Get Your Riot Gun!

Remington 870 riot guns are available at JG Sales.

These are police trade ins from Univ of Washington PD. They are Remington factory 870 riot guns in 12ga, with 20" Imp Cyl barrel, 3" chamber and rifle sights. They have wood stocks and are marked UWPD with a property number. They have dings and scraches from cruiser carry, but are in very good mechanical condition. $269.95

To tell the truth, for $270, I'd just purchase two pawn shop shotguns, and cut them down, but if you want an actual riot gun, complete with the battle scars of use, here's your meat.

Jeff Cooper on Terrorism

May 2002 - "So it appears that the 'home of the brave' includes citizens who may be intimidated by the presence of a plastic knife! One may only be terrorized if he allows himself to be. 'Terror' is a bad word and should be abandoned. Apparently, we are living in an age when word usage may be dictated by the timid, the cowardly and the dishonorable. Let us turn that around and set up proper English usage to suit people who are worthy of it. Just as you cannot be enslaved against your will, you cannot be terrorized against your will. We inherit a noble tradition. Let us now resolve to live up to it!"

Idiots With Guns #51

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 always 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 until you are ready to shoot
4. Be sure of your target and what is behind it

Smith & Wesson Grip Styles

Pre-war and wartime, square butt Smith & Wesson walnut grips.

Jeff Cooper is gone

Friends,
At the request of the family it is my sad duty to report the passing of our founder, Jeff Cooper. Jeff died peacefully at home this afternoon while being cared for by his wife Janelle and daughter Lindy.

There will be a private internment at Gunsite by invitation, with a public memorial service at the Whittington Center at a date to be announced.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.

DVC,
Ed

Ed Head
Operations Manager
Gunsite Academy, Inc.
2900 W. Gunsite Rd.
Paulden, AZ 86334
928.636.4565
ed@gunsite.com
http://www.gunsite.com

Pawn Shop Circuit: A Victory and a Llama

I got off work early today, and I drove over to Kenny's pawn shop to see what he had. Kenny had a Victory Model M&P under the glass that merited consideration. The revolver was in decent enough shape, but it had been blued at some point. The original finish was gone. I was surprised that it still wore it's original grips and had it's lanyard loop intact. This victory model had no US Property markings. This meant it was likely a civil defense gun, and was used stateside to guard wharfs or factories.

If Kenny had priced the revolver right, I might have took it home. Kenny had a $275 tag on it, though. I already have a reblued Victory that lacks the US Property stamp. For almost $300, I do not need another. I am, however, in the market for an original finish Victory Model that is in good shape. I would prefer the martial markings, and US Navy stamps too, if possible. This revolver just did not make the cut.

Kenny also had a Llama Comanche revolver that someone had fitted Smith & Wesson target grips to. He was asking $200 for it. That seemed to be about $100 high to me, although I would not have bought the Llama anyway. The Llama had a trigger that was gritty and inconsistent throughout it's arc. Perhaps it could be cleaned up. Kenny asked me what I thought of it, and I simply replied "Not much." I've never owned a Llama, either as a revolver a pistol, but I have heard stories. Whether those stories have any veracity or not does not concern me. I simply consider that I can find a nice used Smith & Wesson for the same amount of money, perhaps less. Thus, the Llama is not a consideration.

I did not have a chance to visit Neil or Dave.

"It Just Went Off"

Man Accidentally Kills Neighbor While Cleaning Gun
Jesse Hernandez, 35, says he was cleaning his M-16 when it just went off. The bullet went through his wall and killed 24-year-old neighbor Salvo Garcia. After the weapon fired, Hernandez thought the odds of the bullet hitting someone were remote. This all happened late Friday night on Bandera Road near Hillcrest. The bullet pierced a bedroom wall, and then passed through a headboard and struck Garcia in the back of the head while he slept. Garcia's wife found her husband when she got home from work just after midnight Saturday morning. When Hernandez heard Garcia's wife scream, he said he fled to his brother's house before telling police.

Police aren't sure if any charges will be filed in the case but they do say the shooting does look accidental. "Anytime someone discharges a weapon, there's accountability," said San Antonio police spokesman Joe Rios. Hernandez says he feels bad for the Garcia family and wishes it never happened. He also says he is getting rid of his gun. He bought it a few months ago for protection.

Dumbass. Thank you Mr.Hernadez for making gun owners look like a bunch of morons. Your damned poodle shooter did not just go off. Chances are, you weren't cleaning it either were you? It's damned difficult for a disassembled AR15 to just go off.

There was nothing wrong with your damned gun Mr. Hernandez. It was not an appropriate self defense weapon in an apartment complex, but it worked exactly as advertised didn't it? There is something wrong with you. You bought a piece of equipment and failed to get proper training before you started placing your boogerhook all over the trigger didn't you?

When you pulled the trigger and your rifle went bang, you failed to find out where the bullet went didn't you? Then you ran like a turpentined cat when you later heard a scream. The media has your story to twist against responsible gun owners now. You won't be selling that gun Jesse, it will be going into evidence and you are culpable. You were negligent. You were an idiot with a gun and I want to never be associated with you or your kind. You deserve whatever the criminal and civil courts have in store for you. Dumbass.

S&W Grip Adapter on Ebay

A genuine Smith & Wesson grip adapter, patent #1848682 is up for grabs on ebay. The funny thing is, the seller doesn't even know what he has!

Winning bid: US $357.50

Blogiversary Gun: A Colt Official Police

I love a good .22 revolver. A good .22 revolver has a unique combination of a finely fitted gun with old world craftsmanship, and an affordable caliber that will allow one to shoot all day long. For a long time, I did not understand why a .22 revolver cost so much, but after I purchased a K-22, I understood.

The double action revolver in .22 long rifle is a handgun that allows a shooter to develop excellent trigger mangagement skills, which are integral to superior marksmanship. I own several .22 revolvers, but when I saw this .22 caliber Colt Official Police in Neil's shop, I was not going home without it.

The Colt Official Police revolver is what the Colt Army Special became in 1927. Colt simply changed the name of it's .41 caliber framed revolver, to market it aggressively towards police departments. As I examined the old wheelie, the revolver exuded craftsmanship. The double hand lock-up had not a hint of movement. The cylinder release is finely checkered, as is the trigger and hammer. The cylinder had it's chambers recessed and numbered. That, I thought, was a nice touch.

I did not have the opportunity to shoot the gun this afternoon, but I will over the weekend.

The deciding factor on this revolver though was the grips it wears. Roper grips are unmistakable. There are few craftsmen today who can checker a set of grips like the father and son team who carved Roper grips to fit a shooter's hand.

Neil was wanting $350 for the revolver. What Neil did not realize is that the grips themselves would likely sell for more. Roper grips were hand carved from finely grained carciasian walnut. The ribbon through the checkering is a telling feature, as are the notches in the reverse side of the grips. Nothing like them has been produced since.

I pulled out my billfold and counted out Neil's money. He slid a 4473 across the counter towards me, and I began to fill it out. In retrospect, $350 may have been a bit much for a Colt Official Police revolver, according to the books. I don't think so, however. This is an old school Colt revolver, and they aren't making any more. I'm glad to have found it. Considering this auction for Roper grips, I may have bought the grips for cheap and had the revolver thrown in for free!

I will take it to the range this afternoon.
Range results

Update: I see that Impact Guns has this revolver listed for $800....... Without the Ropers!

Pawn Shop Circuit: Blogiversary Gun

I suppose it was fate that I would find my blogiversary gun in a pawn shop. As I walked into Neil's shop today, I spied a classic framed revolver under his glass. that it was chambered in .22 long rifle made it all the more appealing. The old revolver was manufactured in 1940, and has a rather nice accessory.

As a gunnie who can appreciate a finely crafted .22 revolver, I was not put off by the $350 asking price. I supposed I might still get the Colt WW1 Repro, but I will have to sell a couple of pistols first to justify it's expense. My Kahr K40 is going on the block, as well as another one, perhaps an HK USP. Neither gets used anymore.

Oh, what was this new revolver? Make a guess. Tomorrow, when I have good light, I'll take photos and will post more about it.

More here.

Idiots With Guns #50

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 always 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 until you are ready to shoot
4. Be sure of your target and what is behind it

Cory Maye update

Cory Maye has had his death sentence overturned, and a new sentencing hearing scheduled. Tonight, Cory Maye may not yet be free, but at least he is free from the threat of death due to prejudice and indifference.

Cory Maye's case is an affront to every law abiding gun owner. On December 26, 2001, Cory Maye's home was invaded. He woke from a deep sleep and fired his weapon to protect his children and himself. Cory Maye had no criminal record. The man he killed was the son of the local sheriff who broke down the wrong door during a drug raid.

Where are the usual advocates for racial struggles against majority oppression? Where is Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and the NAACP coalition of idiots? Are they absent because a black man had the audacity to purchase a gun to protect himself and his family? When Cory Maye walks free, let the world know who were his advocates, and who turned a blind eye to his plight.

A running account of Cory Maye's struggle for justice in smalltown Mississippi can be found at The Agitator.

Blogiversary Gun

I thought I might buy a Colt WW1 Repro for my blogiversary gun, so I drove over to the store where I saw one on Monday. I inspected the WW1 Repro closely, and it was a fair specimen. The recoil spring tunnel was slightly off center, but not bad. there were no untoward marks or scuffs on the gun. I offered $900 cash.

I was told no, the store could not sell this gun for that. The gunsmith claimed it had cost them more than that. According to him, they were losing money at the $1035 price.

I looked at him in amazement. I handed the gun back and advised him he should at least mark it up to what he paid so he could break even. God knows I wouldn't want his sense of charity to put him out of business.

Perhaps there will be another blogiversary gun soon.

Blogiversary

My blog began a year ago today, in the wake of hurricane Katrina. Law and order had failed in New Orleans, and citizens were being stripped of their means of self protection, loaded into military vehicles and shipped elsewhere against their will. Eddie Compass, Warren Riley, Ray Nagin and Jack Strain began widespread gun confiscations. The SAF and NRA were not yet acting on the most significant threat to gun owners since the massacre in Lexington Massachusetts on April 18,1775.

A lot has changed. Laws have been passed specifically forbidding confiscations in the future. The men governing those areas remain the same, however, with the exception of Eddie Compass who fell on his sword for his buddy Ray. I'm still blogging, although the subject matter is not as urgent. I've tried to remain a blog about guns. But enough history. It seems gun bloggers have a tradition of buying a gun on their blogiversary. I'm not sure if that is true. Can anyone confirm?

Roper Grips On Ebay

This ebay auction should prove to be interesting. Roper grips, associated with Walter Roper, a marksman from the time of Skeeter Skelton were actually handmade by an old world artisan named Matheis Gagne. The grips were crafted from a single piece of carciasian walnut. They were then hand chiseled to achieve a tight frame fit. Next, Mr. Gagne would work off a drawing of the purchaser's hand to design the form of the grips. He then used a file to shape the grip. Mr. Gagne would use an old v-notch cutting tool to carve the exquistite checkering. They were finished with linseed oil and some shellac was added to give them a sealed effect and slight sheen.

Each set of Roper grips is unique. They rarely appear on the market. As a period aftermarket S&W revolver accessory, Roper grips have no peer. This auction should be interesting.

Current bid: US $311.00
Reserve not met.

Carnival of Cordite #72

Carnival of Cordite #72 is up at Spank the Donkey.

International Talk Like A Pirate Day

Talk like a pirate.

More 1911 Meditations

There is a gunstore on the way home from work. I seldom stop there, the deals are few, and the atmosphere is challenging. The selection is usually pedestrian, although I have purchased a couple of guns there in the past. Today, leaving work, I guess I was just wanting to take a look and confirm I did not have to check again for a few months.

The sonofabitches had a Colt WW1 Repro on the shelves. I suppose it is fate that I acquire a Colt WW1 Repro at some time, although I was hoping to purchase mine used, (fat chance of that). I want a 1911, a real 1911, not a 1911A1 in my collection. For quite some time, I have been hoping to come across a M1911 for a decent price. The truth is, however, I want one I can shoot. Shooting a historical relic, while fun, does decrease the value, and it risks damage to the piece. Over the past year, I have seen two M1911s up for grabs. One was a refinished X serialed lunchbox special of dubious lineage for $1500. The other was a correct Colt M1911 with frontstrap wear for $2500. Frankly, both were too rich for my pockets. This Colt 1911 Repro is on the shelves for $1035, about a hundred more than I want to pay. Still, if I could work a few swaps.......You always lose money on swaps.........Maybe I'll put a couple of those .40S&W pistols up on consignment and place the Colt on layaway..........

The Gun Blast Report

Deep Thoughts From Surgery

Three days on call.

Five appendectomys later.

Why can't people rupture their damned appendix before midnight?

I'm going to bed now.

Custom 1911 Meditations

I'm getting the urge to build another 1911. I have the parts I need. I usually obtain a Colt to use as a base gun. I prefer Colts. They hold their value. The last used stainless Colt 1911 that I saw for sale was at The Spotted Dog for $629. I suppose I could talk them down to $600 out the door, but what is the point? I have a SW1911 that is aching for a workover.

I can't stand the warning label on the SW1911's dustcover, nor the spotted zebra look derived from the blackened small parts. The fame is forged, however, and the slide is already cut for Novak sights. I can reshape the speedbump on the grip safety so it doesn't dig into my palm, I can remove the black finish from the small parts, or simply replace them since they are MIM, and perhaps bead blast the dustcover warning away. This gun does shoot good. Perhaps it's time I did a custom SW1911.........

Idiots With Guns #49

Even on the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan, idiots can be found in the gun markets. Here, Abdul willingly shows he takes a back seat to nobody when it comes to poor gun handling. That his weapon is no doubt fully automatic is a huge bonus.


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 always 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 until you are ready to shoot
4. Be sure of your target and what is behind it

Colonel Cooper

My kindest regards are extended to Col. Jeff Cooper and his family at this time.

"It is an uphill struggle, but I wish that we could distinguish more carefully between freedom and liberty. These conditions are not the same, though they are certainly related. Freedom is the absence of restraint - a physical circumstance. Liberty, on the other hand, is a political situation denoting the lawful capability of the citizen to defend himself and his near and dear without interference from the state." Jeff Cooper

Thank you sir, for your many, many contributions to liberty.

The latest.

Pawn Shop Circuit: Rugged Rugers and Personal Protectors

After work today, I stopped in Dave's shop to see his wares. The Astra Constable was gone, but in it's spot rested a stainless Ruger GP100. Many people are fond of the Ruger revolvers. They seem to be rugged and accurate. I, myself, have never felt the appeal when there are so many nice used Smith's about. Dave had the GP100 priced at $329, and it was in great condition. I tried the trigger. Also in Dave's case was a Glock 17, a Walther P99 and a Taurus 24-7. Dave did not have any new Smith & Wesson revolvers. I thought about the round butt Model 10, but I decided my next Model 10 had to have at least two of three features (other than an outstanding price) to get me to buy. I am wanting a round butt, a three inch barrel, and a heavy barrel. Two of those three will interest me. One of those three plus an outstanding price will get me too.

I drove over to Neil's shop to find a lone Glock in the case, and several shotguns, Mossbergs and Remingtons marked down to $99 each. The shottys weren't pretty, but they were functional, and just the thing for a beater personal protector. I thought about purchasing another one for another Chief Warren Riley Kiss My Wet Cajun Ass gun, but I decided to just direct friends to Neil's door for the time being. It was kind of surprising to find 12 gauge shotguns this cheap at the beginning of hurricane season, but I suppose people's memories are short.

I did not have a chance to go by Kenny's pawn shop, maybe tomorrow I will.

Nurse Kills Armed Assailant

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - A nurse returning home from work discovered an intruder armed with a hammer in her home and strangled him with her bare hands, police said. Susan Kuhnhausen, 51, ran to a neighbour's house after the confrontation Wednesday night. Police found the body of Edward Haffey 59, a convicted felon with a long police record. Officer Katherine Kent said homicide detectives have determined that Kuhnhausen killed Haffey in self defense. She said a prosecutor is investigating but that the case is not expected to go to a grand jury.

Police said there was no obvious sign of forced entry at the house when Kuhnhausen, an emergency room nurse at Providence Portland Medical Center, got home from work shortly after 6 p.m. Under Oregon law people can use reasonable deadly force when defending themselves against an intruder or burglar in their homes. Kuhnhausen was treated and released for minor injuries at Providence.

Haffey, about 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds, had convictions including conspiracy to commit aggravated murder, robbery, drug charges and possession of burglary tools. Neighbours said Kuhnhausen's size - 5-foot-7 and 260 pounds - may have given her an advantage. "Everyone that I've talked to says 'Hurray for Susan,' said neighbour Annie Warnock, who called the police emergency dispatcher. "You didn't need to calm her. She's an emergency room nurse. She's used to dealing with crisis."

Sept 11 Five Years Later

9/11

Carnival of Cordite #71

Carnival of Cordite #71 is up at Spank the Donkey.

A Tour of Abu Ghraib

Inside the 100-yard long cell block the smell of excrement was overpowering. Four to six prisoners shared each of the 12ft by 15ft cells along either side and the walls were smeared with filth. The cell block was patrolled by guards who carried long batons and shouted angrily at the prisoners to stand up. Access to the part of the prison containing terrorism suspects was denied, but from that block came the sound of screaming. The screaming continued for a long time.

Prisoners interviewed in the presence of their jailers said they were frightened for their safety. They complained that chicken and milk had been cut from their rations, leaving them on rice and water. They also complained about the oppressive heat. Outside the prison, relatives of some of the inmates said they were being tortured by their captors. One woman, who gave her name as Omsaad, said: "My son Saad [who was arrested in Fallujah as a suspected insurgent] said he is being tortured to confess the name of his leader. I met my son and he told me they were being treated badly.

Abu Ghraib became synonymous with abuse after shocking pictures were published in 2004 showing prisoners being tortured and humiliated, galvanising opposition to the US presence in Iraq. This tour occured just days after the Americans formally handed over control to the Iraqi authorities on Sept 1.

Some of the small number of prisoners who remained in the jail after the Americans left said they had pleaded to go with their departing captors, rather than be left in the hands of Iraqi guards. "The Americans were better than the Iraqis. They treated us better," said Khalid Alaani, who was held on suspicion of involvement in Sunni terrorism.

Link

What was old is new again.

Pawn Shop Circuit: The Spotted Dog

At work yesterday, I saw an advertisement in the newspaper for a sporting goods emporium. I asked my co-workers if they ad ever heard of The Spotted Dog, and I got positive reviews. Today, I drove to another town to see for myself. What I found was a perfect example of a pawn shop that grew into a gun and sporting goods dealer because the owner/proprietor knows guns. In the isolated setting of this tiny river town, The Spotted Dog is the place to go for your sporting needs.

The Spotted Dog boasts a wide variety of new and used firearms, fishing and hunting equipment. The jewelry and other pawn shop items are relegated to a separate part of the store. A gunsmith was concentrating on installing a scope on a camouflaged rifle behind the gun counter when I arrived. The gun counter itself was at least fifty feet long, with guns ranging from Makarovs to 1911s. They had a selection of revolvers spanning .22 Derringers to a S&W 500. There was no shortage of guns at this store, but there were obviously several gun guys who worked there too. They had a good selection of new and used Kimber, Springfield, and Paraordnance 1911s. They had a used Colt stainless ORM 1911 with wood grips in the case for $629. They also had a new Colt Defender with low profile sights for $839. Neither was enough of a deal to stop me.

The Spotted Dog had a Smith & Wesson Model 19 for $299. There was a worn S&W Model 14-4 for $249 and a nickel Colt Trooper for $349. I knelt down to look at a High Standard Model B with a 4 inch barrel, and at last, an eighteen year old kid wandered over and asked if he could help me. I started to ask to see the High Standard, but then I noticed the price tag. $289. Somebody else will have to take that one home. I told the young salesman I didn't need any help, but I would let him know if I saw something interesting. I found nothing that was priced good enough to merit a closer examination.

On the way back home, I spun by the pawn shop that had the round butt Model 10-5 in the showcase. They were closed.

Pawn Shop Circuit: Roundbutt Ruminations

This morning, my beautiful wifemate was handling my old Model of 1899 and my Double Action Frontier. She was marveling at how well the round butt grip fit her hands. She found the four inch K frame balance to her liking. She wondered at the hands that held the old rubber grips.

I recall a certain round butt Model 10-5 that, if the grips were replaced with hard rubber reproductions, would give her a modern revolver with the grips she likes. She really doesn't need jewelry for Christmas, does she? I'm going to check out a new pawn shop heard about today. I may stop in to take another look at that round butt Model 10 on the way back home.......Someone stop me while I'm ahead............

Don't Yank Her Chain!

NEW YORK (AP) -- Margaret Johnson might have looked like an easy target. But when a mugger tried to grab a chain off her neck Friday, the wheelchair-bound 56-year-old pulled out her licensed .357 pistol and shot him, police said.

Johnson said she was in Manhattan's Harlem neighborhood on her way to a shooting range when the man, identified by police as 45-year-old Deron Johnson, came up from behind and went for the chain. "There's not much to it," she said in a brief interview. "Somebody tried to mug me, and I shot him."

Deron Johnson was taken to Harlem Hospital with a single bullet wound in the elbow, police said. He faces a robbery charge, said Lt. John Grimpel, a police spokesman. Margaret Johnson, who lives in Harlem, has a permit for the weapon and does not face charges, Grimpel said. She also was taken to the hospital with minor injuries and later released.

Link

More, from the New York Times:

As muggings go, it began like many others. A 56-year-old woman was leaving her building in her wheelchair, her only company the small dog perched on her lap. Her attacker came from behind, the police said, and there was no one else around. But this attempted robbery had an ending unlike many others. As it turns out, the would-be victim, Margaret Johnson, has a permit to carry a .357 handgun — and she carries it often.

The mugging ended seconds after it began, the police said, when Ms. Johnson pulled out her gun and shot her attacker in his arm. Last night, the man accused of the attempted mugging, Deron Johnson, 45, was in stable condition at Harlem Hospital Center with a gunshot wound to his elbow, the police said. He was under protective custody and is facing a robbery charge, the police said.

Ms. Johnson, who was treated at a local hospital and later released, said she suffered bruises to her neck and arm. “I’m tired, I’m really tired,” she said as she sat in her apartment last night, wearing a tan baseball cap and appearing rattled. “He tried to mug me, so I shot him.”

Friends and neighbors said they were not shocked to learn that the woman known to scoot around her building with her small dog had held her ground. Tio Frederick, 26, a lawyer and neighbor who has known Ms. Johnson for 20 years, called her amicable but tough and spunky. “I wouldn’t assume that if she got mugged she would let someone just take her stuff,” she said. The encounter began about 3 p.m. on a sidewalk behind 470 Lenox Avenue in Harlem, the building where Ms. Johnson has lived for more than 20 years. The building has a doorman and many of its residents are professionals, but neighbors have recently complained about robberies.

Yesterday, as is often the case, friends said, Ms. Johnson had her small bichon with her, and was going to a nearby firing range. As she rolled out of the building, a man approached, and Ms. Johnson tried to say hello, said Lynell Bunce, 40, a friend who spoke with Ms. Johnson afterward. “She found him walking by, and she was going to say, ‘Good afternoon,’ ” Ms. Bunce said.

Instead of returning the greeting, the man looked away and walked past her without saying a word, Ms. Bunce said. Seconds later, Ms. Johnson felt an arm grab her violently from behind, tearing at her pocketbook and her necklace. The man managed to get the necklace, but Ms. Johnson refused to let go of her pocketbook, the police said. As the man choked her and struggled with her, Ms. Johnson pulled out her gun and fired a single shot.

The police said that Ms. Johnson did not have a criminal record and was not facing any charges. The permit she has for her gun allows her to have it in her home and to transport it to a range, which is what she was doing, they said. The man accused of attacking her, Mr. Johnson (no relation), was described by the authorities as a “robbery recidivist,’’ with nine previous arrests. He spent several years in prison for criminal sale of a controlled substance, and he was released in February 2003, according to Department of Correction Records.

Last night, Ms. Johnson was in no mood to celebrate what she did, friends said. Ms. Bunce, a longtime neighbor, said Ms. Johnson was frightened and threatened never to walk her dog again. “She was very much the victim,” Ms. Bunce said. “She was scared for her life. She’s devastated.”

Thank you for your service Mrs. Johnson.

Idiots With Guns #48

In a world where some compromise, others don't. If you are going to take photos of yourself pointing a firearm at precious anatomy, You may as well get a tactical HK to do it with.

Here's lookin' at you, Buford.

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 always 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 until you are ready to shoot
4. Be sure of your target and what is behind it

Lemon Squeezer

I went to examine a Smith & Wesson "Lemon Squeezer" this evening. I had received word that a lady was selling an old Smith & Wesson revolver. I knew I was in trouble when she removed it from a cloth purse like a priceless artifact. It was a weathered but honest example that is also known as a First Model .32 Safety Hammerless. I asked how much she wanted, and she replied $350.

The little revolver was original and functional, but I just did not feel it was worth $350. I handed it back and said thank you.

Sistema Serial Numbers

The Colt Sistema was produced by Fabrica Militar de Armas Portatiles (FMAP) in Argentina. Production began at the Esteban de Luca Arsenal in Buenos Aires, with the first pistols actually being assembled at the Domingo Matheu plant in Rosario, Argentina in 1945. It is also known as the Pistola Sistema "Colt" Modelo Argentino 1927, Calibre 11.25mm, which is basically a 1911 of 1927 vintage built on Colt equipment to Colt specifications.

Sistemas were built from 1945 to 1966, and represent one of the best deals available in a genuine GI 1911. Here are the serial numbers by year, along with the production numbers.

1945 - 6,000 - #24,001 - #30,000
1946 - 7,628 - #30,001 - #37,628
1947 - 5,000 - #37,629 - #42,628
1948 - 7,000 - #42,629 - #49,628
1949 - 5,000 - #49,629 - #54,628
1950 - 8,000 - #54,629 - #62,628
1951 - 8,011 - #62,629 - #70,639
1952 - 7,016 - #70,640 - #77,655
1953 - 2,500 - #77,656 - #80,155
1954 - 5,000 - #80,156 - #85,155
1955 - 2,500 - #85,156 - #87,655
1956 - 2,500 - #87,656 - #90,155
1957 - 5,626 - #90,156 - #95,781
1958 - 5,547 - #95,782 - #101,328
1959 - 5,000 - #101,329 - #106,328
1960 - 2,066 - #106,329 - #108,394
1961 - 1,000 - #108,395 - #109,394
1962 - 0
1963 - 600 - #109395 - #109,994
1964 - 750 - #109,995 - #110,744
1965 - 1,250 - #110,745 - #111,994
1966 - 500 - #111,995 - #112,494

More historical information is available here.

Briley Barrels

I read an interesting thread today and learned something I didn't know. It seems the barrels inthe early Smith & Wesson 1911s were made by Briley. Briley is an absolute legend when it comes to barrels. Many people who decide to upgrade the barrel in their 1911 choose a Briley barrel. Of course the SW1911 came with a solid bushing instead of Briley's famous spherical bushing. The way to tell if your SW1911 has a Briley barrel is to look at the "45 AUTO" mark on the barrel hood. If the mark is a rollmark such as mine shown here, your barrel is a Briley. If your mark is engraved or laser etched, your barrel is not a Briley.

Thanks S&W, that's one more reason for me to keep these pistols.

Godspeed Steve

Steve Irwin, AKA the crocodile hunter, dead at 44.

Killed by a stingray off the Great Barrier Reef.

Survived by his wife Terri and two children, Bindi Sue and Bob.

Godspeed Steve.

Model 18s at Summit Gun Broker!

If you are hankering for a K-22, Summit Guns just recieved a shipment of Smith & Wesson Model 18-3s and 18-4s. The Model 18-3 has a pinned barrel, the Model 18-4 does not. These Combat Masterpieces are listed for $365.

I have not ordered yet from Summit, but that may change soon......

Fake Pythons

With the prices of Colt revolvers rising, there has been increased incentive to manufacture a few that are more uncommon. Read what Grant Cunningham has to say about three inch Colt Pythons, before you buy one! You might save yourself a lot of money.

Sig 226 Torture Test

J.E.Clark 1911 Unveiled

Several people have emailed me wanting to see the inner modifications that James E.Clark Sr. performed to the Clark 1911 pistol which I recently purchased. Here are some of the gunsmith modifications from that time.

The rear sight dovetail was filled and contoured to match the top of the slide. A Smith and Wesson K frame micrometer rear sight was placed in a groove cut to accept it. The S&W rear sight is attached with a screw and vertical roll pin. It is fully adjustable for windage and elevation.

The second lug recess on the Colt barrel was welded and precisely fitted to the slide. The barrel feet were recut to gain a solid lock-up late in the chambering cycle, thus retaining reliability while achieving a lock up tighter than a spinster school marm's panties. The rear of the barrel hood is radiused to allow quick release from lock-up, and the chamber is throated to allow JHP and SWC ammo.

The trademark J.E.Clark stippling on the frontstrap would not draw accolades in today's precision checkered and serrated world. Clark simply took a cold chisel and hammer and eyeballed his way along the front strap raising burrs of metal. The result is an uneven, but highly effective surface that will not slip.

The original Colt trigger was rebuilt by Clark to achieve a precise movement. He welded a shim on the rear of the stirrup to remove all take-up from the trigger. He then drilled and tapped the shoe for a set screw to remove almost all overtravel. The sear and disconnect are recut and polished, and along with precise hammer hooks on the hammer deliver a consistent three pound glass rod trigger.

Along with the pistol, Clark supplied a bushing wrench which he fabricated himself from a piece of pipe. The bushing of this pistol is a solid one, which fits snuggly, but not overly tight. The accuracy is achieved by fitting the rear of the barrel to the slide and frame. The bushing just supports that effort. Clark stippled the mainspring housing in the same fashion as the frontstrap. Along with these modifications, he fitted a King's extended thumb safety and slide stop. He straightened the lines, bobbed the hammer, and fitted a ramped front sight with an orange plastic insert.

As I look this pistol over, I see more and more minor touches that must have been done by the old man. The extractor is perfectly contoured for reliability underneath it's nickel plating. The ejection port is lowered. The magazine well is beveled. There is an attention to detail that is prevalent throughout the workings of this pistol. Every part of this pistol seems to have been gone over by J.E.Clark. That is the difference between a true bespoke custom gun and a off the shelf gun. This one is a keeper.

Idiots With Guns #47

"Grandpa, tell us about you killing those Japs on Iwo Jima!"

It isn't Alzhiemer's disease, it's an obvious lack of training. Military experience and age may command respect, but they do not automatically bestow firearms competency. Welcome to the finger on trigger pointed in the wrong direction Hall of Shame Gramps!

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 always 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 until you are ready to shoot
4. Be sure of your target and what is behind it