The Armstrong

I have been collecting pieces and parts for the Armstrong British bike. I stripped the white paint off it, and found that I kind of liked the weathered look revealed half way through. I elected to stop there and clear coat it. It's kind of the anti-road bike now, a contemptable mess to the fastidious weight weinie set.

I purchased a Sturmey Archer coaster brake hub, and located a couple of 700c chrome Araya wheels. After a bit of work and using Sheldon Brown's pages as reference, I had the coaster brake hub laced in the rear rim. Some Specialized gumwall tires will set things off nicely. I still have to find a cottered crank, and I would like some Nitto dropbars. A Norex leather racing seat will top things off.

Finished bike coming soon........

The Concealed Carry Creed

The Concealed Carry Creed

My weapon is for the protection of my life and the lives of others. That is its sole purpose. It does not confer rights, responsibilities or authority greater than that of other citizens. It merely allows me to protect life.

I will seek never to have to use my weapon. If I can avoid conflict, I will. If I can resolve conflict, I will. If I can escape danger, I will. If I am forced to bring my weapon to bear and use it, I will.

I will acquire superior training with my weapon. It is not the weapon that saves lives, but my effective use of the weapon. I will ensure my training is sound, my knowledge is current, and my mind is prepared.

I will know, understand, and obey all laws and ordinances concerning my weapon no matter where I happen to be. Failure to do so harms all who seek to legally carry an effective means of self protection.

I will know and follow the Four Rules of safe gun handling. I am a member of a growing community that must foster and teach safe and responsible gun handling if the community is to survive.

I wrote this last night as I was biking. I thought it was time the gestalt of concealed carry was summarized to teach those new to it. I wanted to give something that could be memorized, learned and practiced, a creed that would be universal across states for concealed carriers everywhere.

Feel free to reprint and use this creed as you deem fit.
If you feel the need, provide a link or insert © Xavier 2008 Used by permission at the bottom.

Armstrong Frame

I found another lugged steel British ten speed frame today. This one has an Armstrong head badge in brass, and a bottom bracket set up for a cottered crank. The seat tube is 58 cm center to top. I'm thinking about stripping off the bad white spray paint and perhaps just clear coating the result. Then, some vintage drop handlebars, a leather seat and a set of 700cc chrome rims with a single speed coaster brake to finish things off. It will be kind of the rat bike of road bikes. This should be fun.

Danny Dremel's Masterpiece

Chuck Rogers of Rogers Precision has supplied a series of photos of 1911 hacking by Danny Dremel, the kitchen table gunsmith. Chuck has graciously given permission to disseminate the photos with one caveat..... This is not the work of Rogers Precision.

Ladies and gentlemen, for your viewing pleasure horror, this what you want to avoid in a used 1911 style pistol.


This first photo demonstrates what you are likely to see when you open the chamber of Danny Dremel's 1911 at the local gun show. The frame ramp is very purty, with a mirror finish. The problem is the curvature of the upper aspect of the frame ramp, known as the bridge. The feedramp must have an angle of 31-31.5 degrees, with a minimum .360" vertical ramp height with no blending at the bridge.

These measurements are coming from Chuck himself, an accomplished, nationally recognized 1911 gunsmith, who has the enduring respect of his peers and all in the gunsmithing community. Chances are, Danny Dremel had a grinding wheel and a felt bob on a rotary tool and a dimly lit bulb above his head.

The frame that Danny experimented on is ruined. Repair of this frame would require welding up and recutting the feedramp. Alternatives include inletting the frame for a ramped barrel, or replacement of the frame altogether. Purchasing such a disaster at a gun show will guarantee that you own a semi-auto pistol that will not feed any type of ammunition attempted. The costs of repairing such a 1911 are so prohibitive that such a pistol must be avoided from the outset. This is why any used 1911 should have this area checked prior to purchase. Danny Dremel's first cousin once removed, Buffin' Bubba is known to do similar work when his blood alcohol content exceeds an RC cola with peanuts stuffed inside.

In the photo to the left, Danny's forays into metal removal is even more evident. Danny has effectively turned a 1911 into a time bomb. He has removed so much metal from the barrel's feed ramp that case head separation of the cartridge in the chamber is inevitable. Of course, Danny had to do this, so the barrel's feed ramp will blend nicely into the frame's feed ramp. What Danny and Bubba do not understand is that the barrel's feedramp is not a feedramp. It is a clearance. Polishing this area will not enhance feeding. Removal of metal will remove case head support. The result is case head separation on cartridge ignition. If the shooter is lucky, he will not be injured.

If you are ever offered a pistol with work ressembling this hack job, pass on it. Tell your friends to pass on it. There are just too many good used guns available not to.

What to look for instead......

Another J.E. Clark Sr. Gun Up For Bids

This 1911 on Auction Arms is another example of a very nice Jim Clark Sr. pistol. Strictly a target gun, it was converted to a long slide pistol by cutting and welding two separate slides together. After the addition of a six inch barrel a Bomar sight rib was installed. Underneath the wrap around grips is the barbed wire style stippling that old man Clark was famous for.

Story has it that while traveling in Arkansas, Jim Clark Sr. visited an army Surplus store. There, he found a barrel of GI surplus slides that had been cut in two by Uncle Sam when they were demilled. He purchased the lot for ten cents each. When he arrived home, Jim Clark Sr. built the first long slide 1911. The rest is history.

This Jim Clark Sr. long slide 1911 is up to $800 in the bidding. Somebody is going to win a piece of gunsmithing history.

Jim Clark Sr. M1911A1 on GunBroker

For the reader who asked, yes, it's a Clark gun. Clark Custom was originally located in Keithville Louisiana. This pistol is an Ithaca M1911A1 with a Clark Slide Guide installed. It has a Bomar rear sight with an undercut front sight. The front strap stippling is typical of a Jim Clark Sr. gun, as are the period grips.

It's a deceptively simple looking pistol, with it's plain Jane trigger, GI thumb safety and GI grip safety, but if Jim Clark Sr. welded up the barrel and installed it, you can bet your britches it will shoot as advertised. If it doesn't, his son will stand by it.

As far as I'm concerned, at $900 it's a deal. I would pay that in a heartbeat if I saw it on a gun store shelf.

Here's a link to my Clark gun, here's a link to it's innards.

Pit Stop

Physicians and Guns

Should a physician have a gun in his office?

Go. Read. Comment.

My comment:

Physicians have the right to have any legally owned object in their office that they desire. They have a right to the ability to effectively protect themselves and others from violence. I am glad that is not disputed. We are not talking about a patient or family member acting out. We are not talking about verbal threats. We are talking about someone attacking another human being with the intent to cause grave bodily injury or death.

As far as your questions:

Would you not see a doctor if you knew he had a gun in his office?
The physician I see does carry a gun. I assume it is also in his office if he is there. I would not change physicians because of this. In fact, I am comforted knowing he has the ability to effectively stop a violent attempt on his life and the lives of others. He has taken the responsibility for saving lives from a violent attack.

Do you feel that physicians are similar to the Red Cross and that they should be neutral and conflict avoiding?
I believe that physicians should be proactive in quelling conflict. They should have the ability and means to stop conflict. They should not be disaffected bystanders who studiously avoid, indeed retreat from conflict. When violence occurs, there is no neutral position. Either you allow it to continue or you stop it. The real question is which path you take.

Physicians, when they enter med school, often want to make a difference. They want to save lives. The financial aspect of medicine is a bonus. The lack of effective self defense will not stop violence. When violence occurs, the firearm becomes a life saving tool, much like an AED or a fire extinguisher. Looked at from this perspective, the gun in the physician's hands is no different from any other device in giving him the means to save lives.

Ugly Gun Sunday

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Donut Shooting

It was a balmy night in Fort Worth Texas. Richard Lane was wearing a mask when he burst into Happy Donuts demanding money. He was carrying what appeared to be a rifle. Chong Im Randle, the owner recalls: "I say you not to shoot. Okay, you kill me I'm going to heaven. You going to jail." The masked criminal cleaned out the cash drawer. The thief then assaulted the donut proprietor. "He followed me, then grabbed me, says Randle, "I hit him with my elbow. I say 'you gotta go'."

"I grabbed my telephone," Randal said, "He said, 'don't call police'. I say 'I gotta do something.'" Richard Lane responded by beating the lady. He then tried to steal her automobile.

Stanley Livingston, a neighbor, overheard the attack, and the 54 year old Texan grabbed his shotgun. Responding to the criminal assault, Livingston found his friend and neighbor in distress and a rifle pointed through the night at him by the masked man. Stanley Livingston raised his shotgun and stopped Richard Lane's criminal career and ended his despicable life with one well aimed blast. Police arrived minutes later to find a dead criminal with a BB gun. Richard Lane had an comprehensive criminal portfolio, including aggravated assault and aggravated robbery.

Fort Worth defense attorney Trey Loftin states it is unlikely Livingston will be charged. "We're a gun toting state. We have a lot of John Wayne in our blood. We're gonna shoot first and ask questions later," he says, "A man, in a mask with what looks like a rifle, has just robbed and beaten my neighbor, my friend, this little old lady, and now he's pulled the gun on me. I've got to shoot. Totally justified in doing so."

"If my neighbor no come, what is going [to] happen? I might die," says Chong Im Randle. Only one problem there Mrs. Randle. Stop counting on your neighbor. Buy your own gun and learn to use it.

Good shootin' Mr. Livingston!

The Raleigh PUB 1 Year Later

Approximately a year ago I took a chance on ordering a bicycle that intrigued me. Raleigh had, the previous year, released a retro styled cruiser bike that was inspired by the pub hoppers of Britain. Officially dubbed the PUB, or Public Utility Bike, the Raleigh retro ride had an beefy aluminum frame, period track ends, and a plate inside the camel back style frame. The color is what Raleigh calls "Stout", basically a brown with school bus yellow scheme. The pin striping is limited to the chain guard and is minimal. Along with a sturdy Schwinn style springer front end, a springer seat, a crank forward geometry makes it a relaxed and stable bike to cruise on. It is, in fact the bike I selected to ride with Ilsa.

I am the type of guy that just can't leave "store bought" alone, so immediately on the bike's arrival, I swapped out the pedals to a more retro style. Next, I ordered a rear rack for the bike, but I was dismayed to find it would not mount to the rear track style drop-outs. Not to worry.......With a stiff upper lip and Scot ingenuity, I mounted it to the front. It looks better that way anyway.

The Raleigh PUB has, over the past year, become my favorite bike to cruise on. It is a simple velocipede, a utilitarian looking contraption that cleverly hides it's effective design. One thing I felt the bicycle needed to be complete was a set of fenders.....Waterskirts if you will. I ordered up a set of gloss black ducktail fenders, and they bolted right on. The finishing touch was a Columbia rear reflector, attached directly to the fender. The addition of a bell, a kid's license plate, and a front axle tag occurred sometime along the way.

The Raleigh PUB is a retro cruiser that never existed before. Sadly, Raleigh decided to drop it from their bicycle line after only one year. I suppose it did not translate into making alternative versions very well. That is fine with me I suppose. I was lucky enough to get one, and it is often my first choice when I decide to take a long relaxing ride about town.

Makarov.com Closing

Makarov.com is pulling down the blinds and closing their doors. For Good. Get 'em while you can......sniff......

We Are The Only Ones Professino Enuff.....

On May 3, 2008, Riverdale Utah Police Chief Dave Hansen was teaching a concealed carry class. The Chief was using his Glock service weapon as a demonstration tool. The Top Cop of Riverdale ejected his magazine, and reportedly held the weapon underneath a table to field strip it. A slightly different story comes from the police chief's brother, Neil Hansen. "He pointed it down, pulled the trigger because he didn't want to give it to a classmate not knowing for sure whether a shell was in there. And at that point, the gun discharged and [the bullet] had gone through his ankle," brother Neil states. Strange how that happens.....

"We were told the gun is the chief's personal sidearm, but it looked to me like he didn't know anything about the gun," student Lewis Walker said after the incident.

Responding to the gravitational forces underneath the table, the malicious Glock fohty, apparently the most dangerous cop shootinist evil black ceramic coated plastic assault pistol on the planet magically pulled it's own trigger and damned near blew the Chief's ankle into oblivion. Due to the Chief's heroic quick response, falling to the floor and squealing "I'm hit!" he was not shot a second or third time. Quick acting students began excitedly shrieking "Officer down!" as they cursed themselves under their breath for missing out on recording the latest You Tube video sensation.

Thanks to the professionalism of paramedics in the next room, the Chief was rushed to McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden where physicians reassembled his damaged ankle with a bit of external fixation. A couple of surgeries and rehabilitation are looming in the future for Chief Hansen.

What can be learned from the unfortunate and undeniable exposure of Chief Hansen's incompetence?

First......All guns are always loaded. Do not point the damned things at something you do not wish to destroy. In this case, do not point it at yourself. Keep your finger off the damned trigger until you either are ready to shoot, or you have confirmed the weapon is unloaded. Guns do not shoot themselves. In a classroom setting, have two competent people check each firearm brought into the classroom, and then remove all ammunition from the room. Chief Hansen undoubtedly pulled the trigger of his handgun in preparation of field stripping it. I do not want to think he was so stupid as to pull the trigger in a classroom of students to determine whether his service weapon was loaded, as his brother states.

Second....The gun is not unloaded until you yourself, have opened the chamber and personally checked the chamber for a cartridge. If you pass the gun to another individual, they should be expected to again check the chamber to confirm it is unloaded. This is not an insult or a slight on your gun handling. A person is responsible for confirming the status of the weapon they are holding themselves. If you are handed a firearm that unintentionally discharges, you have only yourself to blame if you are too stupid, too shy, or too intimidated to recheck the firearm handed to you. This is the handler's responsibility, nobody elses.

Third......A city issued star on your epaulet does not confer gun handling prowess. If you do not know how to handle a firearm, put the damned thing down until you do. Do not be such a pretentious idiot that you end up teaching a class about a subject that you obviously know nothing about. If you do not know how to properly check a firearm's status, then how in the Hell can you claim competence in teaching gun safety? You can not. Bullets and triggers are unforgiving things. They will expose your incompetence every time.

Here's wishing Chief Hansen a speedy recovery and a lesson hard learned. Regards can be sent to:
Chief Dave Hansen
4580 S. Weber River Drive
Riverdale, Utah 84405
(801) 394-6616
dhansen@riverdale.state.ut.us

Talking To The Police

Talking to the Police

Watch.

Note To Self

Let Isla poop before taking her bike riding......

Here's why.

Five Rules of Concealed Carry

We all should know the Four Rules of Firearms Safety. They should be ingrained in our bones. Recently I read of the Five Rules of Concealed Carry. It was a good start, but did not quite make the grade. I have borrowed heavily from them though, and present my own Rules of Concealed Carry here.

1. Your concealed handgun is for protection of life only.
Draw your concealed firearm solely in preparation to protect yourself or an innocent third party from the wrongful and life threatening criminal actions of another. A CCW license does not give you any greater rights or responsibilities than any other citizen. It merely provides you with the means of legally carrying a firearm to protect your own life or the lives of others.

2. Know exactly when you can use your gun.
A criminal adversary must have, or reasonably appear to have:

a. the ability to inflict serious bodily injury (he is armed, reasonably appears to be armed with a deadly weapon, or a considerable disparity of force exists),

b. the opportunity to inflict serious bodily harm (he is physically positioned to harm you), and

c. his intent (hostile actions or words) indicates that he means to place you in jeopardy -- to do you serious or fatal physical harm.

When all three of these "attack potential" elements are in place simultaneously, then you are facing a reasonably perceived deadly threat that can justify an emergency deadly force response.

3. If you can run away -- RUN!
Just because you are armed does not necessarily mean you must confront a bad guy at gunpoint. Develop your "situation awareness" skills so you can be alert to detect and avoid trouble altogether. Keep in mind that if you successfully evade a potential confrontation, the single negative consequence involved might be your bruised ego, which should heal with mature rationalization. By contrast, if you force a confrontation you risk the possibility of you or a family member being killed or suffering lifelong crippling/disfiguring physical injury, criminal liability and/or financial ruin from a civil lawsuit. Flee if you can, fight only as a last resort.

4. Display your CCW, be prepared to go to jail.
You should expect to be arrested by police at gunpoint, and be charged with a crime anytime your concealed handgun is seen by another citizen in public, regardless of how unintentional, innocent or justified the situation might seem. Choose a method of carry that keeps your gun reliably hidden from public view at all times.

You have no control over how a stranger will react to seeing (or learning about) your concealed handgun. He or she might become alarmed and report you to police as a "man or woman with a gun." Depending on his or her feelings about firearms, this person might be willing to maliciously embellish his or her story in an attempt to have your gun seized by police or to get you arrested. An alarmed citizen who reports a "man with a gun" is going to be more credible to police than you when you are stopped because you match the suspect's description, and you are found to have a concealed handgun in your possession. Under these circumstances, you have been accused, apprehended, and are in a defensive position. If you must draw your gun, make certain you are the first to notify police.

Before you deliberately expose your gun in public, ask yourself: "Is this worth going to jail for?" The only time this question should warrant a "yes" response is when an adversary has at least, both ability and intent, and is actively seeking the opportunity to do you great harm.

5. Don't let your emotions get the best of you.
Develop and practice self control. If, despite your best efforts to the contrary, you do get into some kind of heated dispute with another person while you are armed, never mention, imply or exhibit your gun for the purpose of intimidation or one-upmanship. You will simply make a bad situation worse -- for yourself. You can carry a gun, or you can have a temper. You may even do both for a while, but it will not last very long.

With the growing population of gun toters, it is imperative that we establish a few simple guidelines to help introduce others into the world of concealed carry. These five are the best I've found.

Related post

On Call

S&W Lock Up

Another Smith & Wesson revolver locks up.
Solid.
Without the key.

Details here.

More here.

The Shaffer Shifter

Do your targets move? Criminals don't slowly swing back and forth, at least not outside of Texas. Their movements are rapid, erratic, and they frequently shoot back at you.

Can you get hits consistently while moving yourself? Are you planning to just stand there and shoot, or do you plan to seek concealment or cover as you return fire?

Are you as prepared to defend your life as you need to be?



Something to think about today.........

Ugly Gun Sunday

Ah geeze Louise....... What is this?

A tacticool Mossy 500 with a window shattering flah hiding muzzle thingy and a pistol grip. Just what a bounty hunter needs while busting in on fugitives, or what Mr. Homeowner needs to protect his domicile. Nothing like a pistol grip to improve your shotty!

But wait.... Some gun lusting Amazon babe has painted it pink and smooched it all over, it seems...... Tam, was that you?

Maybe I'm wrong about this. Maybe this is a manner of subterfuge, an attempt to conceal the actual nature of this piece of *ahem* this........ This walking stick, perhaps in fear of a coming Obamanation. Yeah, it's an abomination for the Obamanation, that must be it. A kinder, gentler *ahem* walking stick.

I think I need to head to the hardware store and buy some Krylon........