Please go read A Girl and Her Gun today. Then, think about what she says.
There are stark differences between those who are in-power (or who seek it), and those who empower. My experience with the gun community, and especially the gun blogging community, is that they are folks who want to empower you, and not gain power over you.
They are friends (even the ones I haven't yet met).
Pax,
Newbius
Showing posts with label Shooty Goodness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shooty Goodness. Show all posts
Monday, January 9, 2012
Monday, December 19, 2011
Range after-action
This morning I took advantage of the beautiful weather and empty calendar to go to the range. I had invited another local blogger, "A Girl and Her Gun", to come shoot the XDm-45 (since she had expressed an interest in the 5.25" Competition model), and met up with her right as the range opened.
Once into our lane, I explained the manual of arms, stapled up a paper plate, handed her 5 magazines, and turned her loose. She is a very good shot.
I encouraged her to run a lot of rounds through the gun (I had brought over 600) to get comfortable with it, and kept the magazines reloaded while she shot. She did not disappoint. Strong hand, weak hand, one-handed, no matter. Target after target, everything was center mass. Her instructors should be proud.
Grins all around. It was a very fun time. All in all, It was a good morning. I hope yours went as well.
Pax,
Newbius
Once into our lane, I explained the manual of arms, stapled up a paper plate, handed her 5 magazines, and turned her loose. She is a very good shot.
I encouraged her to run a lot of rounds through the gun (I had brought over 600) to get comfortable with it, and kept the magazines reloaded while she shot. She did not disappoint. Strong hand, weak hand, one-handed, no matter. Target after target, everything was center mass. Her instructors should be proud.
Grins all around. It was a very fun time. All in all, It was a good morning. I hope yours went as well.
Pax,
Newbius
Range Day today
Heading over to the local range today to do an 'after-repair' run on the wife's 1911, and also to meet up with another local blogger. A Girl and Her Gun will be there to try my XDm-45, which I have offered to her to use, to help her decide about one for herself (in 9mm IIRC). I am looking forward to meeting her. An After-action report should follow.
Pax,
Newbius
Pax,
Newbius
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Range day today
Sorry, no pictures of the Redhead punching paper...
Took the new Colt out for its first run through. One magazine had two FTF issues. Twice, magazine #4 (yes, my mags are numbered) popped the last round near vertical and jammed. Not sure what it is, but will monitor it.
One other issue: Gun began shooting right of aim point. When I got home, this is what I saw:
The set screw for the rear sight had backed itself out, leaving the rear sight to shift with recoil. I tightened it, but I know that I am going to have to spend some time sighting it in again.
Mrs. Newbius did well, but began anticipating the shots (causing the barrel to dip and the shots to go low) after a few magazines. We will work on it. Maybe we can both take a basic pistol course and brush up on our fundamentals.
The Astra A-100 is still functioning properly after the repair. I am glad to have this one back in the stable (er, desk drawer). It has a lot of sentimental value, and is a solid gun (especially given its original price point).
The XDm-45 still runs without a hitch. In fact, I think I am now over 2,500 rounds through the XDm-45 and it has never failed in any way. It has fed, fired, and extracted every round without fail and is pretty accurate too. I cannot ask for anything more in a handgun. This is my daily carry gun and I appreciate the reliability.
Tonight is going to be spent relaxing with my bride, eating homemade pizza and drinking good wine. Life is good.
Pax,
Newbius
Took the new Colt out for its first run through. One magazine had two FTF issues. Twice, magazine #4 (yes, my mags are numbered) popped the last round near vertical and jammed. Not sure what it is, but will monitor it.
One other issue: Gun began shooting right of aim point. When I got home, this is what I saw:
Mrs. Newbius did well, but began anticipating the shots (causing the barrel to dip and the shots to go low) after a few magazines. We will work on it. Maybe we can both take a basic pistol course and brush up on our fundamentals.
The Astra A-100 is still functioning properly after the repair. I am glad to have this one back in the stable (er, desk drawer). It has a lot of sentimental value, and is a solid gun (especially given its original price point).
The XDm-45 still runs without a hitch. In fact, I think I am now over 2,500 rounds through the XDm-45 and it has never failed in any way. It has fed, fired, and extracted every round without fail and is pretty accurate too. I cannot ask for anything more in a handgun. This is my daily carry gun and I appreciate the reliability.
Tonight is going to be spent relaxing with my bride, eating homemade pizza and drinking good wine. Life is good.
Pax,
Newbius
Saturday, September 10, 2011
All that, and armed too.
My beautiful bride, (longtime spouse, best friend, confidant, and all around wonderful lady) Mrs. Newbius, completed her very first 4473 today. All the best qualities you could want in a person and armed, too. :) Life is good.
Newbius
Newbius
Friday, September 9, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Mixing up the mischief
A special thanks goes out to the good folks at Tannerite. They went above and beyond and got an order out to us in time for the blogshoot. A great company to deal with. A fun product to play with.
Newbius
FTC Note: We paid full retail price for the product. Go pull the wings off of some flies.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Home again
Arrived home and have unpacked the car. Lots of guns to clean, maybe some pictures to post later. Thank you Breda, Heath, and Amanda for everything. NorthCoast II is in the bag. I hope to be able to play again next year
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Packing Lists
Food:
Pizza Dough - check
Pizza Sauces - check
Pizza Toppings - check
Sandwich Makings - check
Beer - check
Wine - Check
Water - Check
Fun:
Rifle - Check
Other rifle - check
Other rifle - check
Shotgun - check
Shotgun - check
shotgun - check
handgun - check
handgun - check
handgun - check
handgun - check
ammo for all...oh yeah! - check
Clothes, snarky T-shirts, grooming kit, pillow... - check
Spouse - Hell Yeah! CHECK!
Off to Northcoast Blogshoot II...See you there!
Pizza Dough - check
Pizza Sauces - check
Pizza Toppings - check
Sandwich Makings - check
Beer - check
Wine - Check
Water - Check
Fun:
Rifle - Check
Other rifle - check
Other rifle - check
Shotgun - check
Shotgun - check
shotgun - check
handgun - check
handgun - check
handgun - check
handgun - check
ammo for all...oh yeah! - check
Clothes, snarky T-shirts, grooming kit, pillow... - check
Spouse - Hell Yeah! CHECK!
Off to Northcoast Blogshoot II...See you there!
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Oooh! Shiny!
Just a quick note. The Mrs. has basically decided upon a gun that fits her and that feels comfortable to her hand.
Since it is a lightweight compact 1911, the next question is: 9mm or .45? If I was buying for myself, I would go for .45. For her, will the recoil be much less in 9mm? It has been a long time since I shot 9mm.
Opinions?
Newbius
Since it is a lightweight compact 1911, the next question is: 9mm or .45? If I was buying for myself, I would go for .45. For her, will the recoil be much less in 9mm? It has been a long time since I shot 9mm.
Opinions?
Newbius
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
What are YOU doing on Memorial Day?
I am pretty sure I am going to be in Knoxville. LuckyGunner.com is sponsoring a blogshoot, and will be providing the ammo, guns, and FUN. Oh, did I mention that they were FULL-AUTO fun guns? Yeah. Like I said. FUN.
Plus, Tam is going to be there, and maybe JayG, and possibly RobbAllen...so you know that the snark will be going as rapid-fire as the machine guns. :)
Count me IN.
Newbius
Plus, Tam is going to be there, and maybe JayG, and possibly RobbAllen...so you know that the snark will be going as rapid-fire as the machine guns. :)
Count me IN.
Newbius
Monday, February 21, 2011
Saturday Range Day After Action
Saturday's dawn greeted extremely windy conditions, so much so that we decided to scratch the trip to Clark Brothers and instead go to the local indoor range.
Prior to departing, I conducted a safety briefing with my kids to remind them of the rules. I also went over the operation of each of the guns we would be firing. We then picked up my son's girlfriend Cheryl, who had never handled a firearm before but was eager to learn. On the drive over, we again covered the Rules, grip, stance, and expectations.
Arriving at the range, we discovered a line to the door with 12 or more people ahead of us. Thankfully, after checking we only had to wait another 30 minutes for our lanes to open. We got set up, and then everyone got one more reminder about safety and operation and then we were shooting.
Cheryl really enjoyed the Walther PP .32 ACP, the Savage Mark II .22LR, and the XDm-45. In fact, she kept going back to the XDm time and again for her recoil fix. Big grins all around!
I did have one casualty though. My Astra A-100 failed. The gun locked up out of battery and would not close. I dropped the mag and didn't see anything obvious. When I tried to re-insert the magazine, it would not insert fully. I took the slide off and walked out front where the light was and examined it more closely. Upon closer inspection, it was obvious that the gun was done for the day. The barrel stop had broken in 2 places.
This gun, while not expensive, has a great deal of sentimental value. It is no longer in production and some parts are scarce, especially magazines. I called European American Armory (EAA) this morning after a quick check of their website, and they do have the part in stock. Hopefully, I can have this one back up and running shortly.
On the whole, it was a pretty good day. I got to scrape the rust off of my skills and get some recoil therapy. My oldest son and my daughter got to have some fun. And, a new shooter got to see that guns are fun when used properly. Sounds like a win to me!
Pax,
Newbius
Prior to departing, I conducted a safety briefing with my kids to remind them of the rules. I also went over the operation of each of the guns we would be firing. We then picked up my son's girlfriend Cheryl, who had never handled a firearm before but was eager to learn. On the drive over, we again covered the Rules, grip, stance, and expectations.
Arriving at the range, we discovered a line to the door with 12 or more people ahead of us. Thankfully, after checking we only had to wait another 30 minutes for our lanes to open. We got set up, and then everyone got one more reminder about safety and operation and then we were shooting.
Cheryl really enjoyed the Walther PP .32 ACP, the Savage Mark II .22LR, and the XDm-45. In fact, she kept going back to the XDm time and again for her recoil fix. Big grins all around!
I did have one casualty though. My Astra A-100 failed. The gun locked up out of battery and would not close. I dropped the mag and didn't see anything obvious. When I tried to re-insert the magazine, it would not insert fully. I took the slide off and walked out front where the light was and examined it more closely. Upon closer inspection, it was obvious that the gun was done for the day. The barrel stop had broken in 2 places.
This gun, while not expensive, has a great deal of sentimental value. It is no longer in production and some parts are scarce, especially magazines. I called European American Armory (EAA) this morning after a quick check of their website, and they do have the part in stock. Hopefully, I can have this one back up and running shortly.
On the whole, it was a pretty good day. I got to scrape the rust off of my skills and get some recoil therapy. My oldest son and my daughter got to have some fun. And, a new shooter got to see that guns are fun when used properly. Sounds like a win to me!
Pax,
Newbius
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Different Fun Store, Different Result
Yes, I got something. I am just doing my part to improve the averages and keep the economy moving. :)
Monday, October 25, 2010
BTOH
BToH - The Brown Truck of Happiness So named because it brings all kinds of wonderful things right to my doorstep. Today's case in point:
A case of Federal Gold Medal Match .308 Winchester 168 grain BTHP rounds, purchased from Glen's Army Navy Store.
This is the stuff that my rifle REALLY LIKES:
Pax,
Newbius
This is the stuff that my rifle REALLY LIKES:
Pax,
Newbius
Friday, October 22, 2010
Do Want
I love my rifle. It is fun and easy to shoot, and is adequately accurate. There is one little thing about it that I wish were improved and that is the butt stock. My rifle has a standard A2 butt stock, and for me the length of pull is a little short and makes the eye relief on the scope difficult to master at some magnifications.
Here is the solution: MagPul PRS 308 Gen 2
I think that this, along with an Accu-Shot Monopod should do nicely to fix the problem. Then, I will be finished with the upgrades, at least until I am able to afford the really nice optics that have been infiltrating my dreams lately...
Pax,
Newbius
Here is the solution: MagPul PRS 308 Gen 2
I think that this, along with an Accu-Shot Monopod should do nicely to fix the problem. Then, I will be finished with the upgrades, at least until I am able to afford the really nice optics that have been infiltrating my dreams lately...
Pax,
Newbius
Monday, October 18, 2010
Best Gun for a Woman?
Breda asks the question. I think the answer is "Whatever she will shoot".
In Breda's case, this is just about anything (once). But, her real love is rifles. In her post "zen of the rifle", she eloquently describes the mental aspects necessary to master the rifle. So, when she posted that her favorite gun of the day at the North Coast Blog Meet was my DPMS LR-308 rifle, I was blown away.
Thank you, Breda. I am honored. Let's do it again some time.
Pax,
Newbius
In Breda's case, this is just about anything (once). But, her real love is rifles. In her post "zen of the rifle", she eloquently describes the mental aspects necessary to master the rifle. So, when she posted that her favorite gun of the day at the North Coast Blog Meet was my DPMS LR-308 rifle, I was blown away.
Thank you, Breda. I am honored. Let's do it again some time.
Pax,
Newbius
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Random Thoughts, People of the Gun
What really happens during a blogmeet or blogshoot?
Think about this, if you have attended one (or even if you have not).
We are a people, defined by a love of an object which, in itself, defines personal freedom and responsibility. We will, on very short notice, drive hundreds of miles to be with other people of our kind. Who, on little to no notice, are willing to extend the bounds of hospitality to us, and welcome us into their lives and homes as family.
Little introduction is necessary if you are a Person of the Gun...If you are friends of the People of the Gun. Usually, that is enough.
This past weekend, I met some amazing people. I reunited with some friends, put faces to the names of people that I have been speaking to daily for months, and got introduced to friends of friends. The only common bond between us is our love of firearms. We are all from different backgrounds, and lifestyles, and cultures. Yet, we are all bound through the love of this thing to also be brothers and sisters of a very tight family.
I think that the "anti" crowd completely fails to understand this.
We, who are diverse, are united by objects which symbolize Freedom, Liberty, and the essence of the American Ideal. We are giving, loving, sharing people who revel in indulging our newly-discovered compatriots by giving them our stuff to enjoy. Seriously. This past weekend, people whom I had only recently met face to face were offering to me the chance to shoot their guns and ammunition to my heart's content. For nothing but the joy of seeing the smile on my face when I finished. Cost be damned (and the cost can be considerable).
I loved offering my handguns and rifles to my new friends and encouraging them to shoot, and experience the joy that is a fine piece of equipment functioning properly and giving pleasure in a task completed well.
Think about this. We, who are advocates for Liberty, enjoy spreading the joy of shooting to others. In hopes that they would also derive the same joy that we feel. In hopes that they would celebrate a truly American past-time: Shooting, for pleasure.
This past weekend, I had an amazing time with amazing people. Heath and Amanda, Les, Marty, Chris, Adam, Jay, Miss B, Destiny, Van, Chuck, Jack, Mike, David, and everybody else who attended. You people are truly great. You are the reason why this idea called America will survive. Because, you are celebrants of that gift known as Liberty. And, you are People of the Gun.
Pax,
Newbius
Think about this, if you have attended one (or even if you have not).
We are a people, defined by a love of an object which, in itself, defines personal freedom and responsibility. We will, on very short notice, drive hundreds of miles to be with other people of our kind. Who, on little to no notice, are willing to extend the bounds of hospitality to us, and welcome us into their lives and homes as family.
Little introduction is necessary if you are a Person of the Gun...If you are friends of the People of the Gun. Usually, that is enough.
This past weekend, I met some amazing people. I reunited with some friends, put faces to the names of people that I have been speaking to daily for months, and got introduced to friends of friends. The only common bond between us is our love of firearms. We are all from different backgrounds, and lifestyles, and cultures. Yet, we are all bound through the love of this thing to also be brothers and sisters of a very tight family.
I think that the "anti" crowd completely fails to understand this.
We, who are diverse, are united by objects which symbolize Freedom, Liberty, and the essence of the American Ideal. We are giving, loving, sharing people who revel in indulging our newly-discovered compatriots by giving them our stuff to enjoy. Seriously. This past weekend, people whom I had only recently met face to face were offering to me the chance to shoot their guns and ammunition to my heart's content. For nothing but the joy of seeing the smile on my face when I finished. Cost be damned (and the cost can be considerable).
I loved offering my handguns and rifles to my new friends and encouraging them to shoot, and experience the joy that is a fine piece of equipment functioning properly and giving pleasure in a task completed well.
Think about this. We, who are advocates for Liberty, enjoy spreading the joy of shooting to others. In hopes that they would also derive the same joy that we feel. In hopes that they would celebrate a truly American past-time: Shooting, for pleasure.
This past weekend, I had an amazing time with amazing people. Heath and Amanda, Les, Marty, Chris, Adam, Jay, Miss B, Destiny, Van, Chuck, Jack, Mike, David, and everybody else who attended. You people are truly great. You are the reason why this idea called America will survive. Because, you are celebrants of that gift known as Liberty. And, you are People of the Gun.
Pax,
Newbius
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Yes, the rifle is adequate
Last year I built up a DMPS LR-308. It shot fairly well, and I have been pretty pleased with it. Recently, I adjusted the scope in the rings to true up the reticle with the plane of the receiver top.
Up until yesterday, I had not had a chance to check the zero.
At the North Coast Blogger Shoot, I finally got a chance to check the zero before turning people loose with it. So, here is the 5-shot group testing the zero. Shot number 4 was a called "flyer" that I jerked the trigger on. Even so...:
With Quarter:
At the end of the day, I still had a blank target, so I shot a 10 shot group. By this time, we had a variable breeze blowing from the right at 5-10 mph. Here is that group:
I'd say that was adequate. ;)
Oh, and I think that JayG might have a picture of the "World's Most Dangerous Librarian" making smiley faces with it from 100yds. Hopefully he will post them soon.
Pax,
Newbius
Up until yesterday, I had not had a chance to check the zero.
At the North Coast Blogger Shoot, I finally got a chance to check the zero before turning people loose with it. So, here is the 5-shot group testing the zero. Shot number 4 was a called "flyer" that I jerked the trigger on. Even so...:
With Quarter:
At the end of the day, I still had a blank target, so I shot a 10 shot group. By this time, we had a variable breeze blowing from the right at 5-10 mph. Here is that group:
I'd say that was adequate. ;)Oh, and I think that JayG might have a picture of the "World's Most Dangerous Librarian" making smiley faces with it from 100yds. Hopefully he will post them soon.
Pax,
Newbius
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