Dulles Gun Show II

On my shopping list was a Smith and Wesson model 36 "Chief's Special" and I got a nice one, in 38-Special, with its original box. Probably 1960's vintage, so I had to do the 4473 thing.

 

The other gun was the ubiquitous Nagant. They're still under $150, people! And C&R eligible; they'll send it direct to your door by UPS Next Day Air. What's your excuse for not having one?

 

And look at that firing pin!

 

It loads like, well, what it is: a nineteenth century revolver. There is a loading gate on the right side. The ejector rod is swung into position and pushes out the spent casing. You can see the tip of the ejector rod peeking out of the cylinder, above.

 

The ammo is unique. The mouth of the case protrudes beyond the cylinder. When the gun is cocked, the cylinder is moved forward a couple of millimeters to form a gas seal with the barrel.

So to facilitate maximum plinkage, a replacement cylinder is available to convert it to 32-ACP. Here's a video of a guy trying one out. He did not seem too impressed.

With an effective gas seal, this is one revolver that might be suppressed effectively, and it has been done:

I was disappointed that there seemed to be no S&W M&P 9mm compact magazines at the show. Also on my shopping list were a pair of Peltor earmuffs to protect my aging hearing. Maybe later. As for the mags, I'm on the waiting list at Cheaper Than Dirt. Hey, it worked for the Ruger 22/45!

Smith & Wesson Chief's Special

Model 36, wood grips, in box, 1960's.

Pix later.

Sent from my iPhone

Dulles Gun Show

Waiting for the doors to open.

The line is two blocks long.

Sent from my iPhone

QE3 and Social Security

No, not "Queen Elizabeth".

"Quantitative Easing".

It's the Federal Reserve's policy of buying back U.S. Government debt in the trillions of dollars. The Treasury doesn't have trillions in cash sitting around, but that's OK, the Fed just prints it. They print it electronically, of course, but the effect is the same.

Who owns this debt? Well, one of the biggest owners is the Social Security Administration. During the 1980's and 90's the SSA ran a surplus, to prepare for retiring Baby Boomers. This extra cash was used to buy T-bills, the same T-bills that the Fed is now buying back.

Well, doesn't that mean that Washington is printing money to meet Social Security obligations? And doing it in the trillions of dollars?

Just asking.

Warp Drive

Who would have thought that the Virginia Transportation Dept, of all people, would have a sense of humor?

Orbital Sciences is on that road.

"You didn't produce that film!"

Well, Barack?

Well, Fauxcahontas?

Or are we just going to steal from those who produce things of value?

The Fragrance of Hoppes No. 9

I just finished my first disassemble/reassemble with this new Ruger 22/45 Lite. Bought it last weekend at Green Top Sporting Goods in Glen Allen, VA, just north of Richmond. Definitely worth a trip if you ever get within 100 miles of the place. They started selling guns in 1947 at their filling station (building still exists) and they have a framed bill of sale of a gun from 1947. They also have a framed copy of one of their first 4473s, from 1968 (or '69?).

Green Top is moving next month, just across the street to new quarters. This in spite of the fact that Bass Pro Shops opened one of their superstores just a couple of miles north. So congratulations Green Top!

I stopped in last week to get a Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm Compact, and while I was pressing my face against the glass I saw this little beauty. So, since the demise of Virginia's one-handgun-a-month law, multiple purchases are now perfectly legal.

Saturday I was at the local indoor range and put 100 rounds thru both new gats. I have three magazines for the M&P and five for the 22/45. When I have a few more rounds thru 'em I'll number the mags and start issuing demerits.

The Ruger .22 auto-pistols have a nasty reputation for being  difficult to break down and re-assemble.

It's true.

But there are lots of videos on the web to show us how. Ruger has one that is nicely done but rips along at a frantic pace. 

Here's disassembly:

1) check unloaded

2) insert empty mag

3) pull trigger to drop hammer

4) remove mag

5) open latch over mainspring housing

6) pull out mainspring housing

7) slide out bolt

8) remove receiver from frame (tap from plastic mallet)

And reassembly:

1) Insert receiver into frame

2) tap into position

3) insert bolt into receiver

4) insert empty magazine

5) safety off

6) pull trigger and use dowel to push hammer into fully-fired position

7) remove magazine

8) insert mainspring housing into frame and receiver

9) tilt muzzle up (extremely important!)

10) rotate mainspring housing into position - as it closes, slight spring resistance should be felt

11) snap mainspring housing latch closed

12) check for proper functioning

Notice that a third of these steps could be eliminated except for the magazine safety!

Seven-Shot Flintlock Repeater

Neatorama.