Gun Thread: 1st October Sunday Edition!

Howdy, Y'all! Welcome to the wondrously fabulous Gun Thread! As always, I want to thank all of our regulars for being here week in and week out, and also offer a bigly Gun Thread welcome to any newcomers who may be joining us tonight. Howdy and thank you for stopping by! I hope you find our wacky conversation on the subject of guns 'n shooting both enjoyable and informative. You are always welcome to lurk in the shadows of shame, but I'd like to invite you to jump into the conversation, say howdy, and tell us what kind of shooting you like to do!

How the hell did it get to be October? I mean, it seems like just a couple of weeks ago it was June! I've heard time passes more quickly as you get older, but that certainly cannot be the case with me. I popped down to the farm this week to check on the trees, change the oil in some stuff, and generally relax for a couple of days. I also put up some shelving in the barn (please don't call it a shed) in an attempt at organization which has been on my to-do list for about three years. Out of all the projects, installing the shelves went the smoothest. Go figure!

With that, let's get to the gun stuff below, shall we?

What else happens in October besides shelving projects, you ask? Why, the Texas MoMe happens in October! I'm reposting this from a few weeks ago in case you missed it.

It is like a big family reunion, except everybody there likes each other and has a good time. I swear to John Moses Browning that my face hurts after it's over from smiling and laughing so much. There truly is something for everyone, as long as you like fun, friends, epic people watching, laughing, food, drink, music, dancing, shooting, lying, cussing... it really has everything! And the greatest part is that everyone fits in. Even the quietest most introverted people come and have a good time. You can do as much as you like or as little as you like. Some people take advantage of the shooting opportunities, and others hang out and simply peek in from the sidelines enjoying the ample food and drink, which is just fine. Every year after it's over and participants are discussing it in the comments, we have people lamenting the fact they did not attend and have fun with the rest of us. You think the comment section here is fun? A MoMe - any MoMe - is about 10 times better. Why in the ever-loving hell do you think I spend so much time encouraging people to attend?

Q: Weasel, did you mention shooting at the TXMoMe?
A: Why yes, yes I did mention shooting at the TXMoMe.

I'm not really sure how it started, but several MoMe's ago we set up a few targets and amused ourselves with plinking for an hour or two. Fast forward to this year where we have dedicated handgun and rifle ranges featuring shooting clinics on both ranges Friday, and with open shooting again on both ranges Saturday.

Q: Weasel, what the hell is a "shooting clinic?"
A: It's where you go after you have been shot, or maybe a place to learn some new things about shooting.

One of the reasons the TXMoMe is now a two day affair is the accommodation of shooting clinics. For a few years, I have been conducting, with varying degrees of success, a basic Introduction to Mid-Range Shooting class. This year we are adding a more formalized Handgun Basics class, with Jim SND and Eromero running that dealio, with the help of some other shooting pros. This is an excellent opportunity for the gun-curious first-time shooter, as well as those who may have been shooting for a while, to up their game. If you are interested, read on:

Handguns
Friday 22nd, 11am - 4pm. The program will cover range safety and the basics of a proper handgun stance, grip, sight alignment and trigger discipline, and will repeat throughout the day. There will also be targets available for those who want to try a variety of available weapons. You are welcome and encouraged to bring your favorite firearm if you like, and please consider bringing a little extra ammo to share since a big part of the fun is the ability to try other Moron's weapons.

Saturday 23rd, 11am - 4pm. Open range with the handgun presentation repeating throughout the day.

Rifles
Friday 22nd, 8am - 4pm. We start at 8am with a presentation on mid-range shooting concepts conducted in a classroom setting on the carport. Please bring a pencil, paper and a pocket calculator if you are interested in participating. The topics covered include range safety, interior and exterior ballistics, practical exercises in computing firing solutions, and working with a coach or spotter. The presentation usually lasts until lunch, after which we will head to the range and engage targets from 50 to 700 yards. There will be separate targets setup for plinking at close range if that's what you like to do.

Saturday 23rd, 8:30am - 2pm or thereabouts. Open range. If you want to shoot, get there early as most of us want to head up to the main event and join the party around lunchtime. I will be available until around noon on the range to work with shooters, tell funny jokes, and generally act like a buffoon.

Important note In past years, we have tried to limit the size of the rifle class by having people register, and this year we are simply welcoming anyone who would like to attend. If you want to come and simply observe, you're absolutely welcome to do that too. If you would like to shoot, bring a rifle and ammo. It can be any reasonable caliber, but please, no AP or incendiary ammo of any sort. I will also bring a couple of my practice guns and a very limited supply of ammo for those. You can improve your chances of getting a turn with one of them by bringing either .308 Winchester (168gr and up) or 5.56x45mm (70gr and up) ammo.

Again, it is fun, and it is happening soon. Corsicana, Texas on October 22nd and 23rd. Contact Ben Had for details and mention Weasel sent you.

First up we have a great report on a recent acquisition by a lurker. Mr/Ms Lurker certainly has good taste in firearms!

A couple years back, whilst sippin' and BS'n with my neighbor on his porch, he deigned to show me a gun he'd inherited from his dad. He knew nothing about the gun, it's make, model, caliber or history. Just that it was in his Dad's "things" that he got.

When I opened the soft-case, I was astounded to find what I took to be a 1960s Colt Police Positive Target, in .22 LR. Nearly mint, too. I told him then that he's holding at least $500 worth of gun, and that I'd be happy to actually research it and get a true appraisal. He just thanked me for giving him some info, and said he'd think about it.

So, a couple weeks back when he texted me and asked if I'd be interested in the gun, I told him I'd have to really do some research, as it was certainly of value, and ought not be taken for granted. Suffice to say, I did, and emailed him the ranges of condition and price, with URL examples. And, as the photos show, we did come to a deal, and the Colt will make it's first Horde Appearance at the TexMoMeet, just about three weeks hence.

Just one more reason you'll want to be at the TxMoMeet. You'll just might to get to shoot a 1935 Colt Police Positive Target .22 LR!

What a beauty! A really fine example, congratulations Lurker, if that is your real name!

Next up our pal Draki shares a photo of a beloved M4.

I love the M4. It's been such a good carbine. It's easy to handle, modify for your body and taste, and the recoil isn't distracting. Though I'm playing favorites with it because it's my war gun, I'm just addicted to the way it feels and shoots.

M4 beats longbows and crossbows!

Very nice, Draki! Thanks for your service!

Next up our pal Phat shares his home setup.

I haven't been shooting as much as I should lately. No excuse, just haven’t made time to go out to the gun club. I usually shoot trap, but have been trying to also hit the rifle/pistol range whenever I go.

Built a new house and put in a gun vault. Smartest decision ever! I ordered a Browning vault door and the builder lowered it in after the basement was poured. Really happy with how it turned out.

My builder still calls me to ask if he can bring clients over to look at it, guess this has become a popular custom home option lately.

Whoa Phat! That is very nice, and I am sooo jealous! Thanks for sharing.

Next up, our ever alert pal CBD sends a great video link.

I watched this and wondered about how many other simple safety tips the Horde could think of.

Great find, CBD! What do you all think? Any other tips to share?

Anyone heard of this guy? He's fast!

Gun Basics 101
This week we look at gun shop etiquette by the She Equips Herself lady.

It seems like a simple matter, but this is something to pay attention to when you go into a gun shop for any number of reasons; buying, selling, repairs or just a day at the range. Does anyone have anything else to add?

Cigar of the Day

Tonight's cigar is a Romeo y Julieta Reserve Maduro. I like strong cigars and at 6x52 there is a lot of this one to enjoy! I can honestly say there isn't anything about this well made cigar I do not like. At around $10 each, I don't smoke them daily but rather save them for a special occasion like the Gun Thread!

Link-O-Rama

I'm really very seriously not kidding around anymore. Buy Ammo
AmmoSeek - online ammo search tool
GunBot - online ammo search tool
SG Ammo
Palmetto State Armory
Georgia Arms
AmmoMan
Target Sports USA
Bud's Gun Shop

This week's gun funny came some one of you, but I cannot remember who! Sorry!

Please note the new and improved protonmail account gunthread at protonmail dot com. An informal Gun Thread archive can be found HERE. Future expansion plans are in the works for the site Weasel Gun Thread. 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 Weasel at 07:00 PM

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