It was a tough ride home through summertime Friday evening traffic and the 23 miles of so that I drove home from my office seemed insufferable. Now you may live somewhere where you think a 23 mile ride, by car, is a breeze but mind you, 23 miles may not be a long way to go by car but it took me about one and a half hours tonight. That was pretty miserable but made bearable because I was listening to a book on CD, Elle Wiesel's: Night.
When I arrived home, somewhat grumpier for the traffic, I was still pretty happy because my weekend was commencing. I also knew I had something waiting for me inside the house - one of those long corrugated cardboard boxes of the type in which they ship firearms. My son Brendan had called me earlier to ask me if I had ordered a gun because I had received a long skinny box via UPS. I knew it had to be a replacement for the Enfield #4 MK1 that I had returned to Classic Arms, about a week ago, because of damage to the muzzle. I took my time, took off all of my gear and placed it where it belongs, then had dinner sitting next to my wife who was watching the dog whisperer. I had some petting time (AND FACE LICKING TIME DURING WHICH I GOT PRETTY SLOBBERED ON) with the 4 dogs. I was calm, cool, collected and relaxed and figured it was high time I got down to the basement rec room to check my new acquisition.
Upon first glance i was pretty impressed. Not much rust at all, much less than the last one they sent me. A nicer stock too with only one or two sort of fresh scratches or small gouges, a pretty dirty muzzle but without cleaning it I'd say the bore looked okay, and then I saw it and almost screamed bloody murder. The muzzle on this one also has a scrape in the metal around the muzzle, scraped to the white and freshly enough that it is not rusted over. I wish this had been delivered yesterday because it would have been on its way back today. I looked at it again after a break of about 10 minutes. Yep, scraped in almost the exact same place as the last one though probably only about half as bad as that other one. I almost could not believe it. I started to wonder how on earth I could have such luck then I started to wonder how on earth they could have screwed up 2 rifles in almost exactly the same way and have to wonder is it coincidence, was it done as spite work, or was it caused by maybe screwing with putting on or taking off a bayonet, or maybe it just came to them in this condition. Whatever it was, you would think, since I sent the other one back with almost an identical mar on it, they would have assured this one would not come with the same type of blemish. I am not too happy about it.
Tomorrow, I am going to a gun show. I may take it with me and if there is a gunsmith there as how he thinks it will effect this guns as to shooting, safety and value. I will also ask if it would be easy to fix if I have the rifle reblued.A bit of a stone and some emery cloth is probably all it would take to make it almost not noticeable unless you looked right at the spot, or so I am guessing - but that is only my guess. I am not expert on gun refinishing for sure nor on how such damage may effect safety when shooting this rifle. Just about everything else on this rifle looks better than the first one. I really want an Enfield an it is tempting to want to keep this one. Then again, I do not want a rifle that has safety issues or issues that may effect value a great deal so I have to check with an expert on it. Hopefully someone at the show will throw me a courtesy appraisal of the problem and tell me it is not worth fretting about. If that is the case, then I will run a bore brush and a patch or three through the barrel to see its cleaned up condition. If it looks good then, after cleaning up and after I am assured the damage will not be a safety issue or bring down the value of this rifle more than a few dollars, then I'll keep it.
I will have to debate whether or not to ever order from Classic Arms again regardless of whether or not I keep it. First one bad Enfield with damage and way too much rust. The the Yugo 24/47 Mauser with the wrong serial number on the paperwork and an etched on serial number not matching the original, now a second damaged Enfield. They are not running a good track record as far as i am concerned. Time will tell though, I keep forgetting to call them about the serial number, but will on Monday. I am going to leave myself a reminder email right after I finish this. No give me a moment........Okay got it done while you waited for me to finish - so to speak. Man, this is frustrating!
Now I am going to watch a little television while I have a couple of biers and a shot or maybe I'll have a couple of shots and only one bier. Yep, that sounds better. Then I am going to bed to get up early for the show tomorrow.
All the best,
Glenn B
Friday, June 18, 2010
Ballseye’s Gun Shots 68 - Range Observation, Trigger Follow Through & Other Things
When I was at the range last Saturday with Brendan, I got to do some pistol shooting. As I was shooting, a new shooter started to practice his own brand of marksmanship at the point just to my right. Apparently he had already set up a target during the last cease fire. I did not pay him any mind as I was concentrating on my shooting. In particular I was practicing something in particular that I had learned at the Glock Armorer's School - something that in years of firing an issued Glock 19, an issued Glock 26 and a personally owned Glock 26 I had never learned on my job. That was simply that the trigger on a Glock resets with only a very small amount of forward movement after the pistol is fired and you can feel it click into place and then immediately fire again if need be. For years, way too many of them now, whenever I fired a Glock, I allowed the trigger to move much further forward that I had needed to before firing again.
Now, I have to point out that while my allowing the trigger that much forward motion or follow through before reengaging it seemingly never adversely effected how well I could shoot with a Glock, I was quickly learning that it definitely had effected how fast I could get back on target and fire the next shot. It had been slowing me down markedly. I am no Quick-Draw McGraw (if you know who that is you are old) but with some practice of this new to me technique, well - I was getting a bit faster with being able to reengage the target and with follow-up shots. That is a good thing. My accuracy may also have improved slightly due to this new method that I was using but since I was already shooting very well with the Glock that is hard to say with certainty. While I am sure my accuracy has improved a bit as of late, whatever little improvement I showed last Saturday could simply have been a product of my additional practice over the past month or so.
Trigger reset is no foreign subject to experienced shooters. it should not be anyhow. Every modern firearm in functioning condition (at least everyone I know of with a trigger) resets the trigger after a shot is fired so long as you do not hold it back. The trick is, at least with most of them, to determine how far forward the trigger must travel before it resets and thus before it is ready to fire again. Some triggers have to travel fairly far forward again before they reset. Some do not. For example, my issued SIG 229 has a horrendously, in my opinion, long amount of trigger travel. It is double action only so if you allow the trigger to move fully forward after each time you fire it you then have to go through that huge amount of trigger travel on each shot. Then again, if you have been made aware of the feature of said pistol then you know that there is a certain point that the trigger needs to travel forward where it will reset and from which point you can again squeeze off another shot and that point is nowhere near all the way forward. The thing about the SIG though is that it seems to take a magic touch for you to feel the reset when you are shooting. Sometimes I get it right on each shot while at the range, other times I'll get it every other or every few shots and at yet other times it seems I cannot find or should I say feel the mark.
With my Glock 26, once that I learned that I only had to let the trigger move forward ever so slightly before actually feeling the trigger reset I have found the reset position on almost every shot I have fired. It is very distinctive once you have found it before or at least it seems that way to me. I think one of the reasons it may be easier to find the reset trigger position on a Glock as opposed to a pistol like the Sig is that the initial Glock trigger travel is less and is much more 'crisp' than on a Sig. Your finger has traveled less and therefore is probably 'ready' to travel less back forward to find the reset. Is that a mental or physical thing on the part of the shooter - maybe both. All I know is that is how it feels to me.
Back to the range and my observations which now will include the shooter who was shooting next to me. When I took a break, I noticed he was also shooting a Glock, maybe a model 19 or 17. I was immediately drawn to how he followed through with his trigger finger after each shot. This was not so much because I had been practicing my own follow through in order to reset the trigger with minimal forward trigger travel although I am certain that had something to do with it but more likely due to the fact that he was almost flicking his trigger finger forward, allowing the trigger to move fully forward after each shot, and causing his trigger finger to come completely off of the trigger within the trigger guard. I kept watching with some interest. He did this each time. The strange thing was that he did not seem to be jerking the trigger when he fired as I imagined he must also be doing; in fact it seemed he had fairly good trigger control as he fired the pistol just terrible trigger control as he allowed the trigger to move forward. I then took a look at his target. The shots, at 10 yards (It was either 10 or 15 but I think 10) were all over the paper and some were probably off of it. Either he had a lousy sight picture, was actually jerking the trigger as he fired without me realizing it, or his follow through was effecting his shots. My guess is that it was his follow through. His whole hand and arm were jerking each time he let his trigger finger flick forward. It was a very distinct move and my guess is he thought he was doing things correctly, my guess is that someone probably taught him to do that and I guess this because I have never seen anyone pick up a gun who has never shot before and then start flicking their finger forward like that after each shot. Now I could have been missing trigger jerk as he was squeezing off his shots, but I sure was not missing this forward flicking that caused his follow through to jerk. It was terrible.
As for trigger follow through, even if you are not going to go with the trigger as soon as it resets, or in other words are going to allow the trigger more forward movement, or even allow it to move forward as far as it will go after each shot, there is no reason at all that I can think of (with any pistol I have ever fired) to let your trigger finger come completely off of the trigger after each shot and certainly never a reason to flick your finger forward with force after each shot before squeezing of another shot. All that flicking your finger forward like that accomplishes is to make it take longer for you to get through your next shot because you have to completely reseat your finger on the trigger and start over again from the furthest point possible. Well there is one other thing it will accomplish and that is likely that you will not only flick your finger forward but will probably jerk the trigger when you squeeze it again. The more I think of it the more I become convinced he must have also been jerking the trigger, if not right from his first shot then almost certainly on any subsequent shot after he flicked his trigger finger forward off of the trigger.
I did not tell him and here is why: Sometimes when you try to help another shooter at the range, especially one who does not know you, that other shooter takes great offense and maybe even thinks you are insulting him or her for giving that advice. So, I rarely offer advice to people I do not know while at the range, that is unless there is a safety violation taking place and I then either call a range officer to have it corrected or will point it out to the other shooter myself. About the only time I ever suggest any shooting techniques to someone at the range, who is a stranger to me, is when they ask or when I see a dad (sorry have never seen a mom doing such at the range though I am sure there are many of you doing it) trying to help his son or daughter to shoot and he is not getting it right and seems to be a bit embarrassed in front of his child. Then I may have him step aside for a moment with me and I'll make a friendly and brief suggestion. I find in instances like that, the assist usually is appreciated but you can bet I will try to make sure the dad seems like the appreciative type first.
There was one other thing I noticed at the range last weekend. Another pistol shooter, this one to my left, was shooting a coupe or few different handguns. He was with a younger guy - probably his son. After firing several shots he handed the pistol to the younger guy who then commenced firing. When I got to the range that day, I noticed, and how could I not, that they put a blue band around my left wrist when I was paying for our range time but they did not put one on Brendan's wrist. I quickly realized his must have been because I had told the guy at the counter that I would be shooting pistols and had showed him my LE ID but just to be sure I asked him about why the hospital type wristband. He said that it was a new policy to identify legitimate pistol shooters because all too many times some pistol shooters would hand their pistol to an unlicensed person, or non LEO, for some shots. That is pretty much forbidden, except under very specific circumstances, in New York state (yes gun laws here suck the big burrito) and it is expressly forbidden at this range for a non-pistol permit holder or non LEO to shoot pistols.
Well the younger guy seemed pretty safe and all, I was pretty certain he had shot pistols before. I called Brendan over and noted it to him, he was only a few points away from me to my right on the first two rifle points. He saw right away why I had called him over without me saying anything. All I had to do was ask what he saw and he got it. We did not make it obvious and watched a little more from a respectable distance. I also noticed, while we were watching the youngster shoot, that the two range officers on duty were both on the other half of the range (the longer distance points) and both were sitting down and BS'ing to one another. Neither was paying attention to a single thing that was going on with the shooters. One was looking away from me and one was sort of facing my direction. After about a minute or more, the range officer facing in my direction looked over and saw Brendan and I standing there, basically facing in his direction and must have figured those shooters look like they are bored or ready for a cease fire or maybe wanted something from him. He got up and headed our way. When he was about 20 feet from us and about 10 feet from the other two shooters you cold see him suddenly go on alert. he realized the youngster was shooting and not wearing the blue wristband. He asked the older of the two, without interrupting the younger guy who was actually shooting, if the young man had a pistol license and told him politely that if he did not then he was in violation of the rules (which be the way were posted about 2 feet from the young shooter's head). The older of the two got infuriated almost immediately. He started mouthing off and yelling but it did not last long. The range officer put him in his place pronto telling him not only could they be forced to leave the range but they could be arrested. I was kind of surprised the range officer allowed them to stay at the range but he is one of the nicer and more level headed range officers at this particular range. I had considered saying something o the older guy myself but after giving him the once over I took him for an arrogant grouch much like I can be all too often. I decided to hold off since the younger guy was not being unsafe. I am happy I did, I did not need an argument because I wanted to enjoy the rest of my day with Brendan after once losing my temper a bit with him over something silly earlier on. I had smoothed things out by then and did not need to roil the waters again. Good for me that I held off too, had he started yelling at me like who knows how things might have turned out. Sometimes it is just better to observe especially when the other guys have guns. At least when the range officer confronted him he realized the range officer held some authority at the range and after a it of huffing and puffing it was resolved. It was probably no time for a stranger to butt in but had the guy gone further, like getting physical, we would have given the range officer a hand for sure; as I said - he is a nice guy.
All the best,
Glenn B
Now, I have to point out that while my allowing the trigger that much forward motion or follow through before reengaging it seemingly never adversely effected how well I could shoot with a Glock, I was quickly learning that it definitely had effected how fast I could get back on target and fire the next shot. It had been slowing me down markedly. I am no Quick-Draw McGraw (if you know who that is you are old) but with some practice of this new to me technique, well - I was getting a bit faster with being able to reengage the target and with follow-up shots. That is a good thing. My accuracy may also have improved slightly due to this new method that I was using but since I was already shooting very well with the Glock that is hard to say with certainty. While I am sure my accuracy has improved a bit as of late, whatever little improvement I showed last Saturday could simply have been a product of my additional practice over the past month or so.
Trigger reset is no foreign subject to experienced shooters. it should not be anyhow. Every modern firearm in functioning condition (at least everyone I know of with a trigger) resets the trigger after a shot is fired so long as you do not hold it back. The trick is, at least with most of them, to determine how far forward the trigger must travel before it resets and thus before it is ready to fire again. Some triggers have to travel fairly far forward again before they reset. Some do not. For example, my issued SIG 229 has a horrendously, in my opinion, long amount of trigger travel. It is double action only so if you allow the trigger to move fully forward after each time you fire it you then have to go through that huge amount of trigger travel on each shot. Then again, if you have been made aware of the feature of said pistol then you know that there is a certain point that the trigger needs to travel forward where it will reset and from which point you can again squeeze off another shot and that point is nowhere near all the way forward. The thing about the SIG though is that it seems to take a magic touch for you to feel the reset when you are shooting. Sometimes I get it right on each shot while at the range, other times I'll get it every other or every few shots and at yet other times it seems I cannot find or should I say feel the mark.
With my Glock 26, once that I learned that I only had to let the trigger move forward ever so slightly before actually feeling the trigger reset I have found the reset position on almost every shot I have fired. It is very distinctive once you have found it before or at least it seems that way to me. I think one of the reasons it may be easier to find the reset trigger position on a Glock as opposed to a pistol like the Sig is that the initial Glock trigger travel is less and is much more 'crisp' than on a Sig. Your finger has traveled less and therefore is probably 'ready' to travel less back forward to find the reset. Is that a mental or physical thing on the part of the shooter - maybe both. All I know is that is how it feels to me.
Back to the range and my observations which now will include the shooter who was shooting next to me. When I took a break, I noticed he was also shooting a Glock, maybe a model 19 or 17. I was immediately drawn to how he followed through with his trigger finger after each shot. This was not so much because I had been practicing my own follow through in order to reset the trigger with minimal forward trigger travel although I am certain that had something to do with it but more likely due to the fact that he was almost flicking his trigger finger forward, allowing the trigger to move fully forward after each shot, and causing his trigger finger to come completely off of the trigger within the trigger guard. I kept watching with some interest. He did this each time. The strange thing was that he did not seem to be jerking the trigger when he fired as I imagined he must also be doing; in fact it seemed he had fairly good trigger control as he fired the pistol just terrible trigger control as he allowed the trigger to move forward. I then took a look at his target. The shots, at 10 yards (It was either 10 or 15 but I think 10) were all over the paper and some were probably off of it. Either he had a lousy sight picture, was actually jerking the trigger as he fired without me realizing it, or his follow through was effecting his shots. My guess is that it was his follow through. His whole hand and arm were jerking each time he let his trigger finger flick forward. It was a very distinct move and my guess is he thought he was doing things correctly, my guess is that someone probably taught him to do that and I guess this because I have never seen anyone pick up a gun who has never shot before and then start flicking their finger forward like that after each shot. Now I could have been missing trigger jerk as he was squeezing off his shots, but I sure was not missing this forward flicking that caused his follow through to jerk. It was terrible.
As for trigger follow through, even if you are not going to go with the trigger as soon as it resets, or in other words are going to allow the trigger more forward movement, or even allow it to move forward as far as it will go after each shot, there is no reason at all that I can think of (with any pistol I have ever fired) to let your trigger finger come completely off of the trigger after each shot and certainly never a reason to flick your finger forward with force after each shot before squeezing of another shot. All that flicking your finger forward like that accomplishes is to make it take longer for you to get through your next shot because you have to completely reseat your finger on the trigger and start over again from the furthest point possible. Well there is one other thing it will accomplish and that is likely that you will not only flick your finger forward but will probably jerk the trigger when you squeeze it again. The more I think of it the more I become convinced he must have also been jerking the trigger, if not right from his first shot then almost certainly on any subsequent shot after he flicked his trigger finger forward off of the trigger.
I did not tell him and here is why: Sometimes when you try to help another shooter at the range, especially one who does not know you, that other shooter takes great offense and maybe even thinks you are insulting him or her for giving that advice. So, I rarely offer advice to people I do not know while at the range, that is unless there is a safety violation taking place and I then either call a range officer to have it corrected or will point it out to the other shooter myself. About the only time I ever suggest any shooting techniques to someone at the range, who is a stranger to me, is when they ask or when I see a dad (sorry have never seen a mom doing such at the range though I am sure there are many of you doing it) trying to help his son or daughter to shoot and he is not getting it right and seems to be a bit embarrassed in front of his child. Then I may have him step aside for a moment with me and I'll make a friendly and brief suggestion. I find in instances like that, the assist usually is appreciated but you can bet I will try to make sure the dad seems like the appreciative type first.
There was one other thing I noticed at the range last weekend. Another pistol shooter, this one to my left, was shooting a coupe or few different handguns. He was with a younger guy - probably his son. After firing several shots he handed the pistol to the younger guy who then commenced firing. When I got to the range that day, I noticed, and how could I not, that they put a blue band around my left wrist when I was paying for our range time but they did not put one on Brendan's wrist. I quickly realized his must have been because I had told the guy at the counter that I would be shooting pistols and had showed him my LE ID but just to be sure I asked him about why the hospital type wristband. He said that it was a new policy to identify legitimate pistol shooters because all too many times some pistol shooters would hand their pistol to an unlicensed person, or non LEO, for some shots. That is pretty much forbidden, except under very specific circumstances, in New York state (yes gun laws here suck the big burrito) and it is expressly forbidden at this range for a non-pistol permit holder or non LEO to shoot pistols.
Well the younger guy seemed pretty safe and all, I was pretty certain he had shot pistols before. I called Brendan over and noted it to him, he was only a few points away from me to my right on the first two rifle points. He saw right away why I had called him over without me saying anything. All I had to do was ask what he saw and he got it. We did not make it obvious and watched a little more from a respectable distance. I also noticed, while we were watching the youngster shoot, that the two range officers on duty were both on the other half of the range (the longer distance points) and both were sitting down and BS'ing to one another. Neither was paying attention to a single thing that was going on with the shooters. One was looking away from me and one was sort of facing my direction. After about a minute or more, the range officer facing in my direction looked over and saw Brendan and I standing there, basically facing in his direction and must have figured those shooters look like they are bored or ready for a cease fire or maybe wanted something from him. He got up and headed our way. When he was about 20 feet from us and about 10 feet from the other two shooters you cold see him suddenly go on alert. he realized the youngster was shooting and not wearing the blue wristband. He asked the older of the two, without interrupting the younger guy who was actually shooting, if the young man had a pistol license and told him politely that if he did not then he was in violation of the rules (which be the way were posted about 2 feet from the young shooter's head). The older of the two got infuriated almost immediately. He started mouthing off and yelling but it did not last long. The range officer put him in his place pronto telling him not only could they be forced to leave the range but they could be arrested. I was kind of surprised the range officer allowed them to stay at the range but he is one of the nicer and more level headed range officers at this particular range. I had considered saying something o the older guy myself but after giving him the once over I took him for an arrogant grouch much like I can be all too often. I decided to hold off since the younger guy was not being unsafe. I am happy I did, I did not need an argument because I wanted to enjoy the rest of my day with Brendan after once losing my temper a bit with him over something silly earlier on. I had smoothed things out by then and did not need to roil the waters again. Good for me that I held off too, had he started yelling at me like who knows how things might have turned out. Sometimes it is just better to observe especially when the other guys have guns. At least when the range officer confronted him he realized the range officer held some authority at the range and after a it of huffing and puffing it was resolved. It was probably no time for a stranger to butt in but had the guy gone further, like getting physical, we would have given the range officer a hand for sure; as I said - he is a nice guy.
All the best,
Glenn B
Ballseye’s Gun Shots 67 - Gun Show Reminder
Just a quick reminder that there will be a gun show at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, NY tomorrow Saturday June 19 and Sunday June 20.
For more info go here:
http://users.erols.com/fasttrack/loc/wcest/COUNTY-CENTER-FLYER%20-JUNE-2010.pdf
for a dollar off coupon, go here:
http://users.erols.com/fasttrack/loc/wcest/wcest-coupon.htm
for more info about other gun shows in the north east, go here:
http://www.northeastgunshows.com/
All the best,
GB
For more info go here:
http://users.erols.com/fasttrack/loc/wcest/COUNTY-CENTER-FLYER%20-JUNE-2010.pdf
for a dollar off coupon, go here:
http://users.erols.com/fasttrack/loc/wcest/wcest-coupon.htm
for more info about other gun shows in the north east, go here:
http://www.northeastgunshows.com/
All the best,
GB
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Oil, Oil Everywhere...
...and it just keeps forcing out the hot air! That is one of the reasons you have not heard much from me on political matters. I mean, with an apparently inept, bumbling, buffoon with a mouth that just amazes me with the amount of balderdash it can spew forth (probably more than the equivalent of 60,000 barrels of oil a day) do I really need to help make the man look like an absolute fool. The scary thing though is that he is surrounded by other fools who are his supporters and they are royally screwing things up. Just keep it all in mind come this November and November 2012. Of couse, the preceding was all my personal opinion.
Now back to Caddy Shack and the Baby Ruth in the Swimming Pool Scene!
All the best,
Glenn B
Now back to Caddy Shack and the Baby Ruth in the Swimming Pool Scene!
All the best,
Glenn B
Ballseye’s Gun Shots 66 - Natchez Shooters’ Supplies For Ammo
I have got to hand it to Natchez Shooters' Supplies, they are straight shooters and all round good guys in my book. When I ordered my Yugo 24/47 Mauser from Classic Arms a short while ago, I also ordered 100 rounds of ammo for it from Natchez Shooters' Supplies - or so I thought. What I really had ordered was 100 rounds of 8x57 JR ammo - a rimmed version of the 8mm Mauser cartridge and not one that would fit into my new rifle. Shame on me for not paying attention when I ordered.
I was not all that concerned, I figured I would just return the ammo for an exchange. After all the paperwork included with the ammo included a return form. Then I read the fine print - ammunition could not be returned. Looked as if I was about to be out just over a hundred bucks. I called Natchez, explained that I had been a dunderhead, and asked politely if I could return it for an exchange. The nice man on the other end of the phone said send it back and it would be taken care of and an exchange made for the right stuff - the 8mm Mauser JS.
I sent it back to them, on my own dime via UPS, I mean it was my mistake so that was to be expected. i guess that was about last Friday. I received the replacement ammunition today. It cost a bit more and that was expected and of course I also got charged for shipping the new ammo to me (wow the money I waste because of bonehead mistakes) but all in all the additional $22 bucks or so I paid on shipping (on my return to them and what was charged for them to send me the new stuff) was not anywhere near as bad as it would have been had they refused to exchange it. It basically cost me one box of ammo plus tax but again that was due to me messing up and ordering the wrong stuff the first time around. So again, let me just say the folks at Natchez are just fine in my estimation.
Before I close let me point out I was lucky in another way. I realized, right away, when I looked at the first shipment of ammo I received, that it was a rimmed cartridge and not the right stuff for my Mauser. Had it been rimless and still not the right size, well - I may not have realized my mistake and tried to load the rifle with it; heck if I had not noticed it was rimless I may have tried to load the rifle with it. Either way, it may have fit - or seemed to - and may have fired too. It may also have blown up the barrel in my face. Folks, one of he cardinal rules of firearms' safety is: "Make sure to use the correct ammo for the correct firearms." If you don't, then you are courting disaster. A little checking to make sure you are ordering the right stuff goes a long way to make sure your day of shooting is full of fun instead of a ruined gun and maybe a trip to the emergency room.
All the best,
Glenn B
I was not all that concerned, I figured I would just return the ammo for an exchange. After all the paperwork included with the ammo included a return form. Then I read the fine print - ammunition could not be returned. Looked as if I was about to be out just over a hundred bucks. I called Natchez, explained that I had been a dunderhead, and asked politely if I could return it for an exchange. The nice man on the other end of the phone said send it back and it would be taken care of and an exchange made for the right stuff - the 8mm Mauser JS.
I sent it back to them, on my own dime via UPS, I mean it was my mistake so that was to be expected. i guess that was about last Friday. I received the replacement ammunition today. It cost a bit more and that was expected and of course I also got charged for shipping the new ammo to me (wow the money I waste because of bonehead mistakes) but all in all the additional $22 bucks or so I paid on shipping (on my return to them and what was charged for them to send me the new stuff) was not anywhere near as bad as it would have been had they refused to exchange it. It basically cost me one box of ammo plus tax but again that was due to me messing up and ordering the wrong stuff the first time around. So again, let me just say the folks at Natchez are just fine in my estimation.
Before I close let me point out I was lucky in another way. I realized, right away, when I looked at the first shipment of ammo I received, that it was a rimmed cartridge and not the right stuff for my Mauser. Had it been rimless and still not the right size, well - I may not have realized my mistake and tried to load the rifle with it; heck if I had not noticed it was rimless I may have tried to load the rifle with it. Either way, it may have fit - or seemed to - and may have fired too. It may also have blown up the barrel in my face. Folks, one of he cardinal rules of firearms' safety is: "Make sure to use the correct ammo for the correct firearms." If you don't, then you are courting disaster. A little checking to make sure you are ordering the right stuff goes a long way to make sure your day of shooting is full of fun instead of a ruined gun and maybe a trip to the emergency room.
All the best,
Glenn B
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Today In History - Happy Birthday to a 107 Year Old...
...car maker by the name of the Ford Motor Company. Ford was incorporated on June 16, 1903 and I find it amazing that they are still running strong. As you are probably aware, Ford was the only one of the big 3 automobile makers not to accept bailout or tarp money and I think the only one to actually a real profit right after that. As opposed to the doom saying of government officials in the Obmanation, Ford did not go belly up because it did not get money the very next day after the government said they absolutely had to have it tomorrow. I have owned a Ford and had my headaches with it because at times, due to mostly minor recurring problems, I thought it lived up to the sayings Found On Road Dead or Fix Or Repair Daily. The thing is though I owned that car, despite several annoying problems, for 14 years before selling it just about a month or two ago. It kept running and running and running and from what I have heard it is still going strong. Yep I give Ford credit - not only for making American cars that last but for being able to take the wild Mustang by the reins and bring their business up from near dismal failure in a short time without taking handouts from the taxpayers. Happy Birthday to Ford and if I ever buy an American car again it may just be a Ford!If you want to read more about them, go to the following links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford
http://www.ford.com/about-ford/heritage
All the best,
Glenn B
Ballseye’s Gun Shots 65 - C&R Renewal
Today, I will be sending in the renewal forms for my C&R FFL. Usually, it would have been sent in a month or more ago but for some reason, this year, the BATFE either never sent it to me or sent the original application to me or sent it and I did not receive it. The one I am filing today is a duplicate renewal form. Hopefully they will process it fairly quickly because the current one expires on July 1, 2010. It would be nice to have a new one on time, not that I may soon be buying another rifle using it to make the purchase since I recently bought two other rifles and am kind of broke in the gun fund department, but still nice to have on time.
All the best,
GB
All the best,
GB
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Today In History - 69 Years of Hiccupping Begins
On June 13, 1922, a fellow named Charlie Osborne statred to hiccup after he fell down while he had been lifting a hog to weigh it. He hiccupped continuously (except I think while sleeping) for the next 69 years - yep 69 YEARS, 1922 through 1991! He supposedly hiccupped up to 40 times per minute in the beginning, then down to 20 times per minute later on. During that 69 year stint of hiccups he married (reportedly twice) and had 8 children despite hiccupping an estimated 430 million times! He died within a year of cessation of his the hiccups, the cause of his death was complications due to ulcers. One has to wonder, were the two conditions related. One thing I do not have to wonder about is that no one has tried, in earnest, to beat his record.
http://thelongestlistofthelongeststuffatthelongestdomainnameatlonglast.com/long44.html
http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20081781,00.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Osborne_(hiccups)
All the best,
GB
http://thelongestlistofthelongeststuffatthelongestdomainnameatlonglast.com/long44.html
http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20081781,00.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Osborne_(hiccups)
All the best,
GB
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Ballseye’s Gun Shots 64 - Gun Show White Plains, NY
While this may continue some of the pain I just wrote about, that relative to money being wrenched out of my hands, there is a good chance I will be at this gun show, on June 19, with a decent sized wad of cash (whom am I trying to kid, it probably will be paid for with plastic if I buy anything). There has not been a gun show at the Westchester County Center in White Plains in many a year now, so I am looking forward to attending this one. For more info about it go here and here. For a $1 off coupon, go here.
If you are a New York State resident, who supports the RKBA, you ought to seriously think about attending this show. The more gun shows we have in New York, the more we get our point across, to those who may not be into guns but who are not anti-gun, that we are the good guys. That is as long as the gun show goes off like others in the state - without any major problems. So please, if you are a legal gun owner in NY and can go to this show - GO! If you go, please don't be a jerk but do try to politely and responsibly promote the RKBA. Think of it, a show in White Plains after years of its absence. We must be gaining ground in NY to have this venue back for a show, let's try to make it last. Next thing you know we will have the show at Yonkers' Raceway back too.
All the best,
Glenn B
If you are a New York State resident, who supports the RKBA, you ought to seriously think about attending this show. The more gun shows we have in New York, the more we get our point across, to those who may not be into guns but who are not anti-gun, that we are the good guys. That is as long as the gun show goes off like others in the state - without any major problems. So please, if you are a legal gun owner in NY and can go to this show - GO! If you go, please don't be a jerk but do try to politely and responsibly promote the RKBA. Think of it, a show in White Plains after years of its absence. We must be gaining ground in NY to have this venue back for a show, let's try to make it last. Next thing you know we will have the show at Yonkers' Raceway back too.
All the best,
Glenn B
Ballseye’s Gun Shots 62 - Remedial Shooting
Last month, I attended my agency's quarterly firearm's qualifications. I shot my issued Sig 229, my agency authorized personally owned Glock 26 and my issued Remington 870. I shot a 241 with one of the pistols, I think with the Sig, and a 249 with the Glock. Those score are out of a possible 250. I shot a perfect score with the shotgun. As you may realize, from reading my blog or knowing me in person, I can be one picky son of a gun! I bitch and moan about this and that and complain about almost everything that other people do. Well truth be told, I often hold myself to those same standards grumblings. I figured that a 241 was abysmal and I also figured that a 249 was not as good as it gets either because not all that long ago I was hooting scores like 249 and 250 at each qualification. Of course, age and eyesight have probably played a role in my scores going down on average by a few points at quals over the past couple of years but I figured if I tried I could do better.
So what to do to try harder? I attended a couple of remedial shoots that our firearms instructors held in conjunction with this quarter's quals. During both of them I shot pretty darned good. Now as my office's Primary Firearm's Instructor will tell you, I probably shoot better than 95% of the agents in my office, even when I get scores like 241 but I wanted to hold myself to a higher standard so I went to do some extra practice of the self remediating sort. It was not like anyone was telling me how to shoot at these remedial shoots although others were getting some instruction. I was left to my own druthers and my own corrections. One of the other agents, one whom I used to instruct, who saw me at one of the current quarter's remedial shoots raised an eyebrow and asked me, in a sort of surprised tone, what was I doing there. I don't think she ever expected to see me at a remedial shoot since I used to be an instructor and since I used to help her to shoot better. I just told her that practice is how I keep my edge and since I am getting on in age and going down in score I could use it. Heck, truth be told, since I carry for work and for self defense I could use it regardless of my scores - we all could.
In addition to the time spent at my agency's remedial shoots, I also have gone to the local range near my home a couple of times in the last month. The result of all that extra shooting was that at the first remedial shoot I shot a 246, a 249 and a 250. At the second one, when I only shot one qualification round, I shot another 250. THOSE SCORES WERE AN IMPROVEMENT OVER MY SCORES OF THE LAST YEAR OR TWO WHICH HAVE BEEN A FEW POINTS LOWER ON AVERAGE, scores more like 243 or 241, even scores in the high 230s. While at my local range, I shot some pretty tight groups during slow fire and some pretty decent groups while shooting rapid fire - so much so on my last visit to haveimpressed a guy, who was in the lane next to me and who was shooting some really expensive pieces of target shooting type hardware, start talking to me and he also offered me one of his pistols to shoot. I declined but only because my index finger was getting a blister on it from the Glock 26 trigger after having fired a few hundred shots in less than an hour. As a matter of fact, he recommended a trigger replacement to a smooth combat trigger from the combat trigger that came with the 26. Nice guy, I hope to see him there again and maybe he will offer me a shot or two with one of those target shooting beauties next time.
Why do I mention this. Well, not to brag, that is for sure. I am not good enough a shot to brag - believe me you! I know there are many faster and more accurate shooters out there than me. I mention it though for a couple of reasons. First of all, I guess because that other agent asked me why I was at remedials? I was there because I was not satisfied with how I have been shooting just as all the other agents who were there probably felt about their own shooting. I was also there to practice regardless of whether or not I was shooting well enough. And I was there because the ammo is not being handed out like it once was for us to practice on our own at private or public ranges. So I take advantage of the fact they still will give me practice ammo albeit if only while at a remedial shoot run by my agency's instructors. Of course, the few extra hours I spent at the range over the course of a couple of days were better than the regular grind in the office or out in the field. I also mention it because if you own a firearm and intend to ever possibly depend upon it for defense or for hunting or just for target shooting fun - well then - once you are adept with it you ought to keep yourself at least at that level with it. If you are not yet satisfied with how well you shoot, well then don't only practice but get some help at it with the goal of improving yourself (a professional instructor is probably best but another shooter and one who is a good shot and used to helping other shoot safely is often okay). Once you reach a level at which you are satisfied that you can usually remain there with practice. You may also be able to even regain that level if you lose your edge a bit, often all on your own once you have held a level of proficiency for awhile. Practice and training are good things when it comes to firearms, it is virtually a given that you cannot get enough of either - unless of course you do it enough to get a blister on your trigger finger.
Let me tell you something about blisters and shooting skills. Both blisters and good shooting skills are temporary. One of those conditions you get from over use and one will be lost because of not enough use. Try to find a balance and you will be better off for it. If you don't find the balance, then when you need your skills to be at their best, such as if you are ever called upon to actually defend yourself in a life or death situation, well then you may wind up with something more permanent than a blister. You may wind up with another guy's bullet as a sort of souvenir as the loser in a gunfight. That would not be a good thing. So I highly recommend that you enjoy yourself at the range as often as you can, at least quarterly if a good shot, although monthly would better, and weekly or more often would be better yet especially if you think your shooting skills could use improvement.
Safe shooting,
Glenn B
So what to do to try harder? I attended a couple of remedial shoots that our firearms instructors held in conjunction with this quarter's quals. During both of them I shot pretty darned good. Now as my office's Primary Firearm's Instructor will tell you, I probably shoot better than 95% of the agents in my office, even when I get scores like 241 but I wanted to hold myself to a higher standard so I went to do some extra practice of the self remediating sort. It was not like anyone was telling me how to shoot at these remedial shoots although others were getting some instruction. I was left to my own druthers and my own corrections. One of the other agents, one whom I used to instruct, who saw me at one of the current quarter's remedial shoots raised an eyebrow and asked me, in a sort of surprised tone, what was I doing there. I don't think she ever expected to see me at a remedial shoot since I used to be an instructor and since I used to help her to shoot better. I just told her that practice is how I keep my edge and since I am getting on in age and going down in score I could use it. Heck, truth be told, since I carry for work and for self defense I could use it regardless of my scores - we all could.
In addition to the time spent at my agency's remedial shoots, I also have gone to the local range near my home a couple of times in the last month. The result of all that extra shooting was that at the first remedial shoot I shot a 246, a 249 and a 250. At the second one, when I only shot one qualification round, I shot another 250. THOSE SCORES WERE AN IMPROVEMENT OVER MY SCORES OF THE LAST YEAR OR TWO WHICH HAVE BEEN A FEW POINTS LOWER ON AVERAGE, scores more like 243 or 241, even scores in the high 230s. While at my local range, I shot some pretty tight groups during slow fire and some pretty decent groups while shooting rapid fire - so much so on my last visit to have
Why do I mention this. Well, not to brag, that is for sure. I am not good enough a shot to brag - believe me you! I know there are many faster and more accurate shooters out there than me. I mention it though for a couple of reasons. First of all, I guess because that other agent asked me why I was at remedials? I was there because I was not satisfied with how I have been shooting just as all the other agents who were there probably felt about their own shooting. I was also there to practice regardless of whether or not I was shooting well enough. And I was there because the ammo is not being handed out like it once was for us to practice on our own at private or public ranges. So I take advantage of the fact they still will give me practice ammo albeit if only while at a remedial shoot run by my agency's instructors. Of course, the few extra hours I spent at the range over the course of a couple of days were better than the regular grind in the office or out in the field. I also mention it because if you own a firearm and intend to ever possibly depend upon it for defense or for hunting or just for target shooting fun - well then - once you are adept with it you ought to keep yourself at least at that level with it. If you are not yet satisfied with how well you shoot, well then don't only practice but get some help at it with the goal of improving yourself (a professional instructor is probably best but another shooter and one who is a good shot and used to helping other shoot safely is often okay). Once you reach a level at which you are satisfied that you can usually remain there with practice. You may also be able to even regain that level if you lose your edge a bit, often all on your own once you have held a level of proficiency for awhile. Practice and training are good things when it comes to firearms, it is virtually a given that you cannot get enough of either - unless of course you do it enough to get a blister on your trigger finger.
Let me tell you something about blisters and shooting skills. Both blisters and good shooting skills are temporary. One of those conditions you get from over use and one will be lost because of not enough use. Try to find a balance and you will be better off for it. If you don't find the balance, then when you need your skills to be at their best, such as if you are ever called upon to actually defend yourself in a life or death situation, well then you may wind up with something more permanent than a blister. You may wind up with another guy's bullet as a sort of souvenir as the loser in a gunfight. That would not be a good thing. So I highly recommend that you enjoy yourself at the range as often as you can, at least quarterly if a good shot, although monthly would better, and weekly or more often would be better yet especially if you think your shooting skills could use improvement.
Safe shooting,
Glenn B
Ballseye’s Gun Shots 61 - My Glock 26 & My New Glock Armorer Skills
Well, despite not having any extra parts for it, I decided I would chance losing a spring or breaking something and take my Glock 26 apart down to the bare bones by doing a detail strip of it this morning (golly is it really almost 3 AM), that is all except for removing the sights.
I did it the smart way and did not depend on my muddled middle aged memory but used the armorer's manual to go step by step for disassembly and reassembly. I have to say it was a good thing I took it down, it needed a detailed cleaning badly. I have been shooting it a lot lately and even though I field strip it to give it regular maintenance type cleaning after each shooting session, it truly needed more than that because it was filthy inside the works. It isn't dirty anymore though, it almost sparkles now. Besides knowing it is clean, I now also know that all internal parts are in good working condition. I imagine I will strip it down like that for another cleaning in about 6 months or so.
I have to point out again, it is absolutely amazing at how easily this gun can be detail stripped using only a single tool, a steel punch at that!
All the best,
Glenn B
I did it the smart way and did not depend on my muddled middle aged memory but used the armorer's manual to go step by step for disassembly and reassembly. I have to say it was a good thing I took it down, it needed a detailed cleaning badly. I have been shooting it a lot lately and even though I field strip it to give it regular maintenance type cleaning after each shooting session, it truly needed more than that because it was filthy inside the works. It isn't dirty anymore though, it almost sparkles now. Besides knowing it is clean, I now also know that all internal parts are in good working condition. I imagine I will strip it down like that for another cleaning in about 6 months or so.
I have to point out again, it is absolutely amazing at how easily this gun can be detail stripped using only a single tool, a steel punch at that!
All the best,
Glenn B
Ballseye’s Gun Shots 60 - Yugo M24/47
The Yugo M24/47, that I ordered from Classic Arms, arrived today. I am beginning to think that either I do not understand the NRA Firearms Grading standards or that this dealer does not. First I ordered an Enfield that arrived in what I thought was less than specified condition or possibly just at the extreme low end of the condition in which they claimed it to be, in addition to which it was damaged. Now I receive a rifle that was supposed to be in Excellent condition, in addition to which it was supposed to be 'hand select' which was to guarantee 100% blue and...well let me just quote their C&R web page:
"AND SELECT WILL GUARENTEE (their spelling)100 % BLUE AND A REALLY NICE TOP END STOCK AS WELL AS A PRISTINE BORE AND CROWN."
Sorry but they seem to have been wrong again. While the bore looks to be excellent, I would say this rifle is in about 98% blue, and that is not the guaranteed 100% by a long shot! The stock is dinged slightly and has scrapes but all have been covered up whenever it was that the stock was obviously refinished. That is another thing, the metal has also been refinished and there is evidence of prior pitting - though minor it is definitely there - this immediately takes it out of the class of excellent condition let alone hand select. This is apparently an arsenal refinish job. That would have been okay if that is what they claimed it to have been. That would have been okay had I not paid extra for 'hand select' which guaranteed the above. That would have been okay if it had not been advertised as excellent. It would also be okay if I could call them and tell them I am dissatisfied and they should refund me me my money for the 'hand select' BS, but chances are I will notbe able to do that because I may be forced to send this rifle back because it seems there is a possible serial number error.
The original serial number of the rifle (as taken from the receiver) was B7733. That number was stamped into the receiver. Now even though the B is faint it was obviously stamped into the receiver and it is not a V. The same number was also stamped into the barrel and it too begins with B. The same number was also stamped onto the bolt and it too begins with B. A new serial number, almost the same as the old, was electro penciled (etched) onto the receiver either when this rifle was arsenal refinished or when imported. The new number is V7733. To me it seems someone read the letter B and someone else heard it as V instead of B and then etched it onto the receiver. The serial number beginning with the letter V is the one they put on the invoice and therefore it has been noted as the official serial number for purposes of this sale with ATF. I have to wonder if this will cause a problem with ATF, or other authorities, if I ever am called upon to document my ownership of this rifle. Maybe it is something they do with imported mil-surp rifles but I have not seen it on others I have purchased. Note that the B7733 serial number is only on three parts, all other serialized parts do not match that serial number which is further evidence of this being an arsenal rebuild.
The rifle really does appear in very good shape but certainly not the guaranteed 100% blue and definitely not a top end stock though a fairly to very nice one at that and probably not actually excellent condition overall since it seems to be an arsenal rebuild with mismatched parts and evidenc eo old pitting on some parts. Still, I will gladly keep it if they refund my money for hand select and if the serial number difference is not a problem. I imagine they can fix the paperwork for the serial number but also imagine that will take some doing on whatever forms they had to submit to ATF. Not my problem though, I will give them a call about it on Monday and let them figure it out. If it sounds as if they give me a run around on the serial number, I will call ATF to inquire about it but I am pretty confident they will be straight shooters when they explain why they used the serial number beginning with V on the paperwork. I hope so, I do not want to go through the pain in the butt of having to rewrap a rifle and then bring it to UPS again.
There is one problem with this rifle, the barrel band was almost impossible to remove. I think the wood may have swelled on the handguard sometime while in storage or maybe when refinished. I got it off though and cleaned the cosmoline out of the rifle. Luckily there is not much reason to ever take the rifle down that far again except maybe once or twice a year at most so long as it does not get a mud bath or something similar while out afield. I will be shooting it tomorrow with Brendan. I hope that will not void their return policy, I do not see it stated anywhere that it would do so. As I said though, I'd like to keep it, it is in very good condition despite all I said above and if it shoots well, then it is definitely a keeper.
I may seem really picky, or full of complaints, but I have to say I like getting what I pay for and I paid for a rifle advertised to be one way and it arrived in another condition than as advertised. As I said though, I am willing to keep it if certain things work out. Hopefully they will. Wish me luck with that please.
All the best,
Glenn B
"AND SELECT WILL GUARENTEE (their spelling)100 % BLUE AND A REALLY NICE TOP END STOCK AS WELL AS A PRISTINE BORE AND CROWN."
Sorry but they seem to have been wrong again. While the bore looks to be excellent, I would say this rifle is in about 98% blue, and that is not the guaranteed 100% by a long shot! The stock is dinged slightly and has scrapes but all have been covered up whenever it was that the stock was obviously refinished. That is another thing, the metal has also been refinished and there is evidence of prior pitting - though minor it is definitely there - this immediately takes it out of the class of excellent condition let alone hand select. This is apparently an arsenal refinish job. That would have been okay if that is what they claimed it to have been. That would have been okay had I not paid extra for 'hand select' which guaranteed the above. That would have been okay if it had not been advertised as excellent. It would also be okay if I could call them and tell them I am dissatisfied and they should refund me me my money for the 'hand select' BS, but chances are I will notbe able to do that because I may be forced to send this rifle back because it seems there is a possible serial number error.
The original serial number of the rifle (as taken from the receiver) was B7733. That number was stamped into the receiver. Now even though the B is faint it was obviously stamped into the receiver and it is not a V. The same number was also stamped into the barrel and it too begins with B. The same number was also stamped onto the bolt and it too begins with B. A new serial number, almost the same as the old, was electro penciled (etched) onto the receiver either when this rifle was arsenal refinished or when imported. The new number is V7733. To me it seems someone read the letter B and someone else heard it as V instead of B and then etched it onto the receiver. The serial number beginning with the letter V is the one they put on the invoice and therefore it has been noted as the official serial number for purposes of this sale with ATF. I have to wonder if this will cause a problem with ATF, or other authorities, if I ever am called upon to document my ownership of this rifle. Maybe it is something they do with imported mil-surp rifles but I have not seen it on others I have purchased. Note that the B7733 serial number is only on three parts, all other serialized parts do not match that serial number which is further evidence of this being an arsenal rebuild.
The rifle really does appear in very good shape but certainly not the guaranteed 100% blue and definitely not a top end stock though a fairly to very nice one at that and probably not actually excellent condition overall since it seems to be an arsenal rebuild with mismatched parts and evidenc eo old pitting on some parts. Still, I will gladly keep it if they refund my money for hand select and if the serial number difference is not a problem. I imagine they can fix the paperwork for the serial number but also imagine that will take some doing on whatever forms they had to submit to ATF. Not my problem though, I will give them a call about it on Monday and let them figure it out. If it sounds as if they give me a run around on the serial number, I will call ATF to inquire about it but I am pretty confident they will be straight shooters when they explain why they used the serial number beginning with V on the paperwork. I hope so, I do not want to go through the pain in the butt of having to rewrap a rifle and then bring it to UPS again.
There is one problem with this rifle, the barrel band was almost impossible to remove. I think the wood may have swelled on the handguard sometime while in storage or maybe when refinished. I got it off though and cleaned the cosmoline out of the rifle. Luckily there is not much reason to ever take the rifle down that far again except maybe once or twice a year at most so long as it does not get a mud bath or something similar while out afield. I will be shooting it tomorrow with Brendan. I hope that will not void their return policy, I do not see it stated anywhere that it would do so. As I said though, I'd like to keep it, it is in very good condition despite all I said above and if it shoots well, then it is definitely a keeper.
I may seem really picky, or full of complaints, but I have to say I like getting what I pay for and I paid for a rifle advertised to be one way and it arrived in another condition than as advertised. As I said though, I am willing to keep it if certain things work out. Hopefully they will. Wish me luck with that please.
All the best,
Glenn B
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Ballseye's Gun Snots Shots 59 - The Science Of Picking Boogers Squeezing A Trigger
There I was, at quarterly qualification for my job, for about the 122nd time, and once again, for about the thousandth time, I was listening to a range officer telling us how to squeeze the trigger on a pistol to help assure that the bullet would go to the same point at which we would be aiming. Not only was he describing how to squeeze the trigger but he was also telling us that squeezing the trigger did not mean that we should also be squeezing the grip of the pistol. Some argue that use of the word squeeze it a terrible thing to do regarding pulling the trigger on a handgun. Why? Well, because when some people are told to squeeze the trigger they also do what the instructor was telling us not to do, they start to squeeze the grip simultaneously. This can cause a shot to go just about anywhere on the target or in the vicinity of the target other than where you want to hit it. What is strange about this is that the instructors on my job have, for the most part, only been telling people this for the past year or so although shooters, those who have a problem with trigger control, have been doing it a long time, probably since shooting began.
When I was a firearms' instructor, many moons ago, one of the problems that I encountered most frequently was that shooters seemed to be trying to choketheir spouses a chicken they were squeezing the grip that hard. It was hard enough, that after a few to several seconds, their arms would begin to tremble from fatigue. This was especially evident with one handed shooting but happens both when using a one or two handed grip, it just takes longer to fatigue both arms in the two handed grip. Now, I should point out that gripping a pistol with too much force is not necessarily caused by anything to do with squeezing the trigger but when it happens, it always happens in conjunction with it if you are taking a shot. Quite often a shooter starts squeezing the grip harder and harder in hopes of holding better on the aiming point without yet starting trigger squeeze, thus the hard squeeze on the grip is often if not usually caused by a shooter trying to hold aim on target. This is counter-productive because if the shot is not taken quickly the arm or arms will start to become fatigued and possibly will also tremble enough to throw of any shot that is then fired. On some otheroccasions though, it is obvious that as soon as a shooter starts to squeeze the trigger they also start squeezing harder on the grip as if the whole action of trigger squeeze actually causes them to squeeze the grip harder. There is a reason for it to seem so and that reason is because it is in fact so.
As is the case with just about anything that you can be told, one person can interpret it one way, another person another way and yet another maybe another way. Thus it is with the action known as trigger squeeze. When a firearms instructor tells a student shooter to firmly, steadily, slowly, and continuously begin to squeeze the trigger until the shot goes off - well some shooters immediately understand that the instructor meant to squeeze the trigger with the booger picking finger (this nomenclature is important, do not forget it, you will see why later) and that the instructor did not mean to also start to squeeze the grips with the rest of the hand including the other fingers, after all the instructor already described how to grip the pistol and it had notjing to do with squeezing the trigger. Some new shooters though do not understand it that way and start to squeeze the whole trigger and grip areas as if they were hanging onto to something for dear life and if they let it go it would cost them dearly. They are wrong about that (this too is imporant to remember as you will soon see).
Truth be told, the whole operation of squeezing the trigger of a pistol is actually very much like the action involved in picking one's nose. When you pick your nose (yes you do, you didn't think anyone driving by on the highway at 65mph noticed but you forgot that you don't have tinted windows on your car and I saw you) you place your booger picking finger (same as the trigger finger) inside your nostril (like inside the trigger guard) then find the spot on which to place it on the booger that needs removal (like placing it on the trigger that needs squeezing) then begin to curl the finger down (like the backward squeezing motion of the finger on the trigger) as if you were summoning someone (or a booger) to come to you with your index finger (as if you were curling your finger with squeezing pressure on a trigger to fire a gun).
Now remember I said that some people not only squeeze the trigger but also start to squeeze the grips too as if holding onto something for dear life. Well, you wouldn't do that when picking your nose would you? And why not? Because if you did that you would likely wind up with a bloody nose because you gripped down on it with your booger picking finger implanted inside of it. I mean squeezing down on the nose too hard while the finger is on a booger would just ruin everything (just as squeezing down extra hard on the grips would rruin a shot). What you want to do instead is to firmly, steadily, slowly and continuously make a picking or backward curling motions with your booger picking finger on the booger (backward curling and squeezing motion with your trigger finger on the trigger) until your objective is complete.
In the case of nose picking the objective is to have your finger come out of your nose with a prize snot stuck to the end of it and with shooting the objective is to completely depress the trigger to the rear to fire a shot having a bullet come out of the gun. Get that and do not forget it, snot out of nose, shot out of gun. While those were the objectives the job is not yet finished. While the booger is out of the nose and on your finger the job is not yet done because, as you well know, you do not want to hold onto a booger for dear life. What you want to do is follow through and allow the booger picking finger to uncurl in a smooth but rapid motion thus sending the booger flying off of your finger so you can, if necessary, start the process all over again to dig out another snot. This is pretty much the same in shooting as after the shot, you follow through with the action of the trigger finger and allow it to move smoothly and rapidly forward allowing the trigger to reset in case another shot needs be fired.
Remember as you carry out either of these fine motor skills, you do not want to jerk the finger performing the operation because both actions, jerking a booger out of your nose or jerking the trigger on a pistol you are firing, could have unwanted consequences. In one case it could be a scratched or bloody nose, in the other it could be a missed shot resulting in a ragged and bloody hole in you because the bad guy had better trigger finger control than you. I could go on with further in depth analysis comparing jerking the trigger with jerking a booger but one lesson like this should be enough for anyone's day.
All the best,
Glenn B
When I was a firearms' instructor, many moons ago, one of the problems that I encountered most frequently was that shooters seemed to be trying to choke
As is the case with just about anything that you can be told, one person can interpret it one way, another person another way and yet another maybe another way. Thus it is with the action known as trigger squeeze. When a firearms instructor tells a student shooter to firmly, steadily, slowly, and continuously begin to squeeze the trigger until the shot goes off - well some shooters immediately understand that the instructor meant to squeeze the trigger with the booger picking finger (this nomenclature is important, do not forget it, you will see why later) and that the instructor did not mean to also start to squeeze the grips with the rest of the hand including the other fingers, after all the instructor already described how to grip the pistol and it had notjing to do with squeezing the trigger. Some new shooters though do not understand it that way and start to squeeze the whole trigger and grip areas as if they were hanging onto to something for dear life and if they let it go it would cost them dearly. They are wrong about that (this too is imporant to remember as you will soon see).
Truth be told, the whole operation of squeezing the trigger of a pistol is actually very much like the action involved in picking one's nose. When you pick your nose (yes you do, you didn't think anyone driving by on the highway at 65mph noticed but you forgot that you don't have tinted windows on your car and I saw you) you place your booger picking finger (same as the trigger finger) inside your nostril (like inside the trigger guard) then find the spot on which to place it on the booger that needs removal (like placing it on the trigger that needs squeezing) then begin to curl the finger down (like the backward squeezing motion of the finger on the trigger) as if you were summoning someone (or a booger) to come to you with your index finger (as if you were curling your finger with squeezing pressure on a trigger to fire a gun).
Now remember I said that some people not only squeeze the trigger but also start to squeeze the grips too as if holding onto something for dear life. Well, you wouldn't do that when picking your nose would you? And why not? Because if you did that you would likely wind up with a bloody nose because you gripped down on it with your booger picking finger implanted inside of it. I mean squeezing down on the nose too hard while the finger is on a booger would just ruin everything (just as squeezing down extra hard on the grips would rruin a shot). What you want to do instead is to firmly, steadily, slowly and continuously make a picking or backward curling motions with your booger picking finger on the booger (backward curling and squeezing motion with your trigger finger on the trigger) until your objective is complete.
In the case of nose picking the objective is to have your finger come out of your nose with a prize snot stuck to the end of it and with shooting the objective is to completely depress the trigger to the rear to fire a shot having a bullet come out of the gun. Get that and do not forget it, snot out of nose, shot out of gun. While those were the objectives the job is not yet finished. While the booger is out of the nose and on your finger the job is not yet done because, as you well know, you do not want to hold onto a booger for dear life. What you want to do is follow through and allow the booger picking finger to uncurl in a smooth but rapid motion thus sending the booger flying off of your finger so you can, if necessary, start the process all over again to dig out another snot. This is pretty much the same in shooting as after the shot, you follow through with the action of the trigger finger and allow it to move smoothly and rapidly forward allowing the trigger to reset in case another shot needs be fired.
Remember as you carry out either of these fine motor skills, you do not want to jerk the finger performing the operation because both actions, jerking a booger out of your nose or jerking the trigger on a pistol you are firing, could have unwanted consequences. In one case it could be a scratched or bloody nose, in the other it could be a missed shot resulting in a ragged and bloody hole in you because the bad guy had better trigger finger control than you. I could go on with further in depth analysis comparing jerking the trigger with jerking a booger but one lesson like this should be enough for anyone's day.
All the best,
Glenn B
What Would A New Rifle Be Without Ammo
As you know, if you read my recent post about the Yugo 24/47, I just ordered said rifle from Classic Arms. I also just placed an order for 100 rounds of ammo for this rifle. I placed the ammo order with Natchez Shooter's Supplies of TN (nope I cannot spell it so I used the abbreviation).
Items Ordered:
[QTY] [PROD_NUM] [PROD_DESC] [PRICE]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1] [60N] [NATCHEZ CATALOG] [ 0.00]
[5] [ZYV331762A] [8X57 JR 196GR SP 20/BOX] [19.00]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Order Totals:
Subotal: $95.00
Shipping: $14.38
Insurance: $ 0.70
Hazmat: $ 0.00
---------------------------------------------
Total Order: $110.08
You opted to contribute 0.92 to the NRA's Shooting For The Stars Foundation via the RoundUp program. Thank You for your contribution! Shipping Preference: UPS Ground Residential
The way I have been ordering guns and ammo lately you might think I am loaded (pun alert) but I am not. As a matter of fact my finances are at a low point because of the recent new car purchase but I did manage to have a bit of my savings stashed with the sole purpose for it to buy a gun or three and ammo for them. Luckily for me, I was able to sell some surplus ammo (not mil-surp but my-surp) and I got a bit more cash on hand than I had. So, I decided to spend it quickly on guns and ammo rather than wait a few days and then realize that I had spent it on things like household expenses. I don't think I will regret the decision; quite the contrary, I think I will come to realize it was the wise decision to have made. Of course that is if and only if the latest rifle I ordered is in as good a shape as they claim in the advertisement for it. I am keeping my fingers crossed on that one. If it is in that good a shape, as opposed to the Enfield I just got from them that seemed not in as good a shape as their ad said it would be, well then I may buy another one for collector value.
Of course, I will have to do that quickly, not only because funds have a way of disappearing quicker than homemade fudge brownies when I am on the prowl for a snack but also because my C&R FFL is about to expire and the darned BATFE has not yet sent me the forms to apply for a renewal. I have all of 3 weeks to get those forms in on time - heck I should have received them and sent them in well over one month ago. Now they have supposedly sent them to me twice but they never arrived in my mailbox. I have to call them again tomorrow. I would hate to have to go through the whole process from scratch instead of just getting it renewed. As I recall the renewal process was somewhat streamlined compared to a first time application (but since it has been 2 0r 3 years since I did it I could have that wrong). Oh well, hopefully I will find the application in tomorrow's mail.
All the best,
Glenn B
Items Ordered:
[QTY] [PROD_NUM] [PROD_DESC] [PRICE]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1] [60N] [NATCHEZ CATALOG] [ 0.00]
[5] [ZYV331762A] [8X57 JR 196GR SP 20/BOX] [19.00]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Order Totals:
Subotal: $95.00
Shipping: $14.38
Insurance: $ 0.70
Hazmat: $ 0.00
---------------------------------------------
Total Order: $110.08
You opted to contribute 0.92 to the NRA's Shooting For The Stars Foundation via the RoundUp program. Thank You for your contribution! Shipping Preference: UPS Ground Residential
The way I have been ordering guns and ammo lately you might think I am loaded (pun alert) but I am not. As a matter of fact my finances are at a low point because of the recent new car purchase but I did manage to have a bit of my savings stashed with the sole purpose for it to buy a gun or three and ammo for them. Luckily for me, I was able to sell some surplus ammo (not mil-surp but my-surp) and I got a bit more cash on hand than I had. So, I decided to spend it quickly on guns and ammo rather than wait a few days and then realize that I had spent it on things like household expenses. I don't think I will regret the decision; quite the contrary, I think I will come to realize it was the wise decision to have made. Of course that is if and only if the latest rifle I ordered is in as good a shape as they claim in the advertisement for it. I am keeping my fingers crossed on that one. If it is in that good a shape, as opposed to the Enfield I just got from them that seemed not in as good a shape as their ad said it would be, well then I may buy another one for collector value.
Of course, I will have to do that quickly, not only because funds have a way of disappearing quicker than homemade fudge brownies when I am on the prowl for a snack but also because my C&R FFL is about to expire and the darned BATFE has not yet sent me the forms to apply for a renewal. I have all of 3 weeks to get those forms in on time - heck I should have received them and sent them in well over one month ago. Now they have supposedly sent them to me twice but they never arrived in my mailbox. I have to call them again tomorrow. I would hate to have to go through the whole process from scratch instead of just getting it renewed. As I recall the renewal process was somewhat streamlined compared to a first time application (but since it has been 2 0r 3 years since I did it I could have that wrong). Oh well, hopefully I will find the application in tomorrow's mail.
All the best,
Glenn B
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Glock Armorer's School
I attended Glock Armorer's School on this past Wednesday. I am almost a certified Glock Armorer but suppose that will not really be the case until they send me the official certificate saying so. Thanks to the good instruction from a seemingly very competent instructor, I did fairly well at it too. During the practical exercises, each of the students took down and reassembled a pistol several times. I got one thing wrong once and had to ask for help but learned from that mistake and did not repeat it nor make any others. I was not the fastest to disassemble and reassemble one of them but nor was I the slowest even though I deliberately took my time. No need to hurry like some of the younger guys who seemed to be having a contest among themselves to see who could get it done fastest. Then again nor was I slowed down by not knowing how to get it back together like one or two of the other guys, who during the test portion at the end of the class seemed to be having some real difficulty figuring it out. They got it done though, on their own and did it well, so they also passed. I am guessing that everyone passed although no one was saying anything either way. As for me I got the practical portion of the test done perfectly and I also scored 100% on the written portion of the test.
Truth be told, it is truly amazing at how few parts a Glock has when compared to an older style more conventional pistol. For instance, I doubt very much that I could learn how to disassemble and reassemble one of my Beretta 92 series pistols during an 8 hour course of study. I have seen the parts diagrams for them and they have more parts by far. Besides that, Glocks use all drop in parts. I think the Berettas may do likewise but many pistols such as a standard 1911 would probably require fitting therefore necessitating the expertise of a qualified gunsmith to exchange some specific parts. Take a look at the 2 diagrams, one of a Glock and one of a Beretta 92FS and you will see what I mean about the Glock being simpler by virtue of using less parts (bear in mind I cannot vouch for the correctness of either of these exploded parts diagrams). The simplicity of the Glock makes it much easier to work on than a more complex pistol with more parts or so they say in Glock Armorer's School. By the way, they did not mention other pistols by brand, I brought up the Beretta only because I own a few of them and they are near and dear to me so they came right to mind when thinking of another pistol to use as an example. They are definitely made up of more parts and I figure probably would be much more complex to work on than something like a Glock 26. I am not, in any way, putting down the Berettas - they are finely crafted psitols indeed - otherwise I would not own 3 of the model 92 series, one of the 70 series and would not have owned the several others I have owned over the years.
Back to the Glocks, a lot of them can use parts interchangeably between different models and a lot of those parts simply drop into place. There are new Glocks coming out and those will not have as wide a parts interchange capability with older models but if I remember right some parts are still interchangeable (never interchange parts between models unless you are a Glock Certified Armorer and you know that the parts are actually interchangeable). The interchangeability of some of the parts certainly makes it easier for an armorer when stocking parts and easier when diagnosing and fixing problems. Another thing that makes Glocks a pleasure to work on is that the virtually whole gun (with the exception of the sights which require other tools) can be disassembled and reassembled using a single tool, the Glock Armorer's Tool, which is basically a punch with a plastic handle. Two other tools, a small screwdriver and a small pair of needle nosed pliers can make some things easier but probably are not really needed to detail strip and reassemble these pistols. Well, really there is one other tool you need, that is the knowledge of how to do it and get it done right. If you want that, take the course if you meet the elligibilty requirements, it is worth it. In order to take the course, Glock requires that: "...you must be an active law enforcement or military officer, private security, GLOCK Stocking Dealer/Range Program Employee or current GSSF member.".
I did it on my own dime instead of asking work if they would pay for it. Training of an employee that benefits the job is often paid for by my employer but I figured I would help both stimulate the economy and save the tax payer some money by paying for it myself. Besides, this way I am not beholden to anyone regarding owing them the benefit of my newly learned skills. Of course, if they ever need help during the annual detail stripping and cleaning of personally owned government authorized Glocks for my fellow agents, I will be happy to lend a helping hand. Mostly though, I am hopeful that my new skill set will allow me to do 2 things. One I am certain about, the other is a wait and see kind of thing. The thing I am certain about is that now I will be able to fully service my own Glock 26 pistol. That alone was well worth the $150 it cost me for the 1 day class. I will, of course, also be able to service any other Glock pistol I may buy, or that my son may buy. He turns 21 late this year and is hoping to get a pistol permit for target and hunting.
What else I am hopeful of though is that I will be able to make a few bucks now and then servicing other people's pistols. If I make enough to pay for the cost of the Glock Armorer's course 3 years from now, when my certification expires, then it will be all well and good because the next class will have been paid for ahead of time. I imagine by then it will go for around $175 or $200 but that should not be hard to make with a few charged for repairs. Now if I do that, I guess I will need insurance and a business license and all, and that will cost too, so I'll have to do a few more repairs. Time will tell if it is a money maker or not. if not, well as I said, it was worth the cost of the course just to be able to have the knowledge of how to repair my own Glock. Before even think of taking my own apart for a detailed cleaning I will pick up several of the parts that are most likely to need replacing either because of need for repair or because the parts got lost when the gun was stripped down. I could be very easy to lose one or two of the parts so best to have them on hand if need be. Also not a bad idea to have a supply of parts that may break such as an extra ejector or two, maybe couple of extra coil springs and maybe some other springs too. I really do not anticipate any breakages but better to be prepared now before all such things are banned and I can no longer get em later if and when something does break.
All the best,
Glenn B
YUGO M24/47 8MM
The order is in, with Classic Arms, for a YUGO M24/47 8mm bolt action rifle. I was a little hesitant in placing this order because I have not yet received the promised return shipping label for the Enfield I just got from them that was not to my liking but I ordered it anyway. The description of the M24/7s that is on their website is absolutely clear that I will be, or should be, receiving a rifle with 100% blue, an excellent stock and a pristine bore and crown. If such is not the case then this one will go back to them also and I will not order from them again. I tend to think it will be just as the ad says it will be but only time and and inspection of the rifle will tell. I'll let you know what happens once I receive it. I placed the order today, online, so I am guessing i should have it by this coming Thursday or Friday.All the best,
Glenn B
Friday, June 4, 2010
Enfield #4 MK1
So, on Tuesday, I received the Enfield #4 MK1 that I ordered from Classic Arms. On Wednesday I called them to ask how to return it for an exchange. They readily said they would send me a return shipping label. The lady who helped me only asked 3 questions. The first was why I wanted to return it. I told her that the gun was not in the shape I thought it should have been given the add said they were NRA Good to borderline Very Good condition and this one seemed at best maybe just reaching borderline good condition. There was a good deal of rust and some pitting but the bore looked okay and there was some repair work on the stock. The so called sling that came with it was an old crappy belt that lloked as if it had been put on the rifle by a moron but granted they only said it would come with "some type" of a sling and I suppose you could stretch it to call a belt a sling if you stretched it really far. Now, I could have lived with it all even though in the claimed condition it should probably not have had any pitting or repairs.
So why want to return it? As I explained to the lady, there was also a very small bit of damage to the outside ring of the muzzle where white metal was exposed. It looked as if someone dinged or gouged the end of it, maybe someone dropped it. She then asked question 2, did it look to have been damaged in shipping. I had to say it did not appear so because the rifle had been packed very well, in fact the bubble wrap placed on it had been done better than I had ever seen before with some extra at the receiver and muzzle end. The only other question she asked was my mailing info so she could send me a shipping to return it. I am hopeful they will have another by the time this one gets back to them.
Now I have to admit, the damage while obviously new was minimal. The thing is though it was damage to the area that probably gets exposed the the second highest amounts of pressure in a rifle and I did not want to take the chance of that damage having weakened the muzzle at all. So back it goes once I get that label. While I am waiting to get the label, I am pretty sure I am going to order another gun from them. They also offer YUGO M24/47 8MM BOLT ACTION RIFLE in excellent condition and they claim, and this is a quote from their website, that:
"BLUE WILL BE AT LEAST 98 % BUT MOST ARE 100% WITH A MID GLOSS FINISH AND A BEAUTIFUL YUGO CREST. STOCKS AND HANDGUARDS WILL MATCH NICELY. BORES HAVE ALL BEEN BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL WITH DEEP SHARP LANDS AND GROOVES AND REALLY NICE CROWNS"
That is a darned nice sounding rifle for only $209.95 plus shipping. If I add $10 then they guarantee:
"AND SELECT WILL GUARENTEE 100 % BLUE AND A REALLY NICE TOP END STOCK AS WELL AS A PRISTINE BORE AND CROWN. "
I think I will order one today. I sold some ammo recently and have a bit of cash on hand to make the purchase so why not! After all - I have been wanting a new rifle for quite awhile now. The only sticking point is they also offer Swiss Schmidt-Rubin K-31 Carbines and Schmidt-Rubin K Model 1911 Carbines too. Decisions - decisions!
All the best,
Glenn B
So why want to return it? As I explained to the lady, there was also a very small bit of damage to the outside ring of the muzzle where white metal was exposed. It looked as if someone dinged or gouged the end of it, maybe someone dropped it. She then asked question 2, did it look to have been damaged in shipping. I had to say it did not appear so because the rifle had been packed very well, in fact the bubble wrap placed on it had been done better than I had ever seen before with some extra at the receiver and muzzle end. The only other question she asked was my mailing info so she could send me a shipping to return it. I am hopeful they will have another by the time this one gets back to them.
Now I have to admit, the damage while obviously new was minimal. The thing is though it was damage to the area that probably gets exposed the the second highest amounts of pressure in a rifle and I did not want to take the chance of that damage having weakened the muzzle at all. So back it goes once I get that label. While I am waiting to get the label, I am pretty sure I am going to order another gun from them. They also offer YUGO M24/47 8MM BOLT ACTION RIFLE in excellent condition and they claim, and this is a quote from their website, that:
"BLUE WILL BE AT LEAST 98 % BUT MOST ARE 100% WITH A MID GLOSS FINISH AND A BEAUTIFUL YUGO CREST. STOCKS AND HANDGUARDS WILL MATCH NICELY. BORES HAVE ALL BEEN BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL WITH DEEP SHARP LANDS AND GROOVES AND REALLY NICE CROWNS"
That is a darned nice sounding rifle for only $209.95 plus shipping. If I add $10 then they guarantee:
"AND SELECT WILL GUARENTEE 100 % BLUE AND A REALLY NICE TOP END STOCK AS WELL AS A PRISTINE BORE AND CROWN. "
I think I will order one today. I sold some ammo recently and have a bit of cash on hand to make the purchase so why not! After all - I have been wanting a new rifle for quite awhile now. The only sticking point is they also offer Swiss Schmidt-Rubin K-31 Carbines and Schmidt-Rubin K Model 1911 Carbines too. Decisions - decisions!
All the best,
Glenn B
Monday, May 31, 2010
The Great Uromastix Escape took place today but...
I should have known better than to let it happen. Then again, sometimes we all goof up and I guess I goofed up today. I did it by starting off doing something I do every year once the nice weather rolls around. I did it only with good intentions but sometimes good intentions are not enough so I took precautions when I did it and thought they were enough but I should have known better. The precautions apparently were not enough.
What I did was I put my tortoises and one remaining Uromastix out in the yard to sun themselves. No, I did not just plop them down out in the middle of my yard. Although I well could have done that with my female Hermann's Tortoise and maybe even with my newly acquired male Hermann's Tortoise, there was no way I was about to allow my three small Redfoot Tortoises or the female Uromastix to roam around out there. The Redfoots are small enough to possibly get under my gate (though it would be a squeeze) and the lizard (the Uromastix is a lizard) could have easily squirmed through anything or climbed over anything to escape. So I put them all into a pen, that I built a few years ago, just for the purpose of housing my animals outside so they could bask in natural sunlight now and again. Being it was a few years old and made of painted plywood, let me just say the weather, the sunlight, the termites and time have all had their effects and there are a few eaten away spots. One hole near the top where the hinges for the screen cover were screwed in and one in the bottom front corner. I had no worries about the hole up high, none of my animals could get to it to get through it. The lower one was right at ground level so I covered it over with a few bricks snug against the wood. Nothing was getting out, that is at least not without help and there was no one to help them get out so they were just not going to get out that way. I was satisfied and left them in there but I should have known better.
Then the dogs heard the lizard scampering about and the tortoises plodding back and forth and they got curious. I had to shoo them away a few times but then they lost interest. To make sure they would not pester the lizard, the tortoises usually are not bothered by the dogs unless they try to use them as chew toys, I decided to put the dogs in the house. Then I went outside to enjoy some left over BBQ while sitting on the patio. Once I was done, I went inside and puttered around online in a gun forum. When I went out later to try to talk my wife into taking an evening ride, or to go to Home Depot to buy some flowers for the garden, I also decided to check on my critters. I noticed a much bigger hole in the front corner of the pen. It was dug away, or so it looked, from outside. Then I realized my wife had let the dogs back outside to join her in enjoying the nice day. I suppose, that as usual, if they are not barking up a storm she pays them little attention as they roam around our postage stamp sized backyard. She had been reading a magazine, about dog training of all things, and also had been relaxing and just taking it easy. Then she chatted to one of our next door neighbors over her fence. I guess she had not been paying much attention at all to the dogs. I thought she knew better, but I should have known better. I know the blame is not hers and I am the one who should have known better. You see, about 2 years ago, one of the dogs chewed up one of my tortoises, putting a few nice grooves in its shell, after my wife left the dogs outside unattended with my tortoises. I warned her that time but must admit today I did not but I should have known better. I just thought she knew better even though I was the one who was responsible for them but I should have known better. I guess I just figured all would be well but I should have known better.
Well anyway, it looks like the dogs, or at least one of them, went at the corner of the pen paws flailing and dug out the old hole, making it bigger, and knocking away the bricks that had been flush against the inside of the pen while doing so. That done it wound up that help actually had been there for the lizard to escape. I thought there was no chance of that but I should have known better. As it turned out they really did help one of the inmates to escape, specifically the Uromastix. I thought it was secure but I should have known better. When I came in either I should have insisted that the dogs stay inside or I should have brought in my little sun worshippers and put them in there inside enclosures but I left them outside thinking all was well but I should have known better.
Now we have a lizard on the loose all because I should have known better and done something in a different way. Hopefully it will not terrorize the neighborhood. Even better would be if a neighbor sees it and calls me to come rescue it. I do not have a lot of hope but then again until all hope is dashed to the rocks below the cliffs, hope springs eternal but I should have known better in which case I would have still had the Uromastix and not needed to depend upon hope to make things better.
Later for you, I have a lizard to look for.
All the best,
Glenn B
What I did was I put my tortoises and one remaining Uromastix out in the yard to sun themselves. No, I did not just plop them down out in the middle of my yard. Although I well could have done that with my female Hermann's Tortoise and maybe even with my newly acquired male Hermann's Tortoise, there was no way I was about to allow my three small Redfoot Tortoises or the female Uromastix to roam around out there. The Redfoots are small enough to possibly get under my gate (though it would be a squeeze) and the lizard (the Uromastix is a lizard) could have easily squirmed through anything or climbed over anything to escape. So I put them all into a pen, that I built a few years ago, just for the purpose of housing my animals outside so they could bask in natural sunlight now and again. Being it was a few years old and made of painted plywood, let me just say the weather, the sunlight, the termites and time have all had their effects and there are a few eaten away spots. One hole near the top where the hinges for the screen cover were screwed in and one in the bottom front corner. I had no worries about the hole up high, none of my animals could get to it to get through it. The lower one was right at ground level so I covered it over with a few bricks snug against the wood. Nothing was getting out, that is at least not without help and there was no one to help them get out so they were just not going to get out that way. I was satisfied and left them in there but I should have known better.
Then the dogs heard the lizard scampering about and the tortoises plodding back and forth and they got curious. I had to shoo them away a few times but then they lost interest. To make sure they would not pester the lizard, the tortoises usually are not bothered by the dogs unless they try to use them as chew toys, I decided to put the dogs in the house. Then I went outside to enjoy some left over BBQ while sitting on the patio. Once I was done, I went inside and puttered around online in a gun forum. When I went out later to try to talk my wife into taking an evening ride, or to go to Home Depot to buy some flowers for the garden, I also decided to check on my critters. I noticed a much bigger hole in the front corner of the pen. It was dug away, or so it looked, from outside. Then I realized my wife had let the dogs back outside to join her in enjoying the nice day. I suppose, that as usual, if they are not barking up a storm she pays them little attention as they roam around our postage stamp sized backyard. She had been reading a magazine, about dog training of all things, and also had been relaxing and just taking it easy. Then she chatted to one of our next door neighbors over her fence. I guess she had not been paying much attention at all to the dogs. I thought she knew better, but I should have known better. I know the blame is not hers and I am the one who should have known better. You see, about 2 years ago, one of the dogs chewed up one of my tortoises, putting a few nice grooves in its shell, after my wife left the dogs outside unattended with my tortoises. I warned her that time but must admit today I did not but I should have known better. I just thought she knew better even though I was the one who was responsible for them but I should have known better. I guess I just figured all would be well but I should have known better.
Well anyway, it looks like the dogs, or at least one of them, went at the corner of the pen paws flailing and dug out the old hole, making it bigger, and knocking away the bricks that had been flush against the inside of the pen while doing so. That done it wound up that help actually had been there for the lizard to escape. I thought there was no chance of that but I should have known better. As it turned out they really did help one of the inmates to escape, specifically the Uromastix. I thought it was secure but I should have known better. When I came in either I should have insisted that the dogs stay inside or I should have brought in my little sun worshippers and put them in there inside enclosures but I left them outside thinking all was well but I should have known better.
Now we have a lizard on the loose all because I should have known better and done something in a different way. Hopefully it will not terrorize the neighborhood. Even better would be if a neighbor sees it and calls me to come rescue it. I do not have a lot of hope but then again until all hope is dashed to the rocks below the cliffs, hope springs eternal but I should have known better in which case I would have still had the Uromastix and not needed to depend upon hope to make things better.
Later for you, I have a lizard to look for.
All the best,
Glenn B
Memorial Day - Do Not Forget Them Though They Be Gone...
...for it was only through their sacrifice that we have carried on.Many youngsters, today, and even many adults (usually those newly arrived in this country but sadly some who were born here and lived here all their lives) would not understand what I mean by the words I just have written above. Too many times in my life I have encountered people who have no idea of the reason for or the significance of Memorial Day. For many memorial Day is the event that marks the official start of open beaches, for others it starts the BBQ season, for others it an excuse to have a good time celebrating the nicer weather, for others it still have some significance tied into our military and they go to a parade or other such event. Yet, some do not even recognize it as a holiday by way of purpose and others simply are totally ignorant of it. Over the years the meaning of Memorial Day has become watered down, especially during long periods of peacetime and during our modern age when anything old or traditional seems to need change in the eyes of some. It has become a day of convenience, convenient to use as each person sees fit. So much so that Memorial Day is indeed a prime example of something that those who rewrite history would seemingly like to change to fit their own agendas. Politicians use it as a day to gain the support of veterans, veterans use it as a day to gain support for veterans' services, religious leaders use it as day to impart the wisdom of their teachings about morality, commercial businesses use it as a day to fill their tills, and others - such as revisionists or progressives - use it simply as a way to spread their message to us about whatever their agenda may be. If you do not think I am correct about how our interpretation of Memorial Day has and still is changing, or about how some would like to change it, then go to Wikipedia and read, what in my opinion, is one of the saddest descriptions of Memorial Day I have ever seen:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Day
It is somewhat wrong from what I can tell, starting in the first paragraph, when it says Memorial Day commemorates those who died while in U.S. military service. As if that were not bad enough, that statement is backed up by a reference from, of all places, the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs! Even the government seemingly has gotten it wrong but is that any wonder under our current and extremely liberal administration that seemingly wants to change everything!
Allow me to be blunt at the cost of upsetting some who have wrongfully but innocently believed otherwise for years: Memorial Day does not honor those who died while in the military service of this nation; at least it was never meant to do so by so broad a definition and should not be used to remember any but those whom it actually was intended to honor no matter how noble our intentions. Memorial Day was meant to, and should, honor only those who have died in U.S. military service who have lost their lives during time of war. Let us not forget that last and very important aspect of Memorial Day, that it honors they who have perished in our country's service, DURING TIME OF WAR.
Some though, despite others trying to change it, still have it right. They have not forgotten the true meaning of this day. Read about the significance of Memorial Day here, a piece prominently displayed on the web site of the Veteran's of Foreign Wars site as I write this post:
http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=news.newsDtl&did=5492
The VFW asks us a very important question, a question that in essence describes the significance of memorial Day:
"Do most non-veterans really recognize the importance of the day honoring their fellow Americans killed in war?"
As for its history, Memorial Day is a shoot off of Decoration Day. Decoration Day was in essence a day on which people came out to honor the dead of war, specifically the Civil War (but some believe the practice went further back) by placing decorations on the grave markers of those who fell in combat serving our country. This remembrance was done in the south and the north and was a popular practice during the Civil War and gained in popularity after the Civil War. In short time it became a popular day of importance through all of the states and was soon adopted on state levels as a state holiday. There is no wonder that it should have done so for the Civil War tallied up the highest amount of war dead our nation has ever suffered in any war. Whether known as Decoration Day back then, or as Memorial Day now, or by any other name throughout its history, there was one theme that ran throughout and that was that this day was to honor the servicemen and women who died during wartime for the United States of America.
It was never intended to be a holiday to celebrate those who served in the military, never a holiday to celebrate those who fought in the military, and never intended to be a celebration of anything at all. No, it was not meant to be a celebration but rather to be a solemn remembrance, an honoring of, and a memorial to those who perished while serving during wartime while in military service to our country. Yes, many have tied to capitalize on this day and change it to fit their needs whether due to politics, religion, economics, entertainment, a feel good attitude about the military, national pride or whatever else but we must never forget that this day was set aside to honor they who, while serving in the United States military, made the extreme sacrifice during time of war. They are whom we honor today and we should not forget it, not ever. Let us not dishonor their memory by clouding it with other things though of great import themselves, things that would best be remembered in their own light without stealing the glow of twilight's last gleaming from they who made the ultimate sacrifice. Let the memory of their great sacrifice, of their final sunsets' last glow, shine on forever.
All the best,
Glenn B
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Top Kill By Another Method
Now that the the attempt at 'Top Kill' to shut down the leaking gulf oil well has reportedly failed, I have a suggestion. It may seem extreme and granted it is extreme but as they say extreme conditions call for extreme measures. As I recall, oil wells that go out of control and spew oil everywhere are often subjected to explosive charges to close off or cap the hole. Now, I realize that this particular well is something like a mile underwater so I suppose it would be pretty difficult to get a charge placed so as to do likewise with it. However I do have a fairly active imagination and I imagine that it might be possible to deliver an explosive charge to the well head, or to the areas adjacent to it (at the proper angle and all that) with the hope causing it to cave in upon itself and hereby shut it down.
My delivery method would be torpedoes using conventional warheads. Is it worth a try? I would think so if torpedoes can be used at those depth and fired with a decent chance of hitting at where they are aimed. I know little to nothing about torpedoes so someone with more knowledge than me would have to think this one out. Sound crazy, well maybe it is but it sounds better to me than BP, the rest of the oil industry, President Obama, the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Navy, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Coast Guard and anyone else who should be involved just all doing nothing for another three or four weeks while they build this magical bell covering that they say will be the next attempt.
Now maybe for a saner idea. Why not use a deep sea submersible to place explosive charges in such a manner as to try to close the well head? It may have a chance. Of course if that is not possible then I go right back to the original and maybe crazy idea of mine and all I can say is Fire one, fire two and fire three if need be because this has the potential to be the worst man made environmental disaster that we have ever faced.
My delivery method would be torpedoes using conventional warheads. Is it worth a try? I would think so if torpedoes can be used at those depth and fired with a decent chance of hitting at where they are aimed. I know little to nothing about torpedoes so someone with more knowledge than me would have to think this one out. Sound crazy, well maybe it is but it sounds better to me than BP, the rest of the oil industry, President Obama, the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Navy, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Coast Guard and anyone else who should be involved just all doing nothing for another three or four weeks while they build this magical bell covering that they say will be the next attempt.
Now maybe for a saner idea. Why not use a deep sea submersible to place explosive charges in such a manner as to try to close the well head? It may have a chance. Of course if that is not possible then I go right back to the original and maybe crazy idea of mine and all I can say is Fire one, fire two and fire three if need be because this has the potential to be the worst man made environmental disaster that we have ever faced.
Maybe crazy and maybe not but at least it is a suggestion and I sent it into BP via:
http://www.horizonedocs.com/artform.php.
I also sent it to the White House, and to my two senators.
All the best,
Glenn B
Welcome Back To Blogging
Quidni pro quo is back at blogging again, apparently started again in April after having been absent over a year since January 2009.
All I can say is welcome back - hope all is well.
http://qquidni.blogspot.com/
All the best,
Glenn B
All I can say is welcome back - hope all is well.
http://qquidni.blogspot.com/
All the best,
Glenn B
Friday, May 28, 2010
Spiders - I do not mess with them...
...maybe because of something I read once in a book:
"If you wish to live and thrive,
allow the spider to remain alive."
That little ditty just makes sense. You let them live since they eat other bugs like flies and mosquitos that spread disease. While I may move spiders from a location in my home to outside if they look big and nasty enough, I am more likely to move them only if they are interfering with something while web building. For instance, I had one spinning a web on the front of my TV screen in the basement the other night. I was going to move it after my show was over but for some reason it gave up and moved elsewhere on its own. I got rid of what little web it had spun. Other times I have removed them from in the tub/shower because they wind up falling on me or someone else in the family when we take our showers. They don't hang on all that well once the water starts flowing and I sure get creeped out if one lands on my head unexpectedly.
Otherwise, for the most part, if I see a spider in the house it stays where it is and so does its web if it is a web builder. Just like when I see em outside, I usually just leave em alone even when inside. Why? Well, because they are beneficial to have around - at least if not something like a Black Widow or a Brown Recluse that could put a hurting one you. That way, the beneficial ones can catch any pesky flies or moths or whatever other type of pesky insect may find its way into the house in the warmer months. We sometimes have spiders all year round in the basement, but they are usually most abundant in the Spring through early Fall when they can be found throughout the whole house. Take for example the one pictured here. He was on the basement wall when I came downstairs to watch TV. I have no idea what type it is and the pic did not come out that good but maybe good enough so I can check my field guide and figure out just what it is. Of course, it could be an exotic species from abroad as spiders often come into the country in shipments of plants and other commodities, they are great hitchhikers. In that case the field guide will do me no good since it only cover North American Spiders. As for the one pictured here, after I took the shots, I just left it alone. Hopefully it is gobbling up a fly or a silverfish or something like that by now and it won't be looking for a bigger meal like me when I am slumbering in front of the television.
All the best,
GB
"If you wish to live and thrive,
allow the spider to remain alive."
That little ditty just makes sense. You let them live since they eat other bugs like flies and mosquitos that spread disease. While I may move spiders from a location in my home to outside if they look big and nasty enough, I am more likely to move them only if they are interfering with something while web building. For instance, I had one spinning a web on the front of my TV screen in the basement the other night. I was going to move it after my show was over but for some reason it gave up and moved elsewhere on its own. I got rid of what little web it had spun. Other times I have removed them from in the tub/shower because they wind up falling on me or someone else in the family when we take our showers. They don't hang on all that well once the water starts flowing and I sure get creeped out if one lands on my head unexpectedly.Otherwise, for the most part, if I see a spider in the house it stays where it is and so does its web if it is a web builder. Just like when I see em outside, I usually just leave em alone even when inside. Why? Well, because they are beneficial to have around - at least if not something like a Black Widow or a Brown Recluse that could put a hurting one you. That way, the beneficial ones can catch any pesky flies or moths or whatever other type of pesky insect may find its way into the house in the warmer months. We sometimes have spiders all year round in the basement, but they are usually most abundant in the Spring through early Fall when they can be found throughout the whole house. Take for example the one pictured here. He was on the basement wall when I came downstairs to watch TV. I have no idea what type it is and the pic did not come out that good but maybe good enough so I can check my field guide and figure out just what it is. Of course, it could be an exotic species from abroad as spiders often come into the country in shipments of plants and other commodities, they are great hitchhikers. In that case the field guide will do me no good since it only cover North American Spiders. As for the one pictured here, after I took the shots, I just left it alone. Hopefully it is gobbling up a fly or a silverfish or something like that by now and it won't be looking for a bigger meal like me when I am slumbering in front of the television.
All the best,
GB
A Hero Has Fallen...
...and I mean a real hero, not some guy who hits home runs, not a drunken actress who tries to live her real life in a fantasy world, and not some mealy-mouthed politician who evidently lies about having a record of service in Vietnam (as actually on the ground in the country during war). I mean he was a real hero. I mean a man who did things that were over and above the call of duty, a man who did so much more than most during a situation that his actions not only deserved recognition but demanded them. I mean a man who put all he had on the line despite overwhelming odds while. A man who was awakened while in bed with his wife by the sound of low flying aircraft and machine gun fire. A man who got into his car and drove to the scene of the fight, then got out afoot, grabbed a weapon and ammunition, and ran into the fray of a bloody battle. He was armed with a .50 caliber machine gun - what almost amounted to a pea shooter compared to the amount of planes attacking with machine gun fire, cannon fire, and bombs which were going off around him. Yet, he courageously fought an enemy despite it all and when he was wounded he kept on fighting. Not only was he wounded once but he was wounded several times by gun fire and shrapnel and probably by other flying debris but he kept up the fight. He kept up the fight with pilots firing machine gun and cannon fire at and all around him. The planes strafing the area sometimes got so close he said he could see the faces of some of the pilots as they zoomed by but he kept on firing against all odds from a position completely out in the open. He was shot in the arm and kept returning returning fire keeping up his end of the fight. He was shot in the foot and a bone in his foot was broken as a result but he kept up the fight. He was barefoot and could barley walk, let alone stand, on the coral dust but kept up the fight. He fought on against dive bomber after dive bomber - plane after plane - dropping bombs around him. He received shrapnel wounds all over his body including his head, chest, stomach, right elbow and thumb but he kept on fighting. He was wounded so badly and was so bloodied that all others around him thought he was sure to die but he kept up the fight receiving 18 to 29 wounds (different reports give varying numbers) but he recalls it like this: "I picked up quite a few hits--18 to 21...". He kept up that fight for 2 1/2 hours and it is believed he brought down at least one enemy aircraft in that time although no one knows how many he also may have damaged or how many of the enemy he may have wounded. He only sought medical attention for himself after having been ordered to do so. Then after finally receiving first aid what did he do? He went on to do his regular job, but now under wartime conditions, and he supervised the rearming of returning planes so they could continue the fight despite the horrific pain he must have endured.
This man was a hero not a mealy-mouthed politician, nor a glamor grabbing movie star nor a steroid using sports star and people should wake up, see the facts and learn the difference. He actually exhibited valor (boldness or determination in facing great danger, esp. in battle) and courage (the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery) and devotion (profound dedication) against all odds and so much more so than would have the average man by far. What he did was merely considered to be heroic, it was extraordinary (beyond what is usual, ordinary, regular, or established, exceptional in character, amount, extent, degree, remarkable) heroism above and beyond the call of duty (something that one is expected or required to do by moral or legal obligation). Get that last part right - he did not just do his duty, he elevated himself by way of his actions to the point of extraordinary heroism above and beyond the call of duty. He put up a fight against his enemy, our enemy, the enemy of our great nation and he did so with complete disregard for his own life.
His name was John W. Finn, he was a Chief Petty Officer assigned as Chief Aviation Ordnanceman to the Naval Air Station Kaneohe Bay on the island of Oahu in Hawaii; the date was December 21, 1941. Kanehoe Bay was actually attacked minutes before Pearl Harbor and Finn was in the middle of it because he put himself there. Many others fought bravely that day, so bravely in fact that 15 U.S. servicemen received the Medal of Honor for their actions that day during the sneak attacks by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor and other bases on Hawaii. Finn was just one them. That is him with his wife admiring his medal. He received that medal on September 14, 1942, awarded to him by Admiral Chester Nimitz aboard the USS Enterprise in Pearl Harbor. He was already a 15 year Navy veteran when the action of December 21, 1941 took place (I think 32 years old at the time). After that he stayed with the Navy for many years and retired as a Lieutenant.
So how is that I learned of him and why is it that I mention him today? I learned about him because a friend of mine just sent me an email telling his story. His story will be all over the Internet today - hopefully his story will also make national headlines today on the TV news shows. Hopefully those shows will be in his honor even though it will be posthumously. You see, John William Finn passed away yesterday at the age of 100. He was the last surviving MOH of the 15 in total who received the MOH for their actions during the Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor and other bases on Hawaii on that single day. He was also the oldest living recipient of the MOH and he was the only aviation ordnanceman to have ever received the medal. Upon his death, fellow World War II veteran Barney F. Hajiro became the oldest living Medal of Honor recipient.
The following is the citation associated with his MOH:
"FINN, JOHN WILLIAM
Rank and organization: Lieutenant, U.S. Navy. Place and date: Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, Territory of Hawaii, 7 December 1941. Entered service at: California. Born: 23 July 1909, Los Angeles, Calif. Citation: For extraordinary heroism distinguished service, and devotion above and beyond the call of duty. During the first attack by Japanese airplanes on the Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, on 7 December 1941, Lt. Finn promptly secured and manned a .50-caliber machine gun mounted on an instruction stand in a completely exposed section of the parking ramp, which was under heavy enemy machine gun strafing fire. Although painfully wounded many times, he continued to man this gun and to return the enemy's fire vigorously and with telling effect throughout the enemy strafing and bombing attacks and with complete disregard for his own personal safety. It was only by specific orders that he was persuaded to leave his post to seek medical attention. Following first aid treatment, although obviously suffering much pain and moving with great difficulty, he returned to the squadron area and actively supervised the rearming of returning planes. His extraordinary heroism and conduct in this action were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service."
He was a real hero, no mistaking that, whether he thought so or not. It is well and good that we honor him and others like him and that we do not forget the chances they took nor the sacrifices they made.
All the best
Glenn B
References:
http://www.homeofheroes.com/pearlharbor/pearl_2finn.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_William_Finn
http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/wwII-a-f.html
http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-john-finn-20100528,0,5720051.story
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/28/us/28finn.html?src=me
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hsPAxYxDQu8RBHGksGVhCkAagLmwD9FVGHC03
This man was a hero not a mealy-mouthed politician, nor a glamor grabbing movie star nor a steroid using sports star and people should wake up, see the facts and learn the difference. He actually exhibited valor (boldness or determination in facing great danger, esp. in battle) and courage (the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery) and devotion (profound dedication) against all odds and so much more so than would have the average man by far. What he did was merely considered to be heroic, it was extraordinary (beyond what is usual, ordinary, regular, or established, exceptional in character, amount, extent, degree, remarkable) heroism above and beyond the call of duty (something that one is expected or required to do by moral or legal obligation). Get that last part right - he did not just do his duty, he elevated himself by way of his actions to the point of extraordinary heroism above and beyond the call of duty. He put up a fight against his enemy, our enemy, the enemy of our great nation and he did so with complete disregard for his own life.
His name was John W. Finn, he was a Chief Petty Officer assigned as Chief Aviation Ordnanceman to the Naval Air Station Kaneohe Bay on the island of Oahu in Hawaii; the date was December 21, 1941. Kanehoe Bay was actually attacked minutes before Pearl Harbor and Finn was in the middle of it because he put himself there. Many others fought bravely that day, so bravely in fact that 15 U.S. servicemen received the Medal of Honor for their actions that day during the sneak attacks by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor and other bases on Hawaii. Finn was just one them. That is him with his wife admiring his medal. He received that medal on September 14, 1942, awarded to him by Admiral Chester Nimitz aboard the USS Enterprise in Pearl Harbor. He was already a 15 year Navy veteran when the action of December 21, 1941 took place (I think 32 years old at the time). After that he stayed with the Navy for many years and retired as a Lieutenant.So how is that I learned of him and why is it that I mention him today? I learned about him because a friend of mine just sent me an email telling his story. His story will be all over the Internet today - hopefully his story will also make national headlines today on the TV news shows. Hopefully those shows will be in his honor even though it will be posthumously. You see, John William Finn passed away yesterday at the age of 100. He was the last surviving MOH of the 15 in total who received the MOH for their actions during the Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor and other bases on Hawaii on that single day. He was also the oldest living recipient of the MOH and he was the only aviation ordnanceman to have ever received the medal. Upon his death, fellow World War II veteran Barney F. Hajiro became the oldest living Medal of Honor recipient.
The following is the citation associated with his MOH:
"FINN, JOHN WILLIAM
Rank and organization: Lieutenant, U.S. Navy. Place and date: Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, Territory of Hawaii, 7 December 1941. Entered service at: California. Born: 23 July 1909, Los Angeles, Calif. Citation: For extraordinary heroism distinguished service, and devotion above and beyond the call of duty. During the first attack by Japanese airplanes on the Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, on 7 December 1941, Lt. Finn promptly secured and manned a .50-caliber machine gun mounted on an instruction stand in a completely exposed section of the parking ramp, which was under heavy enemy machine gun strafing fire. Although painfully wounded many times, he continued to man this gun and to return the enemy's fire vigorously and with telling effect throughout the enemy strafing and bombing attacks and with complete disregard for his own personal safety. It was only by specific orders that he was persuaded to leave his post to seek medical attention. Following first aid treatment, although obviously suffering much pain and moving with great difficulty, he returned to the squadron area and actively supervised the rearming of returning planes. His extraordinary heroism and conduct in this action were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service."
He was a real hero, no mistaking that, whether he thought so or not. It is well and good that we honor him and others like him and that we do not forget the chances they took nor the sacrifices they made.
All the best
Glenn B
References:
http://www.homeofheroes.com/pearlharbor/pearl_2finn.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_William_Finn
http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/wwII-a-f.html
http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-john-finn-20100528,0,5720051.story
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/28/us/28finn.html?src=me
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hsPAxYxDQu8RBHGksGVhCkAagLmwD9FVGHC03
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