Gun Thread: First July 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 First July Edition? I told you it was coming, people! I told you, and dang if it isn't here!

Happy Birthday, America!! Did you have a fun and celebratory July 4th? Tell us how you marked the 250th in the comments below.

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

******
FUNdamentals

Revolvers get a bad rap, don't you think? Especially the snubby, which I am inclined to think is the revolver's highest form. Not sure why, maybe from watching too many cops 'n robbers shows, but I am pretty sure they're my fave.

Are they challenging to shoot? No, not really. Are they challenging to shoot well? I'd say not much more than anything else really. This is why we practice - that is to repeatedly do something that is challenging in order to become better at doing that thing.

***

And finally we have a deranged lunatic and probable escapee from a mental institution:

I shot this at about 25 feet in double action. It's not difficult, because I have done it before. Like a bazillion times before. I have spent countless hours at the range shooting revolvers in double action. You can do this too!.

The secret that everyone seems to believe exists? Practice and fundamentals. That's it. That is the secret.

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Build an AR-15

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How Much?!

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Ax Weasel

Q: Weasel, how does a Winchester 1873 Work?
A: Glad you axed.

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Our Pal Bookkeeping

You know, I made a pretty good living at this.

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P-47 Unboxing: Assembly and Pilot Familiarization

OK. Your P-47 has been delivered. Let's unbox that rascal, put it together, and go flying!

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Highway Patrol!

This week's episode: Express Delivery!

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The Brain Eaters!

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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!

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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

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Blackout

Posted by: Accomack at July 05, 2026 07:00 PM (T8bqm)

2 2
: to knock, hit, or thrust vigorously often with a sharp noise

Posted by: Eromero at July 05, 2026 07:00 PM (LHPAg)

3 Yay! Gubs!

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 05, 2026 07:00 PM (Wnv9h)

4 Remember, any shot that impacts an unacceptable distance from where you intended is not a 'miss', but rather an unintended lateral excursion.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at July 05, 2026 07:00 PM (0sNs1)

5 Good evening everyone

Posted by: Skip at July 05, 2026 07:01 PM (Ia/+0)

6 Trying to beat RMBS as he mixes his martini.

Posted by: RI Red at July 05, 2026 07:01 PM (WcJqs)

7 I finally got a proper gun case so I can legally travel to my local range.

Posted by: Accomack at July 05, 2026 07:02 PM (T8bqm)

8 Hello, Weasel!

Posted by: Ed L at July 05, 2026 07:02 PM (BCwQW)

9 Posted by: Duncanthrax at July 05, 2026 07:00 PM (0sNs1)
----
At least in the horizontal plane.

Posted by: Weasel at July 05, 2026 07:03 PM (30WOE)

10 Not First!!!

Posted by: Scuba_Dude at July 05, 2026 07:03 PM (3CpER)

11 It doesn't get much better than a S&W M-66 with a 3" barrel.

Unless, of course, you also consider a S&W M-657 Mountain Gun.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at July 05, 2026 07:03 PM (0sNs1)

12 Trying to beat RMBS as he mixes his martini.
Posted by: RI Red
**********
He won....

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 05, 2026 07:04 PM (IQ6Gq)

13 Had a really good cigar yesterday, cause, 'Murica! Will write review soon.

Posted by: Diogenes at July 05, 2026 07:04 PM (2WIwB)

14 It is big enough for both guns and their scopes. I will need a 2nd case for the Gamo.

Posted by: Accomack at July 05, 2026 07:04 PM (8jVAy)

15 Happy Independence weekend...so, a video on building an AR-15, how timely. Thank you!

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 05, 2026 07:05 PM (IQ6Gq)

16 At least in the horizontal plane.
Posted by: Weasel at July 05, 2026 07:03 PM

"No willingness to consider at least some vertical dispersion?"
-- The Fourth Shot

Posted by: Duncanthrax at July 05, 2026 07:06 PM (0sNs1)

17 Howdy!

Posted by: Puddleglum, drive by pew pew at July 05, 2026 07:06 PM (sAmhv)

18 Trying to beat RMBS as he mixes his martini.
Posted by: RI Red
**********
He won....
Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 05, 2026 07:04 PM (IQ6Gq)

Distracting me with Ben Had recipe tips.

Posted by: RI Red at July 05, 2026 07:06 PM (WcJqs)

19 Good Sunday evening, gub 'ettes and 'rons, and a special 250th greeting (or maybe it only seems like that many) to our host Weasel!

Hope all have had a fun and safe Independence Day weekend.

Posted by: Schnorflepuppy (OT but harmless) at July 05, 2026 07:07 PM (xVpNO)

20 Greetings all, not going to be on much tonight. :-(

Ahhh, looking forward to the day I can hang out all night on the fun thread and not worry about what I have to do tomorrow.
And also be able to talk about new toys or accessories. :-)

Hope everyone had a fun and safe Independence Day. Can't believe I have celebrated the 200th and the 250th birth of this great nation. Would really love to be around for the 300th. :-)

Posted by: Scuba_Dude at July 05, 2026 07:08 PM (3CpER)

21 I love my revolver. If I can't get it in 6 nine isn't going to help.me.

Posted by: Ben Had at July 05, 2026 07:17 PM (afJtY)

22 Having returned from my self imposed St. Helena isolation, I now have an actual Range Report!

Posted by: RI Red at July 05, 2026 07:20 PM (iaf7q)

23 Having returned from my self imposed St. Helena isolation, I now have an actual Range Report!
Posted by: RI Red at July 05, 2026 07:20 PM

Frère!

Posted by: zombie Napoleon Bonaparte at July 05, 2026 07:24 PM (0sNs1)

24 Greetings.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at July 05, 2026 07:27 PM (CHHv1)

25 Weasel, nice vid about shooting accurately with snub nosed revolvers. A 1994 Detective Special was my first revolver. Probably not the best choice for a first revolver I could have made, but it took me nearly twenty years to figure out how to shoot that thing halfway accurately in double action. You can learn in a little over eight minutes what it took me nearly 20 years to figure out.

Posted by: Ed L at July 05, 2026 07:29 PM (BCwQW)

26 Build an AR looks fun

Posted by: rhennigantx at July 05, 2026 07:30 PM (/+uur)

27 I guess elon needs to get paul pelosi a tesla with auto pilot. That way he won't need to do any more holiday hit & runs. What a scumbag. Just like his wife.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at July 05, 2026 07:31 PM (fkjGs)

28 Distracting me with Ben Had recipe tips.
Posted by: RI Red at July 05, 2026 07:06 PM

If it's a fair fight, you ain't tryin'.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 05, 2026 07:31 PM (Wnv9h)

29 Build an AR looks fun
Posted by: rhennigantx at July 05, 2026 07:30 PM

Build-an-AR >>> Build-a-Bear

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 05, 2026 07:32 PM (Wnv9h)

30 Range report: i got banned from the range.
Everyone who's taken a junior hunting knows the move to take a rifle safely from a distracted youngling, and i pulled that move on a bloke who was monkeying with my diopter after i agreed to let him take a shot. (It was between rounds at a300 match)
Turns out he was a Somebody in the club. But it was an LPVO and now I've got another 3 hours of monkeying around to get back to proper 1x.
AITA?

Posted by: Nato at July 05, 2026 07:34 PM (XAyZ8)

31 Build-A-BAR > Build-an-AR >>> Build-a-Bear

Posted by: Oddbob at July 05, 2026 07:34 PM (vTZFs)

32 https://www.shootingnewsweekly.com/
gun-nation/celebrate-americas-birthday-like-a-patriot-
build-your-own-ar-15-rifle/

Posted by: rhennigantx at July 05, 2026 07:35 PM (/+uur)

33 sorry I cannot make short earl thingy work

Posted by: rhennigantx at July 05, 2026 07:35 PM (/+uur)

34 OK, range report:
I got back to the range after 4 weeks. The grass was a foot tall. I took our brand new zero turn John Deere and did the entire club in 4.5 hours. As compared to 10 hours on the tractor last year!

I may go shoot this week.

Posted by: RI Red at July 05, 2026 07:37 PM (iaf7q)

35 Range report: i got banned from the range.
[ ... ]
Turns out he was a Somebody in the club.

* sigh * Sometimes I prefer commercial for-profit ranges to clubs. Clubs are always run by old farts who think it's the Gun HOA.

Posted by: Oddbob at July 05, 2026 07:37 PM (vTZFs)

36 Trying to beat RMBS as he mixes his martini.
Posted by: RI Red at July 05, 2026 07:01 PM (WcJqs)

KINK-eee!

Posted by: Safe word is "Bond" at July 05, 2026 07:40 PM (TbWk/)

37 28 Distracting me with Ben Had recipe tips.
Posted by: RI Red at July 05, 2026 07:06 PM

If it's a fair fight, you ain't tryin'.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 05, 2026 07:31 PM (Wnv9h)

Like and follow for more recipe tips...

Posted by: SciVo at July 05, 2026 07:42 PM (Sy6m/)

38 Safe word is "Bond" at July 05, 2026 07:40 PM

Now you tell me. At least I know why I'm not getting any action.

Posted by: James at July 05, 2026 07:42 PM (0sNs1)

39 The secret that everyone seems to believe exists? Practice and fundamentals. That's it. That is the secret.

And a very expensive custom trigger job. That's three. Amongst our weaponry are practice, fundamentals, a very expensive custom trigger job, and superhuman index finger strength!

Posted by: I'll come in again... at July 05, 2026 07:44 PM (TbWk/)

40 Trigger pull is breathing and compression.

Posted by: Ben Had at July 05, 2026 07:45 PM (afJtY)

41 Leonard Nemoy is in The Brain Eaters. I wonder if he eats Spock's brain?

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at July 05, 2026 07:45 PM (Cqx++)

42 Weasel, just watched your vid. At the end my cats were freaked by Weasel Dog!
Nice job.

Posted by: RI Red at July 05, 2026 07:50 PM (iaf7q)

43 Breathing control, trigger control and ammo. I've had primers that go off and then the slug goes half way down the barrel and gets lodged. Not a good situation.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at July 05, 2026 07:52 PM (fkjGs)

44 Weasel, just watched your vid. At the end my cats were freaked by Weasel Dog!
Nice job.
Posted by: RI Red at July 05, 2026 07:50 PM

Weasel Dog was a savage.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 05, 2026 07:54 PM (Wnv9h)

45 I've had ammo that comes out of the barrel like a corkscrew because it was a couple of thousands out of tolerance and what I thought was a perfect heart shot ended up being me putting a round into the spine by the rear quarters. There is some really shitty, out of tolerance ammo out there.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at July 05, 2026 08:00 PM (fkjGs)

46 There is some really shitty, out of tolerance ammo out there.
Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at July 05, 2026 08:00 PM (fkjGs)

Bespoke, handcrafted, artisanal, hand loaded ammo for the win!

Posted by: RI Red at July 05, 2026 08:02 PM (iaf7q)

47 There is some really shitty, out of tolerance ammo out there.

This is yet another form of wobbliness to eschew.

Posted by: Oddbob at July 05, 2026 08:02 PM (vTZFs)

48
"BOOKKEEPING AND YOU " 1947 CAREER GUIDANCE FILM ACCOUNTING, FINANCIAL RECORD KEEPING JOBS GG24505
+++++

It's a write off, Jerry.
They just write it off.

Posted by: Kramer at July 05, 2026 08:02 PM (2Ez/1)

49 My Smith and Wesson .357 Magnum was my first pistol purchase.

Teaches you a lot. Don’t be a pussy. Shoot double action. Makes you a better shooter. Because, at least to me, it’s not easy.

Posted by: nurse ratched. at July 05, 2026 08:02 PM (yEz+x)

50 I shot this at about 25 feet in double action.

Weasel shot an outstanding group, particularly being double-action, and the rudimentary sights the M-64 (and others of its ilk) have.

Follow Weasel-san's counsel, and you, too, may be a shooter of renown.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at July 05, 2026 08:04 PM (0sNs1)

51 21 I love my revolver. If I can't get it in 6 nine isn't going to help.me.
Posted by: Ben Had

Much wisdom from Ben Had.

My take is similar: "If you can't solve your problem with six, you would probably be facing an unhappy ending no matter what you had!"

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar (hOUT3) ~ Next Up TX MoMe ~ at July 05, 2026 08:04 PM (hOUT3)

52 51 addendum
Unless it is belt-fed!

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar (hOUT3) ~ Next Up TX MoMe ~ at July 05, 2026 08:04 PM (hOUT3)

53 Going to ask which, EdL, etc....
Did the "cost of a rifle" guy miss anything?

My first thought was, how much of the cost of a Moisin-Nagant was subsidized by us giving them other weapons?

I also had to wonder at the prices. 55 reichsmarks wouldn't buy you much at all by 1943. Maybe half a stick of gum. How much did it really cost, based on, say, a rifle factory worker buying a loaf of bread?

Also, I could have sworn Germany went semi-auto before the war, to some extent.

Posted by: GWB at July 05, 2026 08:04 PM (akrkX)

54 Don’t be a pussy.
Posted by: nurse ratched. at July 05, 2026 08:02 PM

There is iron in the words of nurse ratched for all Morons to see.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at July 05, 2026 08:05 PM (0sNs1)

55 Trigger pull is breathing and compression.
Posted by: Ben Had at July 05, 2026 07:45 PM (afJtY)

Trigger control is self-control.

Posted by: GWB at July 05, 2026 08:06 PM (akrkX)

56 My Smith and Wesson .357 Magnum was my first pistol purchase.

Teaches you a lot. Don’t be a pussy. Shoot double action. Makes you a better shooter. Because, at least to me, it’s not easy.
Posted by: nurse ratched. at July 05, 2026 08:02 PM

My first pistol purchase was a Colt 1911. My second was a S&W 640 Centennial snubbie in .357 (I load it with 158 gr .38 Spcl +Ps). Not an easy pistol to shoot well, but a good pistol.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 05, 2026 08:06 PM (Wnv9h)

57 In honor of the 4th the four of us smoked Penn Standard Stars and Stripes. Mildish broadleaf. Fun and definitely appropriate for the Holiday.

Posted by: YellowBird at July 05, 2026 08:07 PM (MEbkQ)

58 Trying to beat RMBS as he mixes his martini.
Posted by: RI Red at July 05, 2026 07:01 PM (WcJqs)

Wouldn't that be "muddling RMBS"?

Posted by: GWB at July 05, 2026 08:07 PM (akrkX)

59 Ah! Another visit from Weaseldog Productions. Always a welcome event.

Posted by: JTB at July 05, 2026 08:08 PM (yTvNw)

60 Trigger pull is muscle memory.

Posted by: nurse ratched. at July 05, 2026 08:13 PM (6vVfZ)

61 It doesn't get much better than a S&W M-66 with a 3" barrel.

Unless, of course, you also consider a S&W M-657 Mountain Gun.
Posted by: Duncanthrax at July 05, 2026 07:03 PM (0sNs1)

A 657 Mountain Gun loaded with finely crafted hand loads in .41 Special brass. I used my own cast 220 grain lead semiwadcutters, a moderate amount of Unique powder, and what had been a rather mediocre shooter suddenly became one of those guns that I had always read about, but had never actually owned.

Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at July 05, 2026 08:17 PM (W5PEE)

62 Also, I could have sworn Germany went semi-auto before the war, to some extent.
Posted by: GWB

Nope, they messed around with several types before the STG 44, Walther made some of them but they were not field hardy enough to be used widely.

Most German infantry had bolt actions until near the end of the war on the Western front, some machine guns, but no general issue semi auto or full automatic rifles. Instead, the Germans employed excellent light and heavy machines guns.

On the Eastern front, the STG-44 was hidden from Mustache man until quite late when Russia was pushing back the Germans across the entire front. That is where the STG-44 came into its own with Russian wave attacks using their own Russian machine guns.

Posted by: whig at July 05, 2026 08:20 PM (E4rtv)

63 I have a 686 stainless revolver under my seat and it is my insurance for all unfortunate situations that may arise. Last time I used it was for a roadkill when some idiot hit a deer at 90mph at 4:30am and left it dying in the middle of the road. I'm getting too old to be dragging animals off the road.

I really like that revolver, the custom grip fits my hand like a glove.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at July 05, 2026 08:21 PM (fkjGs)

64 Build-A-BAR > Build-an-AR >>> Build-a-Bear
Posted by: Oddbob at July 05, 2026 07:34 PM

OK, now I'm really annoyed that I didn't think of the Build-a-BAR pun.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 05, 2026 08:22 PM (Wnv9h)

65 Also, I could have sworn Germany went semi-auto before the war, to some extent.
Posted by: GWB at July 05, 2026 08:04 PM (akrkX)

Germany did issue a couple of semiautomatic rifles towards the end of the war, in the full size 8x57 caliber, but like so many other arms projects it was a case of too little and too late.

Cue the fanboys of the STG-44 assault rifle...

Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at July 05, 2026 08:23 PM (W5PEE)

66 My first thought was, how much of the cost of a Moisin-Nagant was subsidized by us giving them other weapons?

I also had to wonder at the prices. 55 reichsmarks wouldn't buy you much at all by 1943. Maybe half a stick of gum. How much did it really cost, based on, say, a rifle factory worker buying a loaf of bread?

Also, I could have sworn Germany went semi-auto before the war, to some extent.
Posted by: GWB at July 05, 2026 08:04 PM (akrkX)

Very, very few Western Allied small arms made it into Soviet service in any numbers whatsoever due to logistics issues. Note that significant numbers of M1928A1 Thompsons came back in the early 2000s as parts kits because these were included w/ the M3 Stuart and Lee tanks sent over as Lend Lease.

The Germans had VERY large numbers of slave laborers making firearms. When the FN plant at Liege was liberated in September 1944, 90+% of the workers were Eastern European slave laborers.

The Germans did introduce the G41 and G43 semi auto rifles after encountering Soviet SVTs on the Eastern Front. But the Mauser K98 remained the de facto standard rifle for entire war.

Posted by: Ed L at July 05, 2026 08:23 PM (BCwQW)

67 Rev.Wishbone, that is what I love about my revolver. It feels like a natural extension of my hand.

Posted by: Ben Had at July 05, 2026 08:24 PM (afJtY)

68 61 It doesn't get much better than a S&W M-66 with a 3" barrel.

Unless, of course, you also consider a S&W M-657 Mountain Gun.
Posted by: Duncanthrax

I like the trigger pull on S&W revolvers and they are easy enough to tune yourself if needed but for awhile since the 1960's, their quality seems to come and go as S&W sales do.

IMHO, 50's and early 60's were some of the best overall combination of modern metallurgy, fit and finish, and quality that Smith had. Bangor Punta era produced hit or miss quality, the later gunlock mfg that merged with Smith buggered up Smith from the mid 90's onward with the Hillary hole.

Posted by: whig at July 05, 2026 08:24 PM (E4rtv)

69 that is what I love about my revolver. It feels like a natural extension of my hand.
Posted by: Ben Had
=====
Revolvers often 'point' naturally if your grips and frame fit your hand. Like a handshake from an old friend. A few semi autos do it for me but that is more idiosyncratic.

Posted by: whig at July 05, 2026 08:27 PM (E4rtv)

70 Good evening gub threaders and all the ships at sea!

Posted by: blaster - Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat at July 05, 2026 08:29 PM (fKauK)

71 Also, I could have sworn Germany went semi-auto before the war, to some extent.
Posted by: GWB at July 05, 2026 08:04 PM (akrkX)

Only the US was successful in making semi-auto weapons front line standard issue in the form of the M1 Garand rifle and the M1 Carbine. The Russians wanted to make the SVT their standard issue rifle, but the German invasion forced them to shelve their plans to do so. Instead, they went with the Mosin Nagant, relying on the PPsh 41 for their close combat firepower.

Posted by: Ed L at July 05, 2026 08:29 PM (BCwQW)

72 We have passed July 1 in Virginia. But I am in Florida.

Anyway, apparently the courts found the more onerous parts of the Virginia gun laws...onerous.

So Virginia county courts enjoined the laws. Injunctions.

Virginia Dems in charge are like - no worries. We will just enforce the laws anyway.

Interesting approach, that.

Posted by: blaster - Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat at July 05, 2026 08:32 PM (fKauK)

73 The spawn starts shooting on the 14th for SASP Nationals. She is shooting 9 disciplines this year including rim fire revolver. This is probably her last year since she wants to do some traveling and fun stuff next summer before college. 😳

Posted by: lin-duh in Texas at July 05, 2026 08:33 PM (VCgbV)

74 whig, my revolver has a less than 10 degree lower than level angle when I pick it up so bringing it to sighting level is a snap. I am not forced to hold it up it just falls into place.

Posted by: Ben Had at July 05, 2026 08:33 PM (afJtY)

75 For info to those who may not know the vernacular--

A firearm that 'points' naturally is one that when raised to a firing position, the front and back sight are nearly if not completely aligned with little operator action needed.

Makes them easier to shoot as the shooter only has to worry about controlling the trigger more than aligning the sights.

Some firearms may naturally have the front sight point down below the rear, some will point high, and it is all dependent on the individual's personal physique. You can train using a weapon that doesn't point well naturally but it is always easier to shoot a firearm that points well in the first place.

For me, most Glocks do not 'point' naturally but Springfield XD or Smith and Wesson do. So rathe than conform my shooting technique to the gun, I chose the gun to conform with my shooting technique.

Posted by: whig at July 05, 2026 08:38 PM (E4rtv)

76 Also - spent the past few days on blaster acres. We are now harvesting electrons there. AC runs from the sun!

Also - I had a tick on my wrist. It has been removed.

sra blaster says I hope that's not the kind that makes you allergic to meat. Me too! That would suck. A lot.

It's a "Lone Star tick" which is the type that carries that. But it is still rare.

And why is a Lone Star Tick in Florida?

Posted by: blaster - Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat at July 05, 2026 08:38 PM (fKauK)

77 Interesting approach, that.
Posted by: blaster - Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat at July 05, 2026 08:32 PM (fKauK)

I liked it better when Sic Semper Tyrannis on the Virginia State flag still meant something.

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar (hOUT3) ~ Next Up TX MoMe ~ at July 05, 2026 08:39 PM (hOUT3)

78 And why is a Lone Star Tick in Florida?

Posted by: blaster - Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat

Ask Bill Gates...

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar (hOUT3) ~ Next Up TX MoMe ~ at July 05, 2026 08:40 PM (hOUT3)

79 next summer before college. 😳
Posted by: lin-duh in Texas at July 05, 2026 08:33 PM

Wait...whut? Is she a senior this year?

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 05, 2026 08:40 PM (Wnv9h)

80 74 whig, my revolver has a less than 10 degree lower than level angle when I pick it up so bringing it to sighting level is a snap. I am not forced to hold it up it just falls into place.
Posted by: Ben Had
------
I practice draws while I have not being going to the range and on a firearm that points well for me, my sights are on target as long as my drawstroke is good. Then again, I don't use 'target' sights either on my firearms for serious social encounters.

Posted by: whig at July 05, 2026 08:41 PM (E4rtv)

81 Weasel,
Thanks for the revolver oriented videos. Revolvers are my handgun of choice for many reasons but DA triggers are the most difficult to learn. I have a Model 10, a police trade-in, that looks like absolute crap but functions fine. I don't know what such things cost today but years ago I paid about $150 for it. I consider it an excellent tool to learn centerfire DA shooting with a decent but typical trigger. And using 38 special wadcutter reloads keeps ammo costs way down.

A nice benefit: the better I got with DA triggers the better I shot with SA revolvers. Just had to get used to the lighter SA trigger.

Posted by: JTB at July 05, 2026 08:41 PM (yTvNw)

82 IMHO, 50's and early 60's were some of the best overall combination of modern metallurgy, fit and finish, and quality that Smith had. Bangor Punta era produced hit or miss quality, the later gunlock mfg that merged with Smith buggered up Smith from the mid 90's onward with the Hillary hole.
Posted by: whig at July 05, 2026 08:24 PM

Concur. I've been very happy with my S&W MGs (.41, .44, .45), all of which are 98-99 timeframe. They have the frame-mounted FP, and (unfortunately) some MIM internals, but no HH. My regrets are not buying a second 657 for $350 in the mid-2000s, and never getting a MG in .357.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at July 05, 2026 08:42 PM (0sNs1)

83 There are, of course, significant downsides to having cheaper labor costs by using large numbers of slave laborers making your firearms. If the FN factory is any indication, an ongoing sabotage war raged within the factory from 1941 until liberation day in 1944. The most effective form of sabotage was overheating steel undergoing heat treatment. This allowed the steel to pass internal inspection, but the resulting embrittlement meant parts would fail under heavy use. For this reason, FN pistols made during the occupation should not be shot heavily. Numbers of "lunchbox specials" of all FN pistol types (Model 1910, Model 1922, and High Powers) were smuggled out for resistance use and survive to this day.

Posted by: Ed L at July 05, 2026 08:43 PM (BCwQW)

84 On my trip to blaster acres I had intended to ex-fil some items. Looks like I don't need to do that quite yet.

Also, I wanted to clear a spot to make a 25 yard range. But the Hammer Knife Mower is currently non-op. I had used an insufficiently beefy lovejoy coupler on it and it broke a tooth when I hit a high spot of ground. I got a new coupler but it is having fitment issues.

So no flail mowing. Sad.

Posted by: blaster - Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat at July 05, 2026 08:43 PM (fKauK)

85 This has good pictures above the handgun as a bird would see it. Goes to handgun fit.

https://tinyurl.com/Gun-Goddess-on-handgun-fit

Posted by: whig at July 05, 2026 08:44 PM (E4rtv)

86 And why is a Lone Star Tick in Florida?
------
Ask Bill Gates...

NPR did a story about the tick and the associated disease and somehow completely forgot to mention the left pushing the idea of spreading it on purpose to reduce meat consumption.

Posted by: Oddbob at July 05, 2026 08:44 PM (vTZFs)

87 Brave AI has a good summary of pointing
"Natural point of aim (NPA) for a handgun refers to the position where the firearm naturally aligns with a target when the shooter assumes a relaxed stance with minimal muscle tension. This concept is critical for accuracy and speed, particularly in self-defense scenarios where stress degrades conscious aiming skills.

To check your NPA, adopt a shooting stance, close your eyes, raise the unloaded pistol to aim at a target, and then open your eyes. If the sights are not on target, adjust your body position—typically by shifting your feet—rather than forcing the gun with your arms. A gun that matches your body’s geometry will require less conscious effort to keep the sights on target.

Key factors influencing natural pointing include:

Grip Angle: Pistols like the 1911 (18-degree angle) and Glock (22-degree angle) have different natural pointing tendencies, which can affect alignment for shooters accustomed to other platforms.
Body Mechanics: Proper NPA relies on skeletal support and muscle relaxation; misalignment often results in consistent misses to the left or right. "

Posted by: whig at July 05, 2026 08:45 PM (E4rtv)

88 Sophie Cunningham seems to be pretty good at natural pointing.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at July 05, 2026 08:47 PM (0sNs1)

89 I am forever grateful to the gentleman than provided me with my revolver. You know who you are and what you did.

Posted by: Ben Had at July 05, 2026 08:47 PM (afJtY)

90 I have a Model 10, a police trade-in, that looks like absolute crap but functions fine. I don't know what such things cost today but years ago I paid about $150 for it.
Posted by: JTB at July 05, 2026 08:41 PM (yTvNw)

S&W's catalog has the Model 10 Classic's MSRP as $1,019.

Posted by: Ed L at July 05, 2026 08:47 PM (BCwQW)

91 I avoided revolvers for a long time. Now I have 2 - a Heritage Rough Rider in 22LR (the Ace of Spades gun!) and a Pietta SAA in .357/.38 as well as a separate 9mm cylinder.

As a gun the SAA pattern is not as good as modern guns.

There. I said it.

And it's single action - its in the name.

But they remain cool. And everybody wants to be a cowboy.

Posted by: blaster - Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat at July 05, 2026 08:48 PM (fKauK)

92 Correction, gentlemen.

Posted by: Ben Had at July 05, 2026 08:48 PM (afJtY)

93 They're getting much rarer, but police turn-in revolvers (including M-10s) can be found from time to time at reasonable prices.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at July 05, 2026 08:49 PM (0sNs1)

94 BH, I seem to recall it might have been a spoils of war situation?

Posted by: RI Red at July 05, 2026 08:50 PM (WcJqs)

95 And it's single action - its in the name.

But they remain cool. And everybody wants to be a cowboy.
Posted by: blaster
======
If I hunted with a handgun, then yes, I would want a single action. Better options out there today for people.

Posted by: whig at July 05, 2026 08:51 PM (E4rtv)

96 A nice feature of a SA/DA revolver is the choice it gives you.

I can't say the same for a SA/DA semi-automatic (Sig P229, I'm looking at you).

Posted by: Duncanthrax at July 05, 2026 08:53 PM (0sNs1)

97 No time to do any shooting this week, but I did finally pay my dues (5 days late) at the range.
Does that count? 😋

Posted by: buddhaha at July 05, 2026 08:54 PM (iaABv)

98 RI Red, it was mentioning a close approxcimity to a 600lb boar with not even a stick in my hand.

I chose run as the only option.

Posted by: Ben Had at July 05, 2026 08:54 PM (afJtY)

99 93 They're getting much rarer, but police turn-in revolvers (including M-10s) can be found from time to time at reasonable prices.
Posted by: Duncanthrax
=======
Aim surplus occasionally gets some (suspect Century International is the primary source)--usually security agency turnins or from foreign countries.

Taurus has gotten better with its Q/A as has this iteration of Charter Arms. So both are viable sources for revolvers. Stay away from used of either of these brands unless you know how to evaluate revolvers properly.

Colts made since the 70's are fine, before then, the lockwork means that some Colts are fine and others require retiming the action which is a pain to find gunsmiths up to that and expensive when you do. They modernized the lockwork beginning the late 60's from leaf springs to coils.

Rugers are pretty much bombproof but not always the best trigger pulls.

Posted by: whig at July 05, 2026 08:55 PM (E4rtv)

100 This seems like the place to drop this, possibly the most American viedo ever.

https://rb.gy/iqxd2s (Goes to X(twitter))

Posted by: Tennessee Jed at July 05, 2026 08:55 PM (CLS0Q)

101 I have a Model 10, a police trade-in, that looks like absolute crap but functions fine. I don't know what such things cost today but years ago I paid about $150 for it.
Posted by: JTB at July 05, 2026 08:41 PM (yTvNw)

S&W's catalog has the Model 10 Classic's MSRP as $1,019.
Posted by: Ed L at July 05, 2026 08:47 PM (BCwQW)

There is a nice looking Model 10, made in 1962, on Gunbroker right now. Bids are over $500 and there are still 3 days to go on the auction.

Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at July 05, 2026 08:57 PM (W5PEE)

102 96 A nice feature of a SA/DA revolver is the choice it gives you.

Posted by: Duncanthrax
======
Only if you know how to safely decock a cocked revolver. I never encouraged the people I taught how to shoot to cock the hammer in order to shoot. Better to teach double action from teh get go.

Posted by: whig at July 05, 2026 08:58 PM (E4rtv)

103 They're getting much rarer, but police turn-in revolvers (including M-10s) can be found from time to time at reasonable prices.

Just another "one that got away" story but a few years ago, Cabela's had a bunch of model 65s in very good condition with LEO stampings for, IIRC, less than $400. Interestingly, they all had bobbed hammers. I guess whichever agency it was that had them didn't want to risk any "it just went off" lawsuits.

Posted by: Oddbob at July 05, 2026 08:59 PM (vTZFs)

104 Jim sunkNewDawn had a bunch of fun revolvers. He would tell you about them, show you how to handle them and then let you shoot them. His guns. His ammo. His knowledge. Good guy.

Posted by: nurse ratched. at July 05, 2026 09:01 PM (yEz+x)

105 Posted by: Tennessee Jed at July 05, 2026 08:55 PM (CLS0Q)

Check out the 1911 Syndicate's video on the origins of the 1911. The hosts go through the numerous predecessors to the 1911 and test fire several of these rare firearms, including Colt's Model 1907 prototype and JMB's prototype Model 1909 automatic.

Posted by: Ed L at July 05, 2026 09:02 PM (BCwQW)

106 Thank you for the Thread, Weasel!!

Posted by: Duncanthrax at July 05, 2026 09:03 PM (0sNs1)

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