Saturday, August 25th, is Basin Sports Factory Range Day.
This isn’t a Gun Show, It’s a Gun Try.
Come out and try a bunch of new guns!
No rental fees, range fees… You only buy the ammo for what you want to try out.
Don’t miss this!
Monthly Archives: July 2012
Crusader Contest
I have a couple Crusader Jackets here at Ogre Ranch. Joe gave them to me to pretty much do with what I want. Wear them… give them to my kids…
But I think I’ll put them to better use. Slipstream sales have slacked off… that’s the problem with making a product that the more someone uses, the less they need.
So I am looking for people to start Dealer Programs or to get your local gun dealer to carry Slipstream. If you can start your local dealer carrying Slipstream, I will send you one of these jackets. Say, the first 3 will get jackets, and the last one will go into a drawing for those after the first three.
Tactical Semi-Auto Shotguns.
I have a great fondness for the Gauge. And when it comes to The Gauge, I am a firmly in the House of Remington and consider the 870 to be where it’s at.
I’ve considered and examined and have fired all the Semi Autos out there. The M4 is certainly the Mercedes Benz of the class. However at it’s price… a Thousand Dollars more than most everything else, is it worth it? Man, I don’t know. It’s cool… but I am not sure its a Grand More of Cool.
You know what gun I keep coming back to? The 1187. Reason? I like the position of the Bolt Release. To unleash that bolt on a Tactical Reload, it’s center bottom, easy to get to and faster than a tiny little button that everyone has positioned in the worst possible place. A small button with no geographic reference point on the gun… just alone in the field of the receiver some place where your hand can get struck by the charging handle if you don’t get it out of the way. Every semi auto in current production that feeds from a Tube does this and they are all wrong… all save for the Remington 1187.
I believe this to be a key advantage. Because regardless of how many shells your tube gets stuffed with, its going to go dry and you are going to have to do a fast tactical reload. I think this is a winning position. Not only that, but the 1187 can run the same iron sights that you can on the 870, making it scary accurate with slugs.
This is why my pick on the Semi-Auto Shotgun for fighting… the 1187. For impressing other guys, the M4 remains just fine.
Monday’s Motorcycle: Learning to Fly
I’ve had a lot of emails from people who have never thrown a leg over a motorcycle, wanting to know where to start. Some of those emails would have me believe they are actually considering purchasing a new 2012 ZX-14 to “Learn On”. Uh huh. Yeah, my Dad taught me how to drive in a Formula 1 car too.
If you are going to start to learn, you need to start out with the basics, because I don’t need idiots like that jacking up my own insurance. Get real. Start simple. My first bike was quite larger, but it wasn’t the first bike I had ridden. That was a Honda (shocker) 125. It was fun. And much faster than my BMX bike or my 10 Speed. So it was pure thrills on that thing.
Start out with a 250. But decide if you want to learn on a Sport or a Cruiser. It’s been reported that a full 1/3 of new 250 bikes are being sold to women. Which is interesting because that’s about the same ratio of questions I’ve been getting.
If you want a Sport Bike, the Ninja 250 is the Tried and True choice for the fledgling Valentino Rossi. They are fun to ride, plenty fast, yet not so powerful as to get out of control in a hurry and put you into a tree. It’s a smart choice. Riding a Ninja 250 well teaches you technique, body position, braking, and everything you need to learn to go fast and ride safe. Also, they are bulletproof little machines that you are going to want to keep around. And they look cool.
There is another upshot to the Ninja 250. 60 miles to the gallon. It sips fuel like a china doll at a tea party. Really I don’t think there is a more efficient production vehicle out there that costs so little and returns so much enjoyment.
You can have just as much fun blasting through a canyon on a 250 as you can bigger bikes. You just don’t have the blinding top speed that will get you sent directly to jail if you get caught doing it.
Okay, so flying a Rocket isn’t your thing? You want to look at scenery in front of you instead of behind you in the rear view mirror?
Here’s is my beloved Sister on her new to her Rebel 250. Probably the best Learning Bike ever made period. Nothing about it is intimidating to a Novice Rider, yet it’s still cool looking, gets great fuel economy, and you get pick them up for about a Grand on up depending on Vintage and Miles. The one thing I’ve learned about these little Johny Rebs is that they tend to have as much attitude as their Riders. Which means they can have a lot.
There is nothing to fear on one of these lean machines save for those people who are chatting on their phones and texting when they should have eyes up and hands at Ten and Two. When you are riding though, you learn to spot those guys a mile away.
These are my two recommendations for Learning to Ride. I don’t care if you are Chick or a Dude, these are where you start.
I know a local guy that’s learning, he’s spend some extra bucks to get a new Honda CBR250, and I’ve seen him jetting around town…. he’s doing great. Another guy I know, he picked up a ZX-6. Two weeks later his bike was totaled and he is on crutches. I’m not saying you can’t learn on a bigger bike, but it’s just a better way to start when you start out slow.
Besides… the DMV test is all about Slow Speed and Control in a tight space. I think the Utah Rider Test is performed in the same space one could park 2 Chevy 2500 Trucks. It’s very tight. Now if you can master these bikes, then go take your test on a 600 so you are golden on any size bike… but only if you can pass that test. To do that, you are going to need a lot of practice, and the 250 is a good place to start.
The 200 Dollar Rescue Glock Project is now completed.
You guys may remember how I rescued an old abused Glock. It cost me 200 bucks, which is about 50 bucks more than a Hi Point and a Box of Ammo.
Well, if you don’t remember, I was working at the gun store one day when a fellow brought in a ragged old Glock that was just beat to hell. We gave him far too much for it on Trade In. The thing was so bad, it wouldn’t be able to be resold. In fact, it didn’t even function. The Trigger wouldn’t reset. The slide… well, the dude tried to polish off all the Black and make it shiny. He failed. The frame looked like a Pit Bull’s Chew Toy.
So I filled out the 4473, purchased it from the store and took it home. It was mine.
The trigger needed new parts. I had a small collection of such parts. Some aftermarket, some Factory Glock. I replaced everything in the trigger mechanism. The result was more than satisfactory. I like it a great deal. After test firing, I was satisfied in the gun’s function. But I hated to look at it. Since I couldn’t hurt it anymore than it had already suffered, I modded it.
This was what it looked like when I got it. Nasty. I cut down the frame from 22 length to 23 length, then I ground off bits and sanded bits and then stippled it. It now feels nothing like a Glock in the hand, and it fits my hand perfectly.
This weekend at Crusader HQ, I took that slide and gave it a fine Media Blast to remove all the problems, old finish, and to rough up the slide so the Cerakote could stick to it better. I took my time on this and really made sure I got everything nice and even.
Then Joe hit it with some Cerakote in a new color I really dig… “Magpul Flat Dark Earth”. This is a darker flat dark earth or Coyote Tan color than is the norm. Looks really good.
The completed gun, better view.
The gun feels better in the hand than it looks. Feels slightly smaller, grippier, and comfortable. This Glock is becoming a personal favorite. I really like the results. If I pick up another model 23, I might chop it down to 27 length. Just for fun.
What’s new at Crusader Weaponry
This weekend I went to Crusader Weaponry HQ.
We have a lot going on right now, but not too much. Joe has a little bit of Free Time on his hands. Let’s take that away from him! We need him busy! And I have a plan for that… more on that in a moment.
One of the things we are doing is a Limited Edition Armed American Radio Signature Rifle we’re calling the AAR-15.
If you want one of these badboys, contact Mark at Armed American Radio, I have a link over there on the right hand side bar.
The Longbow… Stan of The Gun Dudes has one of these rifles, here’s the latest one wearing a custom camo Cerakote finish.
We still have a custom Glock, in a package we call the Reaper. This is a tweaked Glock 22. I’ve checked out this pistol and it’s fantastic. The trigger pull is right where I like it, you feel some take up on the spring and then the trigger stages for a super crisp break. It breaks clean and you don’t see any twitch on that front sight post. This is what you want. Night sights, Grip Force Adapter, giving it some Beaver Tail… this is a Mod made popular by Todd G at Pistol-Training.com. I like it. The Slide is Cerakoted in a light grey color that really stands out. Looks fantastic, like a brushed/satin stainless kinda.
The price on this Glock is 699.99, and I’m going to throw in a Crusader Jacket for you. I only have a couple sizes, so I hope you are not picky or XXL or bigger.
Okay, now here is my favorite – if I can have only one – gun. The 870. Crusader’s Wrath Shotgun is one I’d put up against every other pump action on the market – and most Semi’s as well. I’m proud of these guns and believe them to be the ultimate expression of what a Pump Action is capable of.
Normally these shotguns are 799… We have one, in a dark OD Green, on sale for 749.99. This one gets a free Crusader Jacket as well as a Training Voucher to go with it for the guy that buys it!
And then is our Flagship Rifle, the Broadsword. This one is our Media Relations Demo gun. We can build you one too. Just contact us at CrusaderWeaponry.com.
Gun Control in a Line Item on an Unrelated Bill!
SA 2575. Mr. LAUTENBERG (for himself, Mrs. BOXER, Mr. REED, Mr. MENENDEZ, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Mr. SCHUMER, and Mrs. FEINSTEIN) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 3414, to enhance the security and resiliency of the cyber and communications infrastructure of the United States; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
At the appropriate place, insert the following
SEC. __. PROHIBITION ON TRANSFER OR POSSESSION OF LARGE CAPACITY AMMUNITION FEEDING DEVICES.
(a) Definition.–Section 921(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after paragraph (29) the following:
“(30) The term `large capacity ammunition feeding device’–
“(A) means a magazine, belt, drum, feed strip, or similar device that has a capacity of, or that can be readily restored or converted to accept, more than 10 rounds of ammunition; but
“(B) does not include an attached tubular device designed to accept, and capable of operating only with, .22 caliber rimfire ammunition.”.
(b) Prohibitions.–Section 922 of such title is amended by inserting after subsection (u) the following:
“(v)(1)(A)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), it shall be unlawful for a person to transfer or possess a large capacity ammunition feeding device.
[Page: S5403] GPO’s PDF
“(ii) Clause (i) shall not apply to the possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device otherwise lawfully possessed within the United States on or before the date of the enactment of this subsection.
“(B) It shall be unlawful for any person to import or bring into the United States a large capacity ammunition feeding device.
“(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to–
“(A) a manufacture for, transfer to, or possession by the United States or a department or agency of the United States or a State or a department, agency, or political subdivision of a State, or a transfer to or possession by a law enforcement officer employed by such an entity for purposes of law enforcement (whether on or off duty);
“(B) a transfer to a licensee under title I of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 for purposes of establishing and maintaining an on-site physical protection system and security organization required by Federal law, or possession by an employee or contractor of such a licensee on-site for such purposes or off-site for purposes of licensee-authorized training or transportation of nuclear materials;
“(C) the possession, by an individual who is retired from service with a law enforcement agency and is not otherwise prohibited from receiving ammunition, of a large capacity ammunition feeding device transferred to the individual by the agency upon that retirement; or
“(D) a manufacture, transfer, or possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device by a licensed manufacturer or licensed importer for the purposes of testing or experimentation authorized by the Attorney General.”.
(c) Penalties.–Section 924(a) of such title is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(8) Whoever knowingly violates section 922(v) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.”.
(d) Identification Markings.–Section 923(i) of such title is amended by adding at the end the following: “A large capacity ammunition feeding device manufactured after the date of the enactment of this sentence shall be identified by a serial number that clearly shows that the device was manufactured after such date of enactment, and such other identification as the Attorney General may by regulation prescribe.”.
Congressional Record – 112th Congress (2011-2012) – THOMAS (Library of Congress)
thomas.loc.gov
(A) by striking “$72,450” and all that follows through “2011” in subparagraph (A) and inserting “$78,750 in the case of taxable years
Institutionalized Racism.
I hate this sort of stuff. Institutionalized Racism is pretty much standard issue with our Governments.
The ATF Form 4473 is a shining example of this. Check boxes for RACE. These always piss me off… because Celtic isn’t a choice. I guess all us White Guys look alike to them, eh?
It’s not just the Feds because the State of Utah has this as well when we are doing the Web Check after a customer fills out the 4473. But Utah doesn’t have “Latino/Hispanic” as a choice, so we were told we put those guys in as “White”.
Well, now the 4473 has a question with two check boxes separate from the other Ethnic question. “Are you Latino/Hispanic or not?” This is question 10A I think? Well you look in the other pages where it explains the questions, every question is there save for those. Guess you are on your own. Well I have Black and Indian in my Ancestry. None of their skin shading, but the blood is there… So from now on, I am checking all those boxes… Because you can now. Instead of having to pick just one, you can check all that apply. Game on.
I don’t like this new version of the form and I think those questions should go away altogether. They should also be removed from every government database, form, questionnaire, and census. We have a Black President. We can put Racism behind us now. How about just one simple Yes or No question?
“Are you AMERICAN?”
That’s all we need to know. Race doesn’t matter. Color doesn’t matter. What country your family came from a dozen generations ago… That doesn’t matter. You can keep your Culture, you can keep Tradition. But in the Great Melting Pot… Your AMERICAN and that’s it.
Marlin. Credit where credit is due.
Marlin rifles have always been a favorite of mine. It was depressing when their quality took such a drastic nose dive.
I’m happy to say that the quality is back. Not only that, but their service department seems to going the extra mile.
We had a customer who’s rifle was damaged in an auto accident. To include ejection from vehicle into river. Lots of damage and broken forend. Marlin fixed everything, good as new, and didn’t charge a dime. That was above and beyond and impressed the hell out of me.
So Marlin gets full marks in their Centerfire Lever Actions again.
The Rimfires… Not so much. In the last two days, we’ve replaced two firing pins in 39As. Both guns suffering misfires. One came back from repair for that reason, and Marlin didn’t fix it… so we did. Problem solved.
Come on Marlin!
Show Me
To all you idiots that want to ban guns…
Show me where Banning anything has gotten rid of the problem.
Because what happens, according to history, is the problem only gets a Hell of a lot worse.
Banning drugs. Congratulations, now the Drug Cartels have pretty much taken over Mexico.
Alcohol Prohibition. Created the Mob’s foothold in America.
So, for you Liberal Geniuses, what do you think will really happen if we ban guns? Criminals will just be nice, plant flowers, sing songs, and drive Priusi?
Wake up.