Gun Thread: 2nd September 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 2nd edition of September? Quick note: the schedule for the TXMoMe is still being refined and will be posted here when available.

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

Fundamentals for the new shooter. Also for the old shooter. Also for the shooter warming up for the TXMoMe.

If you're heading to Texas by air.

If you happen to have a jet.

They Mome'n down in Texas!

NOTE: No updates this week. Still working on the schedule.

The time has come to begin the discussion of the upcoming TXMoMe in Corsicana, TX on October 17-18. This is the TENTH annual TXMoMe, or Conservative Burning Man as it's popularly known, and it promises to be a doozy. If you're in either the Northern or Southern Hemisphere of the Planet of the Earth, contact Ben Had for details on attending. The dates and email links for all MoMes are always helpfully included on the blog's main page, left sidebar.

What started years ago as a small get-together and informal plinking session lasting a couple of hours has matured into a full scale jamboree-hootenanny including a program of shooting activities for both handguns and rifles over two days. I have to thank Ben Had, Cow Horse Queen and RancherBob for making this whole thing happen and providing the opportunity for the shooting to comprise such a significant portion of the event.

But wait! There's more! Combine that with world class food and drink, and the even world classier company of your fellow Morons, and you have a weekend that legends are made of. For those not inclined to shoot (?), there are non-stop opportunities to relax in the shade of the carport or under a handy nearby tree with a beverage and visit with your online pals to your hearts content, which is really what the whole damn thing is about in the first place..

Allow me to be serious for a minute. I have said this probably two hundred and fifty-seven times now. These gatherings are a really good time, and I know of no one who expresses regret after having attended one. Actually it goes beyond that. It's not just a weekend of laughs, it's an opportunity to connect with lots of like-minded people and create lasting friendships and priceless memories. No kidding. Think that's hyperbole? It snot. Would your ol' pal Weasel lie to you? Well, yes he would, but not about this. TXMoMe veterans will attest to the funness and completely laid-back nature of the event. Don't be a dork, do yourself a favor and get yo' ass to Texas!

Specifics of the Friday/Saturday schedule of activities will be posted here in the coming weeks, so stay tuned.

TXMoMe veterans: please jump into the comments to encourage the scairdy-cats to join in the fun! What was your first MoMe like? What were you expecting? Were you surprised? Did you have a great time?

Call for Volunteers
Help! As I mentioned above, the shooting program in Texas continues to grow, and we wouldn't be able to do it without a lot of help. If you're interested in lending a hand in some capacity, please drop me a note at gunthread at protonmail dot com indicating your date and time of arrival and we'll be in touch. Thank You!

RSOs from prior years: Expect an email from me soon.

If you are attending the TXMoMe this year, and all the cool kids are, please keep an eye on this section for important information and updates in the coming weeks! I also want to reiterate the TXMoMe is not a gun thing with some socializing attached, but rather is a social thing with some shooting attached. If you aren't a shooter, I guarantee you will not feel out of place and will have a great time. No fooling!

Are all y'all getting excited? Weasel are!!

This week's episode: Lookout

Rerun? I can't recall.

Cigar of the Week

This week our pal Diogenes scores again with this excellent re-review of the CAO Pilon Robusto.

Many of you will recall the review of the Pilon from just after New Years. I figured since I had another in the humidor, it as time to revisit this very fine cigar.

So I did.

As with most cigars, the Pilon starts with a burst of flavors with nuts, cinnamon, and pepper dominating. In the background there is a smoother creaminess and an almost raisin-like hint that will emerge later in the cigar. I found the draw to be smooth and easy with a satisfying amount of smoke and aroma. The ash showed a good burn and there was no flaking. There were no flaws in the construction of the stick I smoked.

The second third of the smoke brought forth that creaminess I mentioned with a definite dampening of the peppery side. There was a nice coffee flavor there as well. The ash remained tight and the draw as easy as the start.

The final third was just as enjoyable with the flavors merging into a deeper tone of tobacco providing a smooth finish. Typically for cigars that I am really enjoying I peel the paper ring off so I an smoke it longer. I did wo with the Pilon.

I like this cigar. It is a medium strength cigar and Nicaraguan in origin that include the binder and filler. The wrapper is Ecuadorian Habano. A great smoke that at about $6.00 doesn't break the bank, and it is one that you will look forward to for the next time. I won't wait until New Years for the next one.

Excellent as always, Diogenes! I really appreciate it! 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
Lucky Gunner 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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