A Tribute to the AR15

A tribute to the AR15, the best civilian rifle ever made. IMHO.

Mall Shooting

So last Saturday my family and I went to Park Place Mall (in Tucson) to see a movie. I was quite upset to find brand new "no weapons" signs on all the entrances of the mall. I visit there often and I have never seen them before. My wife visits there several times a week, and this was the first time she had seen them as well. They were brand new.

After I got home, during my hour-long rant about the signs, I kept saying "there will be a shooting." That's what "no weapons" signs do. They invite criminals to actually start shooting because they know no one will be able to stop them. I also kept saying that criminals simply don't care about the signs.

Well wouldn't you know it, the very next day there was a shooting. THE NEXT DAY. Less than 24 hours after I predicted it. And there was no way that could have happened if the criminal had actually cared enough to pay attention to the sign. THEY NEVER DO.

I was right, I was right, I was right, I told you so, I told you so, I told you so, I will never go to that mall again until the signs come down. Neither will I allow my family to go there. Thank God that no one was killed, but next time the victim(s) may not be so lucky. And because of those signs, I simply won't be there to stop the bad guy. Neither will anyone else. The perp will have full reign over the mall, because the good guys who could stop him won't be there, because that's what the owners want.

If I had been the one shot, I'd own that mall by now. I'd bet the owners never thought of that- getting sued because you disarmed someone... They better start, because it wouldn't be the first time that happened.

Memorial Day

This is why America is great, and this is why we will REMAIN great. This is what American CIVILIANS do in our spare time:

Video 1
Video 2
Video 3

And a tribute to our military:

Video 4
Video 5
Video 6
Video 7

Anti-gun Psychology

Here is an interesting article at Packing.org written by JPFO about the psychology of the anti-gun crowd. Very interesting reading.

http://www.packing.org/community/general/listview/19247

Shooting Class III Style

I can't exactly say how or why, but I finally got to try out some full-auto at the Scottsdale Gun Club in Phoenix (VERY nice range!!!). In all honesty, I don't think the ATF is restricting much by banning them (and is part of the reason they shouldn't), but it was a lot of fun. While I reamin a semi-auto advocate, I am glad I finally got to shoot some full-auto.

Firearms Accessories

I [not so] recently got a few new "toys" for my AR-15 and my Beretta.

For the Beretta I got a Crimson Trace grip:















The thing I like most about it is that it doesn't harm the look or size of the gun (the 92FS is already big enough). Notice that there was a requirement to put laser warnings on the side of the gun. Unbelievable - WARNING: Don't look down the barrel or you might get hit by a laser.
Since I took this photo they fell off somewhere, I don't know where they went.

















And I also got a couple new gadgets for the AR-15. First is a EOTech holographic sight. This is basically a red-dot sight, but way cooler. It uses holographic technology instead of optics to produce the dot. This means that no matter where the dot is on the screen it's always on target.

















I also got a laser and weapon light that mounts under the barrel.
































And this is what the finished product looks like:

Firearms Reviews

Well I've had my AR15 and Mini 14 for a while now, so I think it's about time I post what I think about them. While I am at it I might as well post what I think about my 92FS and my P3AT handguns, and the .22 conversion I got for the AR15.

The Mini 14 is a decent gun, but not great. First, it overheats very quickly. As a weapon, it will operate enough to be effective most non-military situations that I can come up with. As a hunting weapon, it's a bit inaccurate to be effective- especially in a bullpup stock. As for recreational shooting, the overheating issue is a show-stopper even though it's a lot of fun until it overheats. Stock, the Mini 14 is too long to use in "close combat" situations such as home defense. With the bullpup modification, it is very usable. There are some downfalls to the bullpup. The overheating can end up melting the gun (I haven't done it, the plastic seems quite robust), but even more of a problem is accuracy. The sight radius is very short, and in order to clean much the gun the firearm assembly must be removed from the bullpup stock where the sights are- so the gun is no longer sighted in. A thorough cleaning cannot be done without the need for sighting-in. Cleaning most of the action and the barrel is still possible though. I have heard that some people have had problems with the bullpup causing jams, but I have not had a single problem. Apparently there is an easy fix for those who have had this problem though. Mini 14 conclusions: overall I would give it a 6 out of 10. In bullpup configuration it's a good short/medium-range weapon, poor for hunting, and so-so for recreational shooting. In stock configuration, it's a good as a medium-range weapon, decent for hunting and decent for recreational shooting.

My AR15 is an M4-style collapsible stock with a 16-inch barrel. Reliable, accurate, TONS of upgrades and accessories, good for just about any use at just about any range .223 is good for. I don't have much more to say about this gun because there is just about nothing more that needs to be said. It works, and it works well. The only thing I would change is the barrel length- I have a 16" and I would like an 11.5" to make it just a bit more usable as a home defense weapon. Unfortunately it's a regulated length, so I can't fault the gun. It's very usable as it is anyway.

My P3AT is GREAT for concealment, but I do kind of think of it as a "it's better than nothing" gun. .380 is a very weak caliber for self-defense, and my P3AT has been very unreliable. Shooting target ammunition from Wal-Mart, I get about one jam per clip. Shooting Gold Dot hollowpoints (the ammo it was designed to shoot, and the ammo I carry for defense) I get about one jam per 50 rounds. Still, it's better than nothing. I am considering sending it in to Kel-Tec to see if they can fix the jamming issue before judging the gun too harshly.

My 92FS has been wonderful. It's fun to shoot, it holds 15+1 rounds, it's the most accurate handgun I have fired, and I have not had a single jam after shooting multiple thousands of rounds (with the exception of a couple of jams from cheap clips- they were the clips' fault, not the gun). It shoots fast too- I have been asked if it's a full auto just because of how fast I can pull the trigger. With a bit of practice, it's even possible to keep it fairly on target while shooting that fast too. Because it's a larger, heavier gun shooting a smaller bullet, the recoil is very reasonable. Downsides- 9mm is good for self-defense, but .40 or .45 would be better. Beretta makes the 96FS- same gun in a .40 caliber which I am considering upgrading to. It's also large and difficult and uncomfortable to conceal. Even so, it is surprisingly possible to conceal it very effectively.

I recently purchased a Ciener conversion for my AR15 that converts the caliber to .22LR. Ciener also makes such a conversion for the Mini 14. Having shot 1650 rounds with it, it has already paid for itself. This is a very well made part, and worth the cost. I have had a few light-strikes, and I think they are from failures to load. The recoil spring is somewhat weak, although this is probably necessary because most of the recoil from the .22 round will most likely be taken up just cocking the hammer. Just a guess... Other than that it's been a blast, and It doesn't happen that often anyway. In fact it might have just needed some breaking-in because it seems to be happening less and less as I shoot it.

Kind of a Fun Thing

I found a fun thing:

http://www.37mm.com

Apparently flare launchers do not need to be registered unless they are going to be used as weapons (which would include firing ammunition designed to hurt or kill someone, even if you are not USING it to do such a thing). In that case there is a process to go through which (basically) needs approval of local Law Enforcement, and a $200 tax.

I have not decided to get one of these as I am afraid it would become another expensive hobby, and the red tape isn't appealing.

One thing that ticked me off though... If I have a flare launcher loaded with pepper spray (which is readily available for flare launchers), and confronted someone breaking into my home- even if I am within the law to put a .223 round through the guy I would commit a felony and go to prison if I used pepper spray from my launcher instead of killing him. Go figure.

Assault Weapons

I have been getting a lot of questions regarding the legality of my new "assault weapon," or as one of my friends called it, my new "machine gun" (it's a semiautomatic M4-style AR15, therefore NOT a machine gun). Many people don't seem to know that the AWB (Clinton's Assault Weapon Ban) has sunsetted, i.e. is NO LONGER LAW. On the other hand I was talking to a Cochise County sheriff who was trying to convince me that the AWB stood for "Automatic Weapons Ban," and that full-auto Uzi's were now legal without a permit. Don't I wish, but I did my best to set him straight. It is somewhat disturbing that both the voters and the law enforcers don't know what is going on. If you are simply a voter, YOU indirectly make the laws. If you are LE, you owe it to the people you are serving to know what the law is.

I found a couple quite unbiased articles on the AWB, both sides of the argument seem to be well-portrayed:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_control_in_the_United_States_(by_state)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_assault_weapons_ban

On Crimes and Punishment

"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes. Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man."

— Thomas Jefferson, quoting Cesare Beccaria in On Crimes and punishment (1764).

Calan's M4

Well, PayPal just lost $1000 for the next few months:

Bushmaster M4A3 5.56/.223. So I guess you could say that because of PayPal's policy, there is yet another "assault rifle" in the hands of a civilian plaguing the streets of Tucson. AND it was purchased at a police supply store.

http://www.bushmaster.com/shopping/weapons/bcwa3f14m4iz.asp

PayPal and Firearms

My note to PayPal (1000 characters maximum, I used 1000):

My account has not been very active for a while, but I planned on starting to use it once again. While reading over the user agreement I saw that PayPal basically prohibits using an account for anything firearms related. This is insulting to me and very irresponsible on the part of PayPal.

It does not matter if I close my account or not- I simply CAN'T use it for much of what I would be using it for. I will still purchase firearms and ammunition, PayPal just won't have the money in the meantime.

Up until now I have thought very highly of PayPal. However, the fact that PayPal does not care about my civil rights is beyond disturbing. I will avoid using PayPal whenever I have an alternative. I cannot support a company that takes it upon themselves to restrict my civil rights. Nor can I support a company that decides what's best for me. I am an adult, I can do that on my own.

I will post any reply (or note the lack of a reply) publicly on the Internet. Reply accordingly.

PayPal replied very promptly. I can't tell, but it looks like an automated reply (why have they automated a reply on this topic I wonder?). I was very disappointed in what was said:

Dear [Calan],

Thank you for contacting PayPal.I understand that you are frustrated as to why we at PayPal do not allowthe sale of firearms and any related items.

Christopher, I apologize for the inconvenience, much as we would like toaccommodate your desire to do sales of firearms and related items, incompliance with our policies and Federal laws covering homeland security,you may not use PayPal to sell any firearm manufactured after 1898. Certainrelated items and high-capacity ammunition magazines are also prohibited.

To view more details regarding the Acceptable Use Policy regardingFirearms,Ammunition, Replicas and Militaria please click this link: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/gen/ua/use/index_frame-outside&ed=firearms

I am grateful that your comments were forwarded to me. Once again, Iapologize for the inconvenience. If you have any further questions, pleasefeel free to contact us again.

Sincerely,
Michael
PayPal Community Support
PayPal, an eBay Company

My reply back to PayPal:

I am not looking to sell firearms, I am looking to use my debit card to purchase a firearm in the near future. I understand that I can withdraw the money from my account and make the purchase using my bank's card, that is not my point. I am upset that PayPal even restricts such purchases. Buying a firearm is not illegal. And even if I were selling a firearm, that is not illegal either.

I am afraid that I simply cannot believe that using my PayPal debit card to purchase a firearm at a police supply store is against federal law concerning homeland security. I also simply cannot believe that it is against federal law for PayPal to allow payment for a private firearms sales. I am more inclined to believe that PayPal is simply claiming that this is the case to shift blame for a policy that cannot be justified. If I am wrong, please let me know where I can find a law that disallows PayPal to permit the use of their service in legal firearms transactions.

Currently awaiting a reply. By the way- in reality, I would not put it past our government to make such a restriction, especially in the name of "National Security." If their reply is in fact correct, I have a lot more to worry about than PayPal's policy.

Gunz in Colorado

Over the Thanksgiving vacation I had the oppertunity to go shooting at my uncle's ranch. My brother-in-law is from Canada- he just got a black powder musket, but he doesn't get the chance to shoot handguns and assault weapons very often. This was also my sister's first time shooting. We had a blast shooting boxes, water jugs and cow pies.

This is my dad teaching my sister to shoot my Beretta.

She liked the .22 better, but she did pretty good!

Trying out the new bullpup stock for my Mini-14.

Trying out my dad's 12-gauge "musket".

More .223 fun!

This is my brother-in-law trying out the Beretta. He said that the Beretta was the one he liked the best out of everything we shot that day.

Kel-Tec P3AT Photo

This is my Kel-Tec.

Kel-Tec P3AT

I recently got a Kel-Tec P3AT. So far I have mixed feelings.

Pros:

-The size is great. It's amazing how easy this thing is to conceal. With a pocket holster it fits very nicely in my back pocket, and is in no way uncomfortable. My wallet prints more than this thing does.

-There are other guns that small, but nothing as powerful as a .380. At next best is a .32 that is a similar size.

-7 rounds in a gun that small!

Cons:
-I have had 4 malfunctions in my first 100 rounds. 3 failures to eject and 1 failure to load. I am going to have to give the gun the benefit of the doubt though. The failure to load was because the magazine ejected. The magazine catch needed some breaking-in, and as a result was not seated properly. I believe that it is better now. The 3 failures to eject were a real concern though. I believe that the problem here might be a "limp-wristing" type problem. The firearm is so small that it is difficult to hold onto it in order to keep it from rotating upward. I will have to go through another 100 rounds focusing hard on hanging on and see if the issue improves.

-It's only a .380. I might end up just pissing off someone who was ready to kill me to begin with.

Conclusion:

This is a sweet little backup/deep-concealment gun. It is a bad choice as a primary carry weapon. I carry it only when I really can't afford to be seen with a gun (places like the mall- not posted, but if they ever ask me not to carry there then I have to obey and I would prefer not to press the issue). All other times I carry my Beretta and the Kel-Tec.

I have a photo, I'll post it later.

Mini 14 Bullpup

This is my new bullpup stock for my Mini 14. I hear it can jam easily, and I think it makes the gun look like a toy. Not to mention the 30 round clip in the photo is made of cheap tinfoil. I don't know how much I like it yet as I have not fired it. The upside is that it is much smaller than it was with the original stock, and much easier to handle.

Right to Self-Defense

A recent Supreme Court ruling (Castle Rock vs. Gonzales) says that the police are not required to protect individuals from individuals. I agree wholeheartedly with this ruling, such a requirement is impossible and would require intrusion the likes of which the world has never seen to even come close to meeting such a requirement. It is also one of the many reasons I believe that individuals should own guns.

Fox had a very interesting article: "The Right to Self-Defense." I recommend a "thank you" letter to the author from everyone!

One thing that she did say that I feel that perhaps she should have is the fact that it is a basic human dignity to allow people to defend themselves from criminals instead of requiring they call 911 and hope there happens to be a cop who can respond within 15 seconds (unlikely), IF you even have that much time.

Link for Patches

Here is a link intended for "Patches" in the discussion below:

http://www.ohioccw.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=3234

Firearms Discussion

I have been having a very good discussion with another blogger in the Political section of my blog. The discussion turned to firearms, and I thought that it would be better to have it in this section instead. I have edited out all non-firearms-related content.

Please click on "Comments" to see the discussion.

Firearms in Restaurants

[2/14/2005]

Judiciary Senate Standing Committee:

[My wife and I] would like to inform you of our support for SB 1363, and to ask you for the same. Allowing the carry of firearms by law-abiding citizens into restaurants makes it safer for everyone. Law-abiding citizens who are carrying a firearm will no longer have to handle their firearm to unload it and remove it from their person before entering the establishment. They will no longer have to handle it to reload it and place it back on their person after leaving the establishment. They will be able to remain in control of the firearm instead of leaving it unattended in their vehicles where it can be stolen and therefore put into the hands of a criminal. Also, establishments that serve alcohol are far from immune to violent crime, and law-abiding citizens should have a right to self-defense while dining.

We also support the restriction of the sale of alcohol to persons carrying a firearm, just as we support legal blood alcohol limits on drivers.

We would like to ask your support of SB 1363.

[Signature and address]