Thursday, February 26, 2015
Other Gun And Knife Reviews On This Blog
Other gun and knife reviews on this blog can be found here.
Range Safety And Etiquette
A friend of mine recently suggested this as a topic. As she's a new relatively new shooter, she picks up on things that I sometimes take for granted.
Like what should be expected at the range.
Safety is the most important consideration. That is the issue that everything hinges upon. For the most part however, this is not a range safety thread. It's more about the little (and not so little) things that shouldn't be done at a shooting range. Some are annoying, and others can be dangerous. Most of these examples have to deal with unsupervised ranges that are open to the general public instead of businesses and private ranges.
1) Make sure that the area forward of the firing line is clear before shooting. You would think that this would be a given for everyone but that's not always the case.
For example, a few of us were shooting skeet on an unsupervised public range a few years ago and had to call cease fire as we noticed two people headed downrange to pick up unbroken clays. No one ever asked for a cold range, or even gave a warning that they were headed forward of the firing line. As they appeared to be father and son it's interesting that stupidity can be hereditary.
On another occasion a few of us were changing targets on a rifle range. There were windows to shoot through at each station. Shooters would close off all of the firing ports, before moving forward of the firing line. As I was checking my targets I heard the firing ports opening, and quickly began yelling that I was down range. No one ever checked down range, before preparing to shoot.
Ah, then there were the people riding ATVs across one of the rifle ranges that I sometimes use. If you're a regular shooter you've seen similar things.
Pay attention to what's going on around you, and down range.
2) Watch where you point your weapon. Don't muzzle or sweep your fellow shooters. If it does happen, then you should apologize and make sure that it doesn't happen again. You just made a first impression on your peers, and it wasn't a good one. Don't say, "It wasn't loaded." That doesn't excuse sweeping other shooters. It only makes it more irritating.
3) Let the range go cold occasionally so that others can put up or change targets.
4) Don't ask for a cold range every 5 minutes so that you can check your targets, or paste them up. If you can't see your target with the naked eye then bring binoculars, or a spotting scope. Put up enough targets to ensure that you don't need to change them every few minutes.
5) Don't touch another shooter's gun, or gear without permission. I think that this should apply to RSOs as well.
6) Supervise your children. If they are too loud, too young or too immature to be on a range then do not bring them.
Keep an eye on your guests, non shooting friends, or family members.
7) Don't hover over other shooters.
8) Don't constantly offer unsolicited advice.
9) Keep the profanity to a minimum. Shooting is often a family activity.
10) Keep the BSing to a minimum unless another shooter actually expresses an interest in your stories. Sometimes people have time constraints, and really cannot listen to you talk about guns, politics or current events.
11) Stop annoying the female shooters. If they're behaving safely then leave them alone. Generally if they are there alone, they'll be the most safety conscious shooters on the range. They will ask if they need some help.
12) Bring the gear that you need. The public range where I sometimes shoot skeet is basically just an open field ringed by trees. You bring all of your own gear. It's not unusual to see people show up without earplugs, or other gear.
13) If possible try not to set up next to another shooter. If there's space available, then give people a little room.
14) If you're shooting a semi auto then be wary of where your brass is landing. If possible, you don't want to pepper the shooter next to with spent casings.
15) Shoot what is allowed on the range. Keep the handguns off of the rifle range, and the long guns off of the pistol range. This seems to mainly be a problem on the unsupervised public ranges.
16) Shoot at approved targets.
17) Shoot at the speed that is allowed on the range that you're using. Not every range allows rapid fire.
18) Pick up after yourself. It's unlikely that your mother will be there later to clean up after you.
Don't constantly get underfoot when picking up brass, if you reload ammo.
19) Don't tie up more than one shooting station. Spreading your gear across 2 or more stations is unnecessary, and rude.
20) Don't trash other people's guns and gear. Just because your Glock was forged in the fires of Mordor and quenched in unicorn tears doesn't mean that it's the perfect choice for everyone else. You may have picked a great gun, but it may not fit another person's needs.
It also worth mentioning that some people have more of a Hi Point budget than a HK lifestyle.
Don't ruin someones day and shooting experience by belittling what they bring to the range.
21) Leave the firearms unloaded, and with the action open when going downrange.
22) Don't expect total strangers to let you shoot their firearms, or loan you gear.
This post will probably be edited repeatedly, as I hear about other's pet peeves.
Like what should be expected at the range.
Safety is the most important consideration. That is the issue that everything hinges upon. For the most part however, this is not a range safety thread. It's more about the little (and not so little) things that shouldn't be done at a shooting range. Some are annoying, and others can be dangerous. Most of these examples have to deal with unsupervised ranges that are open to the general public instead of businesses and private ranges.
1) Make sure that the area forward of the firing line is clear before shooting. You would think that this would be a given for everyone but that's not always the case.
For example, a few of us were shooting skeet on an unsupervised public range a few years ago and had to call cease fire as we noticed two people headed downrange to pick up unbroken clays. No one ever asked for a cold range, or even gave a warning that they were headed forward of the firing line. As they appeared to be father and son it's interesting that stupidity can be hereditary.
Ah, then there were the people riding ATVs across one of the rifle ranges that I sometimes use. If you're a regular shooter you've seen similar things.
Pay attention to what's going on around you, and down range.
2) Watch where you point your weapon. Don't muzzle or sweep your fellow shooters. If it does happen, then you should apologize and make sure that it doesn't happen again. You just made a first impression on your peers, and it wasn't a good one. Don't say, "It wasn't loaded." That doesn't excuse sweeping other shooters. It only makes it more irritating.
3) Let the range go cold occasionally so that others can put up or change targets.
4) Don't ask for a cold range every 5 minutes so that you can check your targets, or paste them up. If you can't see your target with the naked eye then bring binoculars, or a spotting scope. Put up enough targets to ensure that you don't need to change them every few minutes.
5) Don't touch another shooter's gun, or gear without permission. I think that this should apply to RSOs as well.
6) Supervise your children. If they are too loud, too young or too immature to be on a range then do not bring them. Keep an eye on your guests, non shooting friends, or family members.
7) Don't hover over other shooters.
8) Don't constantly offer unsolicited advice.
9) Keep the profanity to a minimum. Shooting is often a family activity.
10) Keep the BSing to a minimum unless another shooter actually expresses an interest in your stories. Sometimes people have time constraints, and really cannot listen to you talk about guns, politics or current events.
11) Stop annoying the female shooters. If they're behaving safely then leave them alone. Generally if they are there alone, they'll be the most safety conscious shooters on the range. They will ask if they need some help.
12) Bring the gear that you need. The public range where I sometimes shoot skeet is basically just an open field ringed by trees. You bring all of your own gear. It's not unusual to see people show up without earplugs, or other gear.13) If possible try not to set up next to another shooter. If there's space available, then give people a little room.
14) If you're shooting a semi auto then be wary of where your brass is landing. If possible, you don't want to pepper the shooter next to with spent casings.
15) Shoot what is allowed on the range. Keep the handguns off of the rifle range, and the long guns off of the pistol range. This seems to mainly be a problem on the unsupervised public ranges.
16) Shoot at approved targets.
17) Shoot at the speed that is allowed on the range that you're using. Not every range allows rapid fire.
18) Pick up after yourself. It's unlikely that your mother will be there later to clean up after you.
Don't constantly get underfoot when picking up brass, if you reload ammo.
19) Don't tie up more than one shooting station. Spreading your gear across 2 or more stations is unnecessary, and rude.
20) Don't trash other people's guns and gear. Just because your Glock was forged in the fires of Mordor and quenched in unicorn tears doesn't mean that it's the perfect choice for everyone else. You may have picked a great gun, but it may not fit another person's needs.
It also worth mentioning that some people have more of a Hi Point budget than a HK lifestyle.
Don't ruin someones day and shooting experience by belittling what they bring to the range.
21) Leave the firearms unloaded, and with the action open when going downrange.
22) Don't expect total strangers to let you shoot their firearms, or loan you gear.
This post will probably be edited repeatedly, as I hear about other's pet peeves.
Monday, February 23, 2015
Biden's Butt Buddy
Slow Joe just gets better every day. Why couldn't this guy have won the White House instead of Zero? Yes, his politics are just as screwed up but I don't think that Biden actually hates America.
As a bonus, consider how good SNL would be with "President Biden" in charge.
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
"So God Made A Liberal"
Clearly the creator of this video was forced to spend endless hours with the Liberal community. There's no other way that he could have had so much information about their beliefs, failures, and FSA ways.
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
In The News
20 Tips For Newbies To Concealed Carry
Another Bias In Temperature Measurements Discovered
More Fraud And Fiddling With Climate Temperatures
Skeptics Question Revisions To Climate Data
3 Muslims Killed By Militant Atheist Liberal
Jim Crow Lynchings More Common Than Previously Thought
When FDR Made Owning Gold Illegal - At The Point Of A Gun
Differences Between The Canadian C7 And The US M16
Weaver vs Isosceles Stance
Benefits Of Using A Handgun Laser
Rangerettes And Female Marine Infantry Officers
The Naval War In The Falklands
Psychology: Why Islam Creates Monsters
Females In Combat Arms
Islam And Rape
How Islam Managed To Stay Medieval For 1400 Years
Thanksgiving In Afghanistan
A French Soldier's View Of US Soldiers In Afghanistan
The Devastating Impact Of Vaccine Deniers In One Chart
US Knife Laws
State Knife Laws
FBI Stats - Crime In The US
Is Expired Food Safe To Eat (Prepping)?
3 Million Preppers In the US
How To Grip A Handgun
Slide Lock Reload Methods
Afghan War Hero Stripped Of Silver Star Due To Politics
Chris Kyle Went On, "Killing Sprees?"
The Big Lie - 5.6% Unemployment
The Facts On Budget Deficits And How Presidents Truly Rank
More On Al Sharpton Not Paying Taxes
14 Of Al Sharpton's Biggests Gaffes, Goofs, and Controversies
Bloomberg Wants To Disarm Minorities
Minority Cops Used Black Male Pics As Targets
What Does The Grievance Industry Want?
Crime Stats For The USA
Crime Stats For Age, Sex, Race, Etc.
DIY Kydex Pt 1
DIY Kydex Pt II
DIY- The Ins And Outs Of Working With Kydex
S&W Shield Magazine Basepad Upgrade
Recon Battalion 101
Marine Recon And MARSOC
The Big Lie About Wanat
Almost A Triple Tamir Rice In Texas
780,000 Cops In The USA
More Guns And Less Murders
Barrel Length Studies In NATO Weapons
Cost And The 1911
The Truth About MIM
The Art Of The Rifle
Making An M4 Run Like A Gazelle
Another Bias In Temperature Measurements Discovered
More Fraud And Fiddling With Climate Temperatures
Skeptics Question Revisions To Climate Data
3 Muslims Killed By Militant Atheist Liberal
Jim Crow Lynchings More Common Than Previously Thought
When FDR Made Owning Gold Illegal - At The Point Of A Gun
Differences Between The Canadian C7 And The US M16
Weaver vs Isosceles Stance
Benefits Of Using A Handgun Laser
Rangerettes And Female Marine Infantry Officers
The Naval War In The Falklands
Psychology: Why Islam Creates Monsters
Females In Combat Arms
Islam And Rape
How Islam Managed To Stay Medieval For 1400 Years
Thanksgiving In Afghanistan
A French Soldier's View Of US Soldiers In Afghanistan
The Devastating Impact Of Vaccine Deniers In One Chart
US Knife Laws
State Knife Laws
FBI Stats - Crime In The US
Is Expired Food Safe To Eat (Prepping)?
3 Million Preppers In the US
How To Grip A Handgun
Slide Lock Reload Methods
Afghan War Hero Stripped Of Silver Star Due To Politics
Chris Kyle Went On, "Killing Sprees?"
The Big Lie - 5.6% Unemployment
The Facts On Budget Deficits And How Presidents Truly Rank
More On Al Sharpton Not Paying Taxes
14 Of Al Sharpton's Biggests Gaffes, Goofs, and Controversies
Bloomberg Wants To Disarm Minorities
Minority Cops Used Black Male Pics As Targets
What Does The Grievance Industry Want?
Crime Stats For The USA
Crime Stats For Age, Sex, Race, Etc.
DIY Kydex Pt 1
DIY Kydex Pt II
DIY- The Ins And Outs Of Working With Kydex
S&W Shield Magazine Basepad Upgrade
Recon Battalion 101
Marine Recon And MARSOC
The Big Lie About Wanat
Almost A Triple Tamir Rice In Texas
780,000 Cops In The USA
More Guns And Less Murders
Barrel Length Studies In NATO Weapons
Cost And The 1911
The Truth About MIM
The Art Of The Rifle
Making An M4 Run Like A Gazelle
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Smart Gun Foolishness
I doubt if there are many Americans today that have not heard about "Smart Guns." They're one of the fads that the anti-gun movement loves, and believe will stop everything from criminals using stolen firearms to childhood gun accidents. "Smart Guns" are the future, and 2nd Amendment supporters are just standing in the way.
So we are told.
Let's talk about what "Smart Guns" are. They're firearms with computer operated safety mechanisms built into the weapon. There is some type of individual identification reader that only allows the firearm's owner to operate the weapon. It could be a built in fingerprint reader, or something like a ring/pendant that sends out a signal and unlocks the gun. In theory, only the weapon's owner would be able to use the firearm. It would be inoperable to others.
That sounds great!
Except...
"Smart Gun" devices are not going to work very well in the long term. Hell, no one has invented one that is suitable for self defense in the short term. If a working "Smart Gun" system is produced, then it will most likely have a limited lifespan as a useful safety device. The rambling paragraphs below will detail why that is.
The most important thing to most gun owners is whether or not a handgun will work when it's needed. Everything else is secondary in a self defense weapon. Will the computerized locking mechanism still work after being exposed to oils, solvents, water, perspiration, heat, cold, recoil, or hitting the pavement from several feet in the air?
Now ask yourself if this technology will take that abuse for months, years, or decades?
Reliability is the biggest question in my mind. Lack of faith in the reliability of this technology is the reason why we will never see Obama's, Bloomberg's, or Feinstein's protectors using "Smart Guns." It's also unlikely that we'll see the average cop on a beat carrying them any time in the foreseeable future.
Moving on to cost. If you can't build a 3,000lb automobile that is theft proof, then how do you think it's possible to produce a 3lb handgun that thieves cannot use? I cannot even imagine the expenses involved in making this actually work.
My question is, how much will this technology add to the price of a firearm? Will it force the average gun owner out of the market, and keep them from being able to exercise their 2nd Amendment rights? Will the cost be so prohibitive that it keeps the poor and/or middle class from being able to afford self protection?
Is this perhaps the end goal?
Do you remember the Commodore 64's from the 1980s? Some of you will, but the younger readers are probably scratching their heads. It was one of the first reasonably affordable computer that an average person could own. Of course this computer has been obsolete for decades, even though it was once considered state of the art. Try getting replacement parts today for one of these 30 year old desktops.
I'm sure that you see where I'm headed.
Firearms last for generations. Computer technology changes yearly. Will the "Smart Gun" technology change so much over the years that a 10, 20, or 30 year old firearm becomes unfixable? Will I be able to get a replacement part if the module inside of my "Smart Gun" malfunctions in 2025, or is the gun now a paperweight?
I have guns that are older than I am. They work great, but I doubt that I can say the same about a lot of computerized equipment of the same age.
Will batteries even be available 20 years from now for the "Smart Gun" that you buy today. Bear in mind that technology is always advancing, and computers are getting smaller and more powerful. It's likely that battery technology will change with the "Smart Guns."
Part of the appeal of personalized weapons is the ability to keep children from operating your firearms. My safe (and good parenting) took care of that problem when my daughter was growing up. We didn't require guns that relied upon computers, rings, pendants, research, or government grants. Neither did my parents.
Let's pretend, however, that this is why you bought your new "Smart Gun." How long do you think it will be before there's twenty "How To Hack Your Glock" videos on YouTube? Do you doubt this will happen? I suggest that you do a search about how to hack electronic gun safes, and then tell me that it's impossible.
The older your "Smart Gun" is the easier it will be for someone to hack, or find some form of work around. This holds true for both children and any criminal that gets a hold of your firearm. The older the weapon is, the more obsolete the lock will be.
Is anyone really going to keep the rings or pendants hidden from their kids? Children know where everything in the house is. It's ridiculous to believe otherwise.
How many states will require all new firearms to be personalized weapons when these "Smart Guns" (in a suitable self defense caliber) hit the market? I can think of at least a half dozen nanny states that will attempt to ban everything but "Smart Guns" after they become available.
Here's something for the SHTF crowd. Would an EMP knock out a "Smart Gun?"
If the weapon is using a fingerprint reader, then how will it work if you're wearing gloves?
Will someone eventually be able to remotely disable your firearm? With a simple online purchase, I can buy equipment to jam your cell phone. It's even possible to have someone remotely turn off your car. Can you say with assurance that it will be impossible for someone to block the signal sent from your ring/pendant to your "Smart Gun?" Will a mugger 5 years from now be able to disable the concealed carry "Smart Gun" that I bought today?
What about in 10, 20 or 30 years?
Everything sounds good in theory. I'm not interested in being the one that puts the theory to the test. Call me old fashioned, but my firearms work fine without any computer devices installed. Do the beta test with the President's Secret Service Agents first. Maybe I'll give it a look when they're done.
I am far from an expert on this topic. I'm just the average gun guy playing on the internet. I do, however, have a lot of questions about "Smart Gun" durability, long term use and practicality. It's hard to imagine how adding unnecessary technology and equipment to a firearm will increase it's reliability. Will this equipment be reliable enough to use inside the weapon that keeps me safe?
Somehow, I doubt it.
So we are told.
Let's talk about what "Smart Guns" are. They're firearms with computer operated safety mechanisms built into the weapon. There is some type of individual identification reader that only allows the firearm's owner to operate the weapon. It could be a built in fingerprint reader, or something like a ring/pendant that sends out a signal and unlocks the gun. In theory, only the weapon's owner would be able to use the firearm. It would be inoperable to others.
That sounds great!
Except...
"Smart Gun" devices are not going to work very well in the long term. Hell, no one has invented one that is suitable for self defense in the short term. If a working "Smart Gun" system is produced, then it will most likely have a limited lifespan as a useful safety device. The rambling paragraphs below will detail why that is.
The most important thing to most gun owners is whether or not a handgun will work when it's needed. Everything else is secondary in a self defense weapon. Will the computerized locking mechanism still work after being exposed to oils, solvents, water, perspiration, heat, cold, recoil, or hitting the pavement from several feet in the air?
Now ask yourself if this technology will take that abuse for months, years, or decades?
Reliability is the biggest question in my mind. Lack of faith in the reliability of this technology is the reason why we will never see Obama's, Bloomberg's, or Feinstein's protectors using "Smart Guns." It's also unlikely that we'll see the average cop on a beat carrying them any time in the foreseeable future.
Moving on to cost. If you can't build a 3,000lb automobile that is theft proof, then how do you think it's possible to produce a 3lb handgun that thieves cannot use? I cannot even imagine the expenses involved in making this actually work.
My question is, how much will this technology add to the price of a firearm? Will it force the average gun owner out of the market, and keep them from being able to exercise their 2nd Amendment rights? Will the cost be so prohibitive that it keeps the poor and/or middle class from being able to afford self protection?
Is this perhaps the end goal?
Do you remember the Commodore 64's from the 1980s? Some of you will, but the younger readers are probably scratching their heads. It was one of the first reasonably affordable computer that an average person could own. Of course this computer has been obsolete for decades, even though it was once considered state of the art. Try getting replacement parts today for one of these 30 year old desktops.
I'm sure that you see where I'm headed.
Firearms last for generations. Computer technology changes yearly. Will the "Smart Gun" technology change so much over the years that a 10, 20, or 30 year old firearm becomes unfixable? Will I be able to get a replacement part if the module inside of my "Smart Gun" malfunctions in 2025, or is the gun now a paperweight?
I have guns that are older than I am. They work great, but I doubt that I can say the same about a lot of computerized equipment of the same age.
Will batteries even be available 20 years from now for the "Smart Gun" that you buy today. Bear in mind that technology is always advancing, and computers are getting smaller and more powerful. It's likely that battery technology will change with the "Smart Guns."
Part of the appeal of personalized weapons is the ability to keep children from operating your firearms. My safe (and good parenting) took care of that problem when my daughter was growing up. We didn't require guns that relied upon computers, rings, pendants, research, or government grants. Neither did my parents.
Let's pretend, however, that this is why you bought your new "Smart Gun." How long do you think it will be before there's twenty "How To Hack Your Glock" videos on YouTube? Do you doubt this will happen? I suggest that you do a search about how to hack electronic gun safes, and then tell me that it's impossible.
The older your "Smart Gun" is the easier it will be for someone to hack, or find some form of work around. This holds true for both children and any criminal that gets a hold of your firearm. The older the weapon is, the more obsolete the lock will be.
Is anyone really going to keep the rings or pendants hidden from their kids? Children know where everything in the house is. It's ridiculous to believe otherwise.
How many states will require all new firearms to be personalized weapons when these "Smart Guns" (in a suitable self defense caliber) hit the market? I can think of at least a half dozen nanny states that will attempt to ban everything but "Smart Guns" after they become available.
Here's something for the SHTF crowd. Would an EMP knock out a "Smart Gun?"
If the weapon is using a fingerprint reader, then how will it work if you're wearing gloves?
Will someone eventually be able to remotely disable your firearm? With a simple online purchase, I can buy equipment to jam your cell phone. It's even possible to have someone remotely turn off your car. Can you say with assurance that it will be impossible for someone to block the signal sent from your ring/pendant to your "Smart Gun?" Will a mugger 5 years from now be able to disable the concealed carry "Smart Gun" that I bought today?
What about in 10, 20 or 30 years?
Everything sounds good in theory. I'm not interested in being the one that puts the theory to the test. Call me old fashioned, but my firearms work fine without any computer devices installed. Do the beta test with the President's Secret Service Agents first. Maybe I'll give it a look when they're done.
I am far from an expert on this topic. I'm just the average gun guy playing on the internet. I do, however, have a lot of questions about "Smart Gun" durability, long term use and practicality. It's hard to imagine how adding unnecessary technology and equipment to a firearm will increase it's reliability. Will this equipment be reliable enough to use inside the weapon that keeps me safe?
Somehow, I doubt it.
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