Saturday, March 30, 2013

Rifle Jonesing

So, I've had a bit of a hankering for a little different rifle than what's currently in the stable.  I'm leaning toward something very lightweight in a light recoiling caliber.  I also want iron sights and the option to mount a compact optic.  I'm leaning toward a manually cycled action that can be cycled quickly which unfortunately rules out my Marlin 30-30 with its long lever throw.

I've had my eye on a CZ 527 carbine in 7.62x39 but the optics mounting and magazine situation on it makes me wary.  The optic rail is an integrated dovetail that requires an adapter for weaver or picatinny options.  And from what I've read, the mag can't be reloaded while in the rifle and spare mags are pricy at $40 each.  Not to mention the 7.62 chambering is scarce for some reason right now.

The new Mossberg MVP Patrol rifle in .300 Blackout that was introduced at SHOT this year is VERY interesting.  Short bolt throw, iron sights, picatinny rail, a 16" barrel, and AR-15 mags.  I've got a couple of reservations with this rifle.  The first is the new caliber.  I was hoping to stick with a caliber I already own.  Plus I'm not certain how available it's likely to be.  This isn't much of a concern as the .300 Blackout has proven extremely popular.  The second is the rifle itself.  I've not been able to find much in the way of reviews of the MVP in any caliber.  I've always sort of had it in the back of my mind that the Mossberg rifles were second string.  No real justification for this, I admit, but I'd feel a whole lot better if I could find reviews that painted a more favorable than unfavorable overview.

And now I'm wondering if anyone's ever converted a Kel-Tec SU16 to .300 Blackout.

Sometimes I do believe I think too much.

Friday, March 15, 2013

Feinstein Mentally Unbalanced?

Ted Cruz and Diane Feinstein exchange words in judiciary committee hearing on assault weapons ban bill.  And I do mean "exchange words".  Senator Cruz asked a specific question and Senator Feinstein's refused to answer it, instead spitting out an emotional tirade.

And from some of the comments she made (Bazookas? She really doesn't know that bazookas have been regulated since before their creation? I'm actually afraid to look to see if she did include bazookas on the bill in question.) I begin to wonder: Did Senator Feinstein suffer some psychological trauma when she found the bodies of her colleagues all those years ago that leaves her unable to see the world as it is when weapons are in the equation?  Because it's looking more and more like she's in some fantasy land where the U.S. has absolutely no control of weapons and no repercussions for murder.

Friday, March 1, 2013

Housing Woes

Gonna go on a little pity trip here.  Feel free to skip this one if you're not interested in hearing me whine.

So in the last month, both my truck and my neighbors' apartment have been broken into.  The first only surprised me in that it took this long for it to happen.  The second, however, has me worried.  Yes, I have a safe but based on what I heard of the neighbors' conversation with the maintenance man, I'm not certain the thieves couldn't have made off with my guns, safe and all.

I really do not expect thievery to get any less common around here, so I've decided it's time to start looking for somewhere else to live.  The big question right now is to rent or buy.  I'm going to have to be honest and say that I doubt I will be finding employment elsewhere that will have anywhere near the salary and benefits that I'm getting right now.  That and the low interest rates on housing loans right now are pushing me toward purchasing. However, I am having a devil of a time finding a house that comes even close to the criteria I want in a home.  I specifically want a place that's outside city limits, not in a sub-division, less than 45 minutes' drive from work, and that has enough room to allow me to set up a 25 yard range but is small enough to not be overly difficult to take care of the lawn. Defining things that narrowly almost guarantees that it'll be a while before I find something that matches but I know that I wouldn't be happy with anything less.

At the same time, I need to find something quickly before I come back to my apartment to find the door kicked in and my safe gone.

I really want to get away from renting.  I've been a renter for the last 8 years and this entire time it's felt like I've just been throwing money out the window every time I write a rent check.  Same thing with a membership to a gun range.  If I own property, I just can't see paying someone else to let me shoot on their property.

Meh.  No sense in worrying over it.  The good Lord will provide.  He always does.