A few days ago a friend asked me if I was interested in going out to the desert and going shooting. This entails driving thirty miles outside of Phoenix and heading pretty far off the main road. We are all set for a group of about 10 of us to go out this coming Saturday. Two of my friends do not own guns and would be firing mine. I advised them to buy ammo in specific calibers. They went to a couple of stores. I get a call back stating they didn't want to go because ammo was so expensive. This irked me since they would have had no issue going if they were shooting my ammo.
My brother and other two friends want to go, but are only bringing a box of pistol ammo each. That should take them about 20 minutes, tops, to shoot off. I have no idea what they are planning for the other 90 minutes we will probably be out there for.
As for the other invitees, who knows what they are planning. Invite 10 and you are lucky to get 4 or 5 people who want to go.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Comparison
I just received the most recent Gun Tests Magazine (February edition). There was a comparison between three 330 Acp autoloaders. The contestants were the Bersas Firestorm $307 bucks), the Walther PPK ($556 bucks) and the oddball of the group, the Hi Point Model CF380 ($135 bucks).
To me, this comparison was a little outrageous. How can you compare a 135 dollar pistol to one four times its price, like the PPK at $556? This is like comparing a Chevy Caliber to a Chevy Corvette. While both vehicles will get you where you want to go, one is much classier and offers more bells and whistles.
With all that said, the inexpensive Hi Point didn't do all that badly, in comparison. It was 100% reliable and accuracy was just slightly over that of the other two weapons.
To me, this comparison was a little outrageous. How can you compare a 135 dollar pistol to one four times its price, like the PPK at $556? This is like comparing a Chevy Caliber to a Chevy Corvette. While both vehicles will get you where you want to go, one is much classier and offers more bells and whistles.
With all that said, the inexpensive Hi Point didn't do all that badly, in comparison. It was 100% reliable and accuracy was just slightly over that of the other two weapons.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Partial list of U.S. Military sidearms
I was skimming the Internet out of boredom and found a few links with lists of U.S. Military weapons of all shapes and forms. As usual, Wikipedia has the easiest to view and best laid out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_individual_weapons_of_the_U.S._Armed_Forces
In active service (all branches)
M9 (Beretta 92F/FS; Pistol ('Personal Defense Weapon'), 9x19mm Parabellum)
M11 (SIG Sauer P228; Pistol, 9x19mm NATO)
In active service (some branches, secondary or limited roles)
Kimber ICQB (M1911A1 variant developed for MCSOCOM Det-1)
MEU(SOC) Pistol (.45ACP) (M1911A1 modified by USMC armorers for MEU(SOC). Replacement will be made by Kimber.)
Sig P229R DAK (.40 S&W) (USCG)
Mk 23 Mod 0 (Heckler & Koch Mark 23; Pistol, .45 ACP) (special forces)
Heckler & Koch USP Tactical (special forces; often preferred over the Mark 23 pistol)
Glock 19 (Official Sidearm to Air Force Pilots)
Mk 24 Mod 0 (SIG/Sauer P226; Pistol, 9x19mm Parabellum) (Navy SEALs and other special forces)
M9A1 (Beretta 92FS w/ accessory rail; Pistol, 9x19mm Parabellum) (Limited purchase by USMC)
M1911A1 (Colt Model 1911A1; Pistol, .45 ACP) (some special forces groups and USMC Force Recon)
High Standard HDM (Suppressed Pistol, .22 LR) (Navy SEALs and USMC Force Recon)
Heckler & Koch P9S (HK; Suppressed Pistol, 9x19mm Parabellum) (only used by Navy SEALs)
Heckler & Koch P11 ZUB (Underwater weapon) (Navy SEALs)
Some of these surprised me. I was not aware that the Glock 19 was standard pilot issue. I was also surprised by the variety of Sig's in service. Seems like Sig may have lost the big contract back in 1984, but they are making up for it. I was also a bit amused by the numbers of 1911's and other 45 auto's found in this list and who uses them. If all these Spec Ops guys are being issues 45 acp's over 9mm, this should be a serious sign to the people in charge that the 9mm just wasn't/isn't the way to go.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_individual_weapons_of_the_U.S._Armed_Forces
In active service (all branches)
M9 (Beretta 92F/FS; Pistol ('Personal Defense Weapon'), 9x19mm Parabellum)
M11 (SIG Sauer P228; Pistol, 9x19mm NATO)
In active service (some branches, secondary or limited roles)
Kimber ICQB (M1911A1 variant developed for MCSOCOM Det-1)
MEU(SOC) Pistol (.45ACP) (M1911A1 modified by USMC armorers for MEU(SOC). Replacement will be made by Kimber.)
Sig P229R DAK (.40 S&W) (USCG)
Mk 23 Mod 0 (Heckler & Koch Mark 23; Pistol, .45 ACP) (special forces)
Heckler & Koch USP Tactical (special forces; often preferred over the Mark 23 pistol)
Glock 19 (Official Sidearm to Air Force Pilots)
Mk 24 Mod 0 (SIG/Sauer P226; Pistol, 9x19mm Parabellum) (Navy SEALs and other special forces)
M9A1 (Beretta 92FS w/ accessory rail; Pistol, 9x19mm Parabellum) (Limited purchase by USMC)
M1911A1 (Colt Model 1911A1; Pistol, .45 ACP) (some special forces groups and USMC Force Recon)
High Standard HDM (Suppressed Pistol, .22 LR) (Navy SEALs and USMC Force Recon)
Heckler & Koch P9S (HK; Suppressed Pistol, 9x19mm Parabellum) (only used by Navy SEALs)
Heckler & Koch P11 ZUB (Underwater weapon) (Navy SEALs)
Some of these surprised me. I was not aware that the Glock 19 was standard pilot issue. I was also surprised by the variety of Sig's in service. Seems like Sig may have lost the big contract back in 1984, but they are making up for it. I was also a bit amused by the numbers of 1911's and other 45 auto's found in this list and who uses them. If all these Spec Ops guys are being issues 45 acp's over 9mm, this should be a serious sign to the people in charge that the 9mm just wasn't/isn't the way to go.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Bottle necked pistol cartridges
For a number of years bottle necked pistol cartridges were frowned upon by just about everyone. I have no idea why. It makes sense to use them since most rifle cartridges are bottle necked to improve ballistics of the bullet over that of a straight walled case. It should then follow the same logic for auto-pistol cartridges.
Among the first automatic pistol cartridges were bottlenecks. The smaller bullet over the case size is a well known factor for improving feeding, as well as the aforementioned power increase. The 7.65x25 Borchardt was created for the Borchardt Pistol in 1893. This cartridge was the basis for the 30 Mauser (7.63 x 25mm) used in the C96 "Broomhandle" Mauser introduced just two years later. This cartridge is the basis of the almost identical 7.62 x 25mm Tokarev used in the TT33 Tokarev pistol, CZ 52 pistol, and a ton of machine pistols and submachine guns.
Another pair of important bottle neck pistol rounds are the 30 Luger (7.65x 21 mm) and 8 mm Nambu. The 30 Luger was created in 1898 and later used in a number of pistol including the famous Luger (Parabellum) pistol. The 8mm Nambu was the standard Japanese pistol round of World War 2.
Over the next 40 years, not too many bottle necked pistol rounds were adopted by major firms and survived. Tons of wildcats were created and a few achieved a loyal cult following, such as: 38-45 Clerke, 357 Automag, 41 Jurras Mag Pistol, and others. The Soviets came up with the 5.45 x 18 mm, but it has not apparently too popular with the troops due to it being underpowered and adopted in a bad weapon.
Then, in 1994 a bottle necked round was created that took the world by storm, for a few years. The 357 Sig was claimed to be equal to the 357 Magnum in performance. It was not, but it was close enough to gain a loyal following. It's "mythic" abilities have faded over time, as has it's popularity, but weapons that fire this gun and the ammo itself still sell well enough. The U.S. Secret Service uses the Sig 229 and this round as standard issue.
After that, the powers that be, in the weapons industry, learned that bottle necked autopistol cartridges have a real place, a real purpose and actually work as well or better then straight-walled cases. After the 357 Sig came a slew of new bottlenecks... 25 NAA, 32 NAA, 400 Corbon, 5.7x28 mm, 17 Mach II, and the 17 HMR to name a few.
I have long been a fan of the 7.62x25mm Tokarev. I own a CZ52 and love popping off a ton of rounds from her. 85/86 grain bullets coming out of the barrel at 1500 to 1650 fps. Now, a few bullet makers are making hollow points for this caliber. Must make a big mushroom!
Among the first automatic pistol cartridges were bottlenecks. The smaller bullet over the case size is a well known factor for improving feeding, as well as the aforementioned power increase. The 7.65x25 Borchardt was created for the Borchardt Pistol in 1893. This cartridge was the basis for the 30 Mauser (7.63 x 25mm) used in the C96 "Broomhandle" Mauser introduced just two years later. This cartridge is the basis of the almost identical 7.62 x 25mm Tokarev used in the TT33 Tokarev pistol, CZ 52 pistol, and a ton of machine pistols and submachine guns.
Another pair of important bottle neck pistol rounds are the 30 Luger (7.65x 21 mm) and 8 mm Nambu. The 30 Luger was created in 1898 and later used in a number of pistol including the famous Luger (Parabellum) pistol. The 8mm Nambu was the standard Japanese pistol round of World War 2.
Over the next 40 years, not too many bottle necked pistol rounds were adopted by major firms and survived. Tons of wildcats were created and a few achieved a loyal cult following, such as: 38-45 Clerke, 357 Automag, 41 Jurras Mag Pistol, and others. The Soviets came up with the 5.45 x 18 mm, but it has not apparently too popular with the troops due to it being underpowered and adopted in a bad weapon.
Then, in 1994 a bottle necked round was created that took the world by storm, for a few years. The 357 Sig was claimed to be equal to the 357 Magnum in performance. It was not, but it was close enough to gain a loyal following. It's "mythic" abilities have faded over time, as has it's popularity, but weapons that fire this gun and the ammo itself still sell well enough. The U.S. Secret Service uses the Sig 229 and this round as standard issue.
After that, the powers that be, in the weapons industry, learned that bottle necked autopistol cartridges have a real place, a real purpose and actually work as well or better then straight-walled cases. After the 357 Sig came a slew of new bottlenecks... 25 NAA, 32 NAA, 400 Corbon, 5.7x28 mm, 17 Mach II, and the 17 HMR to name a few.
I have long been a fan of the 7.62x25mm Tokarev. I own a CZ52 and love popping off a ton of rounds from her. 85/86 grain bullets coming out of the barrel at 1500 to 1650 fps. Now, a few bullet makers are making hollow points for this caliber. Must make a big mushroom!
Sunday, February 3, 2008
New laws
Arizona state lawmakers are currently working to "fix" laws that allow illegal immigrants to own and carry firearms so that they cannot "get" the weapons.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/108062
Umm.. Hello..? If they are illegal immigrants, they have already broken our laws to get into this country. Do ya really think that another law on the books is going to stop these criminals from getting a firearms through illegal channels?
Somehow, I think writing laws that say the same thing that Federal laws already say is a little ridiculous. We need to stop pussy-footing around with these people. How is that a person doing 76 in a 65mph zone gets worse treatment then a person here illegally? The speeder has to pay the fine...what do illegals get...?.a ticket which they never pay. This isn't fishing..there should be no catch and release program.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/108062
Umm.. Hello..? If they are illegal immigrants, they have already broken our laws to get into this country. Do ya really think that another law on the books is going to stop these criminals from getting a firearms through illegal channels?
Somehow, I think writing laws that say the same thing that Federal laws already say is a little ridiculous. We need to stop pussy-footing around with these people. How is that a person doing 76 in a 65mph zone gets worse treatment then a person here illegally? The speeder has to pay the fine...what do illegals get...?.a ticket which they never pay. This isn't fishing..there should be no catch and release program.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Gyrojet
As I was typing yesterdays blog, I thought to myself, "Oh yeah...I have an idea for another post."
Back in 1944 the Germans were attempting to create 20mm spin stabilized rockets. Whether or not Robert Mainhardt and Art Blehl new about this, they created a company that eventually made a handheld Gyrojet launcher. In 1965 they announced that their company had "perfected" the technology and was producing both pistols and carbines that fired 13 mm Gyrojets, each about 1.5 inches long. The mini-rockets didn't come out of the barrel going all that fast, but reached their maximum speed somewhere around 200 feet. At the muzzle, the rocket was traveling about one-quarter the speed of a 45 acp...less then 200 fps.
The Gyrojet concept was great, but the actuality of it left a little to be desired. The rocket had very little stopping power up to about 25 to 30 feet and was inaccurate. Some sources state you could actually put your finger over the end of the barrel and stop the rocket.
The pistol was also about 250 bucks, so quite expensive for its time. The gun, though, was very light, about half the weight of a 1911 Government model. This was due to the fact that the barrel for the weapon was thin and aluminum was used in many areas instead of steel. There was little need for a thick barrel since the pressures involved were far less then a standard pistol cartridge.
As I said, the concept was great. Many Sci-Fi games, books, and movies picked up the concept and ran with it.
Back in 1944 the Germans were attempting to create 20mm spin stabilized rockets. Whether or not Robert Mainhardt and Art Blehl new about this, they created a company that eventually made a handheld Gyrojet launcher. In 1965 they announced that their company had "perfected" the technology and was producing both pistols and carbines that fired 13 mm Gyrojets, each about 1.5 inches long. The mini-rockets didn't come out of the barrel going all that fast, but reached their maximum speed somewhere around 200 feet. At the muzzle, the rocket was traveling about one-quarter the speed of a 45 acp...less then 200 fps.
The Gyrojet concept was great, but the actuality of it left a little to be desired. The rocket had very little stopping power up to about 25 to 30 feet and was inaccurate. Some sources state you could actually put your finger over the end of the barrel and stop the rocket.
The pistol was also about 250 bucks, so quite expensive for its time. The gun, though, was very light, about half the weight of a 1911 Government model. This was due to the fact that the barrel for the weapon was thin and aluminum was used in many areas instead of steel. There was little need for a thick barrel since the pressures involved were far less then a standard pistol cartridge.
As I said, the concept was great. Many Sci-Fi games, books, and movies picked up the concept and ran with it.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Dardick and the Trounds
One of the coolest pistols I have ever found is the Dardick 1100 and1500. According to Ian Hogg in Pistols of the World, Dardick came up with the idea for this unique pistol in 1949 and announced it 1954. The gun used a triangular shaped cartridge and normally fired a 38 caliber bullet. The pistol was only produced until 1962 and was ugly as sin, but it had some cool features. It had a magazine built into its grip, but fed trounds into a revolver-like apparatus. It had a long, double action trigger pull.
The trounds cases were made of plastic or aluminum. A stripper clip was used to load the trounds into the weapon.
There were "tround adapters" that allowed the pistol to use standard 38 special, 38 S&W Long, 9 mm Para, and even 22 LR rounds (with interchangeable barrels).
The Model 1100 had a 3 inch barrel and the model 1500 had a 5 inch barrel. They even offered an adapter and shoulder stock to convert the Model 1500 into a carbine. The gun held 11 to 15 trounds of ammo. The model 1500 cost 100 bucks at a time when the Colt Trooper could be had for 75 bucks. It was an expensive gun.
In any case, it was an interesting gun.
The trounds cases were made of plastic or aluminum. A stripper clip was used to load the trounds into the weapon.
There were "tround adapters" that allowed the pistol to use standard 38 special, 38 S&W Long, 9 mm Para, and even 22 LR rounds (with interchangeable barrels).
The Model 1100 had a 3 inch barrel and the model 1500 had a 5 inch barrel. They even offered an adapter and shoulder stock to convert the Model 1500 into a carbine. The gun held 11 to 15 trounds of ammo. The model 1500 cost 100 bucks at a time when the Colt Trooper could be had for 75 bucks. It was an expensive gun.
In any case, it was an interesting gun.
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