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Gun Thread: First December 2023 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!

Jumpin' jelly on a biscuit! How in the ever-loving hell did it get to be December 3, 2023? Only 22 shopping days 'til Christmas 2023, 387 shopping days 'til Christmas 2024, and a mere 752 shopping days until Christmas 2025! But who is counting?

Programming Note: I need to prepare for a bunch of meetings next week so I will only be checking in on the comments from time to time tonight. Thanks for understanding.

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

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What's up, all y'all? My busy season at work has started, so I mostly have my nose glued to a spreadsheet which doesn't leave much time for fun stuff such as my pioneering work in particle physics research, shootin' for funsies, and organic tree farming. How about you guys and gals? Are you getting out? Are you practicing your shooting and buying ammo?

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Guns of the Horde
First up, our pal That SOB Van Owen shares a great report on the FN Reflex micro compact 9mm. Take it away TSOBVO!

Times being what they are, I decided I needed a new carry gun. After a lot of research, I settled on the new FN Reflex micro compact 9mm. It is similar in size (6.2 inches overall with a 3.3-inch barrel) and weight (18.4 ounces unloaded) to the SA Hellcat and the Sig P365, but rather than being striker fired like those and most other micro compacts, the Reflex has an internal hammer and is single action only. Why does being hammer-fired matter? First off, it makes it easier to cycle than other micro 9s as there isn't a striker to cock and re-cock as part of the action. Next, it allows the pistol to be field stripped without pulling the trigger as part of the disassembly process. Finally, and most importantly, it can allow for the trigger to be smoother and lighter in pull. The internal hammer translates to one of the best triggers in its class.

It's a good-looking gun, especially in FDE (you can also get it in black) and comes with both an 11 round and an extended 15 round magazine. The grips have aggressive stippling as well as grooves on the front and back straps that makes it really feel good in your hand. The frame sports a small accessory rail for mounting a flashlight, etc. Controls are few and basic. There's a reversible teardrop-shaped mag release button on the left side of the gun, a small slide stop, and a rotating takedown lever. The slide stop is somewhat hard to manipulate, but I hope it will become easier as the gun breaks in and I get accustomed to it. The sights are three-dot iron sights; the front night sight has a tritium insert and high visibility orange circle and is easy to acquire, even in low light. Being old school, I opted not to get the MRD model, which has a slide cut for Shield RMSc and Holosun K-series optics.

I have so far fired about 150 rounds through the Reflex, including 115 grain FMJ, Hornady Critical Defense 115 grain FTX, and Winchester PDX1 124 grain +P. They all fed without a problem, and accuracy-wise they all shot better than I can. They grouped a little low for me, but I was holding at six o'clock of the bull out of habit. I really like the way this pistol looks, feels, and shoots. This gun will definitely become a part of my EDC rotation.

PROS:
Reliable.
Accurate.
Great trigger.
Compact.
High viz steel sights.
Two magazine options are included.

CONS:
The slide release is awkward to operate.
Few holsters are available yet.

Size comparison with a Ruger .380 LCP

11 Round magazine inserted

15 Round magazine inserted

The PDX 124 grain ammo hit a bit low for my usual point of aim, but I still like the results.

Great report and very nice shooting, TSOBVO! Thank you!

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Garand Thumb?
Our pal hickok45 shows us how to load an M1 Garand.

And here is a mentally unstable and possibly dangerous lunatic with the same type rifle.

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Revolver Cleaning
More with hickok45! I have been meaning to do a gun cleaning class at the TXMoMe for a few years now and I keep not doing it. I guess that's what you get for trusting a guy calling hisself Weasel on the internet. Anyhow, here is an instructional video, again with hickok45.

Wondering how your nice clean revolver works?

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Fancy Shelter Livin'!
Why, these shelters are downright luxurious!

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Our Pal The Spark Plug

Q: Weasel, do you have a video on our old pal the spark plug?
A: Why yes, of course I do!

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Reminder
You have probably put away your small engine equipment for the year and some of you may even be exchanging the mower for a snow blower. Taking care of your stuff isn't difficult, makes it last longer, and generally means it stands a decent chance of working the next time you need it. Here's a vid on a specific Honda mower, but the concepts apply to all small 4-stroke engine equipment.

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Musical Interlude
Beth Hart nd Eric Gales with i'd Rather Go Blind

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Gun Basics 101
No new video from the She Equips Herself gal, so we have a re-run. This week's video is on fall fasion.

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Cigar of the Week

This week our pal Diogenes does us all a solid with this review of the Corona Phatty.

If you ever get the chance to smoke a Carona 10th Anniversary Connecticut Phatty - don't.

Just - don't.

This cigar was a pain in the ass and too much so for just an unremarkable smoke. I finally gave up, tossed it and just continued with more of the Buffalo Trace. Three days later while walking the dog he found the remains and gave it a good squirt.

Smart dog.

Th Phatty is aptly named, being a COUS... cigar of unusual size. If didn't fit my normal cutter, it was hard to light, and while having a reasonable draw, did not keep an even ash, and the flavor was, as mentioned, unremarkable. And damnit, it was too big to smoke. It was like trying to hold a banana in your mouth. After a bit I flashed on Clinton and Monica and that was the final straw.

It is rated as a mild cigar, 6x60, or you can go with the Double Phatt at 7 x 60, and at $75 for a box of 20, very affordable. But - no thanks.

You've been warned.

Excellent, Diogenes! Thank you! People, smoking a cigar is supposed to be a pleasant experience, not a fight with an uncooperative stogie.

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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!

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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 ALSO from our pal That SOB Van Owen. HA! Great 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?