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Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Going Back Here!

For the first time in over 30 years. Family home with Family. 

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Hey Look! Another Pony Snake!

So my temptress on things that go "Bang" wanted to know if I was interested in a Colt Cobra. Well yeah! 

Here it is. Many thanks to My friends at Indy Arms Co.

 

Friday, December 11, 2015

Cowl!

This is the most awesome 50 year old inner cowl I have ever seen on a Mustang! 
 

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

The Game Commences.

For the usual fee plus expenses. The 1964.5 Mustang has started. Upper cowl removed and the lower seems to be in much better shape than I thought it would be.  That is great in and of itself. The cowls are the most problematic things on these cars.

No "Oh S&#t" moments yet. Car is in remarkably good shape. Hell. It looks better than I do right now! 

 

Saturday, November 21, 2015

Ouch!

Want to feel bad? Find this in your bookcase and read.

Monday, November 16, 2015

Winchester Model 94's

In a previous post I misidentified a Winchester Model 94 as a Model 9422. I felt bad. So I immersed myself in these lever guns and Mr. Curmudgeon presented me with one for "Cleaning" this past weekend. 

Great rifles even if post '64's.

 

Monday, November 2, 2015

AAR Report- The .32 S&W M&P

Oh, and now one of these is up for sale! 

The .32 Smith and Wesson Long Military & Police is a double action revolver on the square butt K frame with five screws. This one is one of 4,813 manufactured c. 1948-1950.

I took it to the range today after a light cleaning. Both double action and single action shots at 7 & 10 yards.


 
A great revolver even if it does rotate the wrong way =) .

I wish it could talk!


Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Nice Trigger!

Everyone that shot my M1 Garand said that at the Blogshoot last weekend. While I can say "I did that myself" that is technically true but the Instructors at the CMP watched everything and tested everything we did during that 3 day class. They had the tools and knowledge to insure you left with a great M1. 

Here is a link to the first post on that class. You want a Garand? Better hurry. 

 

Monday, October 26, 2015

Overheard at Blogshoot...

"I have the biggest balls here." I cannot argue with that. They are made of lead to boot. Here is my friend Nancy showing everyone how to kick it old school.



After years of watching her load and fire this thing I have noted it is the same thing every time. Same stance, same hold, same loading procedure. Lessons for modern things as well.

 

Sunday, October 25, 2015

It was worth the effort!

I have to say that Murph's Blog shoot was a resounding success! 

Good to see friends and, well, shoot stuff! Thanks Murph.

Oh Murph. The Car did fine. I know you were worried about it =) 

 

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Blogshoot!

My friend is at it again! The annual Blogshoot hosted by none other than Murphy's Law! Can't wait to see some good friends, eat, and shoot stuff! 

I always bring more stuff than I actually shoot however. I'm going to try to keep it simple this year. I don't get to do the long gun thing much around here so maybe a M-1 Garand and Winchester model 94 would be in order. 

Hope to see you there! Maybe I'll run into these two while I'm there.....

Monday, October 19, 2015

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Don't Judge

If you are driving around and see another car that is out there and looks like crap? Don't judge. Award winning Mustangs are here now but not so much back in the day. The 1971? Mechanical restoration completed in 1982. Cosmetic restoration not until 1989. The 1966? Bit shorter, but still five years. Both took thousands of dollars too and a lot of effort. I lost my best helper along the way to boot. 

This 1964.5 Mustang to most would look like crap. I know better. It is running again. Soon.




Friday, October 9, 2015

Stuff You Don't Know

Huh. I just talked to Mr. Curmudgeon about the Winchester Model 94 Classic in 30-30 here. He reports he acquired it *cough* 30+ years ago and has never shot it.

We will rectify that tomorrow!  And yes it is a shunned after 1964 Model but guess what. It is here. We will go shoot it. Shooting long guns in a 25 yard indoor range is sorta like kissing your cousin. You don't want anyone to know you did it, but at least we can see if the thing functions and if it does, well. I'll stretch it out at Murph's Blogshoot

Oh, I will not be shooting these though! They came with the rifle. 

 

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

50 Years.

So I'm running around and trying to find stuff for the 1964.5 Mustang. They were all titled as 1965's. I ran across this. This little book was everything FoMoCo (shorthand for Ford Motor Company) thought you needed to know about your new 1965 Mustang. 
Everything. 

Granted that cars today are a bit more complex and have many more options than an AM radio. Still though. Here is the packet for a 2015. 



































I jokingly say I have not read it. That is not true. After I picked the car up the SD card for navigation was missing and no owners manual. Called the dealership and they handed me this. After that I found all the stuff already in the trunk. Perhaps that is why FoMoCo put the graphic on the top of this packet to tell the dealership where to put the thing =) 

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Huh. Go figure

For a person that says they are not a long gun person there seems to be a lot of these around here!



Sunday, September 20, 2015

Whoops! My bad!

In my last post I incorrectly identified a Winchester Classic model 94 as a Model 9422. 

The Model 94 is chambered in 30-30. 

HERE is is Model 9422. Props to my Father for calling me out on the error. 

Hey it could happen ya know =) The people responsible for this error have been sacked.

 

Friday, September 18, 2015

A Rifle!

A Winchester Model 9422. In .22 WMR. This thing has been around for over 40 years. I remember shooting this rifle in my early teens. Glad it is still here. 



 

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

One of These is Easy to Get. One is Not.

So you can blow in to a Ford Dealership and have one of these proudly displayed on the passenger side dash with a decent credit score. 



Easy. "Since 1964". 

Much harder it is to actually have a Mustang from 1964. A true piece of history. 



This one has been through a lot in the 32 years my Family has had it. When Lawyers get involved it gets ugly. Finally after all of that 25 years later it is running and soon to be ready for a closeup. 

Make no mistake, this needs to be done right. I am not an MCA fan boy, but seeing people push cars out of trailers makes me sad. If you have the car, drive it! OTOH, this car is very special and all due actions need to be taken during the cosmetic restoration. 

Soon. Very soon. 





And that is part of the fact I have not been Blogging. I apologize.
 




 

Monday, August 24, 2015

Baby is Getting a New Pair of Shoes!

Hard to believe that the restoration of this one owner ride was over 25 years ago. Part of my problem is that it looks really new, but is not. In fact the car has spent more time in this condition than factory. 

The tires are old. Rear main oil seal is toast and the '94 has this annoying habit now of converting you from "riding" to "walking". 

No matter, one thing at a time. I could not find Goodyears anymore in the correct size. 


My fault actually. Got scared to drive it on these tires. New shoes are on the way! The history of this car deserves at least that. 



 

 

Friday, August 14, 2015

Thursday, August 6, 2015

Something Different!

I have been building electronic kits since the Radio Shack P-Boxes were out. Soldering I have done for a long time. I have not done so in a while and wanted to warm up again on a simple kit tonight. 


 So I get started after setting up. 



I can't see the color codes on these resistors! Sigh. I have been prescribed bi-focals for years and always declined and get the driving glasses. I cheated and ohmed the resistors out. 

























Here is the finished product. Here is the work on the back side where it matters. 







 

















Sigh! I soldered then got a cheap pair of reading glasses to check my work. 

So, what does this thing actually do? 

Recharge USB devices and is smart enough to be recognized as a supported iThingy charger. 


























Next up? To put it in the Altoids gum tin! 

You want one? Go to adafruit's Website. She is a smart lady that has many really cool kits to be had! 


If you don't do this but want one, you buy the stuff and I'll build it for ya!


 

Monday, August 3, 2015

Old School, New School!

Here we see a Walther PPK, Browning and new Colt XSP, all in .380 ACP. They got a workout last weekend. Oh, and here is a M&P 9 with a Lightguard. I know that guy running it =) 





 

Monday, July 27, 2015

I'm Still Here!

Just busy lately. So I got a line on a Python and went to it. Like a moth to a flame. I blame this guy.

The thing is I cannot take pictures of shiny stuff it seems. I can make a small aperture, crank up the ISO setting, putz with the lights, but for now this is the best I can do for these. 

The 4" Python has a friend now! Oh, and a new little sister! 








  
























Colt Mustang XSP. I'm impressed. The Bodyguard and P3AT have been retired! They should have come out with thing 10 years ago! 

Monday, July 20, 2015

Watch This Space!

Sorry gang. I have been busy and remiss here!

So a company went bankrupt? Lets buy a gun from them! 

Lets try one of these. Should be here by the end of the week. I am sure it will beat the horrible trigger on the S&W Bodyguard. 











We shall see! 

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Another Excuse to Spend Money!

Although I call the 1994 Mustang my beater, it deserves some respect. I bought it new and it has always met my definition of a fun car. Fun cars to me are any car you do not have to walk home from. I don't count the punk that ran the stop sign that I t-boned as it was not the cars fault =)

Although mechanically sound, some of the usual wear and tear items are showing some age. This makes me feel even older. I already get the NPD 1st gen catalogs and now this:
















Sigh.... Ok Francis, maybe some new bling for you after we get done with the 1964.5!

Its been a good ride so far old girl! Thanks for always being there for me.




 

 

Monday, July 6, 2015

That Was FUN!

So I actually had some quality time with some 1911's. Two Commanders pushing 30 years old and a new M45.  The 1911 has detractors, but IMHO, they are hard to beat.

As a bonus they are fun to shoot as well! Even more so with good friends. 
 

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Colt Matters

I find interest in the companies and others circling the technically dead Company known as Colt. 

Yes, overpriced, yes, no real innovations in years, etc. I get that. The "Rampant Pony" only gets you so far even if you know what that is now. 

I tell my students in CCH class to not carry a Handgun you care about. 

I am going to break my own rule this weekend and carry a  close to 30 year old Colt I bought new with an El Paso holster. 

Why? Because I can first, second because after actually taking this to the USTC for a three day class surrounded by the wonder nines, it needs to take a trip. 

 


Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Yea!

Look at what arrived at stately manor today! Anybody know where I can get them autographed? 

 

Sunday, June 7, 2015

Monday, June 1, 2015

Hmm...

So the Colt is shaping up. Magpul furniture and a question for ya. Weapon lights? Yes or no. I have a Crimson Trace foregrip with all the stuff but sorta torn on that. Any suggestions? Or leave it slick?

 

Sunday, May 24, 2015

That Was Fun!

I don't entertain much here at stately manor. Not because I don't enjoy it, it is just a rare occurrence.

Yesterday Old NFO took time to stop by on his way home. Have not seen him since the last time at Murphy's Law Blogshoot. We ate and went to my home range to shoot some Colt "ponies." The first generation was well represented with Series 80 models in three flavors and someone (guess who) had a current generation Pocketlyte.

He said he sucked. Don't buy that! I would not want him shooting at me. We pushed these pocket pistols out to 15 yards. I provided comic relief with my shooting and a good time was had. 

Then a steak, seafood for dinner (complete with cultured sour cream), some quality front porch time solving all the worlds problems and then too quickly it was over. 

Come by anytime Sir! Others are welcome as well but this place does not sit well with OCD types =). 

 

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

I'm Still Here!

Contrary to popular belief I'm still here! One of these showed up over the weekend =) 

=) Oh, any residential builders out there? Need some advice. I need a garage! 

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

9 Investigates: Tips reveal that concealed-carry instructors...

Come to my class, you get the full deal. There are General Statutes that say by law what I must do as an instructor. I take it seriously.



9 Investigates: Tips reveal that concealed-carry instructors...

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Sorry Travis!

Gratuitous Gun pic! 



I continue to get emails from this dude. 


Hello!

I came across your blog and I would love to feature one of my clients in a post on your site.  The client sells firearms and tactical gear and they would be perfect for your readers.  Our goal is to increase their brand awareness and exposure.  We are looking for a post about home defense weapons, best firearm/gear for the price, etc. etc.  Anything along the lines of gun safety, best tactical gear/firearms/ammo.  All content and ideas are welcome.

Please let me know if you are interested in hearing more.
I am available anytime to discuss this.  Please let me know the best day/time and way to contact you to talk further.  I look forward to hearing from you!
Best,
Travis Gooden | Digital Outreach Manager | Act Bold
Office: (310) 439-8798
Mobile: (310) 503-1784


First, I don't have much of a market for ya.
Second, I don't do requests!
Third, your Web site blows.
Fourth, Stop it! 
SMH. 

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Look What Showed Up Here!

A book by my friend over at e.IAf.t. I have not read it yet, but if his Blog and his classes are any indication, this should be a great book!

Wow, why am I hanging out with writers? More importantly why are they hanging out with me =) I am not one but proud to count many among friends here and IRL. I'm more of the Joe Friday of the written word. I have 4 Bloggers books here! 


Wednesday, April 29, 2015

So....

I'm checking in with my Blog friends. Sorry I have been away, I have a hard deadline at work in a month in addition to KJR (keeping the joint running).

However, when one lives in the Fortress of Solitude, diversions are one of the few pleasures. I traded my '13 Mustang (Alice) and got this Monday.

Complete with disco dash! I know my friend Murph will say it is all a waste as I only drive like a little old lady on the way to church, but hey. 




























So what to name the new pony say you? Decorum prohibits me telling how the others got named and that protocol is no longer valid. I'm thinking Suzi. 



Saturday, April 18, 2015

I'm still sorta here.

Sorry for the lack of content. It has been busy here. And for tomorrow a Concealed Carry Handgun class. It is an all day thing. I will be back soon. Ready to go for tomorrow. 



Saturday, April 11, 2015

Old Friends

Both living and mechanical. I saw both today. It was good to do so.