Fixed it!

The repair in and of itself was not difficult. Getting to it was. The safe uses an automotive trunk unlatching solenoid for activation. After you figure out how to get into the thing, all gets better. 

Solder the wire back onto the power switch. OK! I have come this far (protip for tech people it's already broke, you might as well go for it). 

Find some tools and get at it. 

 And Ta-Dah! Safe works well!        

Thanks Technology!

Hey. I'm a geek and yet I still get frustrated with less than thought out tech. Check this out.

This is a ETL Secure Logic wall safe. I installed it oh, about 6 years ago. It is basically a steel box attached to interior wall studs. I would not put the family jewels in here as the easiest way to defeat this thing is a battery powered circular saw to remove it from the wall studs. It IS a steel box that would drive your average crack head crazy though and is fantastically convenient.

It is powered by one of these. 

A battery (duh). So what do we keep it in it? Routine stuff. It's rather pedestrian too. 

Sadly though, while attempting to replace the battery one of the leads came off the motherboard. It was not soldered, wire tied, or any other known form of stress relief for a wire known to man or child. Simply pressed on a pin on the board. So now I have to remove this thing from the wall and see if I can can repair it. 

In the meantime, the company seems to have gone the way of many others. No customer service, no phone number, no Website. 

Sigh.... I guess that when it comes to the stuff that matters I stick to such (low) tech:

 

 




 

Its Special!

A .44 Special!

It is a Model 396. I got it from the storied Blogger and Author Peter Grant. It is spiffy, but I'm waiting on ammo for it. My .44 Special rounds are too heavy for it (yeah I have .44 Special ammo, what?). 

I needed this thing like another hole in my head, but it was for a good cause. 

AAR to follow as soon as I get ammo for it. 

Thanks Peter! 

I Meet Great People....

Sometimes though for the wrong reasons. I taught a Concealed Carry Handgun class today. There was a woman and her son in class. She was alert, engaging, and possessed a wicked humor that I found refreshing.

On a break she calmly approached me in the "faculty smoking lounge" and whipped out a crime report. Her and her son's home was invaded while she was alone. Two males (I will not call them Men) entered. She ran and fought with one until the other pistol whipped her on the head. She removed the ball cap and showed me the result. That happened about three weeks ago. Then the beating really began. They ruptured internal stitches from a recent hysterectomy by beating her in the stomach. They tied her up and then proceed to rape her. 

Her son finds her the next day STILL TIED UP. 

I hear these stories occasionally. They rip my heart out. 

I hope there is a special level of Hell for such vermin that committed this act. They are still on the loose.

    

Video From the Fundraser!

Is here! (Vimeo)

A New Book!

I have brushed against a soon to be famous Author! My friend Old NFO has published his first book. I am honored to say that I read the drafts some time ago and its a great read!

The man knows of which he writes. He is a shooter!

He is on the left above. The dude on the right? Well I don't know about him =) 


 

 

If This Is Tech Support.....

The best I can do after a week of fummotzing around looking for any tech support for Cincinnati Dynacomp Cincinnati Electrosystems, TotalControl, GEFanuc operator workstations ended here. Plus side? Well, I get to set the wayback machine and boot a computer to DOS and whip out the RS-232 stuff. Minus? I HATE serial com. 

.22 Rugers (I think)

So my friend drops by to show me his latest acquisitions. I think they started life as Ruger MkIII's. I really can't be sure!

 

Friday Man Movie

With all apologies to my great friend Murphy's Law with his fantastic Saturday Man Movies posts, I present this.

I have not seen it in some time. Here is the trailer:

 


If you need an update on it, here is a retelling. 

Dear Colt.....

Well Colt seems to have stumbled into the Interwebz. I got this email tonight:

Dear Valued Customer,

Colt's Manufacturing Company is currently conducting a market research study to learn how we can better serve you. We value your opinion and would appreciate your help filling out our first ever customer survey.
We assure you that the information you provide will be used for market research purposes only. Your responses are completely anonymous. Simply click on the link below:

 

 

 

Hey, I love my Colts. The oldest one is a model 1902 .38 Automatic. A direct link to the M1911.  The newest is a M45. Sadly, I fear it will be as always too little, too late for the blue dome. They said they were giving up on the consumer market and split the company in half. They have since reformed into one entity.  If I wanted to overpay and get crap customer service I might as well buy H&K *ducks*.

As a young friend of mine that is knowledgeable and proficient with handguns says: "What happens to Colt when you old guys die off? In the world of Ruger, Glock, S&W, etc, what does Colt bring to the game NOW?" He is asking a great question. 

 

Here is your chance. I will take the survey and pile your comments in as well. I will also be attending the Colt Collectors Annual Convention this fall in Charlotte.

Oh but they are beautiful working pieces of art. I DO have a soft spot for them. 

The Pins Are Ready!

And so are the prizes. Are you? I am always stunned at the "gunnie" community. It is truly an amazing thing to watch people come together to help another. I am truly honored to be associated with this group. We are doing this for Dawn. The Web Site is here for the event. The pins are pink for tomorrow.

The prizes look just as good!

Come if you can!  Me? No I don't think I will have time to shoot. I'm giving a Basic Pistol class to people that will donate but not compete. That's OK too. Mr. and Mrs. Curmudgeon will be in attendance and that is always a good thing. They might even shoot the pins. 

The closest thing to A "BBQ pistol" I have is this. 

 I'll be taking it.