Gun Thread: March 2nd 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 March? Specifically, March 2nd? Well it did and it is, so we might as well get used to it, at least for the rest of the day.

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

A big part of shooting fundamentals is not killing yourself or blowing up your gun in the process of shooting, so let's take a minute to discuss squib loads. A squib is simply a condition where, after a round is fired, the bullet does not exit the barrel and creates a blockage. Bad things can happen if you don't notice and pull the trigger again. With me so far?

The last thing you want to do is to pull the trigger again with a bullet obstructing the barrel, and range babes are most definitely not impressed when your shit explodes and you're standing there crying and bleeding all over the place. As is always the case, situational awareness is key. If something doesn't act/sound/feel right, stop what you are doing and make the weapon safe, put it down facing a safe direction, and investigate. Investigate does not mean looking down the barrel! Note in the video the guy unloaded and first checked from the breech end of the gun. Get help making the weapon safe if needed, and head to a gunsmith to fix the problem if you do not feel comfortable removing the blockage yourself.

We all miss our departed, but never forgotten, pal Jesse in DC. Imagine my surprise and delight then the folloing showed up in the Ol' Gun Thread mailbox from Jesse's delightful 'ette and bride, Screaming in Digital!

SiD writes: To remember Jesse in DC on the 3rd anniversary of his death (February 28), I'm sharing his 1911 with the Horde. The handwritten notes are Jesse's. I don't know where or how he acquired this pistol. The last entry on this page, although undated, is likely from fall 2021 after we took this pistol out to the Laramie Rifle Range and I shot it with considerable glee, enough to knock the front sight loose.

I was curious about this 1911's history, and Ed L kindly obliged with some research from Edward Scott Meadows' Volume Two and Volume Three about US Military Semiautomatic Pistols from 1911-2012 (and a bit of informed speculation):

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EdL's Notes:

The frame was made by Ithaca. The initials "FJA" are those of Colonel Frank J. Atwood, the US Army Ordnance Corps' inspector for ordnance for the Rochester District, which covered the Ithaca factory. The serial number says it was delivered in January 1944 on the 14th, 17th, or the 19th. The shipments on the 14th and 19th went to the San Antonio Ordnance Depot. The shipment on the 17th went to the Benicia Ordnance Depot in Army Point, California.

The slide is a replacement slide made by Colt between 1937 and 1943. The sights are National Match type sights added post-WWII. I [Ed] think they are from 1959. But I'm not sure if Jesse's 1911 got the full National Match treatment. The barrel has the part number consistent with National Match pistols used in military competitions.

The replacement slide from Colt was probably made after mid 1941. Jesse's is parkerized. Before mid 1941, it would have been a bright commercial blue.

From 1963 to 1968, the slides were specially made for the National Match competitions. That's why I think Jesse's pistol pre-dates 1963; the WWII Colt made spare slide would not have been used post 1962.

The plastic grips are a later add. The National Match pistols had the GI plastic grips replaced with walnut grips. Parting out guns was (and unfortunately still is) a common practice back then.

The type of rear sight on Jesse's pistol was first used in National Match guns starting in 1960 through 1966.

The front sight is a replacement from the 1970s or 1980s. The original National Match front sight was triangular or trapezoidal in shape.

The front strap appears to have had something attached to it originally but removed later. The 1957 and 1958 pistols had neoprene pads which shooters had the option to remove, thus exposing the treatment to the metal underneath to glue the neoprene on.

Whoever used the pistol probably purchased it. Competitors at National Match events were allowed to buy the pistol they used after it was over. The Gun Control Act of 1968 put a halt to this practice. After that, most competition 1911s ended up in the scrap heap because the customization meant they were unfit for further military use.

I'm speculating that the original purchaser could have been a repeat competitor at the National Matches. As the years went on, the pistol would have been modified to meet the changing standards for the pistols used in the competition. After his time as an active competitor ended (or when the pistol was sold off), the pistol underwent additional modifications and changes to the state Jesse found it when he bought the pistol.

***

Many thanks to Ed L for shedding light on the history of one of my favorite firearms from Jesse's collection. Miss you Jesse!

Jesse's Notes

Wow. Simply wow! What a fitting tribute for our missing pal. Thank you both for this.

This week our pal rhomboid scores again with this excellent review of the Southern Draw Rose of Sharon

Southern Draw's founder Robert Holt pays tribute to his wife Sharon with the brand's signature connecticut wrapper cigar, the Rose of Sharon. It's a beautiful light tan stick whose impeccable construction is visible to the eye (and is confirmed by a very even burn line when smoked). It's softly box pressed, and light in the hand. Ecuador connecticut wrapper, Nicaraguan binder and filler, with Dominican piloto in the filler as well. The pleasant aromas sniffed before light-up - sweet wood, hints of spice - are duplicated on the palate, along with a frequently mentioned flavor note I've been as yet unable to isolate in any other cigar: graham cracker. Abundant smoke - and that ruler-straight burn line requiring the smallest of touch-ups throughout - attest to excellent blend and construction. A mild delight, whose very high reputation among cigar commentators seems well deserved. A ways back I reviewed here a limited production extension of this line, the Desert Rose, which I also loved. Rose of Sharon can be found online for around $11 and up.

Excellent, rhomboid! Thank you!

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!

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?

posted by Weasel at 07:00 PM

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