Carnival of Cordite #57

Carnival of Cordite #57 is up at Spank that Donkey.

Amazing Shot!

In Seattle Washington, two police officers confronted a gunman armed with a Colt revolver. The officers approached the man near a bus stop. Although the man was suspected of being armed, the officers did not see a weapon, so at first they planned to restrain him.

When the man turned to face them, the officers ordered him to get on the ground and show his hands. The warning was heard by several witnesses. Instead of complying, the suspect reached behind his back with both hands, and he produced the Colt revolver pictured here.

The officers ordered the man to drop the gun. Instead of complying, the suspect squared up against them. Both officers fired their Glock .40 caliber semi-automatic handguns in response to the deadly threat. One officer fired four shots; the other, three shots. What occured next is a phenomenon called threat fixation. The mind is focused on the percieved threat as tunnel vision occurs in a life or death encounter. Shots fired tend to be aimed where the mind and therefore the eyes are focused.

There is little doubt as to the orientation of the suspect's firearm. One of the officer's bullets entered the front of the Colt's cylinder, crushing the round in that chamber, and jamming the revolver. The suspect was fatally wounded by the other bullets and died at the scene.

Pawn Shop Circuit: A Combat Masterpiece

It was a dreary rainy day today, and I spent the first half of it not doing much at all. I had planned on getting in touch with Cussin' Bob and taking him his gun, but he wasn't answering his phone. Finally, cabin fever set in, so I set out into the rain to hit a few pawn shops.

Dave's shop was first, and he had added a couple of pistols to his display. One was a Glock the other a Ruger MKII stainless with a tapered barrel for $199. I did not need another MKII, but that pistol will be a sweet deal for somebody.

As I entered Neil's place, I spied a new black revolver in the case beside the reblued and bobbed .455 Hand Ejector. I asked Neil pull out the new arrival. It was a pristine S&W Model 15-3 wearing the original magnas. This revolver had apparently fired less than 50 rounds. The trigger was smooth and sweet as a fudge sundae. The cylinder locked up tight and the chambers aligned perfectly. The barrel was pinned. I flipped the tag over to reveal a $199 price. That was to much to bear. I asked for a 4473 form.

Neil laughed, he said he had placed the revolver in the case this morning, that it had only been out of hock for three hours. He went on to say that if it had been a .357 magnum, it would have been his.

The Model 15 is the descendent of the K-38. Like the K-38, the Model 15 was one of the sweetest shooting wheelguns Smith & Wesson ever produced. At $199, it is a steal.

Stupid Spam

Dean Berry is spamming the gun blogs.

"The Second Amendment means nothing outside of hunting."

If you get a comment beginning with this phrase, please delete it without visiting his website. In case you are curious, as I was, here are a few choice statements from his website.

"The nazification of America (modeled after Hitler's nazification of Germany), has contributed greatly to America's fall from grace. As in Germany's case, nazification of necessity involves arrogance, brutality, mercilessness, cruelty, unbridled thievery, murder, and rape -- all transgressions to the LORD. Every society that became this evil has been destroyed by
the LORD."

Here's another:

"G. Wimp Bush, in imitation of his mentor (and his grandfather, Preston’s, business partner), Adolph Hitler, destroyed the two towers of the WTC on 9/11 and blamed it on “terrorists.” Now, all he has to do is call someone a “terrorist”, and that person is jailed without due process and without access to legal defense."

If you have spam from this asshat on your comments, please, simply delete it.

More on this asshat from Standard Mischief

Home Shopping

Idiots With Guns #29

Lesson one......If you are going to pose for a photo with your guns, learn proper trigger discipline prior to snapping the picture. This photo of four brothers is reminiscent of some of the antique war photos of soldiers I have seen; Except the soldiers knew how to safely hold a weapon.

The purpose of Idiots with Guns is not to humiliate, but to educate. Over the years we have seen photos of people who, upon picking up a gun, just cannot resist pointing it at something they should not, with their finger on the trigger. This is usually the camera, another person, or themselves. These photos are often difficult to google up, because of the pages they are shown on. If you have archived any of these photos, feel free to send them in to bayouroversATjamDOTrrDOTcom


The Four Rules
1. All firearms are loaded
2. Never let the muzzle of a firearm point at anything you are not willing to destroy
3. Keep your finger off the trigger unless your sights are on the target
4. Be sure of your target and what is behind it

Dust My Broom

Another visual meme has begun at Ride Fast Shoot Straight. It's a series of pics of "mantle guns". Wall hangers. Display weaponery.

My first example is a Mauser 1896 Broom proudly displayed and gathering dust with my grandfather's helmet from the war to end all wars.

The other is an SMLE my wife bought at a gunshow years ago. She loves the old C&R rifles, and actually will pay more for a beat up example. She says those have more character. I try to teach, I really do......... She shot this old warhorse several times before she hung it up. To the amazement of a group of hunters scoping in their deer rifles, the little lady with the old Lee-Enfield was popping bullseyes with open sights at 50 yards.


If you have a mantle gun or wallhanger, snap a pic of it and link it to Ride Fast Shoot Straight.

Pawn Shop Circuit: Pimp Guns & Gasoline

I swung into Dave's shop today. He had his stainless Star Firestar back in the case, and he still had his two old Colts as well. Dave's long gun rack was chocked full of shotguns and rifles. Dave told me a lot of folks are getting cash for jewelry and then crossing the street to the gas station to fill up. That's sad.

Neil had his chrome Astra Constable back in the case. Apparently someone had placed it on lay away and then failed to pick it up. He had a couple of Glocks in there too. Neil agreed that there are a lot of people hocking items just to get gas money.

Amber had a little S&W .22 caliber pistol called the Escort. It was an interesting pocket gun, in a nickel finish with white plastic grips. Amber was wanting $175 for it, and I decided to pass. Right now, I might need that $175 again real soon. I thought about lay away, but resisted that as well.

All in all, it makes one wonder if these pistols migrated North after Katrina. They are definitely showing up in the pawn shops because of the rise in gas prices.

Midlife Career Change

Last night I made a decision. I am tired of dealing with female hormones raging in the workplace and emotional histrionics influencing events. I am sick of noncompliant patients who want to wallow in their illness to collect welfare. I want to work with a competent team sharing a common goal and patients who want to get better. I have the mentality necessary for a surgical nurse.

I will leave community health and wound care. I will rebuild my career as a surgical nurse. Expect sporadic blogging. Now I just have to get hired on............

No More Confiscations in Louisiana

The Louisiana House of Representatives unanimously approved House Bill 760 today. House Bill 760 forbids law enforcement from confiscating firearms from law abiding citizens during times of civil disorder. The Congressmen of Louisiana have shown they respect the Constitution of the United States even if Governor Blanco, and Mayor Nagin and their cronies do not.

Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, said he was appalled that police took guns from people during the lawless days following Hurricane Katrina. Such confiscations violated the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees the right to keep and bear arms, Scalise stated.

Rep. Scalise said police officers from New Orleans used Gov. Kathleen Blanco's emergency declaration as a legal basis to seize firearms. "It happened hundreds and hundreds of times," Scalise said. The 911 emergency calling system was overloaded or nonexistent, leaving everyday people exposed and vulnerable, he said. "Their only protection from the criminal element was their handgun."

"Everyday I kept my sidearm when I went back into my district," said Rep. John LaBruzzo, R-Metairie, whose district includes affluent Old Metairie.

Even St. Tammany Parish wasn't safe, said Rep. Pete Schneider, R-Slidell. "I was keeping my gun on my hip while I was cleaning up my yard. Why? Because there was no police protection," Schneider said.

Thank God common sense prevailed in Louisiana's House of Representatives. No longer can the second amendment be crapped on in Louisiana after a hurricane. Never again. Thank you Gentlemen. Imagine, a state where gun toting legislators insure their consituents can keep and bear arms. It's almost enough to make a Louisiana citizen proud!

Cussin' Bob's Gun

I was first introduced to Cussin' Bob's gun when Bud was trying to get rid of it. Bob had alerted me that Bud was wanting to sell an old 1911, and it might be a M1911. It ended up being an old Colt, but not a M1911. Bob was willing to meet Bud's asking price when I would not. I agreed to work over the pistol for Bob.

Bob's gun was a Colt Sistema, a 1911 built by the Argentine government under Colt oversight. Every bit of the Sistema is pure 1911. It meets the Colt blueprints and standards of 1927, and is known as Pistola Sistema Modelo Argentino 1927.

One of my carry guns is a modified Sistema, and Bob had long wanted me to build him a similar pistol after shooting it. After a long discussion, Bob decided he did not want to really alter the pistol's appearance, but rather make a "sleeper" pistol. This concept appealed greatly to Bob, so we elected to just do a trigger job and a barrel swap and see what we could get out of the pistol.

Before doing anything, I wanted to see what we were starting with, so I cleaned the pistol of crudded up cosmoline,lubricated it and took it to the range. The accuracy was less than stellar, but the pistol shot with no failures of any sort. I knew I had a reliable pistol, so I placed an order for a Wilson barrel and bushing, as well as Nowlin springs and a set of rubber Pearce double diamond grips. I ordered Cussin' Bob a Wilson Combat 47D magazine as well.

While I was waiting on the parts to arrive, disassembled the 1911 again, and performed a trigger job using the machined steel Sistema trigger and it's tool steel sear and hammer. I bobbed the wide spur hammer a bit and radiused the GI style grip safety to take the bite out of the pistol. When the barrel and springs finally arrived, I fitted them and headed to the range. As expected, the results were stupendous. The one shot I have on the seven line I know I pulled. I am happy with the result eventhough the pistol still managed to nip my hand a bit.

This weekend I will return the pistol to Cussin' Bob. If he decides he wants a beavertail next, I'll install it for him, but I hope he just keeps this one as it is. It's a deceptively accurate sleeper gun.

Louisiana House Bill 89 Approved Unanimously

A bill that would expand the legal justification for using deadly force against intruders was approved unanimously by the House.

House Bill 89 says there will be a presumption that the use of force is necessary if a person in "a dwelling, place of business, or motor vehicle" wants to stop an intruder. With this provision, prosecutors would have to present evidence that rebuts that presumption. Some conditions must be met. The intruder has to be "in the process" of unlawfully and forcibly entering or has already unlawfully entered. Also, the person must have reason to believe that an unlawful entry was occurring. People using force must be in a place they have a right to be and must not be committing a crime.

The bill by Rep. Eric LaFleur, D-Ville Platte, goes next to the Senate.

Cussin' Bob's Gun: The Barrel is In

Back in January Cussin' Bob bought a Sistema from Bud, with the understanding that I would work it over for him. After debating the merits of different modifications, Bob finally decided that he needed little more than a Wilson barrel, a trigger job, and a good magazine. Bob liked the idea of a sleeper 1911, and decided to keep the gun looking like an old Sistema. I ordered a Wilson Combat drop-in barrel and bushing, along with Nowlin springs, and Pearce rubber grips. I purchased a Wilson magazine for Bob as well.

While I waited on the parts to arrive, I performed a trigger job on Bob's gun, using the forged steel Colt parts. Then I took the pistol to the range to get a fix on how the original barrel shot. The Wilson barrel and other parts arrived today, and I spent the evening fitting Bob's barrel. Drop in parts never drop in. After a bit of work, I got everything assembled with plenty of Ballistol and Tetra grease. I widened the rear sight notch a bit, and I trimmed the sharp edge off the widespur hammer and radiused the GI grip safety.

I hope to find the time to get the pistol to the range tomorrow. The barrel is still pretty tight. After shooting 200 or so rounds, the parts will be mated to each other, and the pistol will be slicker than hog snot. I can hardly wait to get it to the range and see how it does!

Exercises In Stupidity

Click the photo to see S&W's answer to this pimpmobile.

Off Center Recoil Plug Hole

It seems the internet problem du jour for the Colt 1911 is an off center recoil plug hole. Many owners are suddenly discovering this problem on their Colts that they never saw before. Many are sending their pistols in to Hartford for repair or replacement. Colt has a representative, Mark, on the 1911 Forum who is responding to the problem.

I have not yet checked my Colts. I am almost afraid to. I've never had to send a gun back. I suppose I'll take a look this afternoon. Call me an ignorant old fart blinded by prancing ponyshit, but I still prefer Colts.

Pawn Shop Circuit: Paw's Model 10-8

I have been, over the past several days, making rounds on rural patients when I spotted this sign that was just too tempting to resist. When I first pulled over to take a look, the door was locked, with a penciled sign posted that read "Back in 5 Minnetes (sic)". I waited 20 minutes that day, until I figured that 5 minnetes had passed, and I left. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to stop again. Maw was bent over weeding the dandelion patch outside and Paw was watching Judge Judy under a ceiling fan as I pulled into their gravel parking lot.

Where most pawn shops have a rack of shotguns, Paw had a rack of fishing poles. This place was, after all, near the Mississippi River. In Paw's glass case, he had an assortment of tackle boxes open on display. He never took his eyes off the redhaired woman on TV. Then I spotted a Model 10 heavy barrel beside a Plano tackle box. I asked to see it.

Paw cocked an eyebrow at me and bellowed "Woman! Git in here! This boy wants to see the gun!"

Maw came waddling inside from her dandelion patch, the screen door banging behind her. She knew instantly the gun I wanted to see, it was the only one in the case. She pulled out an old Model 10-8 with diamond magnas and more holster wear than most guns ever see before refinishing. The wear was honest though, and I swung the cylinder out to verify it was unloaded (Maw had failed to do so). I asked if I could dry fire it, and Paw snarled, "We don't let nobody shoot no guns in here boy!".

I have been keeping an eye open for a Model 10 heavy barrel with some wear on it. I want a basic shooter gun that I would not worry about the finish on. I want a heavy barrel simply because my others are all pencil barreled, and it would round out the collection. This old Model 10-8, in many ways would be just the ticket to meet those criteria. I held a piece of paper against the recoil plate to reflect light up through the rifling. The bore looked good. The barrel was pinned, and chances are the grips were original.

"How much?" I asked.

Maw did not speak, but glanced over at Paw. His eyes never left Judge Judy.

"$425," said Paw.

I suppose I should not have been so surprised. I silently handed the gun back to Maw, and she placed it back in the case. She asked if there was anything else I would like to see. It was a hot Louisiana day, so I took a chance. "How much are your Cokes?" I asked.

Maw pulled a glass bottled Coca-Cola from the cooler and said fifty cents. I scraped two quarters from my pocket and passed them across the counter. As I turned to leave, Paw said "You know, that judge lady there is a Jew."

I smiled, and said "Yep." I pushed open the screen door and walked across the gravel to my dusty vehicle.

The Carry Gun Meme Gallery

A few days ago, I began a meme. It was a different kind of meme, a visual one. It was simply a request to unholster your carry gun, snap a pic and post it. The response has been astounding. After the Carnival of Cordite is published, I predict the response may be overwhelming.

At the request of Paul Simer, I have made up a gallery of all the participants that I can find thus far. The participation was so great I'm afraid a gallery post might be difficult for those readers with a dial up connection, so I made a separate gallery.

Thank you all for your participation. Keep it going.........

Louisiana Bill to Protect Gun Owners

Representative Steve Scalise, a Republican from Metairie, Louisiana says people need to be able to protect themselves when other officials are overwhelmed during disasters. He says there was no reason for police to take firearms from individuals without cause. A Louisiana House committee has backed a bill that would bar the confiscation of guns during disasters and states of emergency in Louisiana.

New Orleans police confiscated looted over a thousand legally held guns after Hurricane Katrina. Victims of the New Orleans Police abuse of power, in most cases, still have not had their stolen property returned to them.

The House Criminal Justice Committee approved the measure in a 7-to-2 vote. The Senate has passed a similar bill, backed by the National Rifle Association. Scalise's bill goes next to the full House for debate.

Representative Roy Burrell, a Democrat from Shreveport, Louisiana says he worries the bill could take away the rights of police officers to protect people. Mr. Burrell apparently could not grab his ass with both hands if it were in front of him. Since when did the police have a right to protect the people? Shouldn't that be obligation Mr. Burell? As in what the vast majority of the NOPD and their helpers from all over the US failed to do under the misguidance of Eddie Compass III?

Idiots With Guns #28

Nina is trying real hard to look like a Hollywood badass with her finger on the trigger of her Makarov. Her pistol is either cocked, or she is pulling the trigger back in double action. Either way, she has earns the title of this week's idiot when she turns the pistol on her camera.

The purpose of Idiots with Guns is not to humiliate, but to educate. Over the years we have seen photos of people who, upon picking up a gun, just cannot resist pointing it at something they should not, with their finger on the trigger. This is usually the camera, another person, or themselves. These photos are often difficult to google up, because of the pages they are shown on. If you have archived any of these photos, feel free to send them in to bayouroversATjamDOTrrDOTcom

The Four Rules
1. All firearms are loaded
2. Never let the muzzle of a firearm point at anything you are not willing to destroy
3. Keep your finger off the trigger unless your sights are on the target
4. Be sure of your target and what is behind it

Sometimes........

When I first saw this photo I felt a swell of outrage rise within myself that I have seldom felt. How could anyone be so disrespectful? To have a kid watching MTV in front of a Marine's casket as he lay waiting for burial was a slap in the face to every serviceman who ever served. This damned image must have been photoshopped. I enlarged it and began to look for the telltale signs. Then I began to search for it in other locations.
Then........I learned not to judge so quickly.

"The night before the burial of her husband's body, Katherine Cathey refused to leave the casket, asking to sleep next to his body for the last time. The Marines made a bed for her, tucking in the sheets below the flag. Before she fell asleep, she opened her laptop computer and played songs that reminded her of 'Cat,' and one of the Marines asked if she wanted them to continue standing watch as she slept. "I think it would be kind of nice if you kept doing it," she said. "I think that's what he would have wanted.'"
Todd Heisler The Rocky Mountain News

Sometimes it's best to keep one's mouth shut until all the facts are available.

Thank you James Cathey.
Thank you Katherine Cathey.
Thank you Casey Sheehan.

Two Shots on April 19

I was over at Tam's blog this morning, and saw something that had never occured to me before.....April 19, 1775. A shot heard across the land as a nation is born.

April 19th, 1993. Another shot heard across the land with very different implications.

What kind of irony is that?

Confiscated Firearm Return Program Progess Report

At the end of the second day to reclaim guns wrongfully confiscated by the NOPD, police state only 17 of about 700 weapons had been returned to their rightful owners.

Gun owners must bring a bill of sale or an affidavit with the weapon's serial number. Police also are running criminal background checks on those claiming weapons.

17 out of 700. 683 more guns left to go. Then lets take a look at those Cadillacs........

Show Your Carry Gun

A couple of months back, there was a thread on one of the forums that challenged members to just unholster their present carry gun, snap a photo and post it. The results were revealing. Here are a couple of my pics.
Carry guns lead a tough life getting banged and bumped where other guns never do. Many people try to hide the hard earned scars of their guns. That's a shame. Thus, I am starting a visual meme. That's right, participate now, curse me later!

I challenge my readers who have their own blog and a camera to unholster their carry gun right now, snap a photo, and post it, linking to this page. Show the world that a gun does not have to be perfect to be beautiful! Don't make me have to tag you!

FWIW, this beauty is a Smith & Wesson Model 38.

Thank You LawDog

How is it that a Lawman from Texas can so eloquently say what so many citizens from Louisiana feel?

A Farewell to Arms

"If we took a gun from you and you were walking down the street, you went to jail. We took guns that were in homes. We took guns that were stolen that were stashed in alleyways. If we went into an abandoned house and a gun was there, absolutely we took the weapons. Obviously there were looters out there. We didn't want some burglar or looter to have an opportunity to arm themselves." This is what New Orleans Chief of Police Warren Riley declared recently, after he was forced to admit that the NOPD held nearly a thousand illegally seized weapons in storage.

Do not forget. In the immediate wake of hurricane Katrina, with looters threatening honest law abiding citizens, while police officers were bugging out for God knows where, the same Warren Riley of the NOPD was quoted as saying "No one will be able to be armed. We are going to take all the weapons."

OK Warren, which is it?

People arrived today attempting to reclaim guns confiscated by the New Orleans Police Department after hurricane Katrina. Only after the NRA and SAF filed a motion to have Mayor Ray Nagin and Police Chief Warren Riley held in contempt of court did city officials miraculously discover that more than a thousand seized firearms were being hidden. "They told me the police took them the first two weeks after the hurricane, after that it was the ATF," stated Charles Clark, 62, a retired peace officer. Clark had an antique gun taken from his house after the hurricane. "It's very frustrating. I know we had a storm and all, but there should be a way to find out who has your property."

Approximately 700 weapons were made available to owners this morning. Those seeking a weapon must bring either a bill of sale or an affidavit with the weapon's serial number. Police are running a criminal background check on anyone reclaiming their property.

73 year old Percy Taplet said the National Guard and State Police confiscated his shotgun when they forcibly evicted him from his home in New Orleans. He said he kept it for protection at his house and adjoining business. Today he was told he would have to contact State Police about the weapon. "I won't ever see that gun again believe me," Taplet said. "It's gone like everything else in that storm."

"We were told 25 people went in to get their guns and eight left with their firearms," Wayne LaPierre, Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Rifle Association, said Monday afternoon. "The city said if we'd withdraw the suit they would return the guns." LaPierre said. "We have withdrawn it, reserving the right to file again."

"Natural disasters may destroy great cities, but they do not destroy civil rights," said Alan Gottlieb, founder of Second Amendment Foundation, which joined the NRA in the suit.

The next time citizens can try to reclaim their property is April 19 and 21, between 10AM and 2PM at 401 N.Lopez St. in New Orleans. Call (504)658-5503 for more information. Bring proof of ownership and a tolerance for incompetent bullshit.

Watch the video.

Carnival of Cordite #55

Carnival of Cordite #55 is up at Gullyborg

Pawn Shop Circuit: Ignorance & Old Winchesters

I have always held a fascination for the old Winchester lever action rifles, but felt I did not have the knowlege to buy wisely. At one time, I bought a Marlin 336CS from a pawn shop for $125, just to rob the Leupold scope off the top for one of my 10/22s. I later resold that Marlin sans scope, for $150 during deer season. Today, after I looked over Neil's handguns, I scanned the rifle rack just in case. There, I saw an old Winchester.

Last December I had missed out on a Winchester 1894 at Dave's shop that I suspect was a pre-64 rifle. Thus, when Neil handed me this particular rifle, chambered in 30-30 and priced attractively at $139, I was not going to dicker. The serial number, 2748XXX indicated it was made in 1964. It had a metal buttplate, but the action pivoted on roll pins instead of solid pins. The furniture was very nice walnut that wore an unfortunate polyurethane finish. The bluing was fair to middling for a rifle this age. It had a hooded front sight, with a micrometer rear sight. I decided to not take another chance. I gave Neil $50 and told him to put the rifle on lay away.

Since the Winchester factory is history, I figure it is time to buy, and at $139, I really can't lose. If nothing else, I will be more educated regarding these rifles when one pops up again.

Learning Something New

One of my jobs over the Easter weekend was to change out the waterpump on my Jeep Grand Cherokee. It had been changed out once before with a high volume unit to enhance cooling. I am not sure how many miles ago that was, likely 30 thousand or so. The high volume unit wore it's bearings out and began to rattle, making my Jeep sound like it had a diesel engine. I drove it that way for several weeks until I could take it no more. I entered a NAPA and bought a water pump with a lifetime guarantee and tossed it onto the passenger side floorboard.

On Friday morning I began the installation. I refused to remove the radiator and it's shroud to gain extra clearance. I had to jam my arms between the sundry engine assemblies and that damned shroud for the better part of an hour and a half to work. The way Chrysler built the thing, the shroud could not be removed by itself. What a bunch of idiots! I almost resorted to getting a sawsall and making a minor modification. My daughter was assisting me, so I had to keep the cussing child friendly.

When I at last had the pump installed with #2B sealant and a paper gasket, I refilled the radiator, installed the serpentine belt, and then I learned something. The XJ Grande has a spring loaded belt tensioner. I was raised and learned on the old V-belts with a slide bar and lock bolt to hold tension. This spring loaded contraption was kind of neat, assuming one had an appropriate tool to move it to get the belt on.

I've been testing my work over the weekend, and the XJ goes back to work this morning.

Colt Diamondback Range Report

I realized I was a very lucky gun shopper when I found this Colt Diamondback in Amber's pawn shop case for $249. The revolver locked up tighter than Ellen DeGeneres at a Tailhook party, and had no wear on the action at all. I bought without hesitation and did not let the door smack my butt on the way out. It looked like it had never been fired, the recoil plate had no scaring whatsoever. The gun did have a couple of rust specks that some copper Scotchbrite and an oiled penny cleared right up. The cylinder swung in and out on it's crane with no perceptible play. This revolver was solid as granite.

Today, I took the Diamondback to the range with a value pack of Winchester White Box ammo. I am not a fan of the Colt revolver grip. It forces me to place my strong side pinky finger underneath the grip. Then, there is the Colt trigger.....On this revolver the stacking was very slight. If an even double action pull was used, the stacking was imperceptible.

After having handled this finely fitted Colt, I was not surprised to find it limited by my shooting skill. I ran targets out to 10 yards, and this revolver outshot me with aplomb. If it had been in the hands of a more capable shooter, I have little doubt it would shoot one hole groups.

The Colt revolver having no failures goes without saying. I am not sure how the lockwork of the Diamondback compares to the esteemed Colt Python, but I can say that the fit and finish matches the .357 magnum snake. I believe the accuracy would match the Python as well. Colt has recently ceased revolver production, and it is rumored that they will likely not produce another revolver for years. If they ever do produce revolvers again, the product will not be able to match the guns of yesteryear. Now is the time to purchase if you want a Colt revolver. The prices will never be lower, or the selection as good. Buy now, or wish you had later. No, this one is not up for grabs!

Cussin' Bob's Gun: The Original GI Barrel

I took Cussin' bob's gun out today to shoot it with the original barrel. I wanted to see how well it would group, and if I needed to do a barrel swap. The pistol would group right well if you call 12 inches at 10 yards a good group.

It looks like Cussin' Bob will be getting a new barrel. We have decided on a Wilson Combat barrel, $189 from Brownell's.

I shot 200 rounds of various reloads and 100 rounds of Winchester White Box with no failures to feed or extract. All in all, a very positive starting point!

NOLA Gun Confiscation Town Hall Meeting

The NRA will be holding a special Town Hall Meeting in New Orleans next week to spotlight and document the plight of the city’s law abiding residents, who were forced to surrender their legally owned firearms in the chaotic aftermath of hurricane Katrina.

Residents who were victims of this injustice are encouraged to attend the meeting and share their stories. This is an opportunity to tell NRA what the City of New Orleans did to trample your Second Amendment rights when you needed them most. NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre, and NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox will host the Town Hall Meeting. Be sure to come out and tell them your story. The Meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 18, at 7:00 p.m., at the New Orleans Marriott Hotel, Salons D & E, 555 Canal Street, New Orleans. For more information please call (877) 292-3637.

Pawn Shop Circuit: A Diamondback on BAG Day

I swung into Amber's shop this morning to pick up my Colt Diamondback. She was wanting $249 for it when I put it on lay away a few days ago. I was rather shocked to see it going for that price, but I did not argue. The Diamondback usually runs in the neighborhood of $500-600. Amber's was a .38 Special revolver with very little use. Amber's Blue Book, by contrast, has many miles on it.

I am really a S&W kind of guy when it comes to revolvers, but with Colt ceasing revolver production, and this revolver being priced at less than half the going rate, I simply could not resist it.

Here's the BAG Day Roundup at Cowboy Blob's Saloon and Shootin Gallery.

Idiots With Guns #27

This week we have a lady practicing some kind of weird ninja move with her pistols. This babe is so bad she caps attackers from all directions at once, just like Bruce Lee.
But then, of course, when only one attacker is left standing, Ninja Mama turns both pistols on him and saves the freaking universe! Yeah baby, you bad, you so damned bad you should never touch another damned gun again!

The purpose of Idiots with Guns is not to humiliate, but to educate. Over the years we have seen photos of people who, upon picking up a gun, just cannot resist pointing it at something they should not, with their finger on the trigger. This is usually the camera, another person, or themselves. These photos are often difficult to google up, because of the pages they are shown on. If you have archived any of these photos, feel free to send them in to bayouroversATjamDOTrrDOTcom

The Four Rules
1. All firearms are loaded
2. Never let the muzzle of a firearm point at anything you are not willing to destroy
3. Keep your finger off the trigger unless your sights are on the target
4. Be sure of your target and what is behind it

BAG Day

BAG Day is coming up, and I'm not sure what to get to celebrate. I'm thinking about a Diamondback. Yep, I think I'll get the Diamondback.

Pawn Shop Circuit: Status Quo

I swung into Neil's shop first today. Neil told me that the stainless Colt ORM 1911 had some money put on it and was back in hock. Neil still had the bobbed and reblued .455HE. I wasn't surprised. If he dropped the price to $150, I might buy it, but I don't expect him to do that. chances are, he probably has to much money in it. I have been in the market for a good hedge trimmer, so I checked over Neil's gardening tools. No joy for the hedge trimmer.

I traveled over to Amber's place. Amber has my Colt Diamondback on lay away. It has some wear at the muzzle and a few pits where it sat under a car seat or something. It's not the prettiest Colt anymore, but it is in great shape functionally. I was surprised to find one for the $249 asking price. I'm getting kind of antsy to get it out. Maybe for Buy A Gun Day.

Dave was in the process of selling his Firestar when I walked through his door. The two old Colts had not moved in his case, and he still had the blued Taurus 357. I never have been a fan of the Taurus line of firearms. They may be fine for some folks, but when it comes to revolvers, it's just difficult to surpass the value of a used Smith. Thus, I have never had the hankering for a Taurus gun.

I'm the only one Professhunul enuff........

Remember this idiot? His name is Lee Paige. He is now suing the United States of America for allowing the video evidence of his incredible incompetence to be published on the internet. You can read his complaint, all five pages of it, at The Smoking Gun. Heh...smoking gun, how ironic is that?

Mr. Paige chambers a round in a Glock pistol, he mistakenly pulls the trigger in a room full of children, shooting himself in the foot, and then limps around bleeding on the damned floor trying to use his incompetence as a teaching aid. This guy isn't just an idiot, he's an idiot out of touch with reality. After endangering a room full of children with his incompetence, and then asking for another "empty" weapon, he wonders why his job is not all it was before his little boo boo.

Sometimes when you are believed to be an idiot it is best to keep your mouth shut than to speak up and remove all doubt. Mr. Paige, the only way to begin to redeem your lost esteem is to admit your failures and then rebuild. When you find yourself in a hole, it's time to put the shovel aside and quit digging. Mr. Paige, you just shot yourself in the foot again.

Pinned & Recessed

I was asked today why S&W aficionados prefer a pinned barrel.
I showed this picture.
There were no further questions.

Vintage Leather & Steel

A Smith & Wesson 44/40 1st Model in a George Lawrence holster

Pawn Shop Circuit: A SXS and a Snake

Neil had nothing new out. The stainless ORM Colt was still gone, so it was either purchased or some money was paid on it. I saw a NRM version of the same pistol, NIB at the gun show over the weekend, for $710. A young black lady was hocking a side by side shotgun at Neil's place. It looked pretty decent, and it made me think about this thread on The High Road. Neil still had not sold his reblued and bobbed.455 Hand Ejector.

Over at Dave's, the selection was still low as well. He had some kind of Taurus .357 magnum in the case with a Firestar something or another. Dave still had both the Colt Army Special and the Colt Police Positive Special.

When I walked up to Amber's show case, I thought I saw a Python at first. The revolver in question turned out to be a Colt Diamondback with a 4 inch barrel. Amber was wanting $249 for it. I really did not need it, but I recalled that the Diamondback was going for nearly $500 in price. I did the Jim March Revolver Checkout and everything checked out good. I could not resist, the snake had bit me. I put the Diamondback on layaway.

Not a Clue.......

After denying the seizures for months, on March 15, 2006, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin and the NOPD admitted in federal court that they indeed have illegaly confiscated guns stored in locked steel containers in New Orleans. The city then was forced to agree in court to a process by which law-abiding citizens may file a claim to receive their confiscated firearms.

Now, a New Orleans official handling the gun confiscations stated that no guns have been returned to their rightful owners because the NOPD requires background checks, and the city has not set up a process to do so. The official acknowledged, “We've been told it was going to happen weeks ago and still hasn't been done.”

So....... They are saying they don't have a damned phone line to do a NICS? Why do you need to do a NICS to return a man's property you wrongfully misappropriated? Who the hell do these arrogant asses think they are? Do they not realize they are acting criminally themselves, using the law to unlawfully deprive law abiding citizens of their property after illegally seizing it? Elections are eleven days away Mr. Nagin, eleven days............

Chris W. Cox, NRA’s chief lobbyist, stated, “During a time of chaos and lawlessness, Ray Nagin took away the only means of protection law-abiding citizens had, and by delaying necessary and appropriate action to right this wrong, he blatantly continues to disrespect New Orleans citizens. The Mayor’s contempt of court, his contempt of the Second Amendment, and his disrespect of the law-abiding gun owners of New Orleans is shameful.”