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Gun Thread: End of April 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!

Holy Shitballs! How in the ever-loving hell did it get to be the end of April Gun Thread? Next thing you know it will be the first Gun Thread of May! I am writing this earlier than my usual panicked last minute effort because someone whose initials are Weasel are heading to the farm-o on Thursday morning, and not returning home until sometime on Sunday. I'm having a second organic tree farming building constructed and need to finalize site preparations, and maybe get some shooting fundamentals practice accomplished too. Hear that? Shooting fundamentals practice.

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

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Last week we had a homework assignment. Did you do the homework? Did you watch the short video and come to the thread tonight prepared to discuss your thoughts with the group? Completing homework comprises 35% of your Gun Thread grade, so please tell me you watched the video, because failure to complete assignments on time can result in an unfavorable note being placed into your permanent record. Below is the video.

The video is from an attorney in WA who gives the legal perspective on what you can and cannot do when your car is surrounded by a mob of peaceful protestors. Your assignment was to place yourself in the driver's situation and decide what you would have done a) without first watching lawyer-guy, and 2) what if anything you might have done differently after watching lawyer-guy.

There was also a Bonus Question: Do you know the relevant law(s) in your state? How does it differ from what was described in the video?

Rather unfortunately I think the likelihood of our seeing these situations again will only go up in the upcoming summer and fall months. I very truly believe it's a very good idea to think of these sort of scenarios, and what your reaction might be in advance. The best way to avoid a situation like this is to never get into the situation in the first place but that isn't always possible. Angry mobs can and do spring up spontaneously, and you might find yourself in the middle of one despite your best efforts otherwise.

I have one word for you all and that is situational awareness. I do not want to be overly melodramatic here, but your door locks and rolled-up windows are not going to always protect you, particularly from a determined attack. Be aware of problematic activity in your area and avoid it. Whenever you are out and about, be constantly aware of your current situation and constantly update your best avenue of escape using your own basis for threat assessments. Whenever that threat assessment goes up, use the route of escape by executing the escape plan as soon as possible. Picking up a pack of Camels and a Slim-Jim isn't worth becoming the subject of a mob's attention. The instant something seems wrong, un-ass the area as quickly as possible, and at all costs avoid what happened to the guy in the video who was boxed in with nowhere to go.

Now, on to the discussion. What do all y'all think?

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2024 NoVAMoMe

04/28/24 Note: One of the great joys of NoVAMoMe season, at least for me, is being able to cut and paste the entire block of text below and haranguing you to register for the event. Have you registered? Are you focusing on the fundamentals of registration?

Alright, guys and gals, the long awaited and highly anticipated opening of 2024 NoVAMoMe registration is upon us! That's right, registration for the event of the season is open, which means you can register to attend! You see, in order to attend, you must first register, and then wait for June 8th, and then attend! It's really more of an application to attend based on whether we like you or not, but what have you got to lose?!

Q: Weasel, your world frightens and confuses us. How do we, how do you say, register for the NoVAMoMe?
A: Welp, it's pretty darn easy!

First, check your calendars for June 8th, 2024, and cancel anything already planned. Good so far? Then simply send an email to WeaselBell Productions expressing your interest, then sit back and anxiously wait for a reply. Our pal and most delightful 'ette and MoMe Hostess Extraordinaire bluebell will review your application and relevant permanent record notations to decide if you're NoVAMoMe material. If you're one of the chosen, you'll get a reply with a link and secret password to the registration site containing all the pertinent details. Look these over and complete the simple registration form, following the PayPal link provided at the end of the form to make your payment. The $30 pp fee covers appetizers, dinner (BBQ Chicken, hamburdogs, sides, and dessert) plus an unlimited amount of fun! Since we must guarantee a headcount to the caterer, all registrations must be made online by May 26th. We are not accepting payment for registration at the door. You do not need a PayPal account to register and can pay with any major credit card.

A NoVAMoMe PSA from our pal bluebell

Hi folks - just a quick PSA. If you write for info about the MoMe, please give us a few words in the body of the email just so I know you are a Moron and not a spammer (moron). I do receive spam on this email account because it's sitting right here in my nic, so that's why I'm asking. I don't want to give our details to a spammer. Also, once registered, remember to check your spam folder if you don't receive a confirmation email.

Thanks.
bluebell

Seriously, just send an email, go to the site with the password provided, fill out the simple form, and make your payment. If you forget, a link to the email is on the main page, left sidebar. If you do not sign up, bluebell will be disappointed. Weasel will be disappointed, too, but it's bluebell you need to worry about.

Win a Dream Date with Weasel!
Due to 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!

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.

Don't be a pathetic girly-man loser, register today!

Q: Weasel, anything else for 2024?
A: Why I'm glad you asked! There are in fact TWO things to mention for 2024.

First, we are again having a pre-party get-together the afternoon/evening before the main event. Details at the registration site.

Dos, we are again offering a NoVAMoMe commemorative mug for 2024 available only to NoVAMoMe participants!

We sincerely hope you can join the festivities. I promise you this event is as laid back and non-anxiety inducing as humanly possible, and nothing makes me happier than to meet new people who have been reluctant to join in the past. If sitting on the sidelines and just observing is your thing, you can do just that with zero pressure from anyone. I hope some of the past NoVAMoMe participants will jump in and share their thoughts on the event to inspire the scairdy-cat lurkers out there to throw caution to the wind and sign up!

That's it, people. Email WeaselBell Productions today!

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Range Report
First up our pal Blake shares the details of a competition range trip!

There are targets out there somewhere!

Saturday, March 23, I made it to my second silhouette match. But, the day before, I hit the range to check the zero stop I'd recently set up on my scope and practice that which Weaselsan Gunsei mentioned the previous week: fundamentals. (zero stop was spot on)

The first couple of shots were just bad, on my part, then I finally got settled in and put three shots in two holes. After that, I lost it for a shot, put one just high and left, settled back in and put another shot touching the first three.

From there, I moved to some different ammo and put three shots in basically two holes, show in the upper left target. (the ammo is some custom ammo I purchased for use in our local 1,000 yard match. I think it passes muster)

Now, on to the silhouette match: I first shot this match 3 months ago or so and didn't do all that well, which is to be expected. The match consists of 5 half size silhouettes at 200. 300, 400 and 500 meters for a total of 20 possible points. These are not big targets. The turkeys at 200 meters, are maybe 6" tall x 4" wide. The rams, at 500 meters are 6" tall but a bit wider, maybe 10". And it's not enough to just hit a target. The target needs to be knocked completely off the rail they are standing on. One thing I did have in my favor was my range book. In the course of my first match I noted the appropriate MOA elevation adjustment for each distance, which turned out to be spot on. Anyway, after everything was said and done, I went 5 for 5 and 200 and 400 meters, 4 for 5 at 500 meters. Unfortunately, 300 meters had me for lunch and I only got 2 out of 5. Drat.

One thing which caught be off guard was my new bipod. It turns out it was a bit taller than the previous one I had and my rear bag couldn't make up the height enough to bring the muzzle down on to the target. Now, I could have adjusted by moving the legs on the bipod to the forward 45 degree angle, but, I decided against it because I've never used or practiced with that set up. Instead, I used my hand on the bag to get the rifle high enough to be on target. Which was another lesson learned and necessitates further practice trips to the range.

Darn.

This, people, is how you become a better shooter. Very nicely done Blake!

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What to Do
After a self-defense shooting.

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Buy Ammo

Georgia Arms is having a sale: 10% off storewide and free shipping on orders more than $250.

Sounds like a deal to me.

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Fundamentals Study Topic
How to Hold a Pistol While Wearing a 40mm Rolex GMT Master! Carefully, people. Carefully!

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Dr. Frank Baxter!

It's about time we had some Dr. Frank!

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Jules Verne's From the Earth to the Moon!

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Musical Interlude
Here is John Paul Jones on the lap steel with When the Levee Breaks

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Gun Basics 101
New video from the She Equips Herself gal! Here is another installment in the "finding the perfect carry gun" series.

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Cigar of the Week

This week our pal Diogenes scores with this excellent review of the La Gloria Cubana Classic

The first thing you notice about this cigar is how hard it is to the touch, it felt almost like a cardboard tube. That always makes me wonder if it is going to be a difficult cigar to smoke, hard to draw and hard to keep lit. Not the case here. The Classic has an Ecuadoran Sumatra wrapper, a Nicaraguan binder plus a Dominican/Nicaraguan filler. Their web site calls this a medium bodied cigar and I concur. I found it to be a pleasant smoke with a spicy start followed by flavors of chocolate and leather. The middle third provided a very smooth and relaxing tobacco flavor. The cedar finish is noteworthy and very pleasant. Cigar Aficionado gives it a very respectable 92 rating. I liked this cigar. Nothing fancy, nothing outrageous. Just a good peasant smoke and depending on where you shop, a reasonable value.

Excellent, Diogenes! Thank you very mucho!

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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
Nicks Cigar World New!

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 from our pal ShortBusRider. Will you look at that smile!

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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?