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I truly hope you and yours have a very happy Easter.  Just remember without Him, what would the world look like today.  Remember and believe.    For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.  (John3:16-17)

So a club friend knew I was looking to replace my 95 Vulcan with something more comfortable and suitable for two up riding. So we made arrangements and I sold my Vulcan 1500 to a guy from North Carolina Friday night. Saturday morning I picked this up and put 500 miles on it that day. It's a 2001 Honda Valkyrie. Flat 6 cylinder motor, 110 horsepower or so, quiet pipes, aftermarket saddle bags and windshield, Ultimate touring seat for driver and passenger with backrest. Highway pegs, etc. It rides like a Cadillac and has no problem running 85 up the interstate for hours in complete comfort. My only complaint is gas mileage. It hovers in the upper 20's, lower 30's. Probably not bad for a 6 cylinder in a heavy bike running kinda hard, but I'll probably add a belly tank at some point for extended range. Anyways, I was excited to share. My old Vulcan 1500 My new 2001 Valkyrie My new 2001 Valkyrie Sent from behind the anvil

So I have just completed my new EDC. It is a Glock 19 MOS that replaced my G19 G4. I added the Trijicon RM07 6.5 MOA RMR along with the recommended kit, AC32064 RMR Mounting Kit, a SureFire XC1, and a set of Dawson Precision iron sights for backup. I went with the Trijicon over the Burris that I have on my 41 because the Trijicon can be left on at medium brightness for up to 4 years and it was much easier to find sights to work with the Trijicon than the Burris which sets a little taller. I am amazed at how much better I am able to shoot with a red dot on a pistol. As I get older it is harder to focus on the front and rear sites and the target. The only thing I couldn't find was a holster and most companies are not making one at this time that will accommodate the SureFire XC1. I ordered one from Dara Holsters but they are 8 weeks out. This next paragraph may sound like an advertisement but it isn't and I get nothing but the satisfaction of recommending quality work out of the deal. I needed some kind of holster now, while waiting on the Dara to come in, so I did a lot of searching and found out about Bruce here in Middle Tennessee. Bruce is a Firearms Instructor, Gunsmith, and has been making quality kydex holsters for the last 4 years. The holster you see in the images below was made by Bruce for my gun. I am not sure what his normal turn around time is but he had mine made in about a day and the quality and fit are fantastic. I am in no way affliated with Bruce but you can reach him at roninsar@gmail.com if you are interested in a custom holster from a local source. Be sure to put kydex holster in the subject line. Pictures below.

I've been working on a couple of new projects recently. First one is a pocket sleeve and tie down for a spare pistol magazine. This one went to a neighbor of mine who wanted a way to carry a spare magazine but keep the lint out. I added the tie down to snap over the belt so that the magazine can be removed from the pouch one handed. [URL=http://s1246.photobucket.com/user/gjohnsoniv/media/IMG_20160306_132417_zpswnexenzn.jpg.html][/URL] Today's project was a snap cover for a Gransfors Bruk woods axe and a strike guard for the handle. [URL=http://s1246.photobucket.com/user/gjohnsoniv/media/IMG_20160326_222519_zpsipzndiys.jpg.html][/URL]

Have you ever pissed one of these off? Pure evil. Plus they crap all over the place.

This reminds me of back when I was just a kid growing up about 35 miles due west of Chicago in a small town called Lemont. My mother was raised in the south and my father grew up in Hickory Corners Michigan and was a truck driver and my mother was a waitress in a truck stop in Tennessee and that is how they met. They married and settled in Lemont which was about in the middle between hometowns. After the four sons were born, me being the youngest we began coming south every year on vacation because my father enjoyed the south a lot more than Michigan Plus most of his family was scattered to the 4 winds across the country. My father had put up a flag pole in our from yard and flew and American flag for years. When I was about 6 years old we came south and while here he purchased  Confederate Flag. When we got back home he put the flag on the pole just below the American flag. Those flags flew on that pole for the next 11 years till my father decided he had had enough of living up north. He and my mother decided it was time to move and south was the direction. At the ripe age of 17 I was ripped up and transplanted in Cheatham County Tennessee on  huge ranch/farm. had to get out of bed before sunup and work stock, hogs chickens, cows and ducks before school. The adjustment was over whelming at first but as I adjusted I found it much more educational then the life up north.    That flag did draw a lot of looks as folks would be out of Chicago on a Sunday afternoon drive and they would stop and ask about it trying to guess what state flag it was. Just to keep it simple my father would just say Tennessee. Some folks would just make a face and move on and others would smile as if to say where is Tennessee? After living down here about 6 months you couldn't drag me back to Illinois. I would go back once a year to celebrate opening day of Squirrel and Dove Season with my life long hunting buddy and then come back home to Tennessee.     My father put up a new flag pole when we moved south and it to flew both flags until the day he passed away. I just wanted to post this because my father was a man raised in the north but his heart was in the south and he wanted folks to know it and that was the reason for flying it. I saw him look up at that flag on the pole in Illinois and smile and get in his car and drive to work. The smile was knowing soon he would be were his heart was. Thanks for the post FITTY..........loved the video too!!!

Sorry to hear all of this. I wish you well. I just went through something similar and had to make the difficult choice to put my best buddy down last week. It's heart wrenching. We believe Kennedy had the canine version of ALS. I also found out he had two large tumors in his abdomen that were causing issues. He was 12 which is just above average for Weimi's. I take solace in knowing he was loved and had a pretty incredible life for a dog. It's never easy, but I know I did what was in his best interest. I have no doubt you will do the same.

I like it...I like it a lot. I'm in the same boat as far as eyesight and have a similar setup. It's hell getting old. [url=https://flic.kr/p/myW2Cx][/url]

Unless the Vendor is irrefutably guilty of unethical or illegal business practices and that information has been shared with the TGO Staff first and we believe that there is legitimate cause for concern to protect the members at large, I honestly don't want to hear a bunch of complaints about the Vendor no matter who they are.   If you're in business, you are going to piss off someone or hurt someone's feelings sooner or later.  You might not get to a customer in your store fast enough to suit them.  You might not provide the sort of discount or price that suits them.  You might not provide the sort of "customer service experience" that suits them.  They might just not like the way you look, smell, talk, or dress.  Someone, somewhere, is going to get a stick up their butt about you and then use the Internet to malign you because they think that they have a right to do it.   If a consumer has an individual beef with a Vendor, they should take it up with that Vendor in person.  If they don't have to guts to do that, then I don't want them using TGO as their emotional dumping ground.   Just my thoughts on that matter.

My doctor has never had to ask if there are firearms in my home because when I took my coat off in her examining room to get my BP taken she saw mine in my belt holster. She did ask what caliber I was packing and I said 380. She opened up her doctors smock and said mine is 380 also and smiled and went on with the exam. Everyone working in her office has a gun on them except the very elderly lady at the front desk. She paid to have all of her people go through a gun safety course and carry course and she paid 50% of the cost of each persons firearm they chose to carry.................... :up:  :up: 

https://youtu.be/UbuyfgWPHSg

Oh shit.... He said "You'll be alright..." but I wonder. Also, what weapon was up Carol's sleeve?

I was thinking the other day; The Walking Dead need release a book full of all the witty colloquialisms used on the show. Title it, 'The Proverbs of Abraham'

Tandy Leather on Harding at 24, about a block and a half of the interstate, on the left after the raliroad bridge. 405 Harding Industrial Dr, Nashville, TN 37211 Phone:(615) 833-1635

A foursome of male golfers, all in their 40's, discussed where they should meet for lunch. Finally it was agreed that they would meet at Hooters, because the waitresses were young, good looking, had big breasts and wore short-shorts. >>>>> Ten years later, at age 50, the golfing buddies once again discussed where they should meet for lunch. Finally it was agreed that they would meet at Hooters because the food and service was good, they had many televisions to watch the games on, and the beer selection was excellent. >>>>> >>>>> Ten years later, at age 60, the foursome again discussed where they should meet for lunch. Finally it was agreed that they would meet at Hooters, because there was plenty of parking, they could dine in peace, and it was good value for the money. >>>>> >>>>> Ten years later, at age 70, they discussed where they should meet for lunch. Finally it was agreed that they would meet at Hooters, because the restaurant was wheelchair accessible and had a toilet for the disabled. >>>>> >>>>> Ten years later, at age 80, the friends discussed where they should meet for lunch. Finally it was agreed that they would meet at Hooters, because they had never been there before.

.... because there's a chance he might find it and get to play with it again.

Urban gardner here, I've got around 80 4" pots going to sprout seeds here.  Beans, tomatoes, squash, peppers, Okra and such.  Along with a bunch of flowers.  Hoping we're done w/ frost at this point, but it's not mid-April yet...

I never thought of the food aspect... both were named by our kids. It's funny but I never noticed! Trust that time helps karma. Just the fact that you have and still are giving Max as good a life as possible proves this. Where would he be today without you? Every dog I've ever had has given me many weeks or months of joy for every day of worry or grief. They are Positive influences in our lives.

Oh Hozzie! I am so so so sorry to read that!! My best boy was put to sleep 2 years ago this July, after 14.5 years he just couldn't do it anymore. He would have held on forever if he could, but I refused. We had a vet come over and it was very peaceful by the flower garden. This little turd is different. He's little but he is a fighter through and through. Whatever is wrong, won't stop him. He's enjoying getting to sleep with us and his new special diet. I'm hopeful we can figure it out, but I'm prepared to send him to heaven if it just becomes too much. I don't believe in allowing dogs to suffer for our comfort. The thing is, with the loss of our girls, I just don't want to lose another one this year. That's the hard part. I'm so sorry to hear about Kennedy. I'm so sorry for your loss. We're staying home with the pups. I think we are going to miss the big celebration at our friends. However I will be making Ruebens so we won't suffer. There might be a trip to the vet today to help drain his bladder too. We'll see how he does. Thanks for your kind words. Happy Easter to you and yours!

And then there are swans.  A nesting swan will take over a small lake and keep all the fishing boats off.  They'll fly at the boat and buzz you with their 6 foot wingspan.  Big birds!   Quite a strong cross-current and/or wind.  We've drifted from zero points thru zero stars, Comms, Adam 'n' Eve, snakes, original sin,  animal souls and evil birds.  Reckon we'll ever get back to warning points or just drift forever?

I don't care if you have a giant purple chamber flag in your weapon. If you point it at me, we will have problems.

I've been in your shoes.  It can be confusing going in for the first time.  Here's what I did and it worked out great, I learned a lot, and in my opinion I got a nice rifle out of the deal.    #1 Acquire a lower.  Stay away from polymer, no reason to go down that road to save $20, you are not a hobo. #2 Buy a PSA rifle build kit.  It will have everything that you will need to complete the rifle when paired with the stripped lower, minus the magazine and sights.  #3 Look up a video on Youtube about how to assemble the lower.  My upper came pre assembled, two roll pins and it's on.    As far as sourcing parts... 1.  Are you an operator? 2.  Are you an accomplished 3 gun competitor looking to stay at the top of the game? 3.  Will this rifle be mostly used for shooting beer cans, varmints, carrying at public demonstrations and/or at your job as a mall security guard, I mean ninja?   If you answered "yes" to questions 1 or 2 you may be best served looking at some fancier brands. If you answered "no" to questions 1 or 2 but "yes" to question 3 then PSA is a great choice for you as it is economical and generally of serviceable quality. 

While searching for a 3" model 60 in pawn shops, I was given an opportunity to buy a beautiful 3" k frame from a manager at a pawn shop that I have known a few years. It was not what I was looking for but I knew I would never find another as beautiful as this 1989 model 65. I had a rough old police trade in model 65 last year that I had actually experienced regrets on selling. When I bought this a few months ago it made me feel better.

  I have put at least 20 lowers together without a block. I'm starting to believe I don't need one.

I get my American Rifleman in print copy.  I looked for this article online and couldn't find it.   Here are the highlights:   Remington realizes that that quality has been bad, which has resulted in significantly lower sales. They seem to be consolidating manufacturing to their new Huntsville, AL facility.  One of the reasons they chose it is because of the quantity of engineers and machinists used to aero space level quality. Here's the most important part.  The new CEO acknowledges that quality has been poor.  He also says that the problems haven't been fixed, that they are making progress and that it is a priority. The machining in Huntsville is all new. The original plant is also upgrading machinery, though they also have a lot of old machinery.  

Ain't it great to get old. You can't remember what you were talking about. :blah:

Now, uh, what were we talking about? :angel:

Hope to see ALL of you in Heaven!

In my opinion, it isn't working out at all. I'm finding hogs in places now that they have never been in. Got to get them hardheaded biologist to change things!   Dave

I agree about looking into your MPG. However congrats on the new to you bike. Ride safe as everyone in 4 or more wheels is trying to kill you on your 2 wheels. I ride a 01 Springer Softail and my head is always on a swivel while riding.

I used this when I first started, thorough and very helpful. https://www.ar15.com/content/guides/assembly/lower/

I have a Trijicon RMR on mine and really like it.

Plated yes. To my knowledge it's as good as the others. It's been a while since I bought any of the others so I can compare plating, but the shoot just fine.

  It's not all about keeping track of a person, but there's also a safety aspect to it. I have a Ham radio license (tech). My Jeep is trackable via ARPS. I also installed a small, transmit-only tracker in my wife's car. She is diabetic, so should something happen to her (passed out etc), I know where she is and can direct medics, or hop in the Jeep and drive to her location. Since I have a GPS unit on my Ham radio, her location shows up on my GPS map. (I can even get turn-by-turn directions from the GPS to her location).   It can come in handy. Last year, after lunch with a girlfriend, her car wouldn't start. I hopped in the Jeep and drove to her to diagnose the issue, give her a jump, and drive to Autozone to replace the battery. All she had to say was "Honey, my car doesn't start." "No worries, honey, I'll be right there, wherever it is you are." :)

My daughter wasn't very happy about the idea of being watched via this tracking device, but she has quickly learned to accept it. This thing has really given me some peace of mind, especially when she's scheduled to work late hours. I can't thank Dustbuster enough.

Pics or it ain't so ....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etD0Y_8vyxg

I blame the people who used the flag for evil purposes more than anything else. Their use of it gave the general public the view that it was a racist symbol regardless of what was true. The Christian cross has been used extensively by the KKK but no one ever gets upset by that it seems. Just my perspective when you commented about the Confederate soldiers not fighting for "the right thing" as I believe you put it. Maybe, but they thought that it was right. They didn't know what we know now. And, our wasn't really about slavery but about states rights. Just imagine today if the federal government created laws that would vastly change our way of life. Most would probably roll over and take it but back then the Confederacy took up arms to protect their way of life and what they thought was right. If that cause was not connected to slavery the perspective would be a lot different. Another fine video sir. Not arguing just weighing in.

:up: Sometimes, the younger generation takes "facts" and runs with them, without taking the time to research it for themselves.  Sad really, but we have lost control of our educational system, now controlled by liberals, news and social media.

Thanks!   Glad you like them!     lol....its a General Lee, how else is a boy supposed to play with it?

Stop, stop, you're making too much sense. Seriously though, good work. Your General Lee video is one of the funniest things I've ever seen. I used to have a 12" plastic General Lee when I was a kid. I was jumping it down the steps one day and my momma yelled at me "Throw that thing down the steps one more time and I'll throw it in the trash!" I miss that toy. :)

May not be a Darwin Award Winner, but he should make the Top Ten :eek:

First off, he didnt buy the over the internet like he claimed. He just made arrangements to meet and purchase it in a face to face meeting. Why is this any different than buying a gun from a classified ad in the newspaper or off a bulletin board. I dont remember anybody fussing years ago when those were popular methods of putting your firearms up for sale.

I take it you don't understand the basics of firearms safety and courtesy.

I'm refraining from commenting on whether I think the shooting was justified or not for two reasons. One, I haven't read into the case and I also have a known bias. Besides, it is a subject that isn't really primary in this case because justified or not, the inscription is being used to cast the incident in a negative light. Some like to cast it as a black and white, justified or not situation when I think there is often the possibility that we may find ourselves in a very grey area as to whether deadly force is justified. This incident goes to show that if it isn't clear cut, the way we adorn our weapons can very possibly be used against us.

I saw this on another site and was shaking my head.  While I don't think it's an indication that the officer was enthusiastic about killing people (not by itself anyway), I do think it shows a lack of judgement and maturity on his part...so much so I'd question if he has the judgement and maturity to be a police officer in the first place.  If I'm the one prosecuting him, it's a line I'd pursue for the charges at hand.    Also, there is a failure of management in allowing something like that to be on a weapon used for official purposes.  I don't care if it was incompetence, apathy, or approval, on the part of the officers supervisory chain, any reason is unacceptable.

I am just talking legally carry anywhere and not going into the state over riding policies of businesses.  Off duty LEO's can carry anywhere legally in the state but can be asked by property owners to leave by business policy.  Some states treat pistol licensees the same way as off duty LEO's as far as not having any legal restrictions.   For example, I may have a business policy against people drinking liquor in their offices on company property.  However it is not illegal by state law for people to drink in their offices.  All I can do is ask an employee or other person to leave and the person has every right to carry his liquor out the door with him.  I can't have the police come and arrest the person for drinking on my property and confiscate the person's alcohol for breaking a company policy.   Why would you not want to be able to carry anywhere legally and the state not have the ability to enforce company and state government policies as criminal weapons violations?

Here's 2 different one's for .308 that have shot .5 MOA out to 600 on a good day with an accurate barrel and shooter. Provided good brass prep, bullet and case sorting etc. Ditto on seating depth and would add, you need to chrono for everything. OCW, COAL and neck tension. Find what the rifles likes. After all that, both of these have worked very well for me:   175 SMK - 42.5-43.0 g IMR 4064 (all purpose load)   185 Berger Jugg - 43.5g Varget (F class and 1,000 yard load)   BR2 primer on both.   *The Berger 185 is much better @ 1,000.

That second pic doesn't look too bad in terms of seating depth. If you know the OAL, I can probably run it in quickload and give you a ROUGH pressure curve

  Actually, I have had received, or seen, a number of comments over the last months that got me thinking we need a short-form guide on this (ala Caster's "lead thread" which is the real inspiration).    Keep an eye on the top four pages where I started.  They will change often.   These will be edited /expanded routinely so check back on them periodically over upcoming weeks.  Once we have a "technical" platform established, we will get in-depth into specific cases in discussions below.    As the discussions evolve, I will also copy the good points up to the top and include them in their relevant sections.   I can tell you up front that the most effective and economical route, will be through ham radio.  It is very easy, no longer requires Morse Code, and is well supported by industry and also well organized over 100+ years of practice. That said, we will also be discussing the other services in detail, because there are important reasons for "defense in depth" by having a capability for using them.   This is a "family" document, so tech support from the other radio Ops is coveted.