range was crowded, with a wait list to get in (I hate shooting indoors), so I barely had 20 min to get the red dot on paper, then fine tune it at 50 yards.  Did not get the MBUIS dialed in, but I figure I can do that at home nos that the FastFire is dialed in.

Need to lose the A2 grip and plug the gap at the back of the trigger guard.  I think this is going to be a REAL fun plinker.  I was really expecting more muzzle flash, but I guess the KX3 Pig really works as advertised. 

Random Crap

-In the past 2 weeks, two people that I went to highshcool with died unexpectedly.  Aint nothing like lots of death around you to make you feel mortal.

-Tied into that, I think I am going to start doing Ideal Protein plan.  My sister has lost a crapload of weight on that, and is healthier than ever.  Another guy I went to school with lost 14 pounds on his first week on that plan.  Need to make sure I'm not the next statistic from my very small school.

-I'm going to the range today to test out ARP!  Expect an abbreviated range report this afternoon.

-After reading the news story that a gunshop employee shot a customer in the back, 45er, Leviathan and I have decided there needs to be a '4 Rules' for Gunshop employees:

1. No shooting of paying customers.  It hurts our repeat sales numbers.
2. Unless you are 100% sure, stop talking.  There is a high likelyhood that your customer has done a LOT of research on this and knows more than you.
3. Don't be condescending to women.  That includes assuming they want a pink gun.
4. The sound of a pump shotgun is not a deterrent.  Stop saying it is.

Goofy Gun disease is striking again

Nope, have not even gotten my latest build to the range, and the next aquisition is starting to form.


Ans yes: it's an oddball, goofy gun.

A bolt gun in .223, that takes AR-15 Magazines, and is made by a shotgun company.  Seems oddball enough!
The Mossberg MVP Predator:

 Link

I could come up with a B.S. 'reason' for the gun.  Something like 'coyote hunting', 'having a starter centerfire rifle for the kid', 'cheap centerfire plinker,' etc... but I'll just come out and admit it.  It's a goofy gun, and I want it.

Now I just have to come up with the cash.

After months of research....

...I have come to the conclusion that no one has ever successfully ridden a bicycle off of a ramp and into a body of water. 

The research has consisted of watching fail videos on youtube while on conference calls.  If you have ever seen video proof of anyone making a bicycle jump off of a ramp into water, please post the link in the comments.

By the way, it also seems that no one has ever made a bicycle ride down a set of stairs-  but the research on that continues.

Gun Porn- ARP!

As a follow up to my Garage Built AK Pistol, I have been slowly accumulating the parts for an AR Pistol build.

So, I'm done.  It was pretty easy.  MUCH easier than an AK.  When you build an AK, you use a hammer, and you want a BIGGER hammer.  When you build an AR, you use money- and you want MORE money.

So, here are the specs:
Del Ton Lower
Palmetto State Armory Pistol Lower Parts Kit
A YHM upper built by 'Vanderjack' on Gunbroker
Noveske KX3 "Fire Breathing Pig" flash suppressor
Magpull  MBUIS
Burris Fastfire II

...and, since I know you wanted to see pics, here they are.  Introducing ARP (AR Pistol):

PIG!

BTW, my 4 year old son helped me build this.  Even with all the pins and springs on the lower.

Do you know how hard it is to find a BCG these days?

Made of unobtainium, it seems.

The last part of the AR Pistol Build build has finally been found.  A Bolt Carrier Group.  The upper should be here tomorrow, and all it needed was a BCG and charging handle to bring it to shooty condition.

But they are sold out.  Everywhere.  With LONG lead times.  On a lark, I went to our local show of guns and found two at the very last table I visited.  I was actually heading to the door when I saw this table, and thought "I should check"... after being laughed at at every table I checked at, they had two in stock. 

Bought this one, a Spike's Tactical, and now I just need to wait on Mr. Postman to bring me the upper.  Then I will have a fully functional (I hope) Fun Gun.

The specs as it stands now is a Del-Ton lower, Palmetto State Armory pistol Lower Parts Kit, an Orion/ Vanderjack 7.5" upper, Spike's Tactical BCG, a no-name charging handle, the Burris Fastfire off of my NEF .45 Colt, a set of MagPull BUIS, and.... I think that's it.

Thank you, Veterans

 Thank you all for your service.  Without you, we would not be free.

I'm violating my own rule for not posting pictures of That Kid. 

Getting ready for another hunt

Last weekend was the 'shakedown cruise' of not just the fully electrified blind, but also my DPMS AR-10 copy as a hunting rifle.

The solar power in the blind- this rocks.  Flip of a switch, and I have light to get everything in place.  Flip it again, all is dark.  Also, keeping the phone charged is a totally cool benefit. 

Missed a shot at a deer we call 'Halo' last week because some brush had grown over the shooting lane.  Used the Gerber camp hatchet (Which I used to think was worthless, and is now becoming a great tool) to make sure that won't be a problem again.

BTW, here are two pics of 'Halo' from last year.  He is bigger in the body this year, and the spread on the horns seems even wider.  We call him 'Halo' because the horns almost touch in the front and make a halo over his head.

As to the new hunting rifle- The AR platform is not really the best rifle for a hunting blind.  Normally, the rifle is resting on the sandbags and pointing in a general 'downrange' area.  Well, with the AR platform- the magazine is in the way.  It won't sit like that.  So, I either need to keep the gun in my lap and bring it to bear if a deer comes in, or lay it on it's side on the sandbags and rearrange the rifle when a shot is needed.  Both options are slow and the movement could spook the deer.  So, I MAY switch back to a bolt gun or single shot for hunting from a blind... after I take at least one with the AR-10.  Or I'll come up with some way to have the rifle 'ready'.  Like a rear monopod or something.

Also, the standard hunting type sling sucks on this gun.  I'm switching it to a more tactical style ASAP.  It's also heavier than I would want for a stalking gun, and the collapsible stock has a rattle that would need to go.

For pigs and still hunting OUT of the blind- This is still the gun I want with me. 


Anyway- Looking forward to a hunt this weekend.  This time I'll make sure to leave the cooler at home to ensure I get a deer.

Well.... shit

Looks like we (as a whole) ended up electing a pro-gun control, pro-socialized medicine dweeb from a liberal state.  No, the other one.  The one from Illinois.

Waiting...

Here, Bucky... Got some corn for you.

Random Crap

Tomorrow morning is opening day of Central TX whitetail deer season.  After the absolute SHIT of a last week and a half we have had, I am so looking forward to sitting out in the middle of the woods, listening to my tinnitus, napping and maybe shooting a deer. 

Full Military Honors at a funeral is a VERY moving sight to see.  Plus, seeing these men that were born well after I was already in college, with chests full of medals and ribbons denoting service in Iraq and Afghanistan is very humbling.

Oh, and it turns out that my Father-in-Law was a total badass.  The kind of guy that Jack Bauer wants to be when he grows up.
 

Apple released some new gadget, and the faithful and Pius have lined up for communion


Some new gun company has made a completely impractical and ungainly .22LR, and is trying douchebag 'guerrilla marketing' like spamming message boards and such.  Plus, they are calling a .22 'combat' and 'tactical'.  Not going to link them direct, but you can see it on The Firearm Blog

I'll be hunting with my DPMS "Oracle" AR-10 copy.  The more I play with that gun, the more I like it.  While on the guy trip a few weeks ago, I used it to lay some absolute MURDER on some turtles.  It was fun as heck to use a complete overkill rifle for that:

My wife made a cool forearm 'sock' that gives it a little more of a 'hunter' look:

I hope to get a more complete writeup of our 3 days of Guns, Food and excellent Beer in the next few days.  But here is a sneak peek of the THIRTY-THREE beers we had for the tasting:

Not much for posting- Update on sick relative

On Sunday, I got back from my annual trip with friends to a ranch in North Texas where we shoot, fish, eat great food and drink great beers.  I just don't feel like talking about all the cool stuff we did, the great beer, and the awesome shooting, and here is why:

Upon my return, I got bad news that my family member that has been sick had taken a major turn for the worse.  The doctors are saying in the next few days his lungs will be so damaged that the respirator will no longer be able to support him.

Pardon my language, but this fucking sucks.  I want to punch the living shit out of something... goddamnit, I wanted my son to grow up with his grandfather around.

Continued prayers for recovery are appreciated.

UPDATE:  After a valiant struggle, my father-in-law passed away around noon on Tuesday.  Thank you everyone for your support and prayers.

Overheard at the house

Watching the University of Texas/ Oklahoma University game.  A defensive lineman is hurt and they are taking him off the field.  That Kid (4 years old) is watching and trying to figure out what's going on.

That Kid:  "I hope he's OK"

That Guy: "So do we"

TK: "So he can get back to the game"

TG: "No, so he's not permanently injured by playing some silly game."

TK: "Like golf?"

Course, then we feel bad for laughing as a player is taken off the field on a stretcher.

VP Debate

Aw, shucks... Mongo dead

Just saw on the news. That is just sad.

Edit for Link:  http://news.yahoo.com/former-actor-football-star-alex-karras-dies-77-151935527--nfl.html

 (some people think he was famous for playing some sportball thing, but he is always Mongo)

Morons in the News

So, if you have a truck with a restricted license type, and the words "METH LAB" written on the back window.... what is the ONE THING you should not have in the truck?

That's right, an actual meth lab.

Because that is what this mental giant did.

Moron.

Why I've been MIA

There has been an illness in the family, and a very close member has been in ICU on a ventilator and unconscious for a week and a half. 

Seeing a retired Air Force colonel, former federal agent, and general all-around great man taken from being healthy to being completely under the control of lifesaving machines in just a few days time really knocks the wind out of your sails.


Due to a rare and adverse reaction to some medication, he was hit with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.  Hit that link for some upbeat light reading..  33% fatal, possible brain issues from lack of oxygen, etc...

Today, some good news.  He passed the test that they were doing every day for lung function, and they are taking him off of the ventilator and waking him up as I type this.  This is really good news, and anyone that can pray to whatever deity- it is appreciated.  When he comes to, he is still going to think it's last month.

I don't know much about what he did when he was in the service (like most people that have been there, he does not talk about it much), but I'll let you know the few things that have been let slip while I was there, just to show you the character and type of man he is:
-While on an undercover operation in an almost 3rd world country, he did not break cover when his appendix burst and had abdominal surgery on the local economy. 
-While deployed in Vietnam, his 'group' were the ones that worked with the general (and gave him the S&W Model 60) that was immortalized in this picture
-While the media was complaining about the warrantless wiretaps done under Bush, he mentioned that 'we' were doing that under Carter a whole lot.

I don't like putting personal or serious stuff on the blog much, but we need prayers.  Thanks.

Product testing

Going to custom order some cigars. Have to make sure they meet QC standards.

Yep. They do

Everybody can chill out now...

Unavoidable Bacon Shortage is not real

 

h/t to Say Uncle

Photoshop work for The Feral Irishman

Pissed over at The Feral Irishman posted a link that needed some photoshop work

Since it might not be family friendly, more after the break

Peace, Love, Granola, and a stack of PMAGS

Save the Planet, Buy an AR

Hat Tip to Michael Bane for the link

Are Catholics going to riot and burn down the US Embassy now?

Historian Says Piece of Papyrus Refers to Jesus' Wife

No?  No outrage and and getting all shooty and murdery?

That was suprisingly easy

Sorry for the crappy pic.

People told me for years that building an AR lower was easy, and I never believed them. 

Turns out, it took less than an hour with a 4-year-old helping me... yep, I fully expect a call from his school when he tells the teacher he built a gun over the weekend.  Kinda looking forward to it.

I had almost none of the supposedly 'needed' tools, and it still went very well.  One small scratch from hammering in the roll pin on the bolt catch. 

Going to look at pistol uppers.  Still trying to decide on a 7.5 or a 10.5 inch barrel.  While I LOVE the idea of making it as small as possible, the slightly lower noise of the 10.5 and making it easier to suppress in the future might have me go for the 10.5.  Thoughts?

Happy Constitution Day

September 17, 1786- the day the U.S. Constitutional Convention signed the Constitution of the United States.

And the news from the weekend is that the US Government set out Brownshirted enforcers to knock on the door of a citizen and take him away for having the audacity to exercise his right to free speech.

226 years was not a bad run. 

Weekend- Hunting Prep and first Coyote hunt

Friday night, I drove down to 45er's compound so we could do some hunting season prep on the lease and try our hands at trying to call in some coyotes.

Friday night, we tried a couple of good beers.  45er had a couple that I'll let him intro, and I brought this  new-to-our-area brew:

Sixpoint 'Resin' Double IPA

If you like floral and very hopped IPAs, and you can get this in your area, try it.  I had tried Sixpoint's 'Sweet Action' cream ale on one of my all-too-frequest trips to New York, and was impressed.  This one lives up to the expectation.

Saturday morning, we went to stock up on corn for the feeders.

Needs sugar and a still.

In this area, hunting from blinds over feeders is the way to hunt.  Spot and stalk is almost impossible due to the terrain and local flora.  It's just too dense to sneak up on anything.  There are cleared areas that you can do it on, but the deer are VERY wary of getting in the open.  They stay in the dense cedar and scrub oak.

Ever wondered what 900lbs of corn in a truck bed looks like?

After we were done with clearing out the blinds, feeding the cows, we set up the game cameras.   I was pretty impressed that the Solar setup I had in my blind was still fully operational.  My brother had left his camera hooked up at his blind throughout the spring and summer.  Caught this cool pic:

pretty impressed the batteries lasted till June

Even though it was the middle of the day, 45er and I decided to camo up and try to call in some coyotes.

I took the new AR-10, and 45er took his old reliable Savage 110 in .243, which is scary accurate and has probably killed more deer than most people have ever seen.

A well armed shrubbery

'I don't see any either'

We tried a mix of recorded calls off of Varmint Al's website played through my phone hooked to a GoalZero speaker and 45er blowing on a wounded rabbit call.  The only thing we were able to call in was a very stupid whitetail doe.  If it had been the right season, there would be more bones added to the boneyard, and jerky in the smoker

So we got completely skunked on coyotes.  The only thing anyone caught was 45er caught a really good nap while I was running the calls.  Either there were no coyotes in the area, or we just suck at calling 'yotes.

It was good to be out of the city, out in the woods and just having a good time with guns out in nature.

EDIT:  Forgot to add this.  45er's dad decided to up the redneck skill at his blind, and added an automatic watering trough for the deer.  Check this out:

A huge water reservoir with a float valve filling up a torch cut water heater tank.  This is what ranch engineering is all about