Gun Thread: Fourth November 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 Fourth November Edition?! Happy Thanksgiving, all y'all. Are all of your preparations for the big day in place? What are some of the things you're thankful for?

NOTE: I likely won't be around in the comments much tonight, so please do not burn the place down.

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

With winter approaching, we may soon be chased indoors for range time.

and...

and...

Fundamentals. Focus upon them.

With Lena Miculek. We've seen this before but it emphasizes practicing with a purpose.

This week's exciting episode: Stripped Cars!

Cigar of the Week

This week our pal rhomboid scores again with this excellent review of not one, not two, but three offerings from E.P. Carrillo's "Essence" series

Ernesto Perez Carrillo is one of the reigning master blenders in the cigar world. His company, recently renamed Casa Carrillo, is best known for its prestige lines that have claimed top honors on cigar rating lists - Pledge, Encore, Endure. But the company's Essence line, priced more affordably, is now a big part of their total line-up. I happened to try three of the four offerings in that line (didn't encounter the Connecticut), so here is a brief review of each.

The Essence Honduras is nearly a Honduran puro (there is some Nicaraguan filler) with a handsome chocolate brown wrapper. Upper end of medium-full in profile, with good construction, draw, and smoke volume. For me it was straight oak, earth, and leather all the way through - anyone who gravitates towards that profile would enjoy this stick.

The Maduro offering has a rustic dark Connecticut broadleaf wrapper, with Nicaraguan and Dominican filler aged 5 years. Construction and smoke were excellent. A solid medium in profile, it was more to the cedar than cocoa end of the maduro spectrum, but very tasty, with a very smooth finish with a hint of sweetness throughout.

The Sumatra stick has a medium profile from Nicaraguan and Honduran fillers (and binders) and an attractive light brown Ecuador Sumatra wrapper. Construction again was excellent. Throughout I got cedar and other woods, and rich tobacco flavors.

The robusto and toro vitolas in this line run from $6-$8 per stick. All three were quality offerings at this affordable price point.

Very nicely done, 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
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?

Comments

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1 first.

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at November 23, 2025 07:00 PM (0N4FZ)

2 HERE!!!

Posted by: Scuba_Dude at November 23, 2025 07:00 PM (jQtRE)

3 What could be more tasty than a trip to the range with a 1911 and 200 rds of 230 ball?

Posted by: Eromero at November 23, 2025 07:00 PM (LHPAg)

4 And thanks Weasel.

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at November 23, 2025 07:00 PM (0N4FZ)

5 Good Sunday evening, gub 'ettes and 'rons, and thanks to our (mostly absentee) host Weasel for the forum!

Posted by: Schnorflepuppy (OT but harmless) at November 23, 2025 07:00 PM (v23vE)

6 Evening.

Posted by: scampydog at November 23, 2025 07:01 PM (41CYW)

7 EdL, my Python came in. Looks like the blemish is in the filled etching on the left side of the barrel. Maybe I can get to the range on Friday.

Posted by: GWB at November 23, 2025 07:03 PM (bFn+/)

8 3 What could be more tasty than a trip to the range with a 1911 and 200 rds of 230 ball?
Posted by: Eromero at November 23, 2025 07:00 PM (LHPAg)

Uh, 400 rounds?

Posted by: Schnorflepuppy (OT but harmless) at November 23, 2025 07:04 PM (v23vE)

9 Yay! Gubs!

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at November 23, 2025 07:06 PM (Wnv9h)

10 Howdy!

Posted by: Puddleglum, drive by pew pew at November 23, 2025 07:07 PM (sAmhv)

11 Hello, Weasel!

Posted by: Ed L at November 23, 2025 07:07 PM (BCwQW)

12 Good evening everyone

Posted by: Skip at November 23, 2025 07:07 PM (+qU29)

13 Gobble gobble!

Posted by: That SOB Van Owen at November 23, 2025 07:08 PM (Ly5Qz)

14 Tis the Thanksgiving season and I want you all to know how thankful I am for having you in my life.

Posted by: Ben Had at November 23, 2025 07:09 PM (sDNVV)

15 Watching the Office Etiquette video, oh lord how things have changed.
I do not like the people I work with, I tolerate them.
And they do the same. :-)

Posted by: Scuba_Dude at November 23, 2025 07:09 PM (jQtRE)

16 Best line from tonight's Highway Patrol: "Sure, but everybody should have a hobby!"

Posted by: Schnorflepuppy (OT but harmless) at November 23, 2025 07:10 PM (v23vE)

17 15 Watching the Office Etiquette video, oh lord how things have changed.
I do not like the people I work with, I tolerate them.
And they do the same. :-)
Posted by: Scuba_Dude at November 23, 2025 07:09 PM (jQtRE)

Scoob! How are you? Hope the new boss is not the same as the old boss.

Posted by: Schnorflepuppy (OT but harmless) at November 23, 2025 07:10 PM (v23vE)

18 Evening, Weasel!
I left al my combustibles behind. Your thread is safe.

Posted by: RI Red at November 23, 2025 07:12 PM (LMRVO)

19 "have you been to the range?"

Yes! Met my boys at the farm and shot #2 son's newly purchased Springfield rifle and #1 son's Colt 45 plus some other pistol plinking. A fine day.

Posted by: fd at November 23, 2025 07:13 PM (vFG9F)

20 EdL, my Python came in. Looks like the blemish is in the filled etching on the left side of the barrel. Maybe I can get to the range on Friday.
Posted by: GWB at November 23, 2025 07:03 PM (bFn+/)

I hope it lives up to your reputation of the originals. I think it's most of the way there. I think the single action trigger is a bit heavier, but the double action trigger is smoother without the "stacking" of the originals. If you don't care for the grips, you can swap them out with the originals. I prefer rubber for the .357 Magnum loads myself. Considering that the new production ones are half the cost of the originals, I think it's a good buy. Note that the insides of the modern ones are completely different from that of the originals. No interchangeable parts on inside.

Posted by: Ed L at November 23, 2025 07:13 PM (BCwQW)

21 17 Hope the new boss is not the same as the old boss.

Posted by: Schnorflepuppy (OT but harmless) at November 23, 2025 07:10 PM

I am doing good thank you. Had the meet and greet on Monday and found out there will be tension between us as he is a Jet fan and I am a Dolphins fan. LOL

No, he seems like a decent person. Time will tell.

Posted by: Scuba_Dude at November 23, 2025 07:14 PM (jQtRE)

22 Good evening to all the GunHorde and thank you as always to Weasel. Great content as always and a Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Posted by: Coelacanth at November 23, 2025 07:14 PM (cIOlQ)

23 Ben Had, I marvel at how you put up with all of us.

Posted by: Ed L at November 23, 2025 07:14 PM (BCwQW)

24 Ed L you are the family I choose to have.

Posted by: Ben Had at November 23, 2025 07:16 PM (sDNVV)

25 What could be more tasty than a trip to the range with a 1911 and 200 rds of 230 ball?
Posted by: Eromero at November 23, 2025 07:00 PM (LHPAg)

Eromero, last week I loaded up a bunch of 200 g. Semi Wadcutters.
Just waiting for the temp to get to 40.
Maybe April.

Posted by: RI Red at November 23, 2025 07:16 PM (LMRVO)

26 16 Best line from tonight's Highway Patrol: "Sure, but everybody should have a hobby!"

Posted by: Schnorflepuppy (OT but harmless) at November 23, 2025 07:10 PM
***
[scribbles notes for the Hobby Thread]

Posted by: TRex -hobbying dino at November 23, 2025 07:16 PM (IQ6Gq)

27 This week at work they wanted us to get to "know" our co-workers more and listing 3 of our hobbies so as we could somehow gel as a group.
Reminder, these are co-workers here in the US and also France and Portugal.
So I put down the 3 things I enjoy doing the most:

Golf
Scuba Diving
Shooting

I wonder if I might get a little talking to about my choices. ;-)

Posted by: Scuba_Dude at November 23, 2025 07:18 PM (jQtRE)

28 #2 son says my Ruger P95 trigger is light compared to his Glock. I said yeah.

Posted by: fd at November 23, 2025 07:19 PM (vFG9F)

29 Hey, how come you never highlight Swisher Sweets? Those are pretty good until you light 'em up.

Posted by: Paco at November 23, 2025 07:19 PM (mADJX)

30 {{ Ben Had }}

Posted by: Oddbob at November 23, 2025 07:21 PM (3nLb4)

31 Afternoon, Gun Thread folks. Successful cable splice completed.
No gub stuff to report this week.

A light dusting of snow feel this afternoon. Grrr!

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at November 23, 2025 07:23 PM (npFr7)

32 So I put down the 3 things I enjoy doing the most:

Golf
Scuba Diving
Shooting

I wonder if I might get a little talking to about my choices. ;-)
Posted by: Scuba_Dude at November 23, 2025 07:18 PM (jQtRE)

Sex
Drugs
Rock and Roll

Posted by: Ian Dury and the Blockheads at November 23, 2025 07:23 PM (8QVSJ)

33 Golf
Scuba Diving
Shooting

I wonder if I might get a little talking to about my choices. ;-)
Posted by: Scuba_Dude at November 23, 2025 07:18 PM (jQtRE)

If so, just claim (rightly) that you are a Renaissance man.

Posted by: Schnorflepuppy (OT but harmless) at November 23, 2025 07:23 PM (v23vE)

34 I wonder if I might get a little talking to about my choices. ;-)
Posted by: Scuba_Dude at November 23, 2025 07:18 PM (jQtRE)

Point out that shooting has been an Olympic sport for well over a century now. You're just a frustrated wannabe Olympic competitor.

Posted by: Ed L at November 23, 2025 07:23 PM (BCwQW)

35 here is the most recent "sexy rifle I can never afford"

French MAS 8mm Lebel semi-automatic Model1918 with the starting bid of $7,500

https://tinyurl.com/myw5zdyv

Posted by: Kindltot at November 23, 2025 07:24 PM (rbvCR)

36 Since every generation has its own historic women, I suppose each one has its own planet of prehistoric women.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at November 23, 2025 07:24 PM (0sNs1)

37 Hey, how come you never highlight Swisher Sweets? Those are pretty good until you light 'em up.
Posted by: Paco at November 23, 2025 07:19 PM (mADJX)

Everybody knows that Weasel is a White Owl kind of guy.

Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at November 23, 2025 07:25 PM (8QVSJ)

38 34 You're just a frustrated wannabe Olympic competitor.

Posted by: Ed L at November 23, 2025 07:23 PM

I like that one. I will also mention there is nothing like hearing steel ringing a thousand or more yards away. :-)

Posted by: Scuba_Dude at November 23, 2025 07:25 PM (jQtRE)

39 No range notes this week. Scope is still back ordered. I took the week off, so I might hit the range tomorrow.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at November 23, 2025 07:26 PM (Wnv9h)

40 Hey, how come you never highlight Swisher Sweets?
Posted by: Paco at November 23, 2025 07:19 PM

This is a question that has been asked before, but for some reason seems to be met with varying degrees of disdainment.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at November 23, 2025 07:26 PM (0sNs1)

41 I like that one. I will also mention there is nothing like hearing steel ringing a thousand or more yards away. :-)
Posted by: Scuba_Dude at November 23, 2025 07:25 PM (jQtRE)

And the ping! of a Garand clip ejecting.

Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at November 23, 2025 07:27 PM (8QVSJ)

42 35 Posted by: Kindltot at November 23, 2025 07:24 PM

Oooooo, nice looking. I would bid but I have my eye on something else.

Posted by: Scuba_Dude at November 23, 2025 07:27 PM (jQtRE)

43 here is the most recent "sexy rifle I can never afford"

French MAS 8mm Lebel semi-automatic Model1918 with the starting bid of $7,500

https://tinyurl.com/myw5zdyv

Posted by: Kindltot at November 23, 2025 07:24 PM

Is it sexy because it's never been fired, and only dropped once?

Posted by: Duncanthrax at November 23, 2025 07:27 PM (0sNs1)

44 7 EdL, my Python came in. Looks like the blemish is in the filled etching on the left side of the barrel. Maybe I can get to the range on Friday.

Posted by: GWB at November 23, 2025 07:03 PM

Congrats on the new Python!

I am confident that any shots out of the bullseye will be solely due to the pull of that tiny bit of fill in the etching.

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at November 23, 2025 07:28 PM (HlyYF)

45 Good evening gubthreaders and all the ships at sea!

New computer who dis?

Posted by: blaster at November 23, 2025 07:30 PM (RoO7G)

46 And the ping! of a Garand clip ejecting.
Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at November 23, 2025 07:27 PM

Let's not forget the colorful vocal ejaculations that often follow the bolt slamming home on an errantly placed thumb.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at November 23, 2025 07:30 PM (0sNs1)

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