Love at First Squeeze, S&W SSR

I cannot remember the last time I was smitten at the gun counter. Sure, we all go in and play on occasion, sometimes I might even drool a bit. Rare is it that I start doing math in my head about how I'm going to impulse buy a $1000 pistol. Caleb was talking about them a few weeks ago, and it didnt register at the time, but it does now! The details? A Smith and Wesson SSR, 6 shot 686 frame, brushed stainless, laminated round grips, smooth trigger, great curves, a solid frame. I could go on and on.

 

 What would I do with such a thing? I would shoot revolver division USPSA, carry it as a woods gun for defense against the lions and wolves and bears that call Eastern Washington home. Not to mention the fact that I get cool points for shooting a revolver. The only issue seems to be that it isnt cut for moon clips, but Matt G found the solution for me, TK Customs, can machine your cylinder for $100. A set of fiber optic, or night sights, a Bladetech holster, and it should be good to go.

I'm enamored, and this never ends well for me. Anybody want to buy a gently used Ruger Vaquero?

Weekend time waster, zombie style

I just wasted a half hour of my life! It's like the old choose your own adventure books, only with a lower graphics budget!

Owning the First 300, part 1 of many

We all have seen that guy, you know the one, the guy who you see in the gun store, holding a large heavy barreled rifle, talking about how he is going to go shoot 1000 yards.  This also applies on Internet forums, although there is a lot more BS, and considerably less money involved. This also applies to the classic, "What should I buy to shoot 1000 yards" or "What sub $100 scope for shooting long range" and my personal favorite "I have shot rifles since I was six, always from the bench, and always at 100 yards, so I can shoot 1000".

I have a better plan, one that can be used to better yourself, and help bring those Internet Commandos into the world of reality.  A simple reality that, shooting is hard, and takes practice to develop those skills.  Several months ago, Clint Smith wrote an article for GUNS magazine (I cant find it now, and I apologize), in the article he talks about people who show up, buy a precision rifle and expect to be able to shoot 1000 yards.  His advice, go learn how to hit everything out to 300 yards first.  His article resonated with me, and I spent some time pondering a new training regimen. One that I could refine for myself first, then pass on to my friends.

For simplicity's sake, we are going to do this with your standard 16" AR-15, with iron sights.  You can do this with any rifle, and any sight configuration.  I chose the AR because it's the most common rifle in the US, ammo availability, and most importantly, it's my three gun rifle (and I need the practice).

I am going to break down the shooting portion into three parts:
0-50 yards
50-200 yards
200-300 yards

Other topics will include:
Zero range
In flight ballistics
Rifle shooting basics
Shooting positions

First thing we need to do is establish a standard, saying that you want to hit a target out to 300 is great, but leaves much open for interpretation.  I can shoot at a barn from 300 yards away and say I met met my goal. In the spirit of that, all our targets will be something we are all intimately familiar with. We will be shooting at 8" paper plates.  This will be our standard, hit an 8" paper plate, with iron sights from 0-300 yards.

Now, everybody calm down, because I know what y'all are thinking.....Sigboy, anybody can hit a paper plate at 5 yards.  Well, your correct, so I will add smaller targets inside the paper plates to establish a higher standard, 1" dots for >25, 2" dots for 50, etc

Several resources have been to used to help design this.  Special credit has to be given to the late Jeff Cooper and his book, 'The Art of the Rifle', and is a must read for any aspiring rifleman.

Speaking of rifleman, next month there is an Appleseed match close to home.  I plan to attend, and hopefully get my rifleman tab. But that's another post or two.......

Hopefully, by the end of this series, we will all have a better understanding on how to "own the first 300".  It will make you (but mostly me) a better shooter, whether it be in USPSA multigun, 3-gun, hunting or even plinking with your buddies. If you have any thoughts or suggestions, feel free to use the comment section below.  Even if there is something you want to see me do, let me know and I will try and incorporate it.

Playing in the Rain

I peered out the window Saturday morning and adjusted the playlist on my Ipod.  The sky was a reflection of my mind.  Dark grey clouds swirled angrily contrasted with the piercing blue sky.  It couldnt decide what to do, nor could I.  I started my run as the sprinkles started.  I used to love running in the rain and snow,  but, since I officially hit my mid-thirties, my knees don’t agree anymore.  I ran a slow two miles as the rain gradually worsened, pondering what to do with my day.  There was a USPSA pistol match today with INAS, I hadnt shot in three months, maybe it was time to get back in the groove.  





That could wait, a man had to have priorities, and breakfast was on top of that list.  There had been a string of Good Eats reruns, and Alton Brown (who is a gun guy btw) had a pan fried steak recipie I needed to try.  Anyways...I’m rambling....short story, yes I had steak for breakfast, kicked myself in the butt and packed up for the match.



The rain had turned torrential at this point, I glanced at the truck thermometer and it read 38*, it was going to be a long, cold, wet day.

New Hunting Belt

Recently, I put together a new hunting belt(furture post), and I decided that I would shoot with it today.  I slapped some extra magazine pouches on it, holstered up the trusty Sig, and decided that I was just going to have fun today,  the weather is nasty, and there is no reason to be overly competitive.









The first few stages went by in a blur.  The targets were wet even under the plastic bags, the tape wasnt sticking, and my magazines decided they didnt want to drop free.  This meant that I had to strip every mag by hand, adding time, but we were just playing, right?





The rifle stage was the shot last, and proved to be the hardest.  The paper targets all called for head shots, but they were laying down so bad,  had about a 1”x4” target area to hit.  Needless to say, there was alot of people calling ‘Mikes’ name.









Needless to say, there was alot of lamentation and gnashing of teeth, the weather, the targets, and anything else that could be complained about.  However, those that shot that day will have a great memory and a story to tell for a long time to come.

Fun with headshots

Scores, I forgot scores!  I took second overall.

The Mis-Adventures of Sigboy

As you can see, the blog title has changed.  We will be staying at this URL for the moment.  I am entertaining thoughts of a dedicated page, it really just depends on if I can get used to the new Blogger interface.  There will be a bit of rebranding, and the site look will be changing this week.
We will still primarily be a shooting blog, we are going to have the same focus that we did before.  We will be adding more focus on training, prepping and physical fitness.
The new header will read:
For the well read individual who appreciates the finer things in life. 
Heavy on Guns, Knives, Outdoors, Freedom, Self Dependence and Prepping. 
Light on religion and politics
As for the title, well, if you dont get it, you're probably not in my target demographic.
Expect posts every Tuesday and Thursday, with a few more sprinkled in as the muse strikes me.

I Have Buried Better Men

I have buried better men than me. Many of you know that, while in the Army, I did a tour with 'The Old Guard'. Memorial Day weekend was not a holiday. We worked. All those flags in Arlington National Cemetery, who do you think put them there? We started Friday night when the cemetery closed, we are done when the last flag is placed. The ceremony is called 'Flags In' and was started in 1948.

Every flag is centered and placed one boot length from the headstone. A crisp salute is rendered for medal of honor winners, I personally saluted every headstone that showed them to be a combat veteran. This is repeated hundreds of times by thousands of soldiers. It is an honor that I am proud to have participated in.

I salute all of you that have served our great Country with dignity and honor. Those that are there, and those that have come home. To those brave souls who will never come home, perhaps some day I will join you in Valhalla.
Thank you all.

Resurrection or Rebirth?

I have been entertaining thoughts of blogging again for a while. The question then becomes whether or not to start a new blog or to continue with this one. The focus on the reincarnation isnt going to change much. Less focus on guns (just a little), more focus on the outdoors and prepping. Food storage, water storage, and of course my horrible gear habit that no amount of money can seem to cure. A bit of focus on the history of the Inland North West, possibly some SAR stuff if I can get on the team. If I was to start a new blog what would I name it? Sigboy is my moniker, and I cant really see changing that any more than I could change my real name. Even if Alan is right and its more of a sidekick then a superhero name.

Some off the cuff options:
Sigboys Big Adventure (no, reminds people of Pee-Wee Herman..can't do that)
The Mis-Adventures of Sigboy (Some would call them that.)
Sigboy Seeks The Grail (kind of like it)
Sigboy Searches for Solitude (not exactly an accurate description, unless you ask my wife)

Something to ponder. Please feel free to comment away and let me know what you think.