Mailbag

I received two new magazines for Grand-dad's High Standard yesterday, cycling ammo through it without actually firing suggests that they should work just as well as the original. I also got two 555 round boxes of .22LR to go along with them, for which I was glad to pay the once-outrageous price of 15.5 cents per round, shipped.

My loading bench efforts netted me 100 rounds of 115gr JHP 9x19 over 6.3 grains of PowerPistol powder, now I need to take them to the range and see how they compare with factory loads. I was not able to load any .223 because I don't have small rifle primers, but I did find 15 new pieces of 6.5x50 and fifteen 129 grain Hornady SST projectiles to go along with them, so I now have fifteen loads using 36 grains of IMR 4064 powder. I'm curious to see how it stacks up against the old H380 loads.

I have a range session scheduled for next month, so I should be able to take the new toys out to exercise them fully and get a good idea of what I want to do as far as loads in the future. I need to load some more 6.5x50 though because the only projectiles I was able to find this time were 123 grain instead of my customary 129 grain, so I need to see how they do.

Most of my brass is clean and deprimed, so I have that to play with next session. I need to get back out to the MoD and get some .223 cartridge boxes and small magnum rifle primers, and while I'm there I might just eyeball one of those 7mm Magnum deerslayers again...and then I may need another set of dies.

They also have pretty good deals going on M-4geries now that the panic is over, and there was that 7.62 Saiga for a pretty decent price as well, so maybe there would be room for another Evil Black Rifle, too. Of course with the Saiga I'd have to get all the pieces parts to move the trigger, but having done it once it should go OK a second time. It would then need a dogleg rail, a collapsible stock with pistol grip, a new set of foregrips...maybe I could duplicate the 4 rail system that's on the .223...and then I'd have to start looking for a Saiga-12 to go along with the collection...

I'm regretting not getting a bigger safe now, though, I'm beginning to run out of room for ammo.

WANT!!!

HT: The Smallest Minority

Adding To The List

AR-15 shotgun!

Because AR-15 shotgun ZOMG!!!

Also, Vepr Tactical Sniper Rifle, because you just can't have too many guns that eat Mosin ammo.

And I'm going to have to try these.  I had fairly good luck with these after I finally got them seated properly.

Catching Up

I replaced the scraped-up fascia on the Mustang yesterday, now it is restored to like-new appearance once more. I have one wheel that is slightly scuffed (one day I'll quit doing that) so that is next on the list to be fixed, and one day I need to put a windshield in the Scoobytruck as well.

I mowed the lawn today and managed not to knock off the corner of the house again.  I also got up early enough to score 3 boxes of 9mm at the Mart of Walls up the road from me. They also had some boxes of God's Own Caliber, but I'm pretty good on that for the time being and since I could only get 3 boxes total I went for the ones I didn't have rather than for the ones I did have.

Tomorrow Daughter and I will take the new Glock out for it's inaugural run. I'm also going to take the EBS out for another pattern check following its latest modifications. I've also been contacted via email regarding one of the items on the Guns I Want list, but since I just made some new purchases...grrr...

Other than that, it just doesn't get any better than this...

Another Mouth To Feed

I've wanted a 9mm for a while now for a couple of reasons, primarily it's cheaper to feed. The bonus at work paid out and it was sufficient to remove an item from the Guns I Want list.

The 19 is the same basic size as the 36 with the magazine and Pearce +1 extension installed (note, these pictures were taken with an empty magazine in the pistol). Because of that I can use the same collection of holsters for both.

The grip on the 19 (on the right) is a smidge wider than the 36 but not so much so that it isn't a pretty good approximation. It should be a good practice pistol, and Daughter can use it to take her CC class.

And as a side note, anyone who says that "XXX is harder to buy than a gun" hasn't bought a gun lately (probably ever).

One Off The List

This morning I set out with the singular goal of purchasing a firearm.

I have long wanted a Marlin 795 to make an Appleseed gun out of, but I saw a Savage 64F in the local mart of walls for a pretty reasonable price. I decided that if the 795 was not available I would opt for the Savage instead.

My first stop was at the aforementioned mart of walls to ensure the Savage was still there, and much to my delight, there in the ammo case, was .45ACP and 5.56 Winchester white boxes! The 5.56 was in 20 round boxes, but there was a whole pile of them. The .45ACP was in the 100 round white boxes, a sight I had not beheld in quite some time.

Limited to 3 boxes total, I opted for two of Gods Own Caliber and one of the 5.56. I'll have to pop in tomorrow early and see if there is any of the 5.56 left, if so I'll get three more boxes. I'm not expecting them to be there, but I can hope.

With the availability of the Savage determined I was off to Gander Mountain in search of the elusive Marlin. When I stepped up to the gun counter what should my wandering eyes see but...the very object of my desire, front and center in the display rack! When the clerk stepped over to me I pointed and said "I'll take that one right there."

We went over to the BATFE(IEIO) desk and filled out the proper paperwork, and before you could say "Mark Kelly is a sad panda" I was carrying the box out to the car. I don't know if the BATFE(IEIO) was aware of my existence before but now they can tell for sure that I own one firearm, and I can say that my carry permit made the process much more streamlined.

Along with the ammo purchases at the mart of walls I had also picked up a set of sling swivels and a cheapo nylon sling in anticipation of my acquisition. As soon as I got it home (well, after I walked the dog that was ecstatic to see that I had made it home safely) I put its new accessories on.

First impressions: It's shorter than the Model 60, but it's obvious to even the most casual observer that the actions are the same, the biggest difference is the magazines.

The Model 60 sports the traditional wood stock while the Model 795 has a synthetic stock. I prefer the looks of the wood stock, but the synthetic stock makes for a lighter rifle. The 795 weighs in at a mere 4.5 lbs, a full pound lighter than it's wood stocked sibling. The synthetic stock is just a touch longer, but not long enough to make up for the Model 60's barrel length advantage.

Another very obvious difference is the bolt release. Pressing the tab up on the 60 releases the bolt, pressing the lever down on the 795 accomplishes that purpose. Both have the last-shot open feature, and pulling the bolt clear back and pushing the handle inward locks both bolts fully open.

A look at the top of the receiver further illustrates the similarity of the two rifles. I had not noticed the integrated rail on the Model 60 until I looked at the 795, but the two are identical.
 

On the previous models of the 795 the swivel studs were the traditional screw-in post type, but on this model they are molded into the stock. I'm not sure how much I like that...

but they worked well. The swivels mounted up with no issues, and if they do end up being troublesome I can always drill and install the studs that came with the swivels.

It needs some Tech-Sights TSM200 aperture sights (on order) and then it's all ready for Appleseed. It won't have the fancy engraving, but I think I can live without it.

All told the final cost was as follows: rifle, $160.11 with tax; sling swivels, $9.97 (tax not included); el-cheapo WallyWorld sling, $6.97 (tax not included); Tech-Sights TSM200 sights, $75.00 shipped, total cost approximately $255 (estimating the tax for the sling and swivels). Add a $20.00 magazine (the standard Marlin magazines are about the same price as a ProMag 25 rounder) and the cost ends up being in the neighborhood of $275, Appleseed ready. Not bad, considering the Ruger 10/22 will cost you around $250 for the basic rifle, and then you have to add the sights, sling and swivels to it as well...and this is before the trigger and barrel mods are done to the gun (I don't know that it absolutely needs them, but apparently everyone does them so there must be something to it).

Now all I need to do is put some .22LR through it.

Someone Is Paying Attention

I've had a Marlin 795 on my Guns I Want list for a while now to make a Liberty Training Rifle for Appleseed out of. The Marlin only needs sights and a sling to make it a good LTR while the more popular Ruger 10/22 seems to need an extensive list of modifications to make it a good shooter. All told I figure the Marlin fully modified would cost about as much as a Ruger out of the box.

Someone at Marlin has apparently been paying attention to the Appleseed Project because now they are getting ready to offer the 795 in an Appleseed configuration. It will come complete with the sights and sling, a spare magazine, and some fancy etching on the side. The only thing it would need to be absolutely perfect would be a wooden stock, but unfortunately that is not offered on any of the 795 models.

At first I thought the $300 asking price was a little bit on the steep side, but then I noticed that there is a certificate for an Appleseed weekend that goes along with it. In my opinion that makes the asking price more than reasonable. I've got my info in to be contacted when they come available.

I certainly hope I won't have to wait too long.

UPDATE: The wait was too much to bear. For a little less, and without the engraving, I have the rifle I want.

HT: Bob Owens

This Just In

Armalite employee is a festering douchepile.

If AR indeed stands for Armalite I guess I'll be taking AR off of my "Guns I Want" list.

HT: Sean at An NC Gun Blog, who has been doing yeoman's work keeping track of who's been naughty or nice.

Round

Apparently every well-formed 'Murrican card has at its corners an M1 Garand (but an M1A may suffice), a 1903 Springfield, a custom built AR of some sort, and a 1911 in the proper caliber of .45ACP. Much to my shame I have none of the above. Instead I have a Mosin 91/30, an Arisaka T30, a .223 Saiga and a Glock 36.

I don't think it counts that three of the above are on my Guns I Want list (1903 Springfield? Sorry, no desire for one) but maybe I can get a point or two for my Glock being a single-stack in the correct caliber.

Oh Lord

Now I just gotta get that Glock 19 so I can get one of these for it.

Don't blame me. I got it from Tim Ellwood's comment at Tam's.

And on that note...Happy April Fool's Day!

Want Vs Need

My bank generously extended the limit on my credit card.  Now I have as much space on it as I was going to force myself to pay down to before I bought another gun.

I don't need a Glock 19. I just want one real bad.

The card is not paid down to the dollar amount I had set in my head, so I'm still forcing myself to wait until it is.  But the inner child in me is laying on the floor kicking and screaming and throwing a fit.

That little brat needs a good paddling.

Guns I Want, Latest Addition

Brand spanking new M1 carbine from Auto Ordnance!  Less than seven bills!

Want!

This one goes on the same line as the M1 Garand or M1A/M14; any (or all!) of the three would suffice.

UPDATE: After looking a little deeper I am going to have to remove this one from the list. I thought it was chambered in the same 30-06 round as the M1/M1A, however it is not. I already have one rifle that I can't just walk into my local gunshop and buy ammo for, no need to have another. It's still a nice looking gun, though.

Adding To The List

of Guns I Want:

A Marlin 795 to make an LTR for Project Appleseed shooting events.

Most folks use the Ruger 10/22, but I have a Marlin 60 that is a tack driver and so I'd kind of like to stick with the Marlins. I guess I could just use the Marlin 60, but the 795 has a detachable magazine and the swivel studs are already installed.

If I were to get the Ruger 10/22 instead of the Marlin I'd want the Sporter model because I like the way it looks. I'm a sucker for the traditional wood and blued steel, and I just love the American Walnut stock.

Kinda funny how a guy that carries a Glock likes wood on his rifles, but there it is.

UPDATE: Purchased 5/13/13

Guns I Want

in order of wantingness:

Ruger Blackhawk in .357

Remington Model 700 CDL in either 30.06 or 7mm This niche has been filled quite nicely with the Mossberg 100ATR. I think I still want something in 7mm later on though.

Mosin M38 carbine

M1 Garand or M1A Springfield

M1911, manufacturer not important

AR-15 pattern EBR  Screw Armalite, they can keep their crap for the Only Ones. Don't want one now, not even from another manufacturer, cause "AR stands for Armalite" and they can all trot off to hell. So I actually have an AR-15 pattern rifle in 6.8, on a 3D printed lower. ;) The 3D printed lower fell apart so I got me one of them there 80 percent lowers instead.

I'm sure that more will be added to the list over time.

EDITED TO ADD:

Winchester Model 94 Short Rifle, but I think this one should be closer to the top...maybe between the Remington and the Mosin.

Saiga 12 gauge shotgun converted to the AK trigger group

Marlin 795 Purchased 5/13/13

M1 Carbine, this goes on the same line as the M1 or M1A. Any (or all!) of the three would do. Not a 30-06, removing this one from the list. Too bad, it's still a nice looking gun.

Glock 19 Purchased 8/30/13.

MKA 1919 shotgun, because the EBS Project is lonely (and also because "AR-15 shotgun ZOMG!!!)

Vepr Tactical Sniper Rifle because I certainly have enough rounds for it.