Vistar

Just climb into a taxi (or Ubber) in any large American city and you'll get a cultural tour of the world.

Loudon. Sorry for arriving late to the party.

This linked news release may be of interest to the techies among us. https://medium.com/@usnistgov/building-a-firearms-toolmark-database-43f207adeb4d#.jfy0zt7as

+1 At least my tinnitis sounds like crickets. It's really kind of soothing 24/7.  I noticed significant middle tone hearing loss in my early 40's and it seems to have stabilized since I started wearing "real" ear protection (also early 40's - before that - spent cases when available). Doc asked if I had ever been around load noises like a punch press, deck gun; shot pistols, shotguns and rifles. Ya think? I still don't wear protection with shotguns or hunting rifles. That's almost impossible in the field. But, I can't hear poop after a few rounds have been fired.

Forgive my rant about Midway 22 Mini-Mags I've finally had it with Midway USA. Turkeys sent me a flyer by snailmail that arrived today with CCI Mini-Mag 22 RN ammo touted on outside wrapper at $6.99 per hundred. I called them and of course they were out of stock - no possible back order. So I let 'em have it. I've had Mini-Mag ammo on backorder since November of 2013. So, obviously they had to have some inventory to cover the direct mail promotion? In answer, supervisor explained I ordered 5,000 rounds and they can't ship that made up of 100 round boxes. I'm sorry, but that's not a good answer. The 100 round plastic sleeves don't package separately. They pack into large cases. Some number of cases would add up to 5,000 rounds. This is bad customer service. That's it for me and Midway. As far as I'm concerned, they can sit and rotate.

For my wife's first day firing a handgun, I thought a Sig 250sc 9mm might be a good fit. She didn't like it. She asked to try my P226 also 9mm - there went the 226. The E2 grips worked well. She enjoyed the outing but is more comfortable firing the 22 cal conversion. Hey, if it helps her develop knowledge about guns, safe handling and marksmanship - she can shoot all the 22 rounds she likes. 3 or 4 of those rounds spot on target will take care of most defense issues.

Please refresh my memory. Before there was HCPing, wasn't it okay to open carry a handgun or unloaded long gun / shotgun in Tennessee (Knoxville specifically)? I seem to recall in Knoxville in the 60's being told by a LEO it was okay to strap on a six-shooter and walk down Gay Street (that's the name of the main business street in Knoxville). Am I dreaming? I think this Bill simply sets things back to the way they were. That said, I am all in favor of a minimum age and hunter safety / gun safety training as long as it's reasonable. Some states have gone beyond reason with unnecessarily long training requirements that discourage new hunters and keep people who should be trained out of classes.

This AM, received email notice of arrival of long, long backordered bulk Rem Thunderbolt 22LR - 500 rnds for 20.99. However, between order placement last Nov and now, shipping and handling has increased. For this one item, they want $15.79 for shipping plus a $3.00 special handling fee. I think not. So much for a few moments of happiness before I saw new details and hit "cancel."

It sure looked Russian or Romanian (note domain country where animated gif is stored)

How hard can this be?   1. Pull the pin   2. Throw as far from boat as possible   3. Use dip net to pick up dead and stunned fish   The guys shown in link below missed step 2 and are favorites for a Darwin Award       http://img.fae.ro/9e9f04.gif  

If you're mainly working west Knoxville, you might consider Anderson County (if you have kids in school) or Loudon County if you just want acreage and some wide open spaces. Knox County will work as well but price per acre is starting to get pretty crazy even in the far west Knox boonies.

That may be the final outcome. Galco's holster instructions certainly encourage trying to make it work - plastic bag sheaths, twist the gun in holster - be patient, keep working on it. I think we're about at the end of it. It shouldn't be harder than breaking in a new baseball mitt - and this has been far more challenging. If it isn't fixed tomorrow, I'll call them.   04/05/2014 Update: Water bath worked. Used warm water as instructed and pressed pistol, covered in plastic trash bags, into moist holster and left 48 hours. Seems to fit and release perfectly now. Leather is still a little moist so will open carry on this bright sunny day while working on boat. That should set the leather and complete this project. (And likely raise eyebrows among fellow slip renters.)  

Did the water thing last night with two layers of trash bag. I do have a can of SnoSeal (great stuff for boots you're really going to wear outdoors). I'll let you know how it works tomorrow. Going to give it time to really dry and take its form.

Mike   I found a similar product by Mitch Rosen - Leather Lightning. It's priced in the same ballpark, about $15, so I'll use your suggestion. After reading a review of the product, the writer emphasized do not do anything that will soften the holster (ie alcohol). The review noted that without a thumb release, an open top holster needs to remain stiff. Draw-Ez is something to help out until the holster finally wears in - and it was explained, this can take a long time if the gun is not carried often. That will be the case with the 226.

Yes, water is within the budget. Good first step. I'll do that tonight.