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Gun Thread: 12.5% More Tingly Edition!

Low, Normal and High - The Tinglometer Don't Lie!

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!

Well, if you thought I was tingly last week, I'm even tinglier this week!

Q: Weasel, how tingly are you?
A: Now reading a 9 on the Tinglometer!

The TXMoMe is coming up fast! I made an el quicko down-and-back trip to the farm-o on Friday to pick up a bunch of shooting stuff to take to Texas, and now all that is left is packing the car and some driving! Road trip!

With that, step into the dojo and let's get to the gun stuff below, shall we?

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Updated Texas Info
Move n' Shoot - IDPA Course
This year Ben Had and Nurse R have put together an IDPA move-and-shoot feature on the pistol range. Since this is a new element, we are having a briefing during the handgun clinic and an additional repeat briefing around 2:30pm on the pistol range. If you are interested in participating, and you should be, please plan to attend one of these. Nurse R will perform both a cold walk thru and then a live fire demonstration of the course.

Nurse R also asked me to pass along the following link to the IDPA Rules.

We won't be scoring or DQ'ing anyone, well, unless they fan people or are jerks. I want to explain why we are running a cold course (see sec. 2.11.1 at the link) and why we are going to follow the IDPA rules. It's because people a whole lot smarter and experienced than I am, have created an activity where safety is paramount. They have managed to have thousands of events around the country in this manner.

The first three chapters are the most important. I hope people will take the time to review the concepts and verbiage before we explain them AGAIN during our briefing before we head out to the range. I want everyone to have fun and get to experience perhaps getting the adrenaline running and move and shoot in a way that perhaps, many have not. It will be fun, but, IT WILL BE SAFE.

Got it people? It will be safe, or Nurse R will pop a cap in yo' ass.

Non-Semiauto Shooting
On Friday around the same time as the IDPA (2:30pm) we'll have an opportunity to shoot the 'exotic' weapons I've mentioned. If you are interested, please be on the rifle range about that time for a separate briefing. Also, if you want to participate, please plan on bringing a box of 9mm brass case ammunition. There are more details on that below. If you want to do both, get in line early for one and boogie on over to the other before it all shuts down around 4pm. We will do our best to accommodate everyone, but stragglers might be disappointed.

Both the IDPA and Non-Semiauto opportunities will be available again on Saturday, so if you miss one on Friday don't despair - you will have a chance to do the other on Saturday.

Other Stuff
We have had a couple of great suggestions for new clinic content on Friday. In the morning I will go into some more detail on wind estimation and firing solutions which we will continue back on the rifle range later. Also, we are dropping some of the basic rifle material which I have repeated now for a number of years, and adding an introduction to America's Rifle, the AR15. If you haven't fired an AR15 before, or are simply AR15 curious, this will be a great opportunity! Please plan on bringing a box of standard 55gr .223/5.56mm ammunition (no green-tip, please) and if you have extra to share, it'll be greatly appreciated.

Also, at the end of the day we'll have a lesson on basic gun cleaning on the carport beginning around 4:30pm. Bring a dirty gun! If you are an experienced shooter and gun cleaner, stop by and lend a hand!

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Guns of the Horde
Think I was kidding about Nurse R popping a cap in yo' ass? Good news! It'll be a very small hole!

And that, people, is how it is done. Seven shots at seven yards with a Dan Wesson Patriot 1911. I really wish I could take some of the credit for this bigly display of pistolwomanship, but I cannot. Nurse R decided she wanted to become a shooter, she asked lots of questions, and applied what she learned through diligent practice. Having a really nice gun doesn't guarantee excellent results, and there is no secret to this that I am not sharing. Learn the basics and apply solid fundamentals through practice. That's it. That's the dealio. That is the WeaselDoctrine.

Very, very nicely done, Nurse R!!

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Gun Thread Pop Quiz
Our pal CBD ain't just a sous-vider, he's a shooter, too! See if you can spot the problem he recently encountered.

Those are Freedom Ammunition reloads. I was shooting 200 grain round nose in my Kimber and this happened. Not sure whether it is an ammo issue or a pistol issue, but I am not happy!

CBD let the manufacturer know what's going on and is waiting for a response. Should something like this ever happen to you, remember to save the original packaging and include the production Lot # in any correspondence. I will be very interested in hearing what they have to say.

What do all y'all think? Is it the gun? The ammo? Loose socks?

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Ammo Packaging
Speaking of ammo, our pal "John" sends in a really very good article on something I've never really thought much about, and that's ammo packaging.

This is a really good post from Packaging World on the 'pack and stack' side of the ammunition production business which few people get to see. Long read, but well illustrated and even a video.

Thanks John! Very interesting!

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Muzzle Discipline
Our ever-vigilant pal Scuba_Dude sees a problemo!

When I was watching the funeral procession of the Queen on Monday, I could not help but notice some frighteningly poor muzzle discipline by the Queens Guards. There they were matching along side the hearse with the muzzle of their rifles facing backwards at the midsection or lower of their fellow Guards!!!!

Good catch, Scoob! Maybe that's metric muzzle discipline? Be better, Queens Guards, be better.

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Speaking of the Queen and guns, our pal Gref shares a great photo.

She's firing a British SA-80. The look on the face of the soldier supervising the firing is priceless.

Agreed! I wonder if she was a Gun Thread lurker?

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12 Days!

The countdown to the TXMoMe continues! That's right, boys and girls, the TXMoMe is a mere 12 days from today, and by now you should be rushing your MoMe attendance plans to completion. There are lots of big doin's in the works and your hosts Rancher Bob, Cow Horse Queen and Ben Had are ready to welcome YOU to the festivities! Have you signed up? Are you on the exclusive guest list, or are you one of the mentally defective people who always finds a reason to make it next year?

PRO TIP: Word has it there may be some, well let's just call them "exotic" weapons, available to shoot in Texas. I don't want to go into a bunch of specifics, but if you like shooting at a high cyclic rate, plan on bringing a box of brass case 9mm ball ammo (example) with you to Texas. Please, NO reloads!

Q: Weasel, what the heck is a "high cyclic rate"?
A: Well, it's faster than a low cyclic rate such as that found on semi-automatic weapons.

Q: Weasel, why do I want to do that?
A: Because it is mucho fun-o, and an opportunity that many of you might not have often.

As long as we're on the subject, if you aren't planning to bring a firearm and ammo, but plan on shooting, please pick up a box or two of ammo in the caliber you like and bring it to Texas. Each year we have lots and lots of guns, and even more shooters, and it's nice have the cost and effort needed to source the ammunition spread around a bit. We want to make the shooting available to as many as possible, and cover those who want to shoot but for whatever reason cannot bring ammo, so every little bit helps. Thank you!

Holy Shitballs, people. Have I not implored and cajoled you enough? Do you require additional imploring and cajoling? I challenge you to find a single person who has attended a TXMoMe and not found it to be a life altering experience. Life altering for the good even! So please quit screwing around and making up reasons not to commit and start planning on getting your ass to Texas in October!

You will see this material again, so for heaven's sake, so do yourself a favor and email Ben Had for details!

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Schedule O' TXMoMe Doin's

This seems like a good time to talk a little bit about the upcoming shooting program at the TXMoMe. What started years ago as an informal plinking session lasting a couple of hours has matured into a full program of shooting activities over two days. I have to thank Ben Had, Cow Horse Queen and RancherBob for allowing the shooting to comprise such a significant portion of the TXMoMe.

For a while I have been conducting a Rifle Clinic on Friday morning followed by range time Friday afternoon and then again well into Saturday. We have also been steadily refining the handgun portion of the program to now include an IDPA-esque move-and-shoot pistol course designed and run by Ben Had and Nurse R, as well as the usual static pistol range for those who prefer that.

Anyhoo, here's a very rough outline of the schedule of events. Times are tentative and subject to modification/change.

Friday, 10/21
Rifle Program
8am - 11:00am: Rifle Clinic (carport)
11:30am - 1pm: Rifle Clinic, Intro to Wind Estimation (rifle range)
1pm - 4pm: Live fire (rifle range)

Handgun Program
11:00am - Noon: Handgun Clinic (carport)
1pm - 2:30pm: Static live fire (pistol range)
2:30 - 4pm: Briefing and Move & Shoot live fire (pistol range)

4:30pm: Basics of Weapons Cleaning (carport)

Saturday, 10/22
Rifle Program
8:30am - 1pm: Live fire (rifle range)

Handgun Program
9am - 1pm: Live fire (pistol range)

Again, these times are approximate and may change as weather conditions and participation warrant.

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More on Ammo for Texas
Let's talk a little more about bringing ammunition to the TXMoMe. The options are buy it at home and ship it UPS, buy it at home and ship it in your airline checked baggage, or just buy it once you get to Texas.

Let's begin with the easiest, first. Texas is awash in shooting and outdoor stores, and you really shouldn't have any trouble using this option. There are a lot of sporting goods stores on the south side of Dallas and in the towns all the way down I-45 to Corsicana. A quick internet search should return several options, and you might want to identify a couple before you leave home. Next, there is a store in Corsicana, Brinson PowerSports, that has a generally reliable stock of major calibers, although ammo is not listed on their website. I'd suggest calling first and asking if they have what you're looking for. The physical address and phone number is:

Brinson PowerSports
1931 Martin Luther King Blvd.
Corsicana, TX 75110
903-229-4330

Honestly, sourcing ammo locally seems like the most logical choice to me, but for those of you with special needs, it's pretty easy to fly with ammunition in your checked baggage. Here I am speaking in very general terms and it is incumbent upon YOU to check in advance with your airline, confirm the requirements, and comply with them.

Southwest Airlines is a popular option into the Dallas area, and I have found them to be gun friendly as far as these things go. Here is what I found on the Southwest Airlines Special Baggage webpage:

Packing Ammunition Small arms ammunition for personal use (provided it is properly packed) is permissible in checked baggage only.

The ammunition may be placed in the same container as the firearm and must be securely packed in cardboard (fiber), wood, or metal boxes, or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.

Ammunition Limits
When checking ammunition, Customers are limited to 11 pounds (ammunition plus container) per person. Gunpowder (black powder) and primers or percussion caps are not allowed in checked or carryon baggage.

Loose ammunition or loose loaded magazines and/or clips are not allowed. Paintballs must be packaged in a leak-proof container and will be subject to limited release.

So my read is that ammunition in its original cardboard container is all you need, and it does not have to be locked inside another container inside your bag as required for a firearm, and you are allowed up to 11 pounds carried in this fashion. Although the instructions are silent on declaring the ammunition to airline personnel, again as you must do when transporting a firearm, I think it's probably a good idea to do so. You may or may not be allowed to check your baggage curbside when traveling with ammunition, so be prepared for a little extra time at the counter. Again, this is my interpretation and as we all know I am mostly full of shit, so check for yourselves.

Every airline has a section like this on their website, usually found in the baggage section, and you may have to dig around a little to find it. I also recommend printing your specific airline's policy and bringing it with you on the trip, just in case you need to help the ticket agent understand how to do their job. I will say in all the years of flying all over the country to matches, I have never once had any problem with airline personnel and their rules and have always found them well informed and helpful.

Finally, if you are really a special needs shooter, our bestest buddy and pal and host RancherBob has offered to allow people to ship their ammunition to the ranch. I would recommend this only in very unique circumstances where very specific ammunition is required and neither of the other, simpler options will work. If this is you, then contact me for details. I have shipped ammunition via UPS in the past and it works, but there are strict packaging and labeling requirements and also necessitates you visit an actual UPS location rather than a retail shipping store. Also remember, you cannot ship ammunition via USPS.

Questions? Just ask!

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Musical Interlude
Doobies and Long Train Running!

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Gun Basics 101
New video from the She Equips Herself gal this week on things to consider while carrying.

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Cigar of the Week
Our pal and Chief Gun Thread Cigar Correspondent Rhomboid brings it with another cigar review!

Montecristo is one of the legacy Cuban cigar names that has long had a post-Revolution parallel existence outside Cuba, like many of these companies, in the Dominican Republic. Their Montecristo line, based on this one stick - the No. 3 vitola (5.5 X 44) - seems to be a traditional no-frills offering, with basic flavors like tobacco and wood. I didn't note much in the way of spice or other flavors, but that could well be my current palate's limited ability to pick up these things. Construction is perfect, burn is even and draw is just right - things that you'll find in most Montecristo offerings. The company has a "Classic" line that I have yet to try, it may be the deliberate re-creation of a classic Cuban profile, but based on my memory of consuming Cubans in the past, this cigar fairly well matches my experience of Cuban Montecristos. Available online for around $7 and up.

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Here is a Cigar Vixen review on the Punch Gran Puro Nicaragua, about $6 online. Weasel is a fan of Nicaraguan cigars in general and these in particular.

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Here are some different online cigar vendors. You will find they not only carry different brands and different lines from those brands, but also varying selections of vitolas (sizes/shapes) of given lines. It's good to have options, especially if you're looking for a specific cigar.

Cigarsinternational.com
Cigarpage.com
Famous-smoke.com
Cigarsdaily.com
Neptunecigar.com
Smallbatchcigar.com
Bobalu Cigar Company

Last week our pal Robert, if we are to believe that's his real name, suggested a new cigar vendor! Thanks Robert!

I've mentioned it before but Cigarbid.com is a worthwhile cee-gar shopping option. Posted by: Robert at September 18, 2022 07:24 PM (aeSR1)

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A note about sources. The brick & mortar/online divide exists with cigars, as with guns, and most consumer products, with respect to price. As with guns - since both are "persecuted industries", basically - I make a conscious effort to source at least some of my cigars from my local store(s). It's a small thing, but the brick & mortar segment for both guns and tobacco are precious, and worth supporting where you can. And if you're lucky enough to have a good cigar store/lounge available, they're often a good social event with many dangerous people of the sort who own scary gunz, or read smart military blogs like this one.

Anyone have others to include? Perhaps a small local roller who makes a cigar you like? Send me your recommendation and a link to the site!

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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

***Mail Bag***
This week's mailbag entry is from our pal Schnorflepuppy. Good one!

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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?