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Gun Thread: The Five-O of de May-O 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 May? As I predicted last week, May was just around the corner, and well dang if it didn't come true!

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

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WeaselDoctrine
So who went to the range this week and focused on fundamentals? I mean, really focused on the task at hand? I probably don't give those who do enough credit, because frankly, it's not that easy to do. Sure, you might vaguely recall some retarded shit Weasel was yammering about the previous week on the Gun Thread about fundamentals and blah, blah, blah... just the usual crap, but are you really focused the whole time?. After all, you are already one tactical bad-ass mo-fo with a giant watch and the latest and greatest thing from Sig or Glock sporting a flashlight and optic and Pez dispenser. You read lots of internet stuff too, and impress the heck out of range babes with your mad skillz and drop rig holster. You go to the range and shoot and the results aren't too terrible, so who needs all the focusing and fundamentals crapola?

You do.

The single best way I know to focus all of your brain molecules and track progress is to keep score. It's really that simple. I intentionally try not to focus on competitive shooting here because I want this to be a general shooting-for-funsies-for-all thread and don't want it to turn into some boring, ultra-competitive, elite-shooter wanna-be deal. Having said that, I have always been a proponent of practicing with a purpose and keeping track of progress, and it turns out keeping score is very handy in that regard. Again, plinking is relatively easy, and shooting well for score is hard. It places you outside your comfort zone, and if you have the right attitude, causes you to try your best to make every shot count.

I will say it again, if you aren't participating in some sort of club level competitive shooting event, you are missing an inexpensive and fun way to very quickly up your game. The first time you go, you won't have any idea what you're doing and that's OK, but please avoid the temptation to just go to a match and watch. OK, maybe you can do that once, but the only way to learn and reap all the benefits is to go and participate. You will quickly find everyone is more than willing to help a new competitor, especially if you go with a good attitude, ask questions and are willing to learn. Not being an asshole is also helpful.

Please consider it. You will be surprised with how fun it is and how quickly you will improve.

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Competition Time!
In an amazing and totally not made up coincidence our pals blaster and sra blaster have started competing!

Since we went to the TxMoMe, sra blaster has been itching to compete in shooting. She looked a little at IDPA but locations and times did not gel for us. Then our local range started having "Steel Shoots." This is an "outlaw" competition that doesn't run under any sanctioning body. It's just indoor courses involving movement that are timed and scored and it was a good fit for us.

We did attend a training course for this that gave us a feel for how the events are run. Our first event we had a great time but scored poorly. We chalk it up as a learning experience. We've got our second event in a couple of days so we hope to do better and still have fun.

Here's how the courses are run: there is a setup in an indoor range and steel targets are arranged in various scenarios for you to shoot in a run. Some are static firing - stand here at this cone and shoot those targets 2x each. Some are in motion. Shoot at these targets while you are transiting from this point to this point. Some require a particular sequence - shoot the red target, then the yellow, then the red again. Some are shoot from behind an obstacle. An RSO follows you and times and keeps score and makes sure you aren't breaking any safety rules. You get one walkthrough and then it's time to shoot. After everyone in the group shoots the first course you move to the second.

No restrictions on equipment except you are limited to 3 magazines and you must have an OWB holster for your pistol and two mags. Also you must shoot frangible ammo since we are engaging steel at as little as 5 yards. Round count for a course may be over 40 so no math but that is going to leave 1911s out of the running. Everyone shot some high cap 9mm - Sigs, Glocks, and 2011s were on the menu.

This type of shooting is a real challenge. There is more than just putting a hole in a piece of paper. You have to think and remember and it's a competition also deal with adrenaline. And focus on fundamentals at the same time!

And then there is preparation. You need to have the right equipment. While three is the minimum number of mags to have, having 6 is better. Preloading them helps - I am loading each mag to 15 and then we will remove rounds to fit the scenario. We got caught short in the first event because we had to load 43 rounds in 3 mags in a short period of time - time that would have been better spent reviewing the course and watching others go ahead of us.

This is fun but I think it will ultimately make us better shooters, too. I hope our scores are better this time.

Very nicely done blaster and sra blaster!

Do you see this, people? Do you see? They had fun! They also realize this will make them better shooters. I call this a win-win situation with no downside other than perhaps initially demonstrating in public that you aren't quite ready for the SEAL Teams just yet. Always keep track of scores as a progress metric but don't obsess over them. They will get better fairly quickly as you begin to get comfortable with what you're doing. Simply set aside your ego as you learn, and listen more than you talk. Figure out who the best shooters are and become their bestest friends. Ask them how they do things and you are very likely to be surprised by how willing the truly accomplished shooters are to share.

Give it a try. I know we have some competitors here who can chime in on the value of shooting matches, so please speak up in the comments!

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FUNdamentals Review

Trigger placement

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Shelter On a Quiet Street

For the coming Spicy Times.

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Neutron Stars

These little guys seem like fun!

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2024 NoVAMoMe

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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Monster From Green Hell!
Have I featured this before? For some reason I believe I have. If so, here it is again.

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Musical Interlude
Here is Henry Mancini with a few favorites.

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Gun Basics 101
No new video from the She Equips Herself gal, so here is a re-run on safety at the gym

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Cigar of the Week

This week our pal rhomboid scores again with this excellent review of the Stillwell Bayou No. 32

Steve Saka, the founder and master blender of Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust, is also a pipe smoker, and a while back he collaborated with the chief blender of the pipe tobacco company Cornell & Diehl to blend some pipe tobacco-based cigars. I've reviewed two here previously: the Aromatic No. 1 and the Navy 1056.

The Bayou No. 32 is another in the line, the name drawn from the use of Louisiana's unique and venerable Perique pipe tobacco, from St. James Parish. In Dunbarton's description, the Bayou No. 32 is "A combination of Bright and Red Virginia leaf with the most select St. James Parish Perique pipe tobacco added to a medium-bodied Nicaraguan puro".

More experienced pipe smokers than I can probably describe the flavors better, but to me the overall experience was a sort of sweet tangy earthiness. Very nice. Smoke was ample, and as with all Dunbarton sticks, construction was excellent. There a couple other interesting cigars in this line that I hope to try in the future. Stillwell Star sticks are not your everyday cigar (unless you've made a killing in bitcoin, or were far-sighted enough to snatch up lots of new-in-box Colt Pythons back in the 80s) - they go for $14 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
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 10 Gallon Hat. 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?