Gun Thread: On Vacation 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 On Vacation Edition? That's right, gals and guys, your ol' pal Weasel & Co. packed up the truck and headed for the NC shore for a week of vacation from the stressful rigors of retirement. I'm writing this early Sunday morning having just returned from the donut and bagel shops, the sun is out, and the doggos are getting used to having sand betwixt their toes. Coffee is on and I'm ready to light a cigar.

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

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FUNdamentals

Practice them, 'kay?
Here is an advanced element of WeaselDoctrine under consideration for the TXMoMe.

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Colt Revolvers!

and...

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9mm vs .380

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20mm > .38 Special!

Mag-fed with suppressor!

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280mm > 20mm!

Fed with atoms!

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Our Pal The Telephone Lineman

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Highway Patrol!

This week's episode: Killer On The Run!

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X15!

Recognize the narrator's voice?

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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!

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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 first.

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at July 12, 2026 07:00 PM (0N4FZ)

2 Uay! Gubs!

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 12, 2026 07:00 PM (Wnv9h)

3 bang

Posted by: Eromero at July 12, 2026 07:00 PM (LHPAg)

4 Not only am I not first, I can't type.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 12, 2026 07:01 PM (Wnv9h)

5 Good evening everyone

Posted by: Skip at July 12, 2026 07:01 PM (Ia/+0)

6 What? Vacation from retirement? Doesn’t that mean a return to work?

Posted by: RI Red at July 12, 2026 07:01 PM (GVUrx)

7 Enjoy that doubleplus retirement, Weasel!

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 12, 2026 07:03 PM (Wnv9h)

8 Posted by: RI Red at July 12, 2026 07:01 PM (GVUrx)
-----
No. No it does not. It means not doing anything in someone else's house.

Posted by: Weasel at July 12, 2026 07:03 PM (+kigi)

9 Hello, Weasel!

Posted by: Ed L at July 12, 2026 07:04 PM (BCwQW)

10 Hiya, Weasel.
I did NOT have to sell my guns.
God squeaked us through and got me a new job.
I won't say too much except that after years with DoD, I will now be working with CBP. Remote, though the office is in DC.

Posted by: GWB at July 12, 2026 07:06 PM (SfwFD)

11 Not only am I not first, I can't type.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 12, 2026 07:01 PM (Wnv9h)

Not only can't you type, but you're not first.

Posted by: GWB at July 12, 2026 07:07 PM (SfwFD)

12 Congratulations on the new job, GWB!

Posted by: Ed L at July 12, 2026 07:08 PM (BCwQW)

13 Posted by: RI Red at July 12, 2026 07:01 PM (GVUrx)
-----
No. No it does not. It means not doing anything in someone else's house.
Posted by: Weasel at July 12, 2026 07:03 PM (+kigi)

I thought it was "still not doing anything, but now you're paying for it"?

Posted by: GWB at July 12, 2026 07:09 PM (SfwFD)

14 Yesterday was our .22 match. Did okay out to about 100 yards. Between 100 and 175 yards, things were squirrelly. But, once out to 200 yards, things settled in and I was hitting stuff again. Near as I could tell, the 200 yard bay, which has a cut out in a berm on the left hand side, and, surprise, lines up with targets between 125 and 175 yards, things were off. Oddly enough, anything on the left side toward the cutout, hard to hit. Away from the cutout and close to the berm on the right side, easy to hit. Just enough wind that .22 cal bullet did weird things on the left side.

Posted by: Blake - semi lurker in marginal standing at July 12, 2026 07:10 PM (UJMvS)

15 Posted by: RI Red at July 12, 2026 07:01 PM (GVUrx)
---
Yep. But I'm told it's funner!

Posted by: Weasel at July 12, 2026 07:10 PM (+kigi)

16 Not only am I not first, I can't type.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 12, 2026 07:01 PM (Wnv9h)

Not only can't you type, but you're not first.
Posted by: GWB at July 12, 2026 07:07 PM

Logic checks out.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 12, 2026 07:11 PM (Wnv9h)

17 Evening, Weasel.

Posted by: Blake - semi lurker in marginal standing at July 12, 2026 07:11 PM (UJMvS)

18 Well, Weasel, enjoy your well earned vacation. Don’t mind us; we’ll keep the place clean.

Posted by: RI Red at July 12, 2026 07:15 PM (JK1W1)

19 On the deck now. Bigly storm cell approaching from the NE!

Posted by: Weasel at July 12, 2026 07:16 PM (zqeQL)

20 My trip to the range this weekend consisted of testing my "new" (to me) .38 Special Colt Army Special from 1925 that I picked up last month and practicing double action fire with my 2018 Colt Cobra (21st century production) in .38 Special. The Colt Army Special was still in good shape. I shot fairly tight groups with it at 10 yards in single action and 7 yards in double action. For the Colt Cobra, I placed the target at 10 yards, a distance that's usually challenging for a snubby. With a slow, deliberate rate of fire, I was able to place most of my rounds inside the colored area of the bullseye. Most of my misses were from when I tried to pick up the pace a little bit. I'm not up for a faster rate of fire yet. I fired two 5 round groups with the Army Special. I fired two 5 round groups and five 6 shot groups with the Cobra. A good day at the range in all.

Posted by: Ed L at July 12, 2026 07:21 PM (BCwQW)

21 On the deck now. Bigly storm cell approaching from the NE!
Posted by: Weasel at July 12, 2026 07:16 PM (zqeQL)
___

I've had enough rain for the time being. But storms over the ocean is an amazing thing to experience, as long as they're not hurricanes.

I'm enjoying the beautiful late afternoon sun setting over the tree-covered hill from the porch.

Sent ya an email, btw.
Think you'll get a kick out of it.

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at July 12, 2026 07:23 PM (4Uk/z)

22 Don’t mind us; we’ll keep the place clean.
Posted by: RI Red

Who are you trying to kid?
Weasel KNOWS us.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at July 12, 2026 07:25 PM (NnhvP)

23 20 My trip to the range this weekend consisted of testing my "new" (to me) .38 Special Colt Army Special from 1925 that I picked up last month and practicing double action fire with my 2018 Colt Cobra (21st century production) in .38 Special. The Colt Army Special was still in good shape. I shot fairly tight groups with it at 10 yards in single action and 7 yards in double action. For the Colt Cobra, I placed the target at 10 yards, a distance that's usually challenging for a snubby. With a slow, deliberate rate of fire, I was able to place most of my rounds inside the colored area of the bullseye. Most of my misses were from when I tried to pick up the pace a little bit. I'm not up for a faster rate of fire yet. I fired two 5 round groups with the Army Special. I fired two 5 round groups and five 6 shot groups with the Cobra. A good day at the range in all.
Posted by: Ed L
=======
The old Colt double action circa 1890's (before they went to a different one about 1968 or so), stacks in double action (as the v in the action spring becomes more and more compressed) so the trigger pull will get progressively harder/heavier and then suddenly relax like a going over a hump in a car.

Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 07:26 PM (E4rtv)

24 Happy Vaca Weasel!
Congrats on the new job GWB.
Hello to everyone else and thank God for the VA judiciary (for now). Their timeline gets us out of the State before the next deadline, where we can buy whatever we want whenever we want....

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 12, 2026 07:27 PM (IQ6Gq)

25 Single action on these old double action Colts is usually quite crisp and if you go by old bullseye shooters, superior than Smith's. To my opinion, they are about the same as long as you keep within the same frame size equivalent. But, I do think Smiths of that era had superior and smoother double action and if they didn't--are easier to tune by far.

A good Colt experienced gunsmith can kink the mainspring to remove the stacking but that is an art and best done with a spare mainspring if you have to compete with it double action.

Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 07:30 PM (E4rtv)

26 Evening, Horde...How goes it?

Last weekend I had all the fun of dealing with a 14-hour power outage.

Today I find out that the water main across the street is busted, so now I'm without water.

A crew is working to fix it, but who knows how long that will take...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at July 12, 2026 07:30 PM (FZ29D)

27 My range report this week does not include actual range time, but it does include a report that we have an approved building permit, pins set in the ground for the house, and big machines moving ground this week!

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 12, 2026 07:30 PM (IQ6Gq)

28 Snatch the pebble from my hand, weasel.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at July 12, 2026 07:30 PM (sYM3s)

29 The old Colt double action circa 1890's (before they went to a different one about 1968 or so), stacks in double action (as the v in the action spring becomes more and more compressed) so the trigger pull will get progressively harder/heavier and then suddenly relax like a going over a hump in a car.
Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 07:26 PM (E4rtv)

Comparing the two revolvers made 97 years apart, I could definitely feel the difference between the old Colt action and the new 21st century one. The stacking effect (to me, at least) is a lot less pronounced with the 2018 Colt Cobra and the current generation of Pythons.

Posted by: Ed L at July 12, 2026 07:31 PM (BCwQW)

30 Warning on the Highway Patrol episode: Fat Man running!

Posted by: GWB at July 12, 2026 07:31 PM (kU0PQ)

31 14 Yesterday was our .22 match. Did okay out to about 100 yards. Between 100 and 175 yards, things were squirrelly. But, once out to 200 yards, things settled in and I was hitting stuff again. Near as I could tell, the 200 yard bay, which has a cut out in a berm on the left hand side, and, surprise, lines up with targets between 125 and 175 yards, things were off. Oddly enough, anything on the left side toward the cutout, hard to hit. Away from the cutout and close to the berm on the right side, easy to hit. Just enough wind that .22 cal bullet did weird things on the left side.
Posted by: Blake
=======
You have to be a pretty superb shooter to compete at that range with 22 LR. You really can't handload and tweak the loads like you can with a centerfire.

Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 07:31 PM (E4rtv)

32 27 My range report this week does not include actual range time, but it does include a report that we have an approved building permit, pins set in the ground for the house, and big machines moving ground this week!
Posted by: The Grateful
=====
Congratulations. Getting ducks in a row for starting construction is a pretty big win.

Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 07:32 PM (E4rtv)

33 Blake, what was your .22 match format?

Posted by: RI Red at July 12, 2026 07:32 PM (thgqG)

34 26 Evening, Horde...How goes it?

Last weekend I had all the fun of dealing with a 14-hour power outage.

Today I find out that the water main across the street is busted, so now I'm without water.

A crew is working to fix it, but who knows how long that will take...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel

Hopefully the flood area went around you. Missouri got hammered and now it is Tennessee and Kentucky's turn.

Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 07:33 PM (E4rtv)

35 Today I find out that the water main across the street is busted, so now I'm without water.

A crew is working to fix it, but who knows how long that will take...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at July 12, 2026 07:30 PM (FZ29D)
----------------

Is today shower day? If not, then what's the problem?

Posted by: Blake - semi lurker in marginal standing at July 12, 2026 07:33 PM (UJMvS)

36 >>> 26 Evening, Horde...How goes it?

Last weekend I had all the fun of dealing with a 14-hour power outage.

Today I find out that the water main across the street is busted, so now I'm without water.

A crew is working to fix it, but who knows how long that will take...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at July 12, 2026 07:30 PM (FZ29D)

https://shorturl.at/MINDG

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at July 12, 2026 07:34 PM (R+iUD)

37 Blake, what was your .22 match format?
Posted by: RI Red at July 12, 2026 07:32 PM (thgqG)

------------------

Steel targets, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200 yards. 10 shots, as many rounds on target as possible within 10 shots. We run two 10 target popper plates @ 50 and 100 yards. The rest are 5 targets. Target order and method is "1st shooter choice." 1st shooter moves to the end of the line then 2nd shooter goes 1st, and so on. Much fun and mockery is had by all.

Posted by: Blake - semi lurker in marginal standing at July 12, 2026 07:37 PM (UJMvS)

38 Evenin'

Posted by: Puddleglum, drive by pew pew at July 12, 2026 07:38 PM (sAmhv)

39 Clarification: 10 shots at sets of targets at each distance. We start @ 50 yards and work our way out.

Posted by: Blake - semi lurker in marginal standing at July 12, 2026 07:39 PM (UJMvS)

40 Good evening gubthreaders and all the ships at sea!

Posted by: blaster - Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat at July 12, 2026 07:40 PM (NlEaG)

41 On the 380 vs 9mm video
Stay home or go big, 45acp

Posted by: Skip at July 12, 2026 07:40 PM (Ia/+0)

42 Single action on these old double action Colts is usually quite crisp and if you go by old bullseye shooters, superior than Smith's. To my opinion, they are about the same as long as you keep within the same frame size equivalent. But, I do think Smiths of that era had superior and smoother double action and if they didn't--are easier to tune by far.

A good Colt experienced gunsmith can kink the mainspring to remove the stacking but that is an art and best done with a spare mainspring if you have to compete with it double action.
Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 07:30 PM (E4rtv)

Agree w/ you on this too. My basis for comparison is a 1914 Colt New Service in .45 Colt and a pre-Model 29 from 1957. The New Service has a really nice single action, but a heavy double action pull that magnifies the feel of the stacking effect. The pre-Model 29 is a pretty close second for single action, but a significantly smoother double action

Posted by: Ed L at July 12, 2026 07:41 PM (BCwQW)

43 Sounds fun, Blake. I missed the first 2 Aspirin Shoots, but will be there last Sunday of July.

Maybe I should practice.

Posted by: RI Red at July 12, 2026 07:41 PM (thgqG)

44 (Cont.) The pre-Model 29 is a pretty close second for single action, but a significantly smoother double action
pull.

Posted by: Ed L at July 12, 2026 07:41 PM (BCwQW)

45 Tough luck Perfessor, hope its back by morning.
Around here it would be a all nighter for the work men I think

Posted by: Skip at July 12, 2026 07:43 PM (Ia/+0)

46 Today I find out that the water main across the street is busted, so now I'm without water.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at July 12, 2026 07:30 PM (FZ29D)

A thing to consider:
Your water heater probably has a drain valve on it. If you turn off the incoming water and the outgoing water and turn off the heating element, you have 30-50 gallons of potable water in there. You MIGHT need to filter it if there's any sediment in the bottom. Might be a good way to get water for things like flushing toilets.

Posted by: GWB at July 12, 2026 07:43 PM (kU0PQ)

47 Reminder, if you have to take the sideplate off from a revolver, never pry the sideplate off--use something like a wood hammer handle or plastic applied to the opposite side to thump the sideplate out of the place by vibration. Smiths are easy enough to take down, Colts, I recommend leaving that to an expert if you have a classic Colt, use a spray or submersion (Cylinder and Slide Dunk-it). Don't recommend ultrasound as Colt has incredibly close tolerances on its moving parts (and if blued or worse nickeled) it can affect those surfaces.

Rugers have no side plates in their double action and come out pretty easy. BUT, don't do a detailed takedown of the ruger trigger unit unless you know what you are doing. If you have to clean it, then use spray cleaners or submersion to do it (be careful on ultrasound too as it can destroy bluing or anodizing if not very careful).

Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 07:43 PM (E4rtv)

48 My range report this week does not include actual range time, but it does include a report that we have an approved building permit, pins set in the ground for the house, and big machines moving ground this week!
Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 12, 2026 07:30 PM (IQ6Gq)

Woohoo! Congrats!

Posted by: GWB at July 12, 2026 07:44 PM (kU0PQ)

49 Aspirin shoots are much fun. We don't have them around here, unfortunately.

Posted by: Blake - semi lurker in marginal standing at July 12, 2026 07:44 PM (UJMvS)

50 Good evening to all. Up in New Hampshire for a few days. Loafing, swimming, and paddling.

Have a great one all the GunHorde and Weasel I hope your vacation from retirement is a blessing.

Posted by: Coelacanth at July 12, 2026 07:44 PM (lwy00)

51 pins set in the ground for the house, and big machines moving ground this week!
Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba

Pins set for reinforcement where large gun safe will rest, right?

Posted by: RI Red at July 12, 2026 07:46 PM (thgqG)

52 pins set in the ground for the house, and big machines moving ground this week!
Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba

Pins set for reinforcement where large gun safe will rest, right?
Posted by: RI Red
********
There is absolutely a large gub closet safe is on the blueprints...can't be that close to S&W and PSA and not have one!

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 12, 2026 07:49 PM (IQ6Gq)

53 Pins set for reinforcement where large gun safe will rest, right?
Posted by: RI Red at July 12, 2026 07:46 PM (thgqG)
--------------

You had me right up to "safe" and then disappointment set in.

Posted by: Blake - semi lurker in marginal standing at July 12, 2026 07:49 PM (UJMvS)

54 Agree w/ you on this too. My basis for comparison is a 1914 Colt New Service in .45 Colt and a pre-Model 29 from 1957. The New Service has a really nice single action, but a heavy double action pull that magnifies the feel of the stacking effect. The pre-Model 29 is a pretty close second for single action, but a significantly smoother double action

Posted by: Ed L

Nice pair of guns. You can see where the stacking comes from if you take a look at the Colt Detective dissassembly video picture---as you draw back the hammer, the v spring touches or nearly so and that causes the stacking in double action. If it is already cocked, no such problem in single action.

Coil springs used by later Colts and Rugers have their own peculiarities and are best treated by changing spring weights than anything else followed by polishing moving surfaces and properly lubricating with a drop dispenser oiler on key pins with part rotation.

Revolvers need very little oil and a lot of problems with old ones is that the overoiling led to oils becoming gummy from oxidation making the innards nasty and attracting powder residue that can bind the actions, slow the hammer fall, and other problems.

Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 07:50 PM (E4rtv)

55 Ooooo!!!
Hot damn!
Nuke Artillery!

Posted by: Diogenes at July 12, 2026 07:51 PM (2WIwB)

56 @ whig, thank you for the compliment but, I'm using a front rest and rear bag. Everyone else uses a really good bipod and rear bag.

Yesterday, it was almost impossible to call the wind, it was switching so much.

Posted by: Blake - semi lurker in marginal standing at July 12, 2026 07:52 PM (UJMvS)

57 According to Israeli media, Israel has killed no fewer than 2,561 of the around 3,000 terrorists who crossed from Gaza into Israel on October 7. About 1,000 of these were killed in traditional combat with the IDF. The remainder got their one-way trip to Hell courtesy of a secretive unit called Nili. Nili was formed shortly after the October 7 attack and given the mission of tracking down every single terrorist who invaded Israel on October 7.

I would do this to every person that sold drugs to kill Americans.

Posted by: r hennigantx at July 12, 2026 07:53 PM (/+uur)

58 Stay home or go big, 45acp

My EDC was a Colt Mustang for years on the theory that the .380 you have with you beats the .45 you left at home. I upsized to a 9mm when I got one that was only slightly larger than the Mustang.

Posted by: Oddbob at July 12, 2026 07:53 PM (vTZFs)

59 I should say Ruger trigger units are a component that comes out whole from the GP-100 or the older Security designs. PITA to take apart and put back together so disassembly is not encouraged for mere cleaning and lubing. Rare for them to have an actual problem in the action.

Smith actions are the easiest to tune of the big three--Ruger, Smith and Colt. And that K Frame action has seen minor changes since the 1900's but a gunsmith taking apart a Smith Hand Ejector would have little problem recognizing today's Smith revolver innards.

Again, polishing moving surfaces, a modicum of oil drops in the right places, and a tad of grease on sliding blocks, will go far in keeping them in shape.

Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 07:55 PM (E4rtv)

60 Pins set for reinforcement where large gun safe will rest, right?
Posted by: RI Red at July 12, 2026 07:46 PM (thgqG)

The higher end safes from the Ft. Knox line can weigh in at 2500 to 3000 pounds for their larger volume models. Your floor slabs should be able to manage that weight, but if you plan on having a safe on your upper floor(s), make sure the floor beams and/or columns can support that concentrated load. Depending on your plans to acquire stuff, you might want to consider a vault room built into your house.

Posted by: Ed L at July 12, 2026 07:55 PM (BCwQW)

61 Less than 500 to go, still time to finish that job

Posted by: Skip at July 12, 2026 07:55 PM (Ia/+0)

62 I did NAZI IDF keeping a score card.

PS I hope they killed any family that assisted.

Posted by: r hennigantx at July 12, 2026 07:56 PM (/+uur)

63 56 @ whig, thank you for the compliment but, I'm using a front rest and rear bag. Everyone else uses a really good bipod and rear bag.

Yesterday, it was almost impossible to call the wind, it was switching so much.
Posted by: Blake
======
Use the right tool as you are and that indicates something if the focus is accuracy. And at the distances you were at, wind calling is an art on 22 LR.

Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 07:56 PM (E4rtv)

64 What? no witchita lineman link?

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at July 12, 2026 07:58 PM (n5tGW)

65 A 280mm Atomic Cannon would be droneskied pretty quickly these days.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at July 12, 2026 07:58 PM (0sNs1)

66 Rainy day today, so no shooting. But.... the neighbor, who shoots all of the damned time, does not seem to realize we have target on the other side of the road, which is that damned rooster who never shuts the hell up.

I wonder what a suppressed .22 would do to that loudmouth's yap?

Or, maybe I should try not to piss off the neighbors like that asshole....

Decisions, decisions....

Posted by: tcn in AK at July 12, 2026 07:59 PM (bl07w)

67 The higher end safes from the Ft. Knox line can weigh in at 2500 to 3000 pounds for their larger volume models. Your floor slabs should be able to manage that weight, but if you plan on having a safe on your upper floor(s), make sure the floor beams and/or columns can support that concentrated load. Depending on your plans to acquire stuff, you might want to consider a vault room built into your house.
Posted by: Ed L
========
Yep. At that level, building a saferoom gun vault becomes an option and saferooms are also good as tornado shelters. Swisher Manufacturing has some prefab shelters ESP that are bolt together that can serve as both of various sizes.

Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 07:59 PM (E4rtv)

68 off old rino sock

Posted by: Will Robinson at July 12, 2026 07:59 PM (TTv1m)

69 TFW: You check the bids on a rifle you spotted on Gunbroker, and they have gone beyond your "that would be an interesting project" limit.

I have enough project guns and adding one more to the pack would be dumb.

Unless, of course, it was a really, really good deal.

Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at July 12, 2026 08:00 PM (+EWjf)

70 Coil springs used by later Colts and Rugers have their own peculiarities and are best treated by changing spring weights than anything else followed by polishing moving surfaces and properly lubricating with a drop dispenser oiler on key pins with part rotation.

Revolvers need very little oil and a lot of problems with old ones is that the overoiling led to oils becoming gummy from oxidation making the innards nasty and attracting powder residue that can bind the actions, slow the hammer fall, and other problems.
Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 07:50 PM (E4rtv)

When I bought my first revolver (one of the 4th and final issue Detective Specials) in 1994, I was warned then not to screw around with the mechanisms inside the revolver. Easy to take apart, but impossible to put back together again unless you really knew what you were doing. I don't, so I don't mess around with the insides of any revolver at all.

Posted by: Ed L at July 12, 2026 08:00 PM (BCwQW)

71 So no gun stuff to report. Well, kind of. I also went on vacation. I went to the free state of Florida.

Which - believe it or not - considers Forced Reset Triggers illegal. That's something I learned.

But there are no laws against ghost guns! Virginia has one now, but it does not take effect until July 1, 2027 That is not one of the laws enjoined in the recent challenges. So next year, a 3d printed gun is illegal to possess in Virginia.

Posted by: blaster - Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat at July 12, 2026 08:01 PM (NlEaG)

72 Depending on your plans to acquire stuff, you might want to consider a vault room built into your house.
Posted by: Ed L at July 12, 2026 07:55 PM (BCwQW)

IF you have a slab on grade, you can count on a square foot load of about 2,500 lbs without too much deflection. Anything over that will require a foundation, which can be done with a sonotube with a bit of reinforcing. Easy enough for any contractor to do.

If you do NOT have a slab on grade, you cannot count on that sort of concentrated load, and you will need to reinforce all the way down to the ground, which means building a frame under the floor and setting it on new footings of some kind.

Best to contact a structural engineer and have him or her determine how best to proceed.

Houses are not built for big libraries or gun safes.

Posted by: tcn in AK at July 12, 2026 08:02 PM (bl07w)

73 The telephone lineman clip made me flash back to when the green Southern Bell truck showed up at Granny's house with her first phone. She was so excited but Grand-Daddy said 'That telephone is just a way for people you don't know to get in your kitchen.'

Posted by: Eromero at July 12, 2026 08:03 PM (LHPAg)

74 Also, I keep planning to have a range at blaster acres, and I keep not having one. We finally picked the place for a 25 yard range, it is clear of trees but not of underbrush. One of my projects this trip was to get my flail mower back in order and use it to do that. But I also had a good 4 or 5 acres to mow first, and I did, and the repair to the mower failed as soon as I finished that mow - so the range did not get mown.

Still on the "To Do" list and not on the "Done" list.

Posted by: blaster - Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat at July 12, 2026 08:04 PM (NlEaG)

75 The other option is to put in an entire gun room, with a reinforced door, that spreads the load around and doesn't overload your structure. Plus, it's nice to go in and bask in the loveliness of your various items, all displayed individually. But, that requires a fair bit of space.

Posted by: tcn in AK at July 12, 2026 08:04 PM (bl07w)

76 When I bought my first revolver (one of the 4th and final issue Detective Specials) in 1994, I was warned then not to screw around with the mechanisms inside the revolver. Easy to take apart, but impossible to put back together again unless you really knew what you were doing. I don't, so I don't mess around with the insides of any revolver at all.
Posted by: Ed L

Jerry Kuhnhausen (now deceased) has shop manuals for teh Colts, Smiths, M1 Garands, and the M1 carbine along with other models. Highly recommended even if you never intend to work on one, allows you to tell if a) the gunsmith knows what he is talking about, b) Kuhnhausen lists and describes common problems and what is required to fix them, and c) you can talk his language and know what can and cannot be done in a shop.

Amazon and Midway sell them. Pricey but worth it.

Kuhnhausen was a gunsmith during the Golden Era in California and had a lot of firearms pass through his workshop through the years--he has opinions like anyone else but his are based on his work experiences in fixing and improving firearms.

Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 08:05 PM (E4rtv)

77 A 280mm Atomic Cannon would be droneskied pretty quickly these days.
Posted by: Duncanthrax at July 12, 2026

Yup.
Anything that is semi-stationary is a target these days. Good thing our tactical nukes today are smaller and far more mobile.

Posted by: Diogenes at July 12, 2026 08:05 PM (2WIwB)

78 A 280mm Atomic Cannon would be droneskied pretty quickly these days.
Posted by: Duncanthrax at July 12, 2026 07:58 PM (0sNs1)

Even back then, "Atomic Annie" had a massive battlefield signature. It took about a battalion sized element to support it logistically, move the thing, and provide security for it and its ammo. Easy to move on the autobahn, but damn near impossible to move it once you exited it onto narrow German side streets. It might look impressive at the Nevada test site, but it wasn't all that practical if you had to move it around on the battlefield, especially if you had to shoot and scoot.

Posted by: Ed L at July 12, 2026 08:05 PM (BCwQW)

79 that damned rooster who never shuts the hell up.
Posted by: tcn in AK at July 12, 2026 07:59 PM

Despite what ZZ Top says, simply being sharply-dressed isn't always enough to attract the ladies, IYKWIMAITYD.

Posted by: The Rooster at July 12, 2026 08:06 PM (0sNs1)

80 Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 12, 2026 07:30 PM

Woo hoo!

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 12, 2026 08:06 PM (Wnv9h)

81 You had me right up to "safe" and then disappointment set in.
Posted by: Blake - semi lurker in marginal standing at July 12, 2026 07:49 PM

I know, right? I was waiting for "arms room."

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 12, 2026 08:07 PM (Wnv9h)

82 Despite what ZZ Top says, simply being sharply-dressed isn't always enough to attract the ladies, IYKWIMAITYD.
Posted by: The Rooster at July 12, 2026 08:06 PM (0sNs1)

Yer days are numbered, cock of the walk.

Posted by: tcn in AK at July 12, 2026 08:07 PM (bl07w)

83 Took the Dan Wesson tricked out Pointman 7 for a spin yesterday.

Darn thing kept putting rounds through the same hole.

Wasted a perfectly good target.

Posted by: nurse ratched. at July 12, 2026 08:07 PM (yEz+x)

84 Wasted a perfectly good target.
Posted by: nurse ratched. at July 12, 2026 08:07 PM (yEz+x)
---------------

ISWYDT

Posted by: Blake - semi lurker in marginal standing at July 12, 2026 08:09 PM (UJMvS)

85 Other trigger warning for Highway Patrol...
Crawford fires his snubby into the air. Straight up. Three times. Evidently, he wants people to find him because he's lost. In rapid succession. Why waste one round if you can rapidly waste three.

Oy vey.

Posted by: GWB at July 12, 2026 08:09 PM (kU0PQ)

86 So next year, a 3d printed gun is illegal to possess in Virginia.
Posted by: blaster - Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat at July 12, 2026 08:01 PM (NlEaG)

I do believe there is an exception to that rule if you are a senior Democrat Virginia official!

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar (hOUT3) ~ Next Up TX MoMe ~ at July 12, 2026 08:09 PM (hOUT3)

87 Posted by: RI Red at July 12, 2026 07:46 PM (thgqG)

Red, it occurred to me that I hadn't checked out your site in a while so I just did. What's the story with that "Kaboom?" Factory load or reload? What gun?

TFW: You check the bids on a rifle you spotted on Gunbroker, and they have gone beyond your "that would be an interesting project" limit.

The existential lesson of Gunbroker for me is that there are people who 1) like a lot of the same stuff I like and 2) have a hell of a lot more disposable income than I do.

Posted by: Oddbob at July 12, 2026 08:10 PM (vTZFs)

88 Took the Dan Wesson tricked out Pointman 7 for a spin yesterday.

Darn thing kept putting rounds through the same hole.

Wasted a perfectly good target.
Posted by: nurse ratched. at July 12, 2026 08:07 PM

Have you informed CBD about this miracle?

Posted by: Duncanthrax at July 12, 2026 08:11 PM (0sNs1)

89 Crawford fires his snubby into the air. Straight up. Three times. Evidently, he wants people to find him because he's lost. In rapid succession. Why waste one round if you can rapidly waste three.

Because back when the Boy Scouts taught this kind of stuff, three shots in succession was the generally known signal for distress.

Posted by: Oddbob at July 12, 2026 08:11 PM (vTZFs)

90 Oh, and the other thing for people to know, if you are taking apart firearms--get a set of firearm screw bits and holders and revolvers sometimes have their own weird bits. The tips are hollow ground to fit almost all modern firearms of teh last 50-75 years properly and the Home Depot plain screwdrivers will bugger up the close fitting revolver screws with little effort at all as they are designed for other purposes.

You can get gunsmithing screwdriver sets from Chapman Mfg, Midway, Brownells, etc. Magna Tip is probably the Cadillac of the line and designed from the start for gunsmithing--they are designed to break the tip instead of buggering the screw if too much torque is needed to remove a screw (use penetrating oil and other tactics in this case or seek a professional). Wheeler, Midway, Birchwood Causey, Lyman are all decent, although probably all made in China now, for cleaning, etc.

But their tips can and do bend if overtorqued. Older Chapman, Lyman, and current Grace (whole screwdrivers), and Magna Tip bits from Brownells don't do that.

Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 08:12 PM (E4rtv)

91 know, right? I was waiting for "arms room."
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 12, 2026 08:07 PM (Wnv9h)

You need to install high volume storage racks (the kind you have to crank apart to gain access via a small aisle opening up between the racks) to really call it an "arms room."

Posted by: Ed L at July 12, 2026 08:13 PM (BCwQW)

92 83 Took the Dan Wesson tricked out Pointman 7 for a spin yesterday.

Darn thing kept putting rounds through the same hole.

Wasted a perfectly good target.
Posted by: nurse ratched

The old US made ones were nice revolvers with some different options than what was out there in the 70's and 80's from the bigs like switchable barrel lengths, dunno about the newer revived brandname owned by CZ but suspect those are good as well.

But I suspect the particular revolver in this story has a dead eye shooter behind it. The tool is only as good as the person mastering it.

Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 08:15 PM (E4rtv)

93 I did NAZI IDF keeping a score card.

PS I hope they killed any family that assisted.
Posted by: r hennigantx at July 12, 2026 07:56 PM (/+uur)

Considering that Mossad put together a special team for "wet work" to take care of everyone involved in planning and executing the 1972 massacre of the Israeli Olympic Team, why is anyone surprised that the Israelis are doing something similar now? Heck, Spielberg even made a movie about it a few years back.

Posted by: Ed L at July 12, 2026 08:16 PM (BCwQW)

94 The existential lesson of Gunbroker for me is that there are people who 1) like a lot of the same stuff I like and 2) have a hell of a lot more disposable income than I do.
Posted by: Oddbob
=====
That is why I rebuilt old military bolt action surplus rifles including rebarrelling back over a decade ago. Stopped when the practice became uneconomical.

I was buying them to shoot, not collect.

Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 08:17 PM (E4rtv)

95 Kuhnhausen was a gunsmith during the Golden Era in California and had a lot of firearms pass through his workshop through the years--he has opinions like anyone else but his are based on his work experiences in fixing and improving firearms.
Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 08:05 PM (E4rtv)

I'll check out Amazon to see what they have. Thanks, Whig!

Posted by: Ed L at July 12, 2026 08:19 PM (BCwQW)

96 A couple of weeks ago you posted a video of a young woman at an outdoor range dancing and swinging her hips while emptying mag after mag out of a handgun. I would kill to have that link again. It was hilarious.

Posted by: Sam Adams at July 12, 2026 08:22 PM (X+xvk)

97 I'll check out Amazon to see what they have. Thanks, Whig!
Posted by: Ed L

He has tips for buying the particular handguns and rifles that he has those workbooks for as well. I bought one when I was working on old Mausers and then bought more of them to cover what other rifles and handguns I have. Illustrated with line drawings mostly but some pictures depending on which one it is. But like for Colts, their old double action parts sometimes had one part doing multiple functions in that action and Kuhnhausen tells you exactly what those are and what the moving parts should look like for sound and smooth operation. Literally, old Colt revolvers were built like Swiss watches and Colt's metallurgy/heat treatment for a long time was superior to Smith and Wesson's.

Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 08:23 PM (E4rtv)

98 Well, time to wander. Later!

Posted by: Blake - semi lurker in marginal standing at July 12, 2026 08:23 PM (UJMvS)

99 That is why I rebuilt old military bolt action surplus rifles including rebarrelling back over a decade ago. Stopped when the practice became uneconomical.

I was buying them to shoot, not collect.
Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 08:17 PM (E4rtv)

Every serious rifleman should do a full blown military to sporter build, just to get it out of their system. I did one, starting with a M98 action, and it turned out nice. Then I tallied up what it cost and realized I could have bought a brand new Winchester M70 for less.

Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at July 12, 2026 08:24 PM (+EWjf)

100 Then I tallied up what it cost and realized I could have bought a brand new Winchester M70 for less.
Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at July 12, 2026 08:24 PM

Those M70 Supergrades are sweet, aren't they?

Posted by: Duncanthrax at July 12, 2026 08:25 PM (0sNs1)

101 96 A couple of weeks ago you posted a video of a young woman at an outdoor range dancing and swinging her hips while emptying mag after mag out of a handgun. I would kill to have that link again. It was hilarious.
Posted by: Sam Adams
========
Not to be a Karen, but......
I don't want anyone like that around me at a range. The wannabe ganstas, those that wave firearms around, etc. are people I don't want to be around with loaded firearms. Never combine drinking or worse with firearms either.

I use heavy duty power tools like saws,grinders, etc. on occasion and you sure in the hell don't dance around with those. Loaded firearms are deadly tools just like those are and demand respect.

Want to yutz around--get a squirt gun or Super Soaker.

Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 08:26 PM (E4rtv)

102 why is anyone surprised that the Israelis are doing something similar now? Heck, Spielberg even made a movie about it a few years back.
Posted by: Ed L at July 12, 2026 08:16 PM (BCwQW)

I hope we do the same for drugs and gangs

Posted by: r hennigantx at July 12, 2026 08:27 PM (/+uur)

103 In other Virgnia law news, the two laws on banning the sale importation etc of "assault firearms" and the carry of "assault firearms" are under injunction which has been clarified to be statewide and for all law enforcement agencies, until July 1 2027 or until a higher court hears it.

Posted by: blaster - Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat at July 12, 2026 08:27 PM (NlEaG)

104 Every serious rifleman should do a full blown military to sporter build, just to get it out of their system. I did one, starting with a M98 action, and it turned out nice. Then I tallied up what it cost and realized I could have bought a brand new Winchester M70 for less.
Posted by: Idaho Spudboy
=======
I reversed the process--took lightly sporterized versions back to full battle rattle. Sometimes just the receiver and rebuilt them including stock and furniture.

Nowadays, you can get a Ruger American. Remington R700, or Savage that will shoot more accurately than most people can shoot stock.

I have a couple of those but I found restoring old bolt action milsurps was more fun and working on less than pristine firearms made it a helluva lot cheaper than collector grade purchases.

Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 08:29 PM (E4rtv)

105 The telephone lineman clip made me flash back to when the green Southern Bell truck showed up at Granny's house with her first phone. She was so excited but Grand-Daddy said 'That telephone is just a way for people you don't know to get in your kitchen.'
Posted by: Eromero

He wasn't wrong.

My grandparents had a party line on their farm until the late 70's.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at July 12, 2026 08:31 PM (nESHF)

106 98 Well, time to wander. Later!
Posted by: Blake
=====
Safe shooting Blake. Always enjoy your reports of competition along with RI Red's.

Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 08:33 PM (E4rtv)

107 *waves to Eromero*

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at July 12, 2026 08:33 PM (4Uk/z)

108 You need to install high volume storage racks (the kind you have to crank apart to gain access via a small aisle opening up between the racks) to really call it an "arms room."
Posted by: Ed L
=====
I hated those damn things in the libraries in grad school. A lot of my projects required digging out information from those forgotten shelving units.

But, I have seen the occasional surplus military locking racks sold on Ebay now and again. More money to ship them than to buy them.

Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 08:35 PM (E4rtv)

109 A couple of weeks ago you posted a video of a young woman at an outdoor range dancing and swinging her hips while emptying mag after mag out of a handgun. I would kill to have that link again. It was hilarious.
Posted by: Sam Adams
----
You saw that here? I do not recall that. Thats one of the reasons I do not like people posting links in the comments.

Posted by: Weasel at July 12, 2026 08:35 PM (zqeQL)

110
We had a party line until the seventies.

The old biddies listened in on every conversation, lol.

At church they would inform our parents what we were talking about. It didn't take long for the five of us kids to not talk about stuff, lol.

Posted by: four seasons at July 12, 2026 08:36 PM (/QHx4)

111 Red, it occurred to me that I hadn't checked out your site in a while so I just did. What's the story with that "Kaboom?" Factory load or reload? What gun?
Posted by: Oddbob at July 12, 2026 08:10 PM (vTZFs)

Oddbob, I was just about to mention it.
Yes, a kaboom. Junior’s Glock 23 with a 9 mm barrel in it. My reloads from three years ago when I was having reloading issues with my S&W FPC.
It was sad. He hadn’t been shooting in a while, so he shot his AR 15 and was hitting everything out to 300. We then went to the action bays, and as I was loading .38 revolvers, he was doing 5 shot groups hitting all the steel. All smiles.
15th round sounded louder and I heard a profanity. He had black soot on his hands (no blood), and the mag was on the ground.
Cont.

Posted by: RI Red at July 12, 2026 08:37 PM (fRFTM)

112 The existential lesson of Gunbroker for me is that there are people who 1) like a lot of the same stuff I like and 2) have a hell of a lot more disposable income than I do.
Posted by: Oddbob at July 12, 2026 08:10 PM (vTZFs)

At of right now, most US military surplus firearms, vintage Colt Pythons, old Colt SAA, and lots of other well known and desirable vintage firearms (Browning Hi-Powers, SKS) are probably out of reach of most people of normal means. But doesn't mean that the collectors' market is now the exclusive playground of the rich and famous. Vintage Colt and S&W revolvers that aren't known for their time in the limelight (Colt Official Police, S&W M&P/Model 10) can still be had for affordable prices compared to their more famous brethren. Sure, you might not like them as much as your dream US military Colt 1911, M1 Garand, or US Cavalry SAA. But they should be well within your reach because they're not as well known in popular culture. Chase the stuff that's hot now, you'll have lots of $$ chasing a very finite supply. Chase the stuff with future potential, and you'll pay a lot less. The trick is to figure out what has that potential for appreciation down the road.

Posted by: Ed L at July 12, 2026 08:38 PM (BCwQW)

113 I finally cleaned my gubs, more of less properly.

I had to look up how to take the slide off the Bersa, because it's been a couple years since I handled it, and the manual wasn't in the box. The thing itself had been hanging out in my backpack all this time.

Considering making a holster for it myself, because that's got to be easier than finding one to buy.

Also cleaned my .22 varmint rifle, and accidentally discovered how to remove the bolt for extra cleaning fun.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at July 12, 2026 08:40 PM (C0Nlv)

114 GULP, mea culpa and sorry Nurse, Mistook the 1911 you shot for a 7 shot revolver.

I knew Dan Wesson brand had 1911s but never any of their names because I don't shoot 1911's.

FWIW, Dan Wesson is a descendant of the original first founder of Smith and Wesson and decided to get into the game making high value revolvers with some neat tricks. Later I think either money difficulties, etc. led to the brand name being sold to an importer who brought in 1911's and other firearms under the Dan Wesson name and that has been sold again to CZ.

CZ makes some revolvers for the Euro trade, but they are not common this side of the pond.

Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 08:41 PM (E4rtv)

115 55 Ooooo!!!
Hot damn!
Nuke Artillery!

Posted by: Diogenes at July 12, 2026 07:51 PM (2WIwB)

Thought I might find you here. I recall, I think, solving firing solutions for the Little John in FDC school. Biggest thing I ever shot was a 155.

Posted by: javems at July 12, 2026 08:43 PM (zFsEm)

116 why is anyone surprised that the Israelis are doing something similar now? Heck, Spielberg even made a movie about it a few years back.
Posted by: Ed L at July 12, 2026 08:16 PM (BCwQW)

I hope we do the same for drugs and gangs
Posted by: r hennigantx at July 12, 2026 08:27 PM (/+uur)

The USN has been using drug runners at sea for live target practice for all of this year so far. No warning shots, just a Hellfire or Penguin missile that goes out if someone doesn't respond over the radio to a USN challenge to an unidenfied vessel that's been spotted.

Posted by: Ed L at July 12, 2026 08:43 PM (BCwQW)

117 110
We had a party line until the seventies.

The old biddies listened in on every conversation, lol.

At church they would inform our parents what we were talking about. It didn't take long for the five of us kids to not talk about stuff, lol.

Posted by: four seasons at July 12, 2026 08:36 PM (/QHx4)

I think my folks got rid of the party line sometime after 1976. It was four houses. Until then, it was easy to know what was going down in the neighborhood. Mom would yell at us if we listened, but I think she did too, when we weren't looking.

The internet, before the internet.

Posted by: tcn in AK at July 12, 2026 08:44 PM (bl07w)

118 Chase the stuff that's hot now, you'll have lots of $$ chasing a very finite supply. Chase the stuff with future potential, and you'll pay a lot less. The trick is to figure out what has that potential for appreciation down the road.
Posted by: Ed L
======
Wise. Call of Duty wargamers led to demand spikes in relatively obscure rifles like the 1886 Lebel for example. If I had a choice in a Lebel or a Berthier as a French Infantryman, I think I would have chose the Berthier due to Mannlicher clip reloading compared with an obsolete tube magazine on the Lebel but Call of Duty players bid up Lebel prices and ignored the Berthier rifles.

Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 08:44 PM (E4rtv)

119 S’all good, whig.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE 1911s. For whatever reason, I shoot them pretty well. And I appreciate the thumb safety. It works, to me, the same way as a standard transmission automobile. Idiots won’t know how to make it go.

Posted by: nurse ratched. at July 12, 2026 08:45 PM (2xVPz)

120 Darn thing kept putting rounds through the same hole.

Wasted a perfectly good target.
Posted by: nurse ratched. at July 12, 2026 08:07 PM (yEz+x)

Posted by: tcn in AK at July 12, 2026 08:46 PM (bl07w)

121
Husband and oldest son have four gunsafes between them.

They crack me up when they see something they don't have and decide they need it.

Living in SW Wyoming very close to the Badlands they have a place to shoot.

Posted by: four seasons at July 12, 2026 08:46 PM (/QHx4)

122 Not to be a Karen, but......
I don't want anyone like that around me at a range. The wannabe ganstas, those that wave firearms around, etc. are people I don't want to be around with loaded firearms. Never combine drinking or worse with firearms either.

Want to yutz around--get a squirt gun or Super Soaker.
Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 08:26 PM (E4rtv
--------
I have to admit I laughed pretty hard at a meme where the superhero is sweating pressing one of two buttons.
One said never mix guns and alcohol.
The other said train how you fight
)

Posted by: OneEyedJack at July 12, 2026 08:46 PM (zafwz)

123 CZ makes some revolvers for the Euro trade, but they are not common this side of the pond.
Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 08:41 PM (E4rtv)

IIRC, CZ also owns Colt now.

Posted by: Ed L at July 12, 2026 08:47 PM (BCwQW)

124 I LOVE LOVE LOVE 1911s. For whatever reason, I shoot them pretty well. And I appreciate the thumb safety. It works, to me, the same way as a standard transmission automobile. Idiots won’t know how to make it go.
Posted by: nurse ratched
======
You are a pretty good athlete and it is not surprising that you would shoot well. Good hand and eye coordination necessary to compete in college.

I simply think of Colt when I think of 1911's and forget the vast number of mfg clones, many of which are probably better than some Colts from bad years.

Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 08:47 PM (E4rtv)

125 I've also discovered that my CWL (which I need to carry legally at work) expired winter before last.

Oops.

Now I need to take the training course and re-apply. So that's something to save up for.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at July 12, 2026 08:48 PM (C0Nlv)

126 After a quick ER run just to be on the safe side, I disassembled it and found the obvious blowout near the rim.
Next day I went back to the range and policed up all the 9 mm brass where we had been shooting. Nice that glocks leave a rectangular primer indent, since most had round.
The bad round was Tula Ammo. I found another Tula that had a large bulge in the same spot, then a couple others with pressure signs.
The load was from three years ago, 147 grains over x.y grains of Tite Group. Worked well in the carbine, but was too much in the unsupported Glock chamber.
I rechecked Hodgdon and it now limits the load to .4 grains less.
My error, obviously. The only issues I’ve ever had were with 9 mm. Very pressure sensitive.

Posted by: RI Red at July 12, 2026 08:48 PM (GVUrx)

127

tcn,

We thought our parents didn't know what we were up to until Sunday at church, lol..

Naive

Posted by: four seasons at July 12, 2026 08:48 PM (/QHx4)

128 OK, legit revolver question here. (And, it might be applicable to semi-autos, too.)

I just took out the new Colt Python I did not have to sell and did some dry fire. It's been a bit. I worked a few shots single-action - decent for not having had the thing in my hand for a bit. But I noticed on my double-action pulls, the front sight consistently rose. Not just during the pull, but each pull it got higher.

I'm going to guess it's at least partly a finger placement issue. Am I doing something wrong with my grip, too?

If I concentrate, it stays put.

Posted by: GWB at July 12, 2026 08:49 PM (kU0PQ)

129 "...Nowadays, you can get a Ruger American. Remington R700, or Savage that will shoot more accurately than most people can shoot stock..."

Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 08:29 PM (E4rtv)

Not so fast on the Remingtons. I got curious about how the move from New York to Georgia was going for the Remington firearms company (Remington ammunition is made in Arkansas, and is owned by a different company.) It appears that the company has money problems and isn't shipping any products. I wouldn't be surprised if they get bought out soon.

Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at July 12, 2026 08:49 PM (+EWjf)

130 IIRC, CZ also owns Colt now.
Posted by: Ed L

Yep but unfortunately discontinued making/selling Dan Wesson revolvers in 2018, I have a couple of CZ long arms including interwar Czech Mausers from Brno. CZ sells some pretty good field shotguns as well and it is an arms conglomerate rivaling Beretta and Sig Sauer now I think in Europe and the US.

Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 08:50 PM (E4rtv)

131 Crawford fires his snubby into the air. Straight up. Three times. Evidently, he wants people to find him because he's lost. In rapid succession. Why waste one round if you can rapidly waste three.

Because back when the Boy Scouts taught this kind of stuff, three shots in succession was the generally known signal for distress.
Posted by: Oddbob at July 12, 2026 08:11 PM (vTZFs)

He's not firing it in distress. He's NOT shooting a near-murderer running away (and who just fired at him).

Posted by: GWB at July 12, 2026 08:51 PM (kU0PQ)

132 You need to install high volume storage racks (the kind you have to crank apart to gain access via a small aisle opening up between the racks) to really call it an "arms room."
Posted by: Ed L at July 12, 2026 08:13 PM (BCwQW)

Or, have them come flying by you out of the ether, to stop exactly where you need them.

Posted by: GWB at July 12, 2026 08:53 PM (kU0PQ)

133 Not so fast on the Remingtons. I got curious about how the move from New York to Georgia was going for the Remington firearms company (Remington ammunition is made in Arkansas, and is owned by a different company.) It appears that the company has money problems and isn't shipping any products. I wouldn't be surprised if they get bought out soon.
Posted by: Idaho Spudboy

I was discussing pre bankruptcy. R700 was the first tubular receiver designed for excellent accuracy and reduced mfg costs and drove Winchester to cease production of their famed controlled feed 70 action and cheapen the mfg process to push feed in 1965 to compensate.

Savage came along with its 110 action which did the same and developed the Accutrigger along the way.

Old Mausers, Springfield 1903's, and other military bolt actions sporterized in the 1950's simply could not keep up with the accuracy from modern production designs and steel without a helluva lot of modifications and expense.

Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 08:53 PM (E4rtv)

134 You saw that here? I do not recall that. Thats one of the reasons I do not like people posting links in the comments.

Posted by: Weasel

******************

It was a girl all by herself cutting loose out in the country. Someone had posted a comment on one of her videos stating that shooting was for men, and women should stick to womanly things. This was her response.

Posted by: Sam Adams at July 12, 2026 08:57 PM (X+xvk)

135 The load was from three years ago, 147 grains over x.y grains of Tite Group.

I've found Tite Group to be less forgiving than Bullseye in the sense that the next .2 gr can (seemingly, I don't have the capability to actually measure) make a much bigger difference than the last .2 gr.

He's not firing it in distress. He's NOT shooting a near-murderer running away (and who just fired at him).

Ah, I mistook your meaning. Never mind me.

Posted by: Oddbob at July 12, 2026 08:57 PM (vTZFs)

136
It is easy to mistake what people are saying.

Printed word vs face to face.

Posted by: four seasons at July 12, 2026 09:03 PM (/QHx4)

137 I'm going to guess it's at least partly a finger placement issue. Am I doing something wrong with my grip, too?

If I concentrate, it stays put.
Posted by: GWB at July 12, 2026 08:49 PM (kU0PQ)

First question: What part of your finger is in contact with the trigger? I place my first joint of my index finger over the trigger to get an even pull.
Second question: How fast are you trying to fire off your rounds? Because you have to let the trigger go in order for it to reset, you can't increase your rate of fire without inadvertently putting a different part of your finger on the trigger and squeezing with it. Repeating this makes follow up shots increasingly inaccurate (for me). I have to slow myself down when shooting double action with just about any revolver for this reason. Try slow, deliberate fire, but using double action instead of single action.
Wyatt Earp: "Speed is fine, but accuracy is final."

Posted by: Ed L at July 12, 2026 09:05 PM (BCwQW)

138 I just took out the new Colt Python I did not have to sell and did some dry fire. It's been a bit. I worked a few shots single-action - decent for not having had the thing in my hand for a bit. But I noticed on my double-action pulls, the front sight consistently rose. Not just during the pull, but each pull it got higher.

I'm going to guess it's at least partly a finger placement issue. Am I doing something wrong with my grip, too?

If I concentrate, it stays put.
Posted by: GWB
=======
See if you can use the power crease in your trigger finger--if you cannot reach that, then get some reduced sized grips so it can. The power crease is the first joint in your trigger finger and should be centered on the trigger. Never try to shoot double action with a finger pad unless you have hellacious finger strength as you get inconsistent results.

You may also need to choke up as high as you can on the revolver backstrap as if you are not at the top of the backstrap, you get a levering action that can cause what you described.

Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 09:05 PM (E4rtv)

139 Oddbob, yeah, Bullseye is more forgiving. I looked at my notes from then and was seeing significant MV increases in the upper end for Tite Group.
Very quick burning.
Another lesson learned, luckily without injury.

Posted by: RI Red at July 12, 2026 09:05 PM (GVUrx)

140 Because back when the Boy Scouts taught this kind of stuff, three shots in succession was the generally known signal for distress.
Posted by: Oddbob at July 12, 2026 08:11 PM (vTZFs)

He's not firing it in distress. He's NOT shooting a near-murderer running away (and who just fired at him).
Posted by: GWB at July 12, 2026 08:51 PM

We were taught that three shots was a distress signal, and if you happened (for some reason, in the field) to fire three shots in succession, to fire a fourth, so that it didn't sound like a distress signal.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at July 12, 2026 09:07 PM (0sNs1)

141 135 The load was from three years ago, 147 grains over x.y grains of Tite Group.

I've found Tite Group to be less forgiving than Bullseye in the sense that the next .2 gr can (seemingly, I don't have the capability to actually measure) make a much bigger difference than the last .2 gr.

He's not firing it in distress. He's NOT shooting a near-murderer running away (and who just fired at him).

Ah, I mistook your meaning. Never mind me.
Posted by: Oddbob
=========
Titegroup is known as a spiky powder that should be used judiciously especially in reduced loads. It is theoretically insensitive to position unlike Bulleye at times but low end loads of Titegroup are and can be spikey on pressure, less accuracy, and Bullseye is probably the better powder for that.

Red Dot and Blue Dot are similar in weird pressure curves for certain loadings and used to have an actual advisory over it. I think Alliant reformulated it but then it was unobtanium so I quit using it anyway about that time.

Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 09:09 PM (E4rtv)

142 Atomic Annie!

“Strategic” nuclear weapons are one thing, but planners were also smitten with “tactical” weapons - small devices for use on the battlefield.

I’m not sure where they fit in, “strategic” I suppose, but one of the bomb types has a 3 position “Dial A Yield” selector on it, where one can adjust or dial back the level of sunshine deployed on the enemy. Totally nuked, slightly nuked, love-tap nuked.

“Whattaya think, Fred, should we give ‘em the full Monte, or what?”

Posted by: Common Tater at July 12, 2026 09:09 PM (sVtt/)

143 Thought I might find you here. I recall, I think, solving firing solutions for the Little John in FDC school. Biggest thing I ever shot was a 155.
Posted by: javems at July 12, 2026 08:43 PM (zFsEm)

As I've probably mentioned in the past, I was in an 8 inch unit. Training for the classified government high explosives was standard. Always fun doing the target planning.

Posted by: Diogenes at July 12, 2026 09:12 PM (2WIwB)

144 139 Oddbob, yeah, Bullseye is more forgiving. I looked at my notes from then and was seeing significant MV increases in the upper end for Tite Group.
Very quick burning.
Another lesson learned, luckily without injury.
Posted by: RI Red

Sorry to hear your experience. Titegroup becomes non-linear at times both with low and top end of its recommended loadings and has a pretty narrow range of pressure. Bullseye, W231, or Zip are better for reduced loads and other powders are more useful at the higher end.

I've had decent luck with Universal as less dirty than Unique on some cast bullet loads.

Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 09:12 PM (E4rtv)

145
Wow, 8 inches?

You are the man.
.

Posted by: four seasons at July 12, 2026 09:13 PM (/QHx4)

146 Wow, 8 inches?

You are the man.
.
Posted by: four seasons at July 12, 2026 09:13 PM (/QHx4)

***

*adjusts tie*
*checks hair in mirror *

Yup!

Posted by: Diogenes at July 12, 2026 09:16 PM (2WIwB)

147
Lol

Posted by: four seasons at July 12, 2026 09:16 PM (/QHx4)

148 Something that I have found useful is Titegroup for the 357 Magnum in that you can get a pretty decent 38+p+ pressure level that is comfortable to shoot with less bark and it has a pretty wide range for Titegroup loads up to about 1250-1400 fps in a 4 inch barrel. Good practice rounds for the firebreathing 125 gr HP self defense ammo without the boom, flash, and as much recoil.

Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 09:17 PM (E4rtv)

149 I saw 8 inch guns on the USS Newport News in 1972.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at July 12, 2026 09:19 PM (Cqx++)

150
Bertram,

I am sorry
I missed that.

Posted by: four seasons at July 12, 2026 09:21 PM (/QHx4)

151 The only issues I’ve ever had were with 9 mm. Very pressure sensitive.
Posted by: RI Red
====
That and 40 S&W. Only reloaded some 357 Sig upon request for my FIL back in the day but used a different powder--IRRC one of the Accurate number series.

Titegroup works okay for me in 38 SPC, 357 Magnum light loads, and 45 ACP. I usually use W231 for the 9mm or Silhouette if I am reloading training self defense rounds. Ditto for the 40 S&W.

Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 09:22 PM (E4rtv)

152 They were in Subic Bay. They went to Viet Nam and one of the gun mounts blew up.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at July 12, 2026 09:23 PM (Cqx++)

153 I’m not sure where they fit in, “strategic” I suppose, but one of the bomb types has a 3 position “Dial A Yield” selector on it, where one can adjust or dial back the level of sunshine deployed on the enemy. Totally nuked, slightly nuked, love-tap nuked.

“Whattaya think, Fred, should we give ‘em the full Monte, or what?”
Posted by: Common Tater at July 12, 2026 09:09 PM (sVtt/)

You're thinking about the B61 gravity bomb. Introduced in 1967, updated versions remain in use today. The Mod 11 is a bunker buster, with a yield between 10 and 340 kt. The Mod 12 can yield 0.5, 1.5, 10, or 50 kt. The Mod 13 can yield between 10 and 340 kt. Note that these are relatively small compared to weapons of yesteryear. The Titan II ICBM had a 9 MT warhead to make up for its relative inaccuracy compared to today's weapons, which would almost certainly employ GPS.

Posted by: Ed L at July 12, 2026 09:24 PM (BCwQW)

154 Just letting Weasel know thanks for this weeks gun thread and I hope you peacefully recover this week from your vacay.

I have another MRI for my spine (thoracic this time--focusing on T-

tomorrow and that is like being loaded into a cannon to be fired. Noisy too.

Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 09:24 PM (E4rtv)

155 I am pretty sure that 8 inchers are completely out of the Army inventory now, they went to the Natiional Guard for a while, but MLRS took over the big tubes. And then ATACMS took over the little rockets with big rockets.

I guess size matters.

Posted by: blaster - Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat at July 12, 2026 09:25 PM (NlEaG)

156 OK y'all. 9:27 thank you time.

Thank you!

Appreciate your being here tonight and hope to see you next Sunday!

Posted by: Weasel at July 12, 2026 09:27 PM (IKyq4)

157 153 I’m not sure where they fit in, “strategic” I suppose, but one of the bomb types has a 3 position “Dial A Yield” selector on it, where one can adjust or dial back the level of sunshine deployed on the enemy. Totally nuked, slightly nuked, love-tap nuked.

“Whattaya think, Fred, should we give ‘em the full Monte, or what?”
Posted by: Common Tater at July 12, 2026 09:09 PM (sVtt/)

You're thinking about the B61 gravity bomb. Introduced in 1967, updated versions remain in use today. The Mod 11 is a bunker buster, with a yield between 10 and 340 kt. The Mod 12 can yield 0.5, 1.5, 10, or 50 kt. The Mod 13 can yield between 10 and 340 kt. Note that these are relatively small compared to weapons of yesteryear. The Titan II ICBM had a 9 MT warhead to make up for its relative inaccuracy compared to today's weapons, which would almost certainly employ GPS.
Posted by: Ed L at July 12, 2026 09:24 PM (BCwQW)

The term "Dial-A-Yield" used to be classified. It is no longer. And there are a few different warheads with it. And then others that had their own yield adjusters that were not dials.

Posted by: blaster - Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat at July 12, 2026 09:28 PM (NlEaG)

158 I guess size matters.
Posted by: blaster - Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat at July 12, 2026 09:25 PM

So they, how you say, say.

Posted by: Paolo at July 12, 2026 09:28 PM (hmDDS)

159 USS Salem, one of USS Newport News' sister ships, is now a museum ship in Salem, MA. She's the last heavy cruiser left in the world today. USS Des Moines survived until 2007 before she finally went to the breakers. The Des Moines class trick was that they were equipped with automatic loaders that upped the rate of fire of the 8" main battery to one shot every five seconds from the one shot every 15 seconds of her older sisters. They were devastating in the shore bombardment role for that reason, which is why Des Moines and Salem remained in reserve into the 21st century.

Posted by: Ed L at July 12, 2026 09:29 PM (BCwQW)

160 Y'all have fun and a pleasant rest of the week.

Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 09:29 PM (E4rtv)

161 Thanks for hosting, Weasel!

Posted by: Ed L at July 12, 2026 09:30 PM (BCwQW)

162 Nite whig. Good luck with the scan results.

Posted by: Weasel at July 12, 2026 09:31 PM (IKyq4)

163 My pleasure Ed L.

Posted by: Weasel at July 12, 2026 09:32 PM (IKyq4)

164 Some people may find that that their hands are just too big for a comfortable, consistent trigger. You can try to compensate with wrist control but that may also be a problem. This is why we buy and sell firearms.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at July 12, 2026 09:32 PM (sYM3s)

165 I am pretty sure that 8 inchers are completely out of the Army inventory now, they went to the Natiional Guard for a while, but MLRS took over the big tubes. And then ATACMS took over the little rockets with big rockets.

I guess size matters.
Posted by: blaster - Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat at July 12, 2026 09:25 PM (NlEaG)

***
True, all the 8 inch artillery are gone now. A shame. Fun to shoot and super accurate. I did get to do the targeting for the first ATACMS missions in Desert Storm.
Another very accurate system.

Posted by: Diogenes at July 12, 2026 09:34 PM (2WIwB)

166 Nite, Weasel. Enjoy your vacation!

Posted by: RI Red at July 12, 2026 09:35 PM (JK1W1)

167 Oops, the USS Salem is at Quincy, MA, not Salem.

Posted by: Ed L at July 12, 2026 09:37 PM (BCwQW)

168 Whig,
Good luck with your MRI. Yes, noisy. And not being able to move. Hate.

As I said, good luck.

Wenda

Posted by: Wenda at July 12, 2026 09:37 PM (esZfd)

169 Thanks Red. Have a good week!

Posted by: Weasel at July 12, 2026 09:38 PM (Qw3Dr)

170 Best wishes for the MRI, and its results, Whig.
Thanks for the thread Weasel, and good night to all!

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 12, 2026 09:38 PM (IQ6Gq)

171 True, all the 8 inch artillery are gone now. A shame. Fun to shoot and super accurate. I did get to do the targeting for the first ATACMS missions in Desert Storm.
Another very accurate system.
Posted by: Diogenes at July 12, 2026 09:34 PM (2WIwB)

After DS/DS a Major came into our unit who had been with Corps Artillery for III Corps (I think). They did an 8 in ToT on an Iraqi Division. Mainly because they could. Anyway, the Iraqis were kind of all standing around because they did not realize they were in range. So they shot every tube for a synchronized ToT. BOOOOOM. Huge cloud of smoke and fire etc over the standing Iraqi division. Not one Iraqi still standing afterward.

Holy crap we killed all of them! they thought. So they went over and turned out they hadn't killed any of them, though some were injured. They were all just laying on the ground crying. Many had shat themselves.

Posted by: blaster - Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat at July 12, 2026 09:39 PM (NlEaG)

172 Nite Grateful!

Posted by: Weasel at July 12, 2026 09:40 PM (Qw3Dr)

173 I have been on PTO for two weeks.

I REALLY don't want to go to work tomorrow.

Posted by: blaster - Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat at July 12, 2026 09:41 PM (NlEaG)

174 Thanks for a great Gun Thread, Weasel!

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at July 12, 2026 09:49 PM (Wnv9h)

175 T -10 minutes until Doof time.

Posted by: Weasel at July 12, 2026 09:50 PM (3aNof)

176 My pleasure RMBS. Hav a good week amigo.

Posted by: Weasel at July 12, 2026 09:51 PM (3aNof)

177 Thank you for the thread, weasel. Please give skritches to the pups from me.

Posted by: nurse ratched. at July 12, 2026 09:53 PM (yEz+x)

178 Posted by: nurse ratched. at July 12, 2026 09:53 PM (yEz+x)
----
Will do nurse. Post-storm rumbles outside have them burrowed deep in their nesting material.

Posted by: Weasel at July 12, 2026 09:55 PM (3aNof)

179 Here's a training film for Glenn Campbell when he's a lineman for the county:

https://youtu.be/EniO_8_V5v0

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at July 12, 2026 10:01 PM (2Ez/1)

180 You may also need to choke up as high as you can on the revolver backstrap as if you are not at the top of the backstrap, you get a levering action that can cause what you described.
Posted by: whig at July 12, 2026 09:05 PM (E4rtv)

I think this is the cause of the rising front post (to some extent). I think I lazily gripped it and my grip was too low.

Knowing the fundamentals means being able to recognize when you're screwing them up.

Posted by: GWB at July 12, 2026 10:03 PM (kU0PQ)

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