Monthly Archives: August 2008

I turn to blegging.

Posted by TD on August 14, 2008 2 comments

I’m coming up on my second anniversary here and in that time I haven’t asked my few readers for anything more than advice. There’s no tip jar or wish list in the sidebar, and I don’t plan on adding them.

Instead, I’m going to direct you to the donations page for the Dearborn animal shelter and ask you to consider tossing a few dollars their way for National Homeless Animals’ Day, which is this Saturday.

If you like me or the blog, or if you’ve benefited in some way from my scribblings here, or even if you think I’m an asshole but you like cute animals, please show the shelter a little love. They’re a fine organization and they deserve your support.

Now this really pisses me off.

Posted by TD on August 12, 2008 No comments

My friend ColtCCO is getting hassled by the cops… again. He’s Good People and he doesn’t deserve this shit.

The Home Stretch

Posted by TD on August 12, 2008 3 comments

I’m enjoying a week’s vacation before heading into my final semester at school. Today I:

  • registered for classes
  • paid my tuition
  • applied for graduation
  • paid the ridiculous $25 graduation application fee
  • ordered my books through textbooks.com (saved ~$60 overall)

Good thing I stocked up on ramen noodles and mac’n'cheese over the weekend, cuz that’s all I’ll be eating for the next month.

Yeah, it shoots.

Posted by TD on August 12, 2008 4 comments

 CZ 85 Combat with target

Just in case you were wondering, the CZ 85 Combat still rocks after its recent overhaul. I had a few failures to return to battery in the first 50 rounds due to the new, extra-power Wolff extractor spring; it was a bit TOO extra-power until it took a set.

The solution? I just field-stripped the gun, slid an empty case up the breechface and behind the extractor, and let it sit for a few days. Boom, 100% reliability restored.

The target above was 16 rounds in ~30 seconds, 10 yards, Weaver stance. Discounting the lone flyer it’s a 1.5″ group, which is about the best I can do on a routine basis. I really ought to shoot it over sandbags at 25 yards.

More news on the no-lock Smith front

Posted by TD on August 9, 2008 1 comment

Had a good Friday night, unagi dinner with friends and then home for booze and Vampyros Lesbos. Rolled out of bed this morning, checked my email, and found a new e-flyer from CDNN.

And guess what they just got in stock? A whole buttload of no-lock Smith & Wesson revolvers. Check it out:


#SMI100419 15 · 38spl · 4" · Brite Blue · Adjustable Sight · SAMPLE · No Lock........$389.99
#SMI101615 37 · 38spl · 2" · Black Airweight · Fixed Sight · Round Butt · No Lock · Box Marked "Japan" ...$349.99
#SMI102810 442 · 38spl · 1.87" · Black · Limited Edition · Round Butt · No Internal Lock....$359.99
#SMI102420 60 · 357Mag · 2.13" · Stainless · Fixed Sight · Rubber Grip · No Lock.......$439.99
#SMI102430 60 · 357Mag · 3" · Stainless · Adjustable Sight · Full Lug · No Lock............$449.99
#SMI102302 60NL · 38spl · 2" · Stainless · Rubber Grip · 5-shot · No Lock.....$429.99
#SMI102434 60-10 · 357Mag · 3" · Full Lug · Adjustable Sight · No Lock · Round Butt................$469.99
#SMI164301 619 · 357Mag · 4" · Stainless · Fixed Sight · 1/2 Lug · 7-Shot.....$499.99
#SMI103644 629 · 44Mag · 6.5"· Stainless · Classic Deluxe · 2 Grips · No Internal Lock · Extra Sight Blades.....$649.99
#SMI149811 629 · 44Mag · 6.5"· Stainless · Classic · "NRA" · Full Lug · No Lock.....$599.99
#SMI103640 629 · 44Mag · 8.37" · Stainless · Classic · Full Lug · No Internal Lock......$599.99
#SMI103646 629 · 44Mag · 8.37" · Stainless · Classic · 2-Grips · No Internal Lock.....$549.99
#SMI103070 638 · 38spl · 1.87"· Stainless · Lightweight Bodyguard · No Lock.....$369.99
#SMI102502 64 · 38spl+P · 2"· Stainless · Fixed Sight · No Lock · Rubber Grip.........$449.99
#SMI102608 65 · 357Mag · 3" · Matte Stainless · Lady Smith · Laminate Grip · No Lock · 6-Shot.......$499.99
#SMI104272 686 · 357Mag · 6"· Stainless · Ported · Full Lug · No Lock.................$549.99

I gave ‘em a call (800-588-9500) and was told that these are odds-and-ends that S&W had in inventory, so they’ll probably go fast.

(I have no connection to CDNN aside from being a satisfied customer, and I’m posting this not to pimp them but to let my readers know about an unusual opportunity.)

Might as well milk a whole post out of this…

Posted by TD on August 6, 2008 2 comments

… instead of just a comment.

existingthing and I were discussing proper J-frame holds in comments here. I won’t swear that this is the One True Way, but here’s what I’m doing:

 642 firing grip

Notice I’m keeping my thumb pointed sharply downward, as this keeps it (A) from interfering with the tip of my trigger finger and (B) way the hell away from the cylinder latch. It seems to work well for me. Any input from serious wheelygun shooters would be appreciated.

Tuesday Chat Action

Posted by TD on August 6, 2008 4 comments

(the topic of discussion is the rumored imminent release of private nude photographs of actress Anne Hathaway)

pdb: sweeeeeeeet

TD: she’s already been nekkid in two movies

pdb: really?

TD: yeah, Havoc and Brokeback Mountain (don’t ask how I know this – ed.)

pdb: damn

pdb: I think I’ve got that in the shed

TD: Brokeback Mountain?

TD: you probably have it under your pillow

A most generous offer.

Posted by TD on August 5, 2008 3 comments

Not from me, from Standard Mischief:

If you are on blogger or some other free hosting nightmare and you want to get off, I will help you.

He’s a sharp guy and I’m sure he’ll take good care of you. Plus “free” is a whole lot cheaper than the $70/hr you could expect to pay a pro for this kind of help.

Here’s my own generous offer:

If you are hot, female and single and you want to get off, I will help you. And I’m flexible on the “hot” and “single” parts.

Seriously though, having your own site with WordPress or Moveable Type beats the hell out of Blogger. Initial setup can be a bit of a chore if you’re not tech-savvy, but that’s where Standard Mischief’s help comes in. Once everything is up and running you’re golden.

If you’re considering the switch (and you should be!) I’d also suggest reading my piece on protecting your privacy as a blogger.

I thought these things were tough to shoot?

Posted by TD on August 5, 2008 6 comments

.38 Target

7 yards, offhand, “real” double-action (not staging the trigger) with the new S&W 642. Target is a standard NRA B-8; the black is 5.5″ across.

I ran a few cylinders through the gun to get used to it (recoil is really quite mild considering the lack of gun weight), then settled down and tried to shoot pretty :-)

Yeah, I’m happy with it.

Jim Carroll Band – Wicked Gravity

Posted by TD on August 5, 2008 No comments