« Food Thread: Canada: What Is It Good For? | Main | Sunday Overnight Open Thread (5/19/24)1 »

Gun Thread: Sunday May 19th 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 Sunday May 19th? Next thing you know it will be Sunday May 25th, and then June! Oh, the humanity!

Not much happening in WeaselWorld this weekend, it's overcast and rainy and generally pretty dismal. We have new neighbors moving in next door so I will probably occupy myself by peeking thru the curtains and watching them unload stuff from their cars, one of which is a Prius, so I suppose I will have my work cut out for me. I wonder if living next door to Weasel was disclosed by the sellers or perhaps even turned up in the title search?

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

******
FUNdamentals
OK, show of hands. Who has been to the range and tried the focusing on fundamentals thing I won't shut up about?

Q: Speaking of that Weasel, are you ever going to shut up about it?
A: No.

I'm not going to shut up about it because it works, people. I am quite happy to announce that some of all y'all have contacted me, eyes wide with wonderment, to report they have tried the focus elements of WeaselDoctrine and to their surprise and amazement are beginning to see tangible results! Honest to goodness real, observable, measurable and most importantly improved results!

I told you so.

This isn't rocket surgery, people. It's really just common sense. For any complex task, determine the component parts and focus on each of those individually. The focus is not on the objective of shooting small groups, but rather on mastering the fundamentals which allow the objective to occur naturally as a consequence of proper shot execution. It's not easy and it takes time plus a lot of dedicated effort, but it works.

Give it a try.

******
Katana Update
Long-time readers will recall in early May 2021 I included the following in the Gun Thread:

***

Weasel, That ain't a gun
Why yes, yes it's not. It's not a gun, it's a sword! A katana to be precise.

I have been watching a bunch of restoration videos on YouTube lately, covering everything from Swiss watches to antique bench vises (viceii?), when it occurred to me I have an item that could use some TLC. It's a sword handed down to me by my Dad and it's been in the family longer than I have. Since I have had it I've always meant to have it looked over. The story of how he acquired it isn't particularly exciting. In the late 1940s he was working at a service station as a teen and had to take the back seat out of a customer's car for some reason. The sword was under the seat, the customer wasn't interested in it, and gave it to my dad. That's it. That's the story. No hail of gunfire and samurai charge and taking it off a dead Jap on Iwo Jima or anything. Frankly, it's a little anticlimactic, but perfectly normal for my ancestors who are a notorious bunch of criminals, liars and cowardly scoundrels. Tennoheika Banzai!

So I started doing some research. I could tell it was old, and of the Japanese samurai katana style, but that's all I knew. I quickly found out that the rabbit hole for swords is not only every bit as deep as it is for guns, but much, much deeper. Bigly deep. I began by poking around on the internet and learning what I could about how they were made, some of their history, and most importantly how to take proper care of them. The basic rules I have found are don't touch it, keep it oiled, and for Pete's sake, don't try and clean it or 'sharpen' it yourself!

Until he other day, the sword was sporting an obviously unoriginal handle, or tsuka, which I have since removed to see if the tang (nakago) is signed. Although it's not signed by the maker that I can tell, it does have a series of faint crosshatched file marks on both sides in the Higaki Yasuri pattern. Other than that, it's in the same shape as when my Dad received it about 70 years ago.

There are very few people (togishi) in the U.S. who hand polish swords. By hand. As in, not with machines. I managed to find one of them, sent a bunch of photos of the blade, and asked for advice regarding my options. They tentatively identified the sword as from the Mino School and estimate it's age at, get this, 400 years or older. I knew it was cool, and old, but 400 years old? Holy crap! I thought my '03 Springfield made in 1909 was old! Just to make sure, I have since had the assessment confirmed by others who specialize in the field of Japanese sword making. That's the good news.

The bad news, is I need to have it polished, and to have that done by an expert ain't cheap. The correct hand polish is a process that takes weeks of work to perform, costs around $100 per inch, and the wait list is measured in years for a top polisher to begin work. I also need to have a new custom shira-saya, or storage handle and scabbard mounting made for it. What the hell, right? It's only money, and what am I going to do, start buying guns and ammo?

So I'm on the wait list, now currently estimated at 23 months. When it's my turn I box it up and send it to the West coast. The polisher I've chosen seems confident the blade will restore nicely, as the oxidation is all on the surface and has not pitted the steel. I've given it a nice protective coat of oil, and have promised myself to treat it a little more respectfully now that I know it's age. I have no idea what it's worth, and frankly do not really care. I'm going to have it restored to it's former head-lopping glory in the traditional way because I think it's the right thing to do. There are other much cheaper and faster alternatives for shining it up, but someone who doesn't know what they are doing can easily ruin a blade. Since Weasel-san is now pretty much a samurai warrior, it needs to be done properly and in the ancient manner.

What would you do? Git 'er done with a grinder yourself, or honor the blade, its maker, and all of its previous owners?

***
May 2024 Update!
Fast forward to last week, when my togishi (sword polisher) contacted me to let me know my long wait was over and he is ready for me to ship the blade to him. I have opted for a full polish in the traditional method which as I indicated earlier can take two or three weeks to accomplish using only hand stones sourced from Japan. To say I am excited to have this done is an understatement, and I consider myself very fortunate to have found the right person to do the work and also to have the means to have it treated properly and quite frankly, respectfully.

In Japan, swordsmithing and polishing are considered sacred arts. A long time ago someone went to a lot of effort to make the blade, and it was then passed down through the generations until it landed in my lap. The story of its journey has been lost, but out of respect for the maker and all those who have owned it over several hundred years, I plan to take care of it in the very best way I can. I sort of feel like I have a responsibility now that it's in my hands. Does that make any sense at all? Anyhow, my togishi has promised more information once he is able to personally examine the blade and maker's marks and I will pass that along as well as photos of the finished product.

Here is a video I found of the traditional process for polishing. Can you imagine doing this for two weeks?

So what would you do? Would you spend the money to have it restored traditionally or look for a more economic solution? Alternatively, would you simply wipe it with oil periodically and call it good? Please let me know in the comments!

******
Pythons!
Our pal Hickok45 looks at the old and the new.

******
Home Range
No, not the one where you have a membership and practice your fundamentals, but rather one in your basement where you practice your fundamentals!

******
Home Vault
If you have a range at home, you should have a gun vault, too.

******
Would You Try This?
A little nutty.

******
Sci-fi Monsters Atomic Edition
A compilation of trailers from several classics!

******
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!

******
Musical Interlude
Here is Manfred Mann's Earth Band and Blinded By The Light.

******
Gun Basics 101
New video from the She Equips Herself gal! This time SEH takes a look at a revolver as a carry option.

******

Cigar of the Week
How about a gun lighter restoration?

******

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!

******

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 and delightful 'ette Iris. This is a great one!

******

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?