Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Eve of Boomershoot
We split for Boomershoot at 5:00 AM in the morning. We're going to do the drive from Albuquerque, NM to Orofino, ID in one day. We rented a Ford Expedition and it is loaded to the gills and ready to get out in the morning.
We will be sporting a laptop, so we can technically post. This has a lot to do with motivation and alcohol intake. The Old Man is also bringing his nice digital camera. Our coverage, if there is any, will not be as comprehensive as some other people.
Worst case scenario, the After Action Report should be chock full of photographic goodies.
We will be sporting a laptop, so we can technically post. This has a lot to do with motivation and alcohol intake. The Old Man is also bringing his nice digital camera. Our coverage, if there is any, will not be as comprehensive as some other people.
Worst case scenario, the After Action Report should be chock full of photographic goodies.
Friday, April 21, 2006
Range Report / Carry Gun
As we leave for Boomershoot next week, the Old Man and I decided the right way to spend our last range day before hand would be to plink. A very good idea.
We've spent the last six months drilling long range practice no matter what kind of mood we were in. We've got the rifles dialed in and there seemed little point in trying to greatly improve oneself in a single 3-hour session.
As such, we took out a 1911 USGI Springfield, Glock 17, CZ-PO-01, the Thompson, and my Boomer clean-up gun, a Stubby AR with Trijicon reflex sights. Additionally, my brother showed up with his CZ 75-BD, another 1911, and his stubby AR.
High point of the day had to have been when my father was shooting my AR against my brother's. Both were trying to put the same 12 oz. water bottle over the back of the berm at 30 yards or so. Needless to say, they were trying to get off as many rounds as possible, without sacrificing accuracy. Well, it sounded like a shitstorm and several fellows from the next range over came over to make sure we weren't engaged in full on war games.
It's always nice to see the expression on a guy who's only shot revolvers when he sees a 29-year old and a 50-year old trying to get as much lead down range in the shortest period of time. They looked at us like we were wackos.
On a separate note, Xavier asked about carry guns. It doesn't appear that I will have a CCW permit until mid-summer at the earliest. I use a Glock 17 as my truck console pistol and God knows I would never break the law and actually carry it.
In light of the fact that I am a law-abiding citizen, willing to take his castor oil without too much kick, I thought I would post my office gun (one which I shot today): the CZ PO-01.
First off, this pistol is, in my opinion, one of the worst American commercial flops that the gun industry has made in the last 10 years. When I bought it, it was the "next big thing" in "LE and military." I picked one up easily. Finding a left-handed holster for this bitch was a pain (yes I'm handicapped) and, to date, finding magazines is almost an exercise in futility. To be sure, there are a couple of cops carrying this gun in Denmark. Nonetheless, I've always fancied this platform for a compact gun. If I get a junkie hell-bent on getting a piece of me in the office, this should suffice nicely.
About 2 years ago, The Old Man and I had a dispute about whether I could carry on the premises. NM law allows that you can carry on your own property, your vehicle, or private property where you have the owner's consent to do so. Since it is our building, I figured I could pack whatever the fuck I wanted to.
The old man pointed out that if some pussy client comes walking in and I'm standing over the low drawer in a file cabinet with a big black pistol sticking out, it may not exactly encourage business (don't get me started on the NRA.) As a compromise, we finally settled on me keeping a quick access safe next to my desk, with a loaded firearm of my choice. I've always kept the PO-01 there.
Above is the polished, manufacturer picture of the gun. Here's the breakdown, as I happened to shoot today and am somewhat compulsive in cleaning my guns after I shoot. Probably not what Xavier had in mind, but I didn't think a Glock 17 (not that I carry it) would be that interesting.
CZ
We've spent the last six months drilling long range practice no matter what kind of mood we were in. We've got the rifles dialed in and there seemed little point in trying to greatly improve oneself in a single 3-hour session.
As such, we took out a 1911 USGI Springfield, Glock 17, CZ-PO-01, the Thompson, and my Boomer clean-up gun, a Stubby AR with Trijicon reflex sights. Additionally, my brother showed up with his CZ 75-BD, another 1911, and his stubby AR.
High point of the day had to have been when my father was shooting my AR against my brother's. Both were trying to put the same 12 oz. water bottle over the back of the berm at 30 yards or so. Needless to say, they were trying to get off as many rounds as possible, without sacrificing accuracy. Well, it sounded like a shitstorm and several fellows from the next range over came over to make sure we weren't engaged in full on war games.
It's always nice to see the expression on a guy who's only shot revolvers when he sees a 29-year old and a 50-year old trying to get as much lead down range in the shortest period of time. They looked at us like we were wackos.
On a separate note, Xavier asked about carry guns. It doesn't appear that I will have a CCW permit until mid-summer at the earliest. I use a Glock 17 as my truck console pistol and God knows I would never break the law and actually carry it.
In light of the fact that I am a law-abiding citizen, willing to take his castor oil without too much kick, I thought I would post my office gun (one which I shot today): the CZ PO-01.
First off, this pistol is, in my opinion, one of the worst American commercial flops that the gun industry has made in the last 10 years. When I bought it, it was the "next big thing" in "LE and military." I picked one up easily. Finding a left-handed holster for this bitch was a pain (yes I'm handicapped) and, to date, finding magazines is almost an exercise in futility. To be sure, there are a couple of cops carrying this gun in Denmark. Nonetheless, I've always fancied this platform for a compact gun. If I get a junkie hell-bent on getting a piece of me in the office, this should suffice nicely.
About 2 years ago, The Old Man and I had a dispute about whether I could carry on the premises. NM law allows that you can carry on your own property, your vehicle, or private property where you have the owner's consent to do so. Since it is our building, I figured I could pack whatever the fuck I wanted to.
The old man pointed out that if some pussy client comes walking in and I'm standing over the low drawer in a file cabinet with a big black pistol sticking out, it may not exactly encourage business (don't get me started on the NRA.) As a compromise, we finally settled on me keeping a quick access safe next to my desk, with a loaded firearm of my choice. I've always kept the PO-01 there.
Above is the polished, manufacturer picture of the gun. Here's the breakdown, as I happened to shoot today and am somewhat compulsive in cleaning my guns after I shoot. Probably not what Xavier had in mind, but I didn't think a Glock 17 (not that I carry it) would be that interesting.
CZ
Sunday, April 16, 2006
BAG Day Gun
I never plan on participating in BAG day, yet, every year, a I come into posession of a new gun. I forget what the circumstances were last year, but this year is a bit weirder.
I didn't really buy a gun; it was more of a case of an old guy dying and nobody knew what to do with his guns. There were only two of them, and this was the one that they decided to give to the nearest gun nut they could find.
It's a Mossberg 500 with a standard 5 shell magazine. The peep sights seem to be custom and the sling seems to be stupid. I think a light might be helpful.
Addendum 1: When the chain of custody reached me, I was handed a loaded shotgun in my office. If I would have behaved differently, I would have had large drywall and glazing bills. Fortunately, I checked, rechecked, and rechecked the magazine and chamber.
Listen to Xavier when it comes to gun safety; at the very least, it will save on bills and, at best, it will save lives.
Addendum 2: Who the fuck keeps #7 birdshot in a shotgun like this? I wonder how many people do this? I'd like to hear others' experiences with "shotgun castle guards."
I didn't really buy a gun; it was more of a case of an old guy dying and nobody knew what to do with his guns. There were only two of them, and this was the one that they decided to give to the nearest gun nut they could find.
It's a Mossberg 500 with a standard 5 shell magazine. The peep sights seem to be custom and the sling seems to be stupid. I think a light might be helpful.
Addendum 1: When the chain of custody reached me, I was handed a loaded shotgun in my office. If I would have behaved differently, I would have had large drywall and glazing bills. Fortunately, I checked, rechecked, and rechecked the magazine and chamber.
Listen to Xavier when it comes to gun safety; at the very least, it will save on bills and, at best, it will save lives.
Addendum 2: Who the fuck keeps #7 birdshot in a shotgun like this? I wonder how many people do this? I'd like to hear others' experiences with "shotgun castle guards."
18" barrel, with peep sights, and a sling. I don't get how a sling helps with a shotgun, unless you're trucking all over hell and back.
Appurtere sights on a shotgun still don't make any sense to me. If anyone feels strongly, please let me know.
Saturday, April 15, 2006
850 yards
In the runup to Boomershoot, it is especially hard to explain WTF you are doing to other shooters. My dad's wife understands, various and sundry layman understand, but other shooters have no clue as to what you hope to accomplish.
The other week I was telling a gentleman, who has been shooting as long as I've been alive, that a 400 yard zero is not folly. Him, being a hunter, felt that a zero between 100 and 200 would be sufficient for most applications. Once I explained to him that, with a 200 yard zero, an 800 yard target would be outside of your FOV on any sized scope, he recanted a bit.
Experience proved it to be true. We found a piece of steel at 800 meters (you do the math), painted it orange and shot at it. It's a 12" plate, so should be mildly represetative of targets in Idaho.
We proved to ourselved that it would take 3-5 shots to put shit on target, depending on wind.
It's a week and a half before we leave, and I took Friday off of work to load.
Can't wait til' we are out of here and on the way.
The other week I was telling a gentleman, who has been shooting as long as I've been alive, that a 400 yard zero is not folly. Him, being a hunter, felt that a zero between 100 and 200 would be sufficient for most applications. Once I explained to him that, with a 200 yard zero, an 800 yard target would be outside of your FOV on any sized scope, he recanted a bit.
Experience proved it to be true. We found a piece of steel at 800 meters (you do the math), painted it orange and shot at it. It's a 12" plate, so should be mildly represetative of targets in Idaho.
We proved to ourselved that it would take 3-5 shots to put shit on target, depending on wind.
It's a week and a half before we leave, and I took Friday off of work to load.
Can't wait til' we are out of here and on the way.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Boomershoot Anticipation and Angst
As of 4:30 AM of tomorrow, it will be exactly 2 weeks from our departure point to Boomershoot.
The Old Man's boots came in yesterday. He will be breaking them in over the next several weeks.
As far as equipment, we seem to be pretty well set up. I picked up the camp chairs that Kirk bitched about last year. Kirk don't like planting his ass in the dirt (and I don't either.)
Already tested the canopy in the Old Man's driveway. It was a flawless dry run. Looks like it will take us about 10 minutes to put it up and/or take it down, depending on the weather.
We are renting an SUV, as to avoid mileage on my truck and afford enough storage so that we won't be trucking shit between the vehicle and the room every day.
As to disappointments, there are several people that I was hoping would attend but have had to back out.
Kirk, my partner from last year, had the weakest excuse: he couldn't decide between guns and car shit. Guns lost. That's fine and dandy. A man has to realize his limitations and obviously his priorities are a bit fucked up in my opinion.
Next to drop out was DuToit. I can't find the link, but it's typical DuToit: shit still ain't working out and I ain't got no money. Maybe next year, compadre.
Two fellows I got to know last year are now co-bloggers. AnalogKid dropped out with his recent move and various and sundry other shit. David was holding in there for awhile, but alas, the legal profession fucked his shit up. It must suck to practice law. A lot of money, but no time to spend it. I was especially looking forward to seeing the lawyer again, as we didn't BS that much.
For the rest of you, see you there.
The Old Man's boots came in yesterday. He will be breaking them in over the next several weeks.
As far as equipment, we seem to be pretty well set up. I picked up the camp chairs that Kirk bitched about last year. Kirk don't like planting his ass in the dirt (and I don't either.)
Already tested the canopy in the Old Man's driveway. It was a flawless dry run. Looks like it will take us about 10 minutes to put it up and/or take it down, depending on the weather.
We are renting an SUV, as to avoid mileage on my truck and afford enough storage so that we won't be trucking shit between the vehicle and the room every day.
As to disappointments, there are several people that I was hoping would attend but have had to back out.
Kirk, my partner from last year, had the weakest excuse: he couldn't decide between guns and car shit. Guns lost. That's fine and dandy. A man has to realize his limitations and obviously his priorities are a bit fucked up in my opinion.
Next to drop out was DuToit. I can't find the link, but it's typical DuToit: shit still ain't working out and I ain't got no money. Maybe next year, compadre.
Two fellows I got to know last year are now co-bloggers. AnalogKid dropped out with his recent move and various and sundry other shit. David was holding in there for awhile, but alas, the legal profession fucked his shit up. It must suck to practice law. A lot of money, but no time to spend it. I was especially looking forward to seeing the lawyer again, as we didn't BS that much.
For the rest of you, see you there.
Saturday, April 08, 2006
E-Postal Match
Mr. Completely has been running this for quite awhile now. I've regretted that, because of Boomershoot and the practice I feel is necessary, I have neglected it. This summer I look forward to taking part as much as I can.
However, as he has opened up an airgun class, it should be a lot easier for people in urban areas, obsessive-compulsives like myself, and otherwise disadvantaged people to take part.
I should be posting my results by the end of the weekend.
However, as he has opened up an airgun class, it should be a lot easier for people in urban areas, obsessive-compulsives like myself, and otherwise disadvantaged people to take part.
I should be posting my results by the end of the weekend.
