Since the .357 Magnum was introduced over 70 years ago, advocates of the semi-automatic pistol were yearning for a gun with the power of the first magnum pistol round. The .45 ACP is about as good as you can get for real world stopping percentages, based on Marshall & Sanow and all the other "researchers," the best .45 ACP is only surpassed by the best .357 Magnum rounds.
Well, back in 1980 a guy named Dan Coonan released a modified, stainless steel M1911 Government style weapon that held 8 rounds of .357 Magnum. His company was called Coonan Arms. The company was located in St. Paul, Minnesota.
The first 1700 made used a link, just like the M1911 (some sources quote 5000). After those, the design was modified to a linkless design. These linkless models were called the "B" variant." All variants came with adjustable sights, extended slide releases, and extended safety catches. The standard model of the weapon had a five inch barrel and weighed a hefty 45 + ounces. The pistol held 7 +1 rounds of ammo. This was a lot of fire power, when compared to a standard 5 or 6 round revolver, using the same cartridge. This was a "tweaked" pistol, and its price showed it. It cost almost double what a base model M1911 Government would. The M.S.R.P. was approximately $750.
There was also a Cadet version, with a shorter 3.9 inch barrel and a 6 + 1round capacity. Apparently, there was also a .41 Magnum version made, that held 7 rounds of that little powerhouse.
The pistol was supposed to have been fairly accurate, but had quite a kick even with its hefty weight. Reports on the reliability of this weapon vary only slightly; most agreeing it is very reliable. The best part about this pistol is that the magazine was generously enough proportioned to hand bullets ranging from 110 grains to 180 grain bullets. This accommodates almost all commercial loads, from plinking to high end self defense rounds. Reports on accuracy state this pistol was extremely accurate; as in close to M1911 National Match type accuracy.
I haven't found a source that states if the manufacture of this pistol was resumed after the bankruptcy of Coonan Arms in the mid-1990's and the later restructuring. Last thing I found on the corporate website (http://www.dancoonan.com/dci_sales.html) is that sales of parts has ceased, but no mention on the weapon itself.
It's an interesting pistol and I wish I could get a hold of one.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
Contempt
I am shaking my head in utter disbelief at the sheer stupidity and audacity of the leadership in Washington D.C.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,377203,00.html
I am almost speechless.
How have these people not been arrested and prosecuted for contempt of court?
At least someone in this article has some commonsense. Gura said the Heller decision does not protect "dangerous or unusual weapons" — like fully automatic, military style machine guns — but it does protect weapons "in common use" or those people would use for "lawful purposes." Semiautomatics, which police departments have made their weapon of choice, would fall under that category, Gura said.
"It's unfortunate that, you know, they seem to think that a ban on semiautomatic firearms is constitutional. It's not," Gura said. "Semiautomatics are garden variety. It's a normal, non-exotic, typical technology. It does not let you spray bullets. ... People here 'automatic,' and they think, 'Oh, it's Rambo.' It's not."
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,377203,00.html
I am almost speechless.
How have these people not been arrested and prosecuted for contempt of court?
At least someone in this article has some commonsense. Gura said the Heller decision does not protect "dangerous or unusual weapons" — like fully automatic, military style machine guns — but it does protect weapons "in common use" or those people would use for "lawful purposes." Semiautomatics, which police departments have made their weapon of choice, would fall under that category, Gura said.
"It's unfortunate that, you know, they seem to think that a ban on semiautomatic firearms is constitutional. It's not," Gura said. "Semiautomatics are garden variety. It's a normal, non-exotic, typical technology. It does not let you spray bullets. ... People here 'automatic,' and they think, 'Oh, it's Rambo.' It's not."
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Another Gem
I was rearranging my ammo and found an old sales flyer behind some boxes. It is an old Century Arms International flyer that dates to 1992 or 1993. It was sent to an address I only lived at for those two years. The 24 pages are yellowed and there is no e-mail address or website information listed anywhere in the flyer...it's that old.
It was a stroll down amnesia lane, though. I was found myself wishing I had the forethought then to buy a few of everything in the flyer, as they are either no longer available or outrageously priced these days.
For example:
--Enfield No4 Mk2 in excellent condition for $140.
--Brand new Russian Makarov, with 2 mags and the holster....$130.
--East German Maks.. $170
--S&W Model 10's...$99.99
--Webley and Scott Mk IV revolvers in 38 S&W...$90.
--Enfield No2 Mark1 pistols... $80
--Brazilian Mausers in 7 mm Mauser...$100
--Swedish Mauser, M96 and M38... $80 and $100 each...
--Ishapore Enfields in 7.62x51mm (2A).. $90
--Persian Mausers...$60
--Finnish M39 Sniper rifles WITH brand new scopes and mounts... $200
--Just the M39 rifles..$75
Hell.. ammo prices were a dream, too...
--Chinese 7.62x25.. $6 per 70 rd boxes
--9mm Largo.. $3.72 per 25 rd box
--5.56x45, Malaysian made...$3. per box of 20
--7.62x39, Romanian made, $2.52 per box
--308 Win, Argentinian made, $3.06 per 20 rd box (Taiwan made @2.49 or stripper clips)
Ahh.. the good old days... If I would have invested $2500 on rifles, I would probably have that collection pushing $25000 in value today.
It was a stroll down amnesia lane, though. I was found myself wishing I had the forethought then to buy a few of everything in the flyer, as they are either no longer available or outrageously priced these days.
For example:
--Enfield No4 Mk2 in excellent condition for $140.
--Brand new Russian Makarov, with 2 mags and the holster....$130.
--East German Maks.. $170
--S&W Model 10's...$99.99
--Webley and Scott Mk IV revolvers in 38 S&W...$90.
--Enfield No2 Mark1 pistols... $80
--Brazilian Mausers in 7 mm Mauser...$100
--Swedish Mauser, M96 and M38... $80 and $100 each...
--Ishapore Enfields in 7.62x51mm (2A).. $90
--Persian Mausers...$60
--Finnish M39 Sniper rifles WITH brand new scopes and mounts... $200
--Just the M39 rifles..$75
Hell.. ammo prices were a dream, too...
--Chinese 7.62x25.. $6 per 70 rd boxes
--9mm Largo.. $3.72 per 25 rd box
--5.56x45, Malaysian made...$3. per box of 20
--7.62x39, Romanian made, $2.52 per box
--308 Win, Argentinian made, $3.06 per 20 rd box (Taiwan made @2.49 or stripper clips)
Ahh.. the good old days... If I would have invested $2500 on rifles, I would probably have that collection pushing $25000 in value today.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Police
I have nothing against law enforcement. They serve an important function in today's society. Theirs is a job that requires skill, patience, determination, and again, patience. I know a few cops. Some are in the job for right reason; to help people. A couple of them have big egos and a power trip,but most are good, down to earth people. Most of them have something in common, though: Very limited shooting experience.
Many cops will never pull a firearm in the line of duty during their careers. Most police departments only require firearms certifications once or twice a year. Now, obviously, specialty departments may have more training, but here in Arizona, the basic" beat" cop only qualifies once or twice per year. I have been at the range with my friends and seen them shoot...It isn't pretty.
I was at my local indoor range about ten days ago. A pair of Border Patrol agents was at the range just before me and took the last open firring position. I knew they were Border Patrol since they were wearing their uniforms and had their badges on their waists. I watched them through the viewing glass. The lady agent was a decent shot with her handgun...from 7 feet from the edge of the counter. Yes...I watched her do a series of 5 drills or so from 7 feet away from the end of her weapon. At that range, she made a nice 4 inch pattern. Yes, I watched her make a 4 inch pattern from 7 feet on a human silhouette target. Extrapolate that out about 21 feet and this will turn out to be a 12 inch pattern....that's the difference between hitting or missing a target.
My cop friend who I shoot with is a bit better. Now, I will not embarrass him with posting what i have seen him shoot, but it's mildly better then the Border patrol agent.
People need to understand, the law enforcement agencies do not have the manpower or funds to provide training beyond what they already do. Training involves taking the officer off of regular duty. Someone has to cover this guys job while he is training and it usually falls to paying overtime, or just leaving that slot unfilled for the day. Bullets cost more money then ever these days. Most cops also are not big fans of practice and qualification days. They involve a lot of standing around and wasting time before your turn is up or sitting around and listening to a trainer, then eventually being able to shoot a few dozen rounds to qualify.
Another thing to remember: Law Enforcement are civilians. They are not military or even paramilitary. Don't expect them to be knowledgeable about weapons. They training is on the law, not weapons. The cops I know could not tell you the difference between an SKS or an AK, or an M4 vs an AR15 or a Mossberg 500 and a Winchester 1200. They have a tough job and these days get little respect for that tough job.
Many cops will never pull a firearm in the line of duty during their careers. Most police departments only require firearms certifications once or twice a year. Now, obviously, specialty departments may have more training, but here in Arizona, the basic" beat" cop only qualifies once or twice per year. I have been at the range with my friends and seen them shoot...It isn't pretty.
I was at my local indoor range about ten days ago. A pair of Border Patrol agents was at the range just before me and took the last open firring position. I knew they were Border Patrol since they were wearing their uniforms and had their badges on their waists. I watched them through the viewing glass. The lady agent was a decent shot with her handgun...from 7 feet from the edge of the counter. Yes...I watched her do a series of 5 drills or so from 7 feet away from the end of her weapon. At that range, she made a nice 4 inch pattern. Yes, I watched her make a 4 inch pattern from 7 feet on a human silhouette target. Extrapolate that out about 21 feet and this will turn out to be a 12 inch pattern....that's the difference between hitting or missing a target.
My cop friend who I shoot with is a bit better. Now, I will not embarrass him with posting what i have seen him shoot, but it's mildly better then the Border patrol agent.
People need to understand, the law enforcement agencies do not have the manpower or funds to provide training beyond what they already do. Training involves taking the officer off of regular duty. Someone has to cover this guys job while he is training and it usually falls to paying overtime, or just leaving that slot unfilled for the day. Bullets cost more money then ever these days. Most cops also are not big fans of practice and qualification days. They involve a lot of standing around and wasting time before your turn is up or sitting around and listening to a trainer, then eventually being able to shoot a few dozen rounds to qualify.
Another thing to remember: Law Enforcement are civilians. They are not military or even paramilitary. Don't expect them to be knowledgeable about weapons. They training is on the law, not weapons. The cops I know could not tell you the difference between an SKS or an AK, or an M4 vs an AR15 or a Mossberg 500 and a Winchester 1200. They have a tough job and these days get little respect for that tough job.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Reciprocity
I find is amazing that a gay couple can get married in Massachuttes or California and those states expect the rest of the states in the union to recognize that marriage as valid, even though those other states may not formally recognize gay marriages as valid to perform within thier own state, Now, I have no issue with gay marriage. I am neither for nor against it. I am simply using this as something that has caused contention, but due to a variety of laws, a legal marriage in one state is valid in all states. It's the same thing with drivers licenses. A long haul truck driver from Vermont is not required to also pass a test in the 0therr 49 states. Hell, we also recognize Canadian and Mexican drivers licenses, too.
It should be the same for CCW licenses. I have passed the requirements to carry a concealed weapon within my state. Why should I not be allowed to carry throughout the United States? I am a law abiding citizen. I haven't even had so much as a speeding ticket in 10+ years. I am fairly well educated and have also taken no fewer that 6 firearms courses. So, the question begs to be asked, why would I be treated like a criminal for bringing my self-protection, as guarenteed by the Bill of Rights, with me to Las Vegas, or Los Angeles, or even Chicago?
Well, finally, a politician is using some common sense....
http://www.gunreports.com/news/handguns/Vitter-Concealed-Carry-Reciprocity_517-1.html
Senator David Vitter (R-LA) is planning to introduce a concealed carry reciprocity bill next week.
Sen. Vitter sent a letter to his fellow senators, asking them to cosponsor his forthcoming bill, the "Respecting States Rights and Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act."
The Vitter bill treats concealed carry permits much the same as drivers' licenses, where one state's license is recognized in all other states.
Now the bill is very limited, but it is a start. "States that do not allow concealed carry at all are not forced, under the Vitter bill, to recognize out-of-state permits."
It should be the same for CCW licenses. I have passed the requirements to carry a concealed weapon within my state. Why should I not be allowed to carry throughout the United States? I am a law abiding citizen. I haven't even had so much as a speeding ticket in 10+ years. I am fairly well educated and have also taken no fewer that 6 firearms courses. So, the question begs to be asked, why would I be treated like a criminal for bringing my self-protection, as guarenteed by the Bill of Rights, with me to Las Vegas, or Los Angeles, or even Chicago?
Well, finally, a politician is using some common sense....
http://www.gunreports.com/news/handguns/Vitter-Concealed-Carry-Reciprocity_517-1.html
Senator David Vitter (R-LA) is planning to introduce a concealed carry reciprocity bill next week.
Sen. Vitter sent a letter to his fellow senators, asking them to cosponsor his forthcoming bill, the "Respecting States Rights and Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act."
The Vitter bill treats concealed carry permits much the same as drivers' licenses, where one state's license is recognized in all other states.
Now the bill is very limited, but it is a start. "States that do not allow concealed carry at all are not forced, under the Vitter bill, to recognize out-of-state permits."
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
A gun review
The first curio/relic I bought was a Vz-52 "She" Rifle. Vz stands for vzor, which means "model." Some sources list this as a CZ-52 rifle, which is quasi-correct, being that it is a Western interpretation of the gun's maker/country of origin. It's one of those non-truths that have come to be accepted as a truth, like waiting to go swimming after eating. By the way, a curio/relic weapon is typically a 50+ year old design or a odd design, as deemed by the BATFE.
This rifle has been a dream and a bane since the day I got it. It's accurate as hell, but a pain in the ass to reassemble. It's a heavy gun for the cartridge it fires, about 9 pounds and recoil is very light. The trigger is smooth as silk.
Some background history:
After World War Two, Czechoslovakia was stuck with a hodgepodge of small arms dating from the late 1890's to the recent war. Some stuff was great, like their machine guns and submachine guns, but their rifles were mostly Mauser 98 copies they were licensed to make and their pistols ranged from anemic to horrid (cz38..bleh). Since the country had a fairly remarkable history of weapons craft (Brno and CZ) they decided to build their own guns. The guns was supposed to have been reliable as all get out, but not too original, in design.
The VZ52 Rifle was a piecemeal conglomeration of the good parts of a variety of weapons put together into a barely mediocre weapon. They used an almost direct copy of the Garand trigger mechanism, the gas piston operating system of the German Mk42, with an odd tipping bolt lock with two front lugs. The barrel was 4-groove, 20.5 inches long that was threaded at the end to attach a grenade launcher, flash hider, and other accessories.
The weapon also had an integral bayonet that flipped closed to the right of the weapon into an indented area. This does not affect the grip and hasn't seemed to help or hinder my accuracy, extended or not. The weapon has a really nice safety that is on the right side of the trigger guard and can be flicked on with a pull of the trigger finger or flipped off by a quick bump with the back of your trigger finger. The sights are adjustable for distance, up to 900 yards. A nice feature on these sights is that the range markers are printed on the top and bottom of the sight, so flipped up or down you can easily tell what it is set for. Under the butt plate is a hollowed out area for a cleaning kit.
[IMG]http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg281/ericnon/P7010044.jpg[/IMG]
Add to this, the rifle used a unique round, 7.62x45 mm, also known as the Czech M52. This cartridge is based on the Soviet M43, 7.62x39mm. The weapon also has a detachable 10 round magazine that is fed through the receiver of the weapon either singly or with 5 round stripper clips.
Here is a comparison between the 7.62x54R, 7.62x45, and the 7.62x39,
[IMG]http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg281/ericnon/P7010039.jpg[/IMG]
The extra length of the cartridge really didn't serve much purpose, as the cartridge listed as 2440 ft/second with an (approx) 125 grain steel core fmj bullet. This is only marginally faster then the Soviet M43 cartridge.The ammo comes in 15 round boxes, either on stripper clips or not. The ammo comes in two surplus varieties, green box or brown box. The green box does not come on stripper clips and the only markings on the box are "7.62-Mod. 52." The cases are green lacquered steel. Let's just say, magnets really like everything about this round. The brown box stuff comes on the five round stripper clips and is marked on one side in a lot of Czech writing and on the other side with an importer sticker that says "7.62x45 Cz52 Rifle Ammunition." This ammo is brass cased, but still has steel core bullets. All this ammo is corrosive.
[IMG]http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg281/ericnon/P7010050.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg281/ericnon/P7010047.jpg[/IMG]
The guns are marked on the left side, starting just under the rear sight with the stamp, "she." Hence the nickname, "She Rifles." Below this the month and year of manufacture, and below that is the serial number.There are several matching serial number stamps under various parts, including the underside of the handguard, the barrel under the handguard, and the magazine.
In the mid-1950's the Czechs, as part of the Warsaw Pact, were forced by the Soviets to standardize to the M43 (7.62x39mm) round for their rifles. In 1957, all Vz52 rifles were modified to this Soviet round, becoming the Vz52/57. This caused a bunch of issues with the magazines. Accuracy took a nose dive and feed/extraction issues became prevalent. These converted rifles are marked as 52/57 to avoid ammo confusion. This unreliability caused the weapon to be replaced starting in 1958 by the far superior Vz58 assault rifle.
Many of these rifles were sold to African countries. They ended up in a ton of places, including Cuba (Bay of Pigs), Granada, and also some South American countries. About 15 years ago, a bunch of them were imported into the U.S. These were probably the best ones available, good to very good condition. They were still fairly beat up. About 5 years ago, another batch came in. These were in fair to almost good condition. Most of these had cracked stocks and the importers covered the stocks in a blackish resin similar to Rhino Bedlining.
There is VERY little surplus ammo available in the U.S. There are a few companies that make commercial batches of this ammo. Thunderbird Cartridge Company in the Phoenix metro area will match just about anything, as well as Buffalo Bullet Company.
My gun is fun to shoot, but a bitch to clean. The tipping bolt head fits into a groove on the slide. The slide has a full rail on one side and a partial rail on the other, with a small cutout where the slide meets the receiver rail. Getting the two together properly has caused me fits. There was a year straight this gun was in it's box in parts because I was too frustrated to keep trying. In addition, I had a bunch of "stuck" cases after i had shot off a dozen rounds. After a cleaning with me, my drill, a cleaning rod, and a 30 caliber chamber cleaner (I do not recommend the drill..like I said, frustration) this problem ceased to be an issue.
[IMG]http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg281/ericnon/P7010048.jpg[/IMG]
I do not have pictures of me me shooting the weapon to post here, as it was 112 degrees yesterday and the indoor range I inhabit won't allow me to shoot steel core ammo. I can attest the gun is far more accurate then any AK47 and marginally better then an SKS. This is good enough for most military needs.
The weapon, with ammo, is heavier then the SKS by more then half a pound (quarter of a kilo for you others). The stock and handguards are thick, quite a bit more so then an SKS and the weapon does feel a bit barrel heavy, probably due to long length of the stock (up to 4 inches from the end of the barrel) and the integral bayonet. It comes to the shoulder reasonably well, and as I mentioned before, recoil is minimal.
[IMG]http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg281/ericnon/P7010042.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg281/ericnon/P7010041.jpg[/IMG]
Accurate follow up shots are easily done. The trigger guard is large enough to use with gloves on, which makes sense considering the winters in Czechoslovakia.
Anywho, this is one of the few "unique" designs to come out of a Warsaw Pact country at a time when most of the Soviet Bloc was copying Tokarev pistols, SKS's, and Ak's.
This rifle has been a dream and a bane since the day I got it. It's accurate as hell, but a pain in the ass to reassemble. It's a heavy gun for the cartridge it fires, about 9 pounds and recoil is very light. The trigger is smooth as silk.
Some background history:
After World War Two, Czechoslovakia was stuck with a hodgepodge of small arms dating from the late 1890's to the recent war. Some stuff was great, like their machine guns and submachine guns, but their rifles were mostly Mauser 98 copies they were licensed to make and their pistols ranged from anemic to horrid (cz38..bleh). Since the country had a fairly remarkable history of weapons craft (Brno and CZ) they decided to build their own guns. The guns was supposed to have been reliable as all get out, but not too original, in design.
The VZ52 Rifle was a piecemeal conglomeration of the good parts of a variety of weapons put together into a barely mediocre weapon. They used an almost direct copy of the Garand trigger mechanism, the gas piston operating system of the German Mk42, with an odd tipping bolt lock with two front lugs. The barrel was 4-groove, 20.5 inches long that was threaded at the end to attach a grenade launcher, flash hider, and other accessories.
The weapon also had an integral bayonet that flipped closed to the right of the weapon into an indented area. This does not affect the grip and hasn't seemed to help or hinder my accuracy, extended or not. The weapon has a really nice safety that is on the right side of the trigger guard and can be flicked on with a pull of the trigger finger or flipped off by a quick bump with the back of your trigger finger. The sights are adjustable for distance, up to 900 yards. A nice feature on these sights is that the range markers are printed on the top and bottom of the sight, so flipped up or down you can easily tell what it is set for. Under the butt plate is a hollowed out area for a cleaning kit.
[IMG]http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg281/ericnon/P7010044.jpg[/IMG]
Add to this, the rifle used a unique round, 7.62x45 mm, also known as the Czech M52. This cartridge is based on the Soviet M43, 7.62x39mm. The weapon also has a detachable 10 round magazine that is fed through the receiver of the weapon either singly or with 5 round stripper clips.
Here is a comparison between the 7.62x54R, 7.62x45, and the 7.62x39,
[IMG]http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg281/ericnon/P7010039.jpg[/IMG]
The extra length of the cartridge really didn't serve much purpose, as the cartridge listed as 2440 ft/second with an (approx) 125 grain steel core fmj bullet. This is only marginally faster then the Soviet M43 cartridge.The ammo comes in 15 round boxes, either on stripper clips or not. The ammo comes in two surplus varieties, green box or brown box. The green box does not come on stripper clips and the only markings on the box are "7.62-Mod. 52." The cases are green lacquered steel. Let's just say, magnets really like everything about this round. The brown box stuff comes on the five round stripper clips and is marked on one side in a lot of Czech writing and on the other side with an importer sticker that says "7.62x45 Cz52 Rifle Ammunition." This ammo is brass cased, but still has steel core bullets. All this ammo is corrosive.
[IMG]http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg281/ericnon/P7010050.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg281/ericnon/P7010047.jpg[/IMG]
The guns are marked on the left side, starting just under the rear sight with the stamp, "she." Hence the nickname, "She Rifles." Below this the month and year of manufacture, and below that is the serial number.There are several matching serial number stamps under various parts, including the underside of the handguard, the barrel under the handguard, and the magazine.
In the mid-1950's the Czechs, as part of the Warsaw Pact, were forced by the Soviets to standardize to the M43 (7.62x39mm) round for their rifles. In 1957, all Vz52 rifles were modified to this Soviet round, becoming the Vz52/57. This caused a bunch of issues with the magazines. Accuracy took a nose dive and feed/extraction issues became prevalent. These converted rifles are marked as 52/57 to avoid ammo confusion. This unreliability caused the weapon to be replaced starting in 1958 by the far superior Vz58 assault rifle.
Many of these rifles were sold to African countries. They ended up in a ton of places, including Cuba (Bay of Pigs), Granada, and also some South American countries. About 15 years ago, a bunch of them were imported into the U.S. These were probably the best ones available, good to very good condition. They were still fairly beat up. About 5 years ago, another batch came in. These were in fair to almost good condition. Most of these had cracked stocks and the importers covered the stocks in a blackish resin similar to Rhino Bedlining.
There is VERY little surplus ammo available in the U.S. There are a few companies that make commercial batches of this ammo. Thunderbird Cartridge Company in the Phoenix metro area will match just about anything, as well as Buffalo Bullet Company.
My gun is fun to shoot, but a bitch to clean. The tipping bolt head fits into a groove on the slide. The slide has a full rail on one side and a partial rail on the other, with a small cutout where the slide meets the receiver rail. Getting the two together properly has caused me fits. There was a year straight this gun was in it's box in parts because I was too frustrated to keep trying. In addition, I had a bunch of "stuck" cases after i had shot off a dozen rounds. After a cleaning with me, my drill, a cleaning rod, and a 30 caliber chamber cleaner (I do not recommend the drill..like I said, frustration) this problem ceased to be an issue.
[IMG]http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg281/ericnon/P7010048.jpg[/IMG]
I do not have pictures of me me shooting the weapon to post here, as it was 112 degrees yesterday and the indoor range I inhabit won't allow me to shoot steel core ammo. I can attest the gun is far more accurate then any AK47 and marginally better then an SKS. This is good enough for most military needs.
The weapon, with ammo, is heavier then the SKS by more then half a pound (quarter of a kilo for you others). The stock and handguards are thick, quite a bit more so then an SKS and the weapon does feel a bit barrel heavy, probably due to long length of the stock (up to 4 inches from the end of the barrel) and the integral bayonet. It comes to the shoulder reasonably well, and as I mentioned before, recoil is minimal.
[IMG]http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg281/ericnon/P7010042.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg281/ericnon/P7010041.jpg[/IMG]
Accurate follow up shots are easily done. The trigger guard is large enough to use with gloves on, which makes sense considering the winters in Czechoslovakia.
Anywho, this is one of the few "unique" designs to come out of a Warsaw Pact country at a time when most of the Soviet Bloc was copying Tokarev pistols, SKS's, and Ak's.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Gun quotes
Gun quotes from the famous and the infamous:
--Sigmund Freud: "A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity."
--Thomas Jefferson: "The laws that forbid the carrying of arms are laws of such a nature. They 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."
--John Adams: "Arms in the hands of citizens may be used at individual discretion in private self defense."
--Luke 11:21 "When a strong man, fully armed, guards his house, his possessions are safe."
--Joseph Story: "The right of the citizens to keep and bear arms has justly been considered, as the palladium of the liberties of a republic; since it offers a strong moral check against the usurpation and arbitrary power of rulers; and will generally, even if these are successful in the first instance, enable the people to resist and triumph over them." (Founding Father)
--Professor Joyce Lee Malcolm: "The Second Amendment was meant to accomplish two distinct goals...First, it was meant to guarantee the individual's right to have arms for self-defense and self-preservation. These privately owned arms were meant to serve a larger purpose as well...and it is the coupling of these two objectives that has caused the most confusion. The customary American militia necessitated an armed public...the militia (being)...the body of the people. The argument that today's National Guardsmen, members of a select militia, would constitute the only persons entitled to keep and bear arms has no historical foundation."
--James Madison: "Americans have the right and advantage of being armed, unlike the people of other countries, whose leaders are afraid to trust them with arms."
--James Earl Jones: "The world is filled with violence. Because criminals carry guns, we decent law-abiding citizens should also have guns. Otherwise they will win and the decent people will lose."
--President Theodore Roosevelt: "The great body of our citizens shoot less as times goes on. We should encourage rifle practice among schoolboys, and indeed among all classes, as well as in the military services by every means in our power. Thus, and not otherwise, may we be able to assist in preserving peace in the world... The first step – in the direction of preparation to avert war if possible, and to be fit for war if it should come – is to teach men to shoot!"
--John F. Kennedy: "Today, we need a nation of Minutemen, citizens who are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as the basic purpose of their daily life and who are willing to consciously work and sacrifice for that freedom."
--George Mason ‘‘I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people, except for a few public officials. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them.’’
--Jeff Cooper" "An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it."
--Publius Cornelius Tacitus: "Formerly we suffered from crimes; now we suffer from laws."
--Hugh Downs: "I sympathize with people who want to ban guns, but I can't agree with them. We have to be careful in our zeal to abolish guns that we don't wind up with counter-productive legislation that will leave armed only the people most likely to do harm with them."
--George Washington: "Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself! They are the American people's Liberty Teeth and keystone under Independence. From the hour the Pilgrims landed, to the present day, events, occurrences, and tendencies prove that to insure peace, security, and happiness, the rifle and pistol are equally indispensable. The very atmosphere of firearms everywhere, restrains evil interference -- they deserve a place of honor with all that's good!"
And for the right ending...
--Patrick Henry: "The people have a right to keep and bear arms."
--Sigmund Freud: "A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity."
--Thomas Jefferson: "The laws that forbid the carrying of arms are laws of such a nature. They 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."
--John Adams: "Arms in the hands of citizens may be used at individual discretion in private self defense."
--Luke 11:21 "When a strong man, fully armed, guards his house, his possessions are safe."
--Joseph Story: "The right of the citizens to keep and bear arms has justly been considered, as the palladium of the liberties of a republic; since it offers a strong moral check against the usurpation and arbitrary power of rulers; and will generally, even if these are successful in the first instance, enable the people to resist and triumph over them." (Founding Father)
--Professor Joyce Lee Malcolm: "The Second Amendment was meant to accomplish two distinct goals...First, it was meant to guarantee the individual's right to have arms for self-defense and self-preservation. These privately owned arms were meant to serve a larger purpose as well...and it is the coupling of these two objectives that has caused the most confusion. The customary American militia necessitated an armed public...the militia (being)...the body of the people. The argument that today's National Guardsmen, members of a select militia, would constitute the only persons entitled to keep and bear arms has no historical foundation."
--James Madison: "Americans have the right and advantage of being armed, unlike the people of other countries, whose leaders are afraid to trust them with arms."
--James Earl Jones: "The world is filled with violence. Because criminals carry guns, we decent law-abiding citizens should also have guns. Otherwise they will win and the decent people will lose."
--President Theodore Roosevelt: "The great body of our citizens shoot less as times goes on. We should encourage rifle practice among schoolboys, and indeed among all classes, as well as in the military services by every means in our power. Thus, and not otherwise, may we be able to assist in preserving peace in the world... The first step – in the direction of preparation to avert war if possible, and to be fit for war if it should come – is to teach men to shoot!"
--John F. Kennedy: "Today, we need a nation of Minutemen, citizens who are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as the basic purpose of their daily life and who are willing to consciously work and sacrifice for that freedom."
--George Mason ‘‘I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people, except for a few public officials. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them.’’
--Jeff Cooper" "An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it."
--Publius Cornelius Tacitus: "Formerly we suffered from crimes; now we suffer from laws."
--Hugh Downs: "I sympathize with people who want to ban guns, but I can't agree with them. We have to be careful in our zeal to abolish guns that we don't wind up with counter-productive legislation that will leave armed only the people most likely to do harm with them."
--George Washington: "Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself! They are the American people's Liberty Teeth and keystone under Independence. From the hour the Pilgrims landed, to the present day, events, occurrences, and tendencies prove that to insure peace, security, and happiness, the rifle and pistol are equally indispensable. The very atmosphere of firearms everywhere, restrains evil interference -- they deserve a place of honor with all that's good!"
And for the right ending...
--Patrick Henry: "The people have a right to keep and bear arms."
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