All posts by MadOgre

Small changes can make a big difference

06/21/2014 MadOgre 7 Comments

My beloved Springfield 1911 GI developed a problem. One of the wood grip panels developed a crack. Not a big crack, but one that would have lead to the panel splitting. In my experience, if I don’t pay attention, it splits while I’m shooting and I end up with pistol grip in my hand. Painful and distracting when trying to shoot.

Chance was unwanted, but unfortunately necessary. Being quite broke I asked my Facebook Friends if anyone had a set of 1911 grips laying around. Luckily they did and sent them. Simple black synthetic panels, nothing fancy… but they took the GI Springer from looking like it’s old war vet self and made it look different.

It didn’t change the gun, but it changed the nature of the gun. It’s appearance is different. It’s feel in the hand is very different as well. It’s like it’s a completely different pistol. All because of a small change of a couple of grip panels, we’ve got big results.

In all reality, small changes make all the difference. They way you stand when shooting, the way you grip. How you focus your eyes. Any number of little things that you can change can have big impacts on how you shoot. The problem is we really can’t see ourselves shooting. We can’t see the habitual errors we make. And we can’t see how we can make an adjustment that could give us an improvement.

I was shooting with Massad Ayoob when he stopped me, physically repositioned my thumb – slightly – and instantly improved my shooting. I’m not kidding or exaggerating. That happened just a couple years ago. As an instructor, I find it all the more important to be a Student. We can never stop learning. We can never stop seeking out those small changes to improve ourselves. When you go to a training course, don’t expect to learn big magic ninja tricks. Because there is no such thing… But if you are a good student, you will come away with a string of small changes. And those can have the biggest results.

Food

North Carolina’s BBQ sucks

06/20/2014 MadOgre 30 Comments

When it comes to Beef.
They have the Pork BBQ Down. I don’t think anywhere else is Pork BBQ on point with NC. You can go anywhere and get good BBQ Pork, but in NC, you can go anywhere and get great BBQ Pork.

Now, when it comes to Beef BBQ, I just gotta say NC falls short. I’ve gone around Coastal Carolina and have sampled beef BBQ… and you know there the best I’ve found was?

Dickey’s.

Dickey’s a chain of fast food BBQ joints that all tastes the same wherever you go… And it’s good BBQ in the sense that a Big Mac is a good Burger. Good when you’ve not had a burger of any sort in a long time. But compared to others – it’s weak. That’s Dickey’s. I had a rather small Brisket Sandwich the other day at the Dickey’s in Raleigh, NC. Man, it was the best Brisket I’ve had in NC. Honestly. The meat was tender and the Sauce was tangy and spicy… it was good. Compared to everywhere else I’ve tried Brisket at in NC. The meat was flavorless… Didn’t taste like Beef. It tasted like it was boiled or something. Tasted like dishwater. Actually, on it’s own, and anywhere else in the country, it would have been freaking disgusting. But in the context of NC Beef BBQ, it was good.

That right there should enlighten you as to the state of Beef BBQ in NC.

Dickey’s does a good Pork BBQ too… I’ve not had any bad in NC. Even at a chain like Dickey’s, which is over priced, mediocre and stingy on the portions. Now, don’t be offended if you like Dickey’s Beef BBQ. You just don’t know how good real BBQ can really be, and it’s probably not your fault either. Because in NC when you say BBQ – that just means Pork BBQ. Specifically pulled pork. BBQ = Pulled Pork in NC. It just does. And that’s fine… for NC. But really NC needs to learn to take Beef BBQ seriously.

And Dickey’s Ribs? 3 Ribs for 7.50? That’s an insult. Ribs should be served in 2 sizes. Half Rack or Full Rack…. okay, 3 sizes – All the Racks. Because when you eat Ribs and are 99% done, you should be thinking “OMG, I’m going to die from Stomach Rupturing Rib Over Dose.” And the next thought should be, “But I got one more rib left, can’t let it go to waste.”

Automotive

Armchair Quarterbacking: FORD

06/16/2014 MadOgre 14 Comments

This is going to be brief.

1. Thunderbird. Bring it BACK.

The Thunderbird started out in 1955 as a hot little 2 Seat sports car, as an answer to the Chevy Corvette which came out a couple years earlier in 1953. Unlike the Corvette, the Thunderbird grew large. It transformed into a huge Lincoln Towncar thing, then morphed into this:

I had one of those, and it was awesome. I had the Super Coupe version, rolling on Turbo Coupe wheels… yes, you had both options for forced induction… neither really gave a lot of power but both were great for long range interstate flights.

And then Ford did this to the Thunderbird:

This was the 11th Generation of the Thunderbird. Ford tried to do some Retro Styling to it and missed. They took what could have been awesome and gave it all the bravado and machismo of this:

How they managed to make a 2 seat, drop top Thunderbird as fun as a Buick Reatta, I have no idea. But they did. The 2002 Thunderbird was a huge flop and an automotive laughing stock. So much so that Ford discontinued the Gen 11 Chickenbird in 2005. This was even before I actually saw one in person. And when I did see it, I laughed at it. A lot. It cried.

I only know 1 guy that liked his 2005 Thunderbird. He bought one and loved it. He said it was “Vogue”. This isn’t him, but he looks like him:

Not that there is anything wrong with that, but even he said the car was “too gay”. He sold it a couple years later and bought a VW Beetle, because it was tougher. He actually said that… and his Beetle has a build in flower vase. He has since bought another Beetle. This one has a turbo. He’s learning.

So the car was a huge failwagon… Where did Ford go wrong? With the Mustang, they took the retro theme and made it work. By making it look modern with retro touches. With the Thunderbird they took a car from 1955 and retro-Imaged it to the 1950’s vision of what the year 2000 was like. When what they should have done was take a 1955 year car and make it look like current era modern and not past era future-vision.

Look, Ford doesn’t have a car that competes with the Corvette from Chevy or the Viper from Dodge. Does it need it? Yes. Ford needs it. Because Ford’s only performance machine is myriad different flavors or Mustang. And the Mustang isn’t in the same league as the Vette and Viper. Ford had the GT 40 Replica, the “Ford GT” for a very brief production run, and then killed it. There are no more Ford GT’s so don’t even bring that up. They are all in private collections owned by people who may drive it once or twice a year on their own property for a grand total of 6 miles annually. That’s not a car. That’s a trophy. So shut it about the GT. Ford needs something that has history name wise. A recognized title.

What I’d do would be to put Ford’s design team in a bunch of Sports Cars, from across the board. Miatta’s, BMW Z3’s, MG’s, Saturn Skys, Pontiac Solstice (same thing I know), an AC Cobra or two, the new Vette and the Viper… Then the Original, the 1955 Thunderbird. Let the guys spend a whole day at the track. No instruments. No measurements. Just drive the cars. All day. Enjoy the day. And then tell them… We want a new Thunderbird, and put all that enjoyment into it.

2. Bronco.

A Ford company in Brazil is making this. They are calling it a Troller 4. Ford needs to be calling this the Bronco and building it in the USA. Make it a soft top, drop top, removable hard top like the Jeep Wrangler or Land Rover Defender. The FJ is leaving the market, leaving really the JK Wrangler as the only real offroader option anymore. Which is stupid. So here’s what I’d do… Take another team of Ford Guys, and put them in a bunch of Rubicons. Take them to Moab. Spend a WEEK camping and living in the Jeeps, taking trails, having a good time. And then the last day, put this Troller in front of them and tell them to make it a Rubicon. Then build that.

EDIT:

#3. The Ranger.

Ford needs to do a small pickup. The market needs more options. Even VW is working on one. Ford needs to dominate this. Just as small as the last ones. Okay, maybe just a little bigger. Not just a slight smaller truck like the Chevy Colorado, which looks like a chopped Equinox… Make it like the last Ranger. But Modernized. 4, 6, and 8 cylinder options. Same engine options as the 2015 Mustang. 2×4 and 4×4 options. 2 door, king cab, and 4 door options. Keep it simple, keep it cheap, give it a good touch screen, make the little truck cool… and open it up so it can have massive aftermarket customizing options. Make a Work Package, a Street Package, and an Off Road package… Mini Raptor. Style them like the Raptor. That same style grill and markings.

Food

Ogre’s BBQ Baked Beans

06/12/2014 MadOgre 2 Comments

It kinda took some guts to post this up in detail like this… But everyone that has tried my Beans loves them and comes back for seconds.

I put up photos and a step by step walk through on the Grilling While Armed FB Page.

Check it out and if you try to make some of your own and follow my guidelines – give me some feedback.

Uncategorized

Politically Guilty Pleasures

06/09/2014 MadOgre 24 Comments

Had an interesting conversation with Mark Walters that made me think. He was cranking some music from Cracker and piloting his CamAARo down the freeway. We talked briefly about music and he saw that I had some Rage Against The Machine in my play list. Mark went off. He will not have RATM playing in his ride… just like he wont listen to a lot of other Leftist musicians, (Bruce Springsteen) or watch movies staring well known Super Liberals like Sean Penn, among others. Yet he did make the exception for John Cougar Mellencamp, a known Liberal supporter. We all make our lines in the sand and make our exceptions for whatever our reasons… and that’s all fine.

While I disagree with RATM politically, I have to say the group has some talent and can really jam. The music gets me pumped. Gah… Man… Hold on… I gotta knock out 20 pushups…

Okay, what about film… The actor that played Hawkeye in the series, “MASH”. Alan Alda. You know him. I disagree with Alan a lot, but I still like him. He’s a humanist and has very well reasoned excuses for his wrong opinions… but he’s thought about them and believes them on a (flawed) intellectual level. I can respect that. And I respectfully disagree… So while he’s a big time Liberal – I still enjoy his performances.

Sean Penn though – I almost walked out of the movie “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” when I realized that Sean Penn was in it. But then I stayed because he at least didn’t speak. (Maybe he did, but I didn’t hear him) Doesnt matter. He wasn’t really in it. Just a couple seconds worth of Cameo here and there. Anyways… I dislike Sean Penn and can’t watch really anything he’s in. Because pretty much I don’t care for anything he’s in. It’s not like he’s in Expendables 4 or Terminator 5… so he’s easy to pass on.

But what music or movies are your politically excused guilty pleasures?

Weapons

The Blade Show

06/09/2014 MadOgre 3 Comments

So I finally made it to the Blade Show. It was fun and I saw many wonderfully crafted bits of sharp metal. I was tempted greatly to buy many of the wonderfully crafted bits of sharp metal.
A couple of the blades I really liked were from Fremont Knives in Wyoming. The one they call the Farson Blade, I found most interesting and think it would be very useful. They also have it in a hatchet style tool. Of course this is too light to be used like some camp hatchets… But damn if that wouldn’t be awesome for use as a cleaver. These would be put to great use in the Ogre’s Grilling While Armed Echo Laboratory.
Now, the coolest stuff that resonated with me, was Zombie Tools.

ZT was holding court in style in the lounge, chilling and drinking cold ones, and talking blades with whoever wanted to talk. They have a wicked Gladius type blade that I love, their axe, (which they call the Traumahawk – shit, I love their names) the cleavers… Gotta have me the Rat Bastard… Freaking everything they make is just badass to the bone. Finally meeting them face to face was the highlight.

Uncategorized

A small USA made Device

06/03/2014 MadOgre 38 Comments

A small mechanical device that I really like is an Iconic Made in America institution… the classic Zippo wind proof lighter.
Its so simple it’s elegant. I have to admit a fascination with them.
The company started back during the Great Depression, supplied our troops during WWII, and is still making the same design. It’s an American success story. I think its something that every gun owner can appreciate.
If you are unfamiliar with the Zippo Wind Proof Lighter. Go get one.
I carry one all the time or at least keep one in my car. Its my good luck charm.

Government

Decision Making

06/03/2014 MadOgre 11 Comments

The Obama Administration has a clear pattern for decision making.
If anything is going to fuck up the USA, help the spread of extreme Islam, crush the American people and put them at risk… We do it.
Guy deserts the Army and joins the Terrorists… Let’s trade him for 5 of the worst we have at Gitmo. So what if it breaks the law in doing it – make it happen. The US Marine in Mexico? Ssshhh… We’ll ignore it as long as we can, and then act like our hands are tied. The Economy is struggling – Summer heat is coming – Let’s raise energy costs! But how can we make that as bad as possible? Emissions cut by, oh, I don’t know… 30%! Oh, and while the VA Hospitals are letting Vets die… Let’s add insult to that… and let’s look at cutting Combat Pay.

Obama is the King Midas of Crap. Everything he touches turns to shit.

It’s like Obama is going out of his way to fuck up America.

Gear

Lucid L5 rifle Scope.

06/01/2014 MadOgre 15 Comments

Lucid had sent me one of their new L5 rifle scopes to test out some time ago and I’ve not been able to really get to it. Now is the time. The L5 was never meant to be a Combat Optic. It wasn’t designed for use on an AR-15. You can see, it’s a bit large for this task. The L5 is more suited for a long range hunting or target rifle. It would look natural on a Remington Sendero or the like. I could see this on an AR-10 as well. But it’s a lot of scope for the light weight AR-15 here. But that’s fine. This AR-15 brings a lot of consistency and accuracy that will let me test the Scope, and not the Gun. That’s important here. But you can see, this isn’t making for a real workable configuration for me… It needs something else. You see, this L5 is a 6-24 power optic. Sometimes 6X is too much.

The 45 Degree offset is built into the Daniel Defense tube. All it takes is moving the add-on rail sections, and presto. Right over the bore as you want them. The MBUIS lay flat enough that they do not get in the way, and pop up when needed. Simple enough.
I tell you what though – I’d never have considered putting this sort of set up on my rifle… But I gotta face it… with my eyes now… I really do need a magnified optic. I need something a bit more suited to an AR-15 with magnification… I prefer a 4 power I think. Lucid is said to be working on just that. But this is to test the L5 Scope.

In the mean time, the L5 will be getting a full evaluation. Here’s my initial impression:
Let me start off by saying that I can be an optics snob. I’m not easily impressed and normally any scope under $1200 doesn’t impress me. There are some exceptions to that… and the L5 is one of them.

What you are looking for in Glass is Clarity. Optical Clarity is primary. Second to that Brightness. And Third is Color. Some may argue that, but this is my considered opinion. I sold high dollar optics along with guns for many years and I learned to see the differences. The L5 has the clarity. It has the brightness. While it transfers color very well, it’s not a Swarovski. But you are not paying Swarovski dollars either. It does however, have better “CBC” than other scopes of this type, and ones that cost a whole lot more. Between this L5 and one that costs almost double – I’d take the L5 in a heartbeat. That’s the thing about Lucid… if you want something better, you gotta pay double. Tangibly better – you gotta pay a lot more. I’ll go ahead and say it – I like this scope a lot better than a Nikon Monarch or a Burris or anything from Bushnell. Millett or the like, need not apply.

The side parallax focus goes all the way down to 15 yards. You could put this on a heavy barrel rimfire rifle. Huh… Maybe I should try it out on my .17 HMR Savage. (The most accurate rifle I’ve ever had)

Lets talk about that for a second – Parallax in a rifle scope is where your target and your reticle are in two different focal planes. This comes across as one of the two being out of focus. The result is that the reticle can swim or move around on the target… making for a less precise shot. To get the most precision out of your scope, and put that round right where you want it, the Parallax must be focused. The reticle and target need to be focused sharp together. Parallax comes into play typically in high power scopes, 12 power or above… which is why most 4-12 or 3-9 scopes don’t have a manually adjustable Parallax. They are factory focused at about 150 yards. Rimfire scopes between 35 to 50 yards. We’re used to seeing the Parallax focus out on the Objective bell. The L5 has it on a third turret, which has become the standard place for Parallax adjustment. This makes any adjustment precise and easy to make… without having to come out of your shooting position to do it. Rule of thumb, set the focus to the range you are shooting. If you are shooting at 100 yards, set it to 100 yards, and then fine tune it.

The L5 scope is constructed very well. Very solid, so much so that it reminds me of some very premium optics. A rifle scope is a precision optical instrument… the internals are always delicate no matter who makes them… so they need to be protected. A solid built scope like this goes a long way to help that. The tube body is 30mm, which is ideal and the objective lens is a fat 50mm. If you want a 50mm Obj, you really need to go 30mm in the tube. Too many scopes are out there with a 1″ tube, and that’s just too skinny and you don’t get the light. 30/50 is ideal. I can’t stress that enough. Some companies are putting out larger, which is a fine, but then you are forced to get very expensive specialized rings and your mounting options become limited. Pretty much everyone making Rings these days makes a 30mm option. It’s a common size. Commonality has it’s advantages. Going to a 32mm or something like that… you start to loose advantage over cost and flexibility. The Turrets are tight, but the clicks are distinct and counting 5 up or 4 right – not a problem. I’m not going to name any other brands, but one brand that has a scope similar to this… the clicks were indistinct and made such adjustments vague.

Now here’s what I like about the L5 scope. The L5 Reticle:

I like a fine crosshair. This allows for actual precision shooting. The reticle through the scope is clear and distinct. It’s not an illuminated reticle… but most are not. And for most people, illumination is not needed. I am no Operator anymore and I will not act like one. I am old and busted and enjoy large breakfasts and comforts that go with that… so I don’t want an illuminated reticle in a precision scope. Again, this is a precision scope, not a combat scope. This scope is designed to get me out to long range, and make a good kill-zone shot quickly. Take a look at that reticle. It’s quite simple. To make it even more simple, this reticle is programed into the STRELOK calculator… an App for you Smart Phone. I’ve been a fan of the STRELOK calculator for some time. I used it to zero a .50 BMG and it got me on target with 1 shot. Second shot confirmed it. Done.

I can’t wait to get this out and start putting a whole lotta rounds down range with this.

Again – Anyone wanting a Lucid optic, use the coupon code MyLucidDeal at checkout.

SIDE NOTE: The Lucid HD7 that I had on this rifle is now on my Son’s AR-15. He is quite happy about that. I am afraid that I may not be able to get my HD7 back once this testing is all complete.

Edited: Edited to correct my comment about Color.

Government

The most Dangerous Things in the USA

05/25/2014 MadOgre 9 Comments

The most Dangerous things in the USA, are not guns. They are not extreme sports or motorcycles.

The most Dangerous Things in USA are unchecked Liberal, Progressive, or Democratic Ideals. They Kill or Destroy more people, communities, and whole cities, than anything else.

Thanks to the whole “Progressive” movement, we have Common Core Education – which is going to destroy a whole generation of students and eventually this entire country. We have a City that was once the wealthiest and fastest growing city in the world, taken over by Democrats… and now it’s the Nation’s Ghetto where you could buy HOUSES for a Dollar and 1 in 3 Babies are aborted every year.

We have have states that had higher GDP’s than most Nations – on the verge of Bankruptcy. We’ve got our very NATION that was once the crown jewel of the World… now is being threatened by gangs of drug dealers, with 3rd world nations killing our Ambassadors without answer, and a Democrat Administration that is doing EVERYTHING it can to further weaken us and put us at ever greater risk every day they have power.

Fuel, Energy, Food costs are rising. The cost of being American is rising. Yet at the same time, our borders are being opened to more illegal aliens who are given everything, Food, Shelter, Healthcare and Education – when Americans who are trying work for it can’t afford it.

Our NSA, CIA, and FBI are spying on American Citizens. The Mechanisms of Government… the EPA, IRS, FDA, are used as Attack Dogs. Agents who used to be Honorable have become Thugs, Lackies, and Jackboots… They no longer regulate – they crush Americans… Steal their land… destroy lives… All to feed a Government that has become a Monster.

“Little Shop Of Horrors” has become the Metaphor of the United States of America. Started out small and weak, but it was fed with the blood of patriots that was once freely offered. Now demanded by force or it will devour you completely. No, I no longer trust the Government. I’ve seen what it can do to good people. And I’ve seen what it allows bad people to do. Our nation is upside down. What used to be right is now wrong and what was once wrong is now encouraged and promoted and sponsored.

To say the least – I am worried about our Country and I do not see any easy fix to our situation. Good People need to work together… Community needs to become important. We are going to need each other.

Mad Ogre