Wasted day - well maybe not...

...that is not if I go fishing tonight. I had been planning on going to the outdoor range at The Long Island Shooting Center of Brookhaven today but let too much of the day slip by to make the trip worthwhile. They charge about $23 per day for shooting pistol and rifle, and $5 per trap session; the drive is about 60 miles each way to reach the place. Well by the time I got done puttering around the house it was about 1:30 and they end shooting at 4:15. Since it would take me over an hour to get there that would not be worth it at all. So I decided to go to the nearby indoor Nassau County Rifle and Pistol Range. They are closed on Saturdays and Sundays and I would swear it is September already, and well within their business hours, but they just did not - maybe would not - answer the telephone. Not like it was when Republicans ran the county - oh well. maybe they are still closed since this is Labor Day weekend. You would think they would be open though since the Nassau County website only says they are closed on weekends during July and August.

So, tough noogies for me I suppose. I had wanted to try out the latest acquisition - the Mosin Nagant 91/30, and to shoot the Yugo M44 too. I was also going to sight in the Marlin 336 since I removed the scope and scope mount to clean the rifle (much to my dismay finding some pretty bad rust under the scope mount but nothing terrible). Now that I had the scope on and off and on again, it needs zeroing for sure. I also had half a mind to shoot the Yugo SKS and to find out if the stripper clips I bought actually are made for the SKS and function properly in it. Well, I suppose there is always tomorrow for the outdoor range. I think I will leave right after breakfast.

As for the remainder to today, there is not much to do. I may go out fishing tonight if the party boats are not too crowded. yeah, I know, good luck this weekend. Then again I may get lucky. They are fishing at night for Striped Bass and Bluefish; I always bring a bottom rig too to see whatever down there might be biting if the blues and strippers are not. I have gone home with a bagful of Ling in past years when others had nothing. The boats leave at 7, I like to be there by 6, so I have plenty of time to do whatever else I can think of before heading out at about 5. I suppose I ought to spend at least an hour or two making sure my rod, reel and tackle box are in order. If I do go out it will probably be on the old and very slow captain Al. A slow boat but usually excellent mates and good fishing. There area lot of other boats to choose from, but in recent years I have chosen them for the few trips on which I have gone fishing. See: http://www.thefishingline.com/party.htm.

I also suppose I am taking a chance that I will throw out my back or shoulder. They are still both aching but not as bad as they have been over the past week, especially the past couple of days. The Arthrotec pills I was given by the doc are working somewhat, but not all that much to tell the truth. Still though I am feeling a bit better. Maybe that bit better is good enough to handle a bite from a nice bluefish or a cow striper. Mmm, broiled Striped Bass and grilled bluefish sound really good for tomorrow after the range.

All the best,
Glenn B

Brendan and his AK

Ah yes, the son having some fun with his Bulgarian AK-47 (that he bought) and with some Wolf HP ammo (that he also bought). This is the first rifle that he actually ever purchased - he did it all on his own. I think he paid a bit much, but he sure has fun with it and is getting his money's worth so far.

As you can hear from his statement, it is obvious he learned somnething at school - he can count the rounds and knows when the thing is empty. Not a bad thing to know if ever in a SHTF situation. Ah the benefits of a public education - LOL.

Anyone out there know of how to adjust the front sight for windage? We were told by the seller to drift it using a brass punch but it would not budge and it is in dire need of adjustment as it shoots about 4" to the right at 15 yards, and about 6" off at 25 yards.

All the best,
Glenn B

Winchester Model 100 and an Interesting Firearms' Site

I ran across this site: Guns And Shooting Online tonight while looking up info on the Winchester Model 100. I was looking up info on this particular rifle because I know of one that is available in my neck of the woods. I called up the person who has it for sale and asked when I could see it, and was told I could go to the Nassau County Rifle range to meet her or her son there, and look at it in the trunk of her car by flashlight. I would prefer to be inside the range in a well lighted area, and besides I think it may be illegal to buy/sell guns out of your trunk in a parking lot. So, I suggested a viewing inside. She said okay, but is probably not available until this coming weekend - as in next Saturday. Hopefully she will not sell it before then.

The Winchester 100 is a semi-automatic rifle (also a carbine model) produced in throughout most of the 1960's and the early 70's. I have seen pictures and I must admit I like the looks of it. The one pic I could find on the net was found at:

http://www.redstradingpost.com/auction_images/Auction_Arms/?dir=.%2FWinchester_100_Rifle_308_win_64360%2F. (another interesting site with lots more pics of this rifle there)

This rifle is fairly Spartan, but that is okay by me. The rifle comes with a 22" barrel in blued steel. It has a hooded front sight, fold up/down rear sight, a 4 round removable box magazine, a one piece wood stock, a metal butt plate and sling swivels. There is a push button safety located at the front of the trigger guard. It came in 3 calibers: .308, 243 and .284. The one available near me is in .308 which was, according to this write-up at Guns And Shooting Online, the most popular caliber for this rifle.

I have been wanting something in .308 for a long time. I am none too sure that this will be the rifle for me, but if offered at a good price and in fine or better condition I will scoop it up if available when I have time to take a look at it. Then again she also has several other things in which I might be interested like a couple of Marlin 336s, one in .35 Remington caliber and one in .30-.30 caliber. That is, I would of course be interested if I get to see them inside a well lit location like the range, or under other legitimate circumstances, other than by flashlight in the trunk of a car in a parking lot. Just something about those types of sales, even if actually legal for firearms, that gives me second thoughts about participating in such. Could you just imagine pulling one of those rifles out of the trunk, in a dimly lit parking lot, to do a function check? No neither could I imagine that; but I could imagine the cops jumping out of the bushes and arresting me when I tried to finish the deal. Oh well, I hope the range will allow us to bring them inside for a good look at them otherwise, as much as I am interested, I will not be interested.

All the best,
Glenn B

An Open Invitation...

...to any U.S. Citizen or legal resident alien, who is of legal age, if you are on Long Island and want to learn how to shoot a rifle or shotgun, I would be happy to assist free of charge as per availability. You must provide your own firearm(s) and ammunition, safety equipment, pay for your own range use fees, and for your own transportation to the range. I can possibly provide a 22 rifle for first timers under certain circumstances, but this will be the rare exception. This offer goes for virtually anyone who can legally possess a firearm within New York State, and who is mentally and physically capable, in my opinion, of using one safely. I am available to do this at the Nassau County Rifle Range in Uniondale, or at the Long Island Shooting Range of Brookhaven. Please be responsible and courteous, don't be a jerk if you want to take me up on it, be capable of shooting safely, and be legally allowed to possess firearms and ammunition. This offer conveys no privilege or right to anyone, and I may, at my own discretion, decline to provide this offer to anyone for any reason, or may discontinue the offer at any time with no advance notice.

All the best,
Glenn B