Gun Thread: Post-Texas MoMe Discussion & Analysis [Weasel]

As mentioned last week, I was arriving home from the 4th Annual Texas MoMe just about the time the Gun Thread went up, so I didn't have much of a chance to review the proceedings. Let's take care of that now, shall we?

I have one word to describe the TXMoMe. Holy Shit.

I don't know how it's possible, but it just keeps getting better each year. Every time I think we've finally reached Peak MoMe, Ben Had raises the bar - and not just a little, but a lot. Like you can't even see the bar anymore. At the rate it's going, I suspect next year we're going to have a flight demonstration by the Blue Angels or something. Texas hospitality is amazing, and Ben Had is triple amazing.

First a comment on Moron Meetups in general. Every single one I have attended has offered participants as much or as little opportunity to engage others as they like. Seriously. I know we have a lot of introverted lurkers among us, and a fair number of people at these events spend as much time simply people-watching as they do dancing naked and singing with lampshades on their heads. If you are at all MoMe curious, then you owe it to yourself to attend one. If you enjoy this site, then you will love attending a MoMe. It's like potato chips - try it once and you're hooked! Honest!

And a yuuuge thank you to our hosts Rancher Bob and Cow Horse Queen for graciously inviting 60 or so Morons to their beautiful ranch for the weekend. Also, a big thanks to their "next door" neighbor, Dr. Bob for allowing us to use his manicured ranch for the rifle portion of the festivities. Again, incredibly gracious and generous people.

Moving along to shooting and stuff...

The TXMoMe is renowned for shoooting and this year was no exception, with separate handgun and rifle ranges available for all to use. First the handgun portion; everyone's pals and all around good guys Eromero and Jim Sunk New Dawn did an amazing job running the short range for plain ol' plinking and a number of practice drills. Many Horde members brought their own personal weapons and ammo for others to try, with several people shooting for the first time. A great time was had by all! Special thanks to Panhandler for bringing a literal car load of weapons for everyone to shoot. Panhandler's collection for the weekend included a 1909 Luger, a Smith & Wesson Model 41, a remarkable Hi-Standard Supermatic Citation target pistol in .22LR, and an incredible and original M1D Garand Sniper rifle that was a huge hit, among others.

Did I mention the machine gun? No? Did I not mention the machine gun? Yep, an actual honest-to-God Browning M1919, belt-fed .30 caliber machine gun was available and a number of people enjoyed taking their turn at the trigger. Is there anything better than the sound of automatic weapons fire on a beautiful Texas afternoon?

M1919 (stock photo)

About 15 attendees were kind enough to listen to me ramble for a couple of hours on Friday at Dr. Bob's place for an introductory mid-range rifle clinic. Dr. Bob made one of his guest houses available for the morning classroom portion which included topics on gear, ballistics, optics and generally all of the myriad factors involved in shooting at longer range. Frankly, I'd have been perfectly happy sitting on the porch overlooking the countryside all day, but after my antics in front of the white board, it was time for lunch. I've never met Nurse ratched in person, and all I can say is SMOOCH!! Thank you so much! The lovely and talented Nurse sent a smoked salmon - one that her sons caught and she later brined and smoked - to us for lunch. Holy crap was that ever delicious! Ben Had showed up with the salmon and all the fixin's just as I was wrapping up my remarks, and after a delightful lunch the class adjourned to the rifle range to engage targets from 100 to 500 yards. I'm here to tell you we have some real shooters among us!! Again, Jim Sunk New Dawn was present for all the rifle business and was a huge help building the targets and running the firing line. Thank you, Jim!

I'm hoping to improve on my little presentation next year, and thank you all for being my guinea pigs and great sports in general as I found my way along this time!

A Peek at the Rifle Range

View From the Classroom

I'm certain I'm leaving out several names and a lot of weapons from the weekend that I should have included above. If you attended the TXMoMe, please give us your thoughts in the comments below!

Adopt an Orphan!

Surplus S&W Model 10

This is a Smith & Wesson Model 10-5 made in about 1971 and delivered to the Victoria Australia PD. Several years ago Bud's Gun Shop purchased these as surplus and offered them for sale for under $300. Not being able to resist buying guns in general and Smith & Wesson revolvers in particular, I ordered one online. When ordering, you weren't guaranteed a particular gun, but rather simply one of the batch and the condition of the revolvers varied significantly. As is the case with most police surplus weapons, they look a little rough from years of use but many times have been fired very little and this one is no exception. It came with original S&W grips which were pretty tired, so I replaced those with the Hogue Combat grips which are much more comfy.

Why did I buy this gun? I don't know. Just because, I suppose. I will tell you it's a tight shooter and I'm not too worried about messing up the finish. Do you have a gun like this? Sort of an ugly orphan that isn't going to win a beauty contest but is a lot of fun to shoot? Some people keep a gun like this in their glove compartment or tackle box for that very reason. Do you have an ugly orphan?

Link-O-Rama

Midway: RCBS Match Master Powder Dispenser and Scale - h/t redc1c4
Ammoland: Stripped Lowers for under $30?
Ammoland: S&W MP Shield 9mm AND a Complete Magpul Lower Under $300?
MidSouth Shooters: Learning to Reload Again
MidSouth Shooters: Sig P225a1 Review
Accurate Shooter: Low Cost Laser Bore Sighters

The Next Generation of Shooters

Here is a great story on a new generation of shooters - youngsters who have been raised to ignore the nonsense talking points of the left by embracing firearms and the shooting sports. In a time when our 2nd Amendment rights are under constant attack, it's refreshing to see that some kids are being introduced to firearms and shooting. A big h/t to our friend SMH for sending this along. Thanks!!

A few weeks ago we talked about introducing new shooters of all ages to firearms and shooting, and I asked you all to make an effort to find someone who isn't already a gun owner and take them to the range. Thought I'd forgotten your little Gun Thread homework assignment, didn't you?

You there - in the back trying to be inconspicuous - how's that coming along? Ask yourself this; if you aren't going to introduce new people to firearms in a positive way, who do you think will? Do you want your message to be heard, or that of the lunatic gun-grabbers?

Please note the new and improved gmail account morongunthread at gmail dot com. An informal Gun Thread archive can be found HERE. If you have a question you would like to ask Gun Thread Staff offline, just send us a note and we'll do our best to answer. If you care to share the story of your favorite firearm, send a picture with your nic and tell us what you sadly lost in the tragic canoe accident. If you would like to remain completely anonymous, just say so. Lurkers are always welcome!

That's it for this week - have you been to the range?

posted by Open Blogger at 07:00 PM

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