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Gun Thread: Happy Mother's Day Edition!

Mom!

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!

Holy Shitballs! Welp, last week was the first May of 2023, so it follows naturally this week it's our festive annual Mother's Day Edition where it only seems fitting to pay tribute to the shooting Mom's in our lives, so Happy Mother's Day to all of you Mom's out there! In fact, all the shooting 'ettes deserve a special day of their own, don't you think?! Ma Barker, pictured above, certainly fits the definition of a shooting mom... or did she? While there is some question regarding her level of participation in the "gang" bearing her name, some of her sons were unquestionably familiar with firearms. In any event, it's an interesting story, some of which is chronicled at the Oklahoma Historical Society's website, and Wikipedia even has some interesting things to say on the subject.

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

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NoVAMoMe Update
Registrations continue to pour in, so if you're a fence sitter, now is the time to un-ass the fence because we're more than halfway to capacity. Our pal and delightful 'ette and MoMe Hostess with the Mostest, bluebell is standing by to answer your email! Seriously, please do not disappoint bluebell. I have to report registrations to her each morning, and if I have not met the daily sign-up quota then the conversation becomes skerry. This thing is fun people! Fun!! You absolutely will not regret making the decision to attend. Registration is simple and painless- just send an email to novamome@protonmail.com for all the details!

Win a Dream Date with Weasel!
Due to surprisingly popular demand, we are again conducting a separate raffle for a Dream Date with Weasel This fabulous prize includes an entire day of shooting and personalized one-on-one handgun & rifle coaching and instruction at Weasel Acres on a mutually agreeable date with yours truly. The lucky winner will be able to not only bring and shoot their own weapons, but also try out a variety of WeaselWeapons using WeaselAmmo! If the timing works, we will include my bestest shooting buddy and all-around great amigo WeaselBuddy Geoff to come along with a sub-machine gun. No shit - WBG is probably the most naturally gifted shooter I've met, and he is a pleasure to shoot with.

We will end the day with dinner at a good Mexican place in nearby Appomattox. The winner will be responsible for their travel to and from Central Virginia, hence the separate drawing.

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New! for 2023, the Moron Gun Club, Northern Virginia Chapter has organized a group shooting event at a local range in Virginia on Sunday the day after the official NoVAMoMe. There are only four slots left, so do not delay in contacting Sharon(wa) if you're interested. Details below:

The DMV MGC has made a reservation at our range to host a group of no more than 15 people in their party room on 6/11, the Sunday after the MoMe.This consists of 3 15 yd lanes and totally for our use only. We will have the lanes starting at 1:30 but will be asking people to arrive at 1 so we don't waste lane time getting organized and you will have to go through the safety briefing. There was a pretty significant fee so we need to charge $20 but there are no additional fees unless you want to buy ammo or rent a gun. Handguns only. We will have our personal arsenals (some much larger than others) so if you are weaponless that is not a problem. We only have 4 slots left so if you are interested, email Blaster at this address Novamomeshoot@proton.me.

The range is in Virginia so little more flexible if you are carrying. Once you have a spot, we will send you a link to fill out the guest form and sign the waivers so we don't waste time at the range getting people checked in. This way you just have to show ID.

Couple of caveats: a) you must attend the VAMoMe ($20 cash due at the MoMe), and 2) this is not part of the official MoMe. After the range meetup, we will head to our favorite restaurant for dinner. Separate checks.

Sharon(willow's apprentice)

Don't forget, there is a meetup for the airing of grievances on Friday afternoon and evening, the main NoVAMoMe on Saturday, and the opportunity to do some shooting on Sunday (separate registration required). Don't be a pathetic girly-man loser, register today!

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Guns of the Horde

As I was poking around in the Gun Thread files looking for the Ma Barker picture, I noticed this write-up from a year ago of one of my favorites. There is really nothing about this gun that I do not like. Since we serious journalists never miss an opportunity to re-use content, let's have another look!

Smith & Wesson Model 19
This week we have another one of my favorites from The WeaselCollection, a 1972 Smith & Wesson Model 19-3 in .357 Magnum. Those of you who look closely will notice this example has the 3-T's, or Target Hammer, Target Trigger and Target Stocks. What makes these features noteworthy? The trigger is wider with grooves, the hammer is wider with aggressive checkering, and the stocks are checkered Goncalo alves with extractor relief. The rear sight is micrometer click adjustable. The Model 19 was extensively marketed to both law enforcement and in this case, target shooters. It's a very nice gun with some honest wear and one I'm happy to have in the collection!

Does it shoot? Hell yes it shoots!

left side of revolver

right side of revolver

trigger side

bigly wide thumb thing

Here's the story of the Model 19 from the NRA's Magazine The American Rifleman, a somewhat lukewarm review from sThe Truth About Guns, and finally some information on the reintroduction of the Model 19 from Shooting Times.

Anyone else here have a Model 19 they love? What is your opinion of the target features described above; helpful, nice to have, or unnecessary?

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Range Time
Guess who has been to the range? Go on, guess! Why, our pal RedMindBlueState has been to the range!

Made it out to the range yesterday afternoon to play with the new Protektor rear bag. I put some rounds through the Walther KKM at 50 yards, with some 1990s vintage RWS R-50 ammunition, iron sights. The target pictured is a 5 shot group. Four shots that aren't bad, and a flyer that brings shame upon my ancestors.

Next up at 100 yds is my Model 70 with some new Lithuanian 7.62 ball. 9 shots. Much hotter than the Venezuelan stuff I had in TX. Not good grouping at all. Bottom line, I love the rear bag. Solid as a rock. Was my shit wobbly? No. No, it was not. Was my concentration wobbly? Yes. Yes, it was. And my old progressive lens wearing eyes have apparently forgotten what concentric circles look like. More practice is indicated.

There you have it people. Another satisfied customer using the Protektor Model shooting bag. I have a long-standing policy here on the ol' Gun Thread of only recommending products I have purchased and used myself. The Protektor products are 100% Made in the U.S.A. and their customer service is second to none. I highly recommend them. If you want repeatable and consistent results on the rifle range, you need to de-wobble your shit, and this rear bag is how you do it.

Don't believe me? Think I am full of poo and do not use them myself? Here is my long-range setup on the firing line at the Ben Avery Range in Phoenix. I think this was from the Southwest Nationals. Please note the Protektor bag in situ.

Weasel's shit ain't wobbily!

I know, I know, your granddaddy taught you how to shoot and he didn't use no Protektor bag and last nite you read on the internet that real true super-secret ninja-style tactical bad-ass combat snipers make their rear bags out of twigs 'n grass 'n leaves and shit stuffed into a sock, but for us normal folks, you can really up your shooting game by having a solid rear setup. Not a little solid. Not sort of solid. Not on the way to being solid. Nor pseudo-psolid. Not solid-esque. Real, honest to God solid.

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Car Travel With Firearms
Here's a good video on car travel with a firearm and the Federal Safe Passage Law. This is worth your time.

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Subliminal Reminder - register for the 2023 NoVAMoMe! Send an email to novamome@protonmail.com for details.

register for the NoVAMoMe... register for the NoVAMoMe... register for the NoVAMoMe...

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WW2 1911 .45 Cal Pistol Training

Have I linked this before? I feel like I have linked this before. Well even if I have, you will benefit from reviewing the material again.

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Carrier Recovery
This guy flies the F/A-18, and does a great job in these videos on carrier based aviation. Enjoy!

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NoVAMoMe 2023

Not so fast on the gun stuff, buckaroos! We have a little bit more on the NoVAMoMe to discuss. In fact, this will be the first of a long and seemingly endless series of reminders to get yo' big butt off the couch and come out and meet some of your online friends. Let's kick things off with a few NoVAMoMe FAQ.

Q: Is it fun?
A: Yes. Just ask anyone who has been to one. You will have fun, or else.

Q: When is it again? Did you say June?
A: Yes. A thousand times yes! June 10th, from 1pm til 6pm or so.

Q: I'm sort of a dork. Can I just slink-in, watch for a bit and then slink out without having to actually speak with anyone?
A: Yes. In fact, we have strategically placed large potted ferns for lurkers to hide behind.

Q: Will bluebell be there? I really want to meet bluebell.
A: Of course! Well, assuming things go well at the parole hearing.

Q: Is there food and drink?
A: Yes! $30 for a bigly buffet, and a cash bar. We had to bump up the food price a bit to cover costs this year.

Q: Can I make references, even veiled references to the secret MoMe location on the blog?
A: NO! Seriously, please don't.

Q: Sounds great, Weasel! How do I sign up?
A: We have an online page for registration. Email novamome@protonmail.com for all the details!

OK, I'm talking to YOU Mr. or Ms. I'll Go Next Time. Guess what? The next time is here. It's a really fun event and we would love to have you join us. Hopefully some NoVAMoMe veterans will speak up in the comments and encourage the introverts to stop being big baby chickens and make this the year to come out of the shadows!

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Musical Interlude
Tonite we have The Talking Heads with Burning Down the House.

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Gun Basics 101
This week we follow the She Equips Herself gal into the bathroom, to see, well, um, how she manages the bathroom while carrying. Look - I don't make the videos, I just post them, 'kay?

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Cigar of the Week

This week our pal and Chief Gun Thread Cigar Correspondent rhomboid scores again with this excellent review of the Perdomo Reserve 10th Anniversary Champagne Epicure.

There seem to be a few cigars that are established mainstays in their category. One such is the Perdomo Reserve 10th Anniversary Champagne Epicure (toro size) in the mild cigar category. A nice looking golden-hued Ecuador-grown connecticut shade wrapper encloses Nicaraguan binder and fillers on this one. Construction is excellent, both as to appearance and burn with just a slightly wavy burn line, at times. Draw was just right. For me light wood, tobacco, and in the first half a hint of baking spices, as far as flavor notes. A good stick firmly in the mild end of the range. I'm thinking it would pair nicely with a beverage - which I rarely do, other than coffee - as it seems it would stand up to lighter aged rums or most beers. One to consider as the weather warms up. This cigar is available online for around $8 and up.

Excellent, rhomboid! Thank you!

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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
Cigarbid.com

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. -rhomboid

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!

Ammo 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
American Elite Ammo NEW!

***Mail Bag***

This week's mailbag entry is from our pal JT. Man, if this ain't the truth!

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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?