All posts by MadOgre

Weapons

Something “New” from Marlin

9 Comments

newMarlin

I have to admit – I like the looks.  But there are two things that disappoint.  1.  They are adding some really cheap sights and acting like it’s an upgrade.  That’s just sad right there.   This is really no biggie though, as I’d replace it the same day I got the rifle.  With this.  It begs for the Lever Rail.  2.  The stock – which is fine on the outside… It’s laminate wood on the inside.  I’d rather have seen a sturdy synthetic stock used here to take a pound of weight out of the gun and narrow it up a bit.

It’s interesting that they are having FNC do the Finish on it.  I’d have thought Remington would have kept that work in house and use the same finished that they used on the 700 XCR Tactical Rifles.  I don’t know what advantage FNC’s finish is going to have.  Or maybe… FNC did the finish on the XCR rifles?

Really though – it’s just an 1895 GBL with a Green Stock.  I like it, but I’m not excited about it.

What would really excite me though, is if I could get that in an 1894 .44 Mag.   Now THAT would be sweet.

Weapons

Pick The Brand

20 Comments

SIG-P220-1-Courtesy-Ryan-Finn

DA/SA Service Grade Automatics.   Who’s your favorite?  Okay, we’re talking the Brand on the whole, considering all the related models and variations they make.  Who’s your Top Brand and why?

SIG?
Beretta?
CZ?
Other?

The Traditional DA/SA auto seems to be in the gold years with more and more trainers and advocating striker fired guns with uniform trigger pulls from first to second shots.  Glocks, M&P’s, an XDM’s being the Striker Triad.   But I think that the DA/SA platform still has its place, and I still love them.  Especially for Open Carry, Duty Service… They are big, menacing, sexy, and very stable and accurate.   Outside of 1911’s I shoot them them best.  A lot better than Safe actions or DAO guns.

I’m thinking the Holy Trinity for DA/SA’s is SIG, Beretta, and CZ.  Across the board, I think the Beretta Brand takes the lead for consistent quality.   From what I’ve seen and dealt with with 8+ years behind a Gun Counter and… ahem… a few more years of shooting… I’ve seen problems with all of them.  I’ve seen far fewer though with Beretta.  But that’s not just the thing. It’s also how good they’ve been.  How smooth the triggers and slides were.  How tight they locked up.  I don’t think any brand for any type of auto is nearly as smooth as Berettas.  SIG’s are second and CZ is 3rd overall for smoothness.

However, for an out of the box trigger – the very best DA/SA trigger I have ever felt was on a CZ 97B.   Just incredible!  But other CZ triggers left me disappointed.  Same with SIG, overall very good, but not quiet as good overall as SIG’s I’ve fired.  One SIG though, a 229 SAS…. Oh man.   That was truly a great trigger.   Flip side, the SIG’s have shown some triggers that were less than stellar.
Beretta though wins in the same way a Race Team wins the Championship overall without having actually taken first place.

My 92FS had a very good trigger to start out with.  I swapped the main spring for the “D Spring” and it got a lot better.  It’s not a GREAT trigger.  This makes me wonder, why doesn’t Beretta just use the D Springs as standard?  Because the difference was dramatic!

I love the 92.  I love the SIG 220/226/228/229.  I love the CZ P-01/SP-01.  Overall though, I think that Beretta takes it.

What are your thoughts?

Food

At the Meat Mountains of Madness

7 Comments

Rumors have it that Arby’s has a sandwich called The Meat Mountain.  It is all their meats piled into one sandwich.

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The rumors are true.  I have been to this Mountain of Meat Madness and I have climbed it.

madness

The fact that I ordered two of them, caused the employee at Arby’s to get very nervous.  “No one has ever ordered two of them before.”  He said.  Then he saw my eldest son, and breathed a visible sigh of relief.   It’s a daunting sandwich to be sure.  But that wasn’t the bad part.  See… Eating the sandwich was one thing.
My son said it like this, “I kinda feel sick… but in a good way.  Like I have a food baby inside me now.”
That was pretty much it.  But you see, I made the mistake of getting a couple Milkshakes to go with the sandwiches.  That crossed the line from “Kinda feeling sick”, to the “I’m uncomfortable with this, and I forgot my safety word.”

It was good, in a novelty sort of way.  Having had it, experienced it and returned from the experience, changed, but surviving… I don’t think I’d order it again.

Weapons

Stop It

2 Comments

Stop showing me videos of your Mag Dumps, and show me a video of how fast you can reload!

Stop showing me an AR-15 with a Cosmetic Change and telling me that you designed and engineered something different.

Government

Since 1805

17 Comments

I’m so sick of hearing that we’re only “fighting for oil” or “our Foreign Policy is only about oil”.  That’s such BS, and History proves it.   You know the Marine’s Song?  “From the halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli…”
That song comes from a US action in the Mediterranean region back in 1805.  By order of President Thomas Jefferson, our 3rd President, US Marines and Berber Mercenaries marched 500 miles across Egypt to Derna Tripoli to combat Piracy.  Pirates who were interfering with shipping, and to support a Pro-US Administration.  This is what defending our foreign interests is all about.  It’s not about secret cabal of oil barons squabbling over our planet’s oil fields.

If that was the case, where are the great battles in Alaska, Canada, Texas, Utah, Wyoming, the Dakota’s and the Gulf of Mexico?  Where are the Armies that are invading Venezuela?  These places are all rich in oil resources.  How come the US has not gone in and taken Venezuela’s oil?   Because it’s not about the oil.   It’s about Regional Stability and protecting our interests and those of our allies.  Do you think Thomas Jefferson was concerned about Middle Eastern Oil?  No, he wasn’t.  Was he concerned about Egyptian or Tripolian oil?  No, he wasn’t.  He was concerned about the Pirates.  Just like Bush was concerned about Saddam Hussein.  Who, you may remember, was the concern of the Democrats, who all VOTED FOR that war, and as soon as Bush pulled the trigger, suddenly cried about it because he did what they voted for.  Insanity.  Oil its self had nothing to do with it.  Saddam Hussein threatened the Regional Stability.  Oil is only merely the main product from that region.  The US has other interests there as well.

On another note:
This is why I scratch my head about Obama’s handling of ISIS.  It seems everything Obama has been doing has been to undermine Stability in as many regions has he can.  Middle East, Egypt, Russia, Korea, Libya, China… if he can screw it up, he can and will try.  Who has been reaping the benefits from Obama’s meddling and failures?   The Islamic Brotherhood.  This makes me question what Obama would have done in 1805, had he been in charge.  Because I’m having a hard time deciding if Obama is just a pure pile of incompetence… or if he really is smart and doing just what he promised to do.   He’s always talking about it.

Government

Ebola & our Government

14 Comments

I read a headline that says that the Government says that it can contain an Ebola Outbreak.  Really?  Because the next news story I read is that a homeless man that might have been infected and was under watch, wandered off…  They can’t even contain a homeless man.  And the Government says it can contain an Ebola outbreak.  Right.   All the other news articles today is basically showing the pattern that the Government has no idea what to do.  The CDC is still unsure if Ebola is airborne or not.

You think this can be contained?  Maybe.  But I don’t think so.

We’ve stopped flights to Israel because a rocket landed within 25 miles of an airport in Israel – but we still allow flights from Western Africa.   These flights have passengers that bounce into the USA, and all over the nation…. on aircraft with badly filtered, recirculated air that never get cleaned out and disinfected.  And they expect a stewardess to be a medical screener?   Now those folks who are newly infected and don’t know it yet…. what with the 21 day time frame they have… they go home.  Infect their kids.  Kids go to school.  Kids are constantly sent to school sick.  Because if a kid has the sniffles, that’s not enough to warrant keeping them home.  Not enough to go to a doctor earlier on… they would need a Doctor’s Note to excuse an absence…  as if it’s a Court Ordered Mandate.   Kids can’t even go to the bathroom when they need to, let alone wash their hands when they want or need.   So the sick kids, they go to school.  Infect the other kids.  Then those kids come home, and infect Brothers and Sisters and Mom and Dad… who go to work and go shopping… infect others.

No.  No, I don’t think any rampant infectious disease can be contained in our society.   Ebola has a high mortality rate.  There is no FDA approved treatment.  The national infrastructure has no way to deal with this and society expects people who feel ill to just slam some Theraflu and buck up and go to work.

If Ebola does go airborne, as some think it has, and it gets to the US… It’s going to be a huge problem that the US Government isn’t going to be able to handle.

Study the issue, learn how to deal with it on your own.  The Government is going to be of little help.  Unless you like the idea of Administrative Panic and be put in the modern equivalent of a leper colony.

Weapons

Armchair Quarterbacking: PARA USA

9 Comments

I’ve never really been all that fond of Para Ordinance for various reasons.  However Para Ordinance became PARA USA, moved from Canada to the US, and have been working hard to forge their spot in the American Gun Culture.  Some years ago at a Media Range Day at SHOT Show, I browsed the offerings at PARA’s booth and was impressed with what I saw.  The gun was a very basic 1911 for Wild Bunch competition.  Nothing fancy, just very “GI” style.  Simple.  And good.  It was very good.  I shot several other 1911’s from other makers, but the one that stuck in my mind, even the one I liked the best, was the Para.  During SHOT I went to the PARA booth and looked at the pistol again.  It wasn’t a fluke… I really did like the gun.  It was at that moment when I realized that PARA USA is a company to take seriously.

Now it’s about 4 years later and PARA USA has continued to improve their guns.   They’ve made huge strides to the point that PARA USA is now one of my TOP 1911 Makers.     They are making some 1911’s I want to buy.  Not their whole product line… but close.  They can do a few simple things to really hit it out of the Ballpark.   Let’s take a look at PARA USA’s line up.

Let’s start at the top of their own roster and work down.  The Executive Carry.    The gun looks good, with a nice finish, nice grips, and that awesome bobtail.  But it has a 3″ barrel.   This is basically a full length grip, bobtailed, and an ultra compact barrel.  If this was a revolver, this would be the equivalent of S&W Magnum Grips on a Snub-Nose.  It makes no sense to me.  The grip frame is the hard part to conceal, not the barrel.  Bobtailing it is a nice touch, but if you are going to have an ultra compact barrel, give it an ultra compact grip frame as well.  At least an Officer’s length grip frame.  Bobtail that.  This gun is just a bit off because of the short snout.   Because of that, I wouldn’t buy this one.  However, if it was sporting a Commander length slide and barrel – I would.  A nice clean Lightweight Commander on a Bobtail frame is missing from PARA’s line up and it should fit right here in the EXECUTIVE category.   That’s 1 missing gun.

The other missing gun from the EXECUTIVE Category is the CCO configuration.  A Commander Length barrel and slide on an Officer’s frame.  Basically just the opposite of the PARA Executive they have right now.  Colt’s CCO was a breakthrough for concealed carry 1911’s.  SIG followed that pattern and hit a home run with it in the C3 and RCS models.  Smaller frame for easier concealment, and a nice length barrel that doesn’t give up much on ballistics and sight radius.  It NAILS it.  PARA doesn’t have a CCO type 1911, and they should.

Here’s one more gun to add to the Executive roster.  The LDA Officer… But with a standard 1911 trigger mechanism.  Not everyone likes an LDA Trigger in their 1911, but the Officer platform is a good one, and should be reflected in the Executive, Elite and Expert lines. One thing that the LDA has that I’d like in the Executive line is that front strap checkering.  That Lightweight Commander Bobtail – I’d like some fine checkering on the front strap.

I’m not going to comment on the Competition guns, because I think PARA nailed those as offerings and every competitive shooter I know would change things anyway to their own liking and everyone has a difference of opinion so you’ll never make everyone happy there.   But it’s a solid line as it is.

Now, for the Tactical side of things.  The Black Ops line.   Sharp.  I could buy one of these.   Wait a second here… How come the Black Ops 1911 Single Stack doesn’t have the Checkering like the Double Stack?  If this is to be a full featured combat oriented line, let’s not skimp on it.    Also, the Recon, your Commander length tactical gun.  Where’s the Single Stack version of the Recon?

While we’re talking Tactical, not all Tactical ops are Black Ops.  I’d like to see Tactical versions in OD Green and FDE (Flat Dark Earth).  Same guns, just not blacked out.  I know you’ve had them before, I sold them.  FDE the slide and frame, and use the regular black parts and grips for a nice contrast.  Would look very sharp.

Now on to the Elite Series.  The PARA Elite is a wide range of 1911’s that we can probably say is PARA’s main line.  Or at least it should be. My only hang up with the Elite Series is that they are using Fiber Optic Front Sight Posts on all but the Elite Pro.    The Elite Pro is one of my very favorite guns from PARA’s line up.  It hits all the right buttons.  Now, where is the Elite Pro Commander?  There’s another gun that’s missing from PARA’s line.   Another one is an Elite Bobtail Commander.   Again with Bobtail Commanders?  I know.  But still, my point is valid.  Ask Dan Wesson.

The ELITE LS HUNTER.  This gun is one that I’ve been waiting for… a 10mm Long Slide – I must have this.  Thank you for making this one!   Now, if you could just add 10mm options to a couple other Elite or Tactical guns, thank you.  And to keep up with STI – mayhaps a double stack version as well?

Reverse Two Tone.  I want to see more Two Toned guns, specifically in the “Reverse” scheme.  Light on bottom, dark on top.  Make a lightweight bobtail commander in 10mm, in reverse two tone – and you’ll have my order by the end of Oct.   Seriously.   I’ll order it through Blackstone Shooting Sports in Charlotte.  I’m not kidding.  I will.

The Expert line.  I’m giving you some Golf Claps over here.  Bravo… You have it nailed here.   Simple lines, no frills, and “No Gills”.  None of those forward slide serrations that ruin the lines of a handsome Government model.   THIS is the 1911 that I want the OTHER companies to make!   And PARA USA made it.    This makes me quite happy that I am moving to the town that makes it!   Can I get a black slide on that Stainless frame?  In a Commander?

The Warthog is listed under the Expert category… and that’s fine.  But remember what I said about the CCO?  A CCO Warthog…. Call it the “A-10” model, as in “A-10 Warthog“, the Infantryman’s favorite jet plane.  It would be the Goldilocks for concealed carry double stacked 1911’s.  The regular Warthog is just a bit too short in the snout for me.   I know it’s been popular, but trust me… a 4″ version would be even more so.  I could have sold twice as many, because that is what the most common remark about it was.   Springfield found this out when they made 4” versions of the XDS, as did SIG with the C3 and RCS.  That’s the configuration that is IDEAL for concealed carry.

That’s about it for PARA USA.   They are doing a really great job and I’m happy to see it.  They’ve come a long way and are now a great 1911 company!   Well done, PARA USA!!!   *Standing Ovation Here*

Uncategorized

Scary Season.

21 Comments

Omen_ver4October is coming.  The Month of Scary Movies is almost here.  Time to turn the lights off and pull the blanket up to your chin.

The problem is what horror movie to watch?

I’ve not seen a really good new scary movie in a long time.   Some start out good, or at least interesting, and then go straight to “Pants on the Head Retarded”.

I hate jump scares.  If you are a Director, and you have to use them, you suck.  You suck, your script writer sucks, your producers suck.
Found Footage and Documentary type horrors are the worst.  They are as Cliche as the “It was all just a dream” dodge.  It was unique at one time, with the Blair Witch Project and now it’s just a crutch for the unimaginative.

Hollywood is all about doing Remakes… Either remaking older films, or remaking foreign films.  You know what?  If you are going to do a Docu-Footage Horror, don’t.  Do a Remake.  Because with as little artistic credibility as you are going to have, might as well emulate something actually good.

And if you do a Remake… I’m still going to hate you.   Hack.

So what movies are we going to watch this month?   I suggest the old classics.  Black and White.  My top pick?  The Omen.