Wakal

I have had two of the hot-rod caliber Commanders. Ended up with the Officer's height sight in the front, and a MMC Novak-profile adjustable rear (the one with the solid steel "wings" protecting the blade inside, with the blade cranked all the way up). Both of mine seemed to like a very low front and a fairly tall back. The other Commander (in .45 ACP, but otherwise functionally identical) has standard fixed Novak Commander sights front and rear, so no odd height issues with the "lob a subsonic lug nut" chambering... Alex

I didn't get one either...last year, they were being pretty coy about it...one of the gentlemen said that they had noticed that business dropped off heavily the last part of December through the SHOT show and then was heavy right after SHOT. His opinion was that they had "trained" their customers to wait for the discount. My reaction was "...well, yes...if you can afford to drop 10% for three months, then why not all the time?" However, that got me a neck lanyard and a (metaphoric) boot out of the booth Alex

After a series of high profile, mutli-car accidents, which have caused dozens of fatalities, the environmental group American Council to Ban Automobiles has renamed itself in honor Ashley Brandy, a nine year old girl, killed when the minivan her mother was driving collided at high speed with a so-called “death vehicle.” Now named the Brandy Campaign to Prevent Automobile Fatalities, the group plans an aggressive lobbying campaign to ban these types of death vehicles in Congress. Several years ago, citing environmental concerns, ACBA proposed outlawing all vehicles capable of exceeding 65 miles per hour. That proposal met with cool reception in the halls of Congress. While polling showed lukewarm support among the public for banning automobiles that can exceed 65 miles per hour, it has shown that the public does support laws to limit the availability of death vehicles. Advocates have pointed out these cars have no purpose other than to drive at unsafe speeds, and risk killing other motorists. Several years ago, California became the first state in the nation to outlaw death vehicles. Similar to the California law, the bill currently being advanced in Congress will ban certain excessively fast automobiles by name. Congress has also, much like their California counterparts, examined features common to these cars, and banned certain combinations of features from appearing on vehicles. Under the current bill it will be unlawful to manufacture, sell, or transfer an automobile with any two of the following features: * Spoiler * Air scoops * Low profile tires, * Body panels made of 60% or more composite material by volume * Bright red body color * Rotating headlights * Three or fewer passenger seats. Congress has also, at the urging of The Brandy Campaign, added a section to the bill that limits any automobile with V or higher rated tires from having an internal gasoline tank greater than five gallons. “We believe this is an important aspect of the bill,” said Saul Henke, a spokesman for the Brandy Campaign, “This way even if someone drives his death machine at an unsafe speed, he or she won’t be able travel very far before having to stop to refuel, giving authorities or other motorists a chance to catch up and intervene.” Mr. Henke also expressed concerns that the proposed law does not go far enough. “Because the bill doesn’t ban certain engine configurations, manufactures may easily skirt these restrictions, and continue to make dangerously fast cars. We’ve been working with our allies in Congress in an attempt to close this dangerous loophole.” Sports car enthusiasts, along with the National Motorists Association, have been attempting to fight the ban. “Sports cars are driven responsibly by millions of Americans every day, and enthusiasm for these machines is as American as Apple Pie,” said NMA Executive Vice President Duane LaPerrier, “The notion that these vehicles have no purpose than driving at dangerous speeds and killing families in minivans is ludicrous.” When asked why anyone had a need for a car that could drive so fast, LaPerrier pointed out, “You’ll still have fast cars, even with this ban. The only thing this will accomplish is putting good people in jail, for such things as adding a fiberglass panel to their car, or buying a spoiler with low profile tires.” The Brandy Campaign dismissed the idea, noting “Ordinary motorists have nothing to fear from this bill. By banning these deadly cars, we’ll save the lives of hundreds of children in this country. Over 33,000 people die in automobile accidents each year, many of them children.” The NMA has called for better enforcement of the nation’s traffic laws, and harsh penalties for those who drive automobiles irresponsibly. Critics have pointed out that the National Motorist Association has ties to the automobile industry, and represents only a fraction of American Drivers. Pundits believe the Ashley Brandy Automotive Safety Act will be passed by Congress at the end of the year. The President made banning death vehicles part of his platform, so proponents of automobile safety should be getting a Christmas present from Congress that’s sure to warm their holidays. Once again, http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/ kicks over my giggle box Alex

It was pretty funny this year (as in years past) seeing the little short gentlemen with the big cameras holding everything close to the lens and taking dozens of pictures per item.

CMMG dropped the project; too much time and money, and the ATF was bitchy about it. There are several other companies working on this sort of thing; I messed with one other prototype at SHOT that looked interesting. DI/LLC has been tinkering with some ideas but they are some slow rollers, to be sure. Probably ride the short bus to work. On this one: The BATFE has approved importation (according to my source, who seemed to know what he was talking about) as of last week after two years of paperwork. There should be a hundred of them on their way into the country now. Larger mags (and folding stocks, free float rail tubes, and that sort of thing) are being developed in the US. I passed along my concerns...reliability, 10 round (or better) mags, spare parts...and it seemed that he was already on top of it. Having lived in the country that makes these, I've messed with their other versions (just not the 12) "in house" (as it were) but not enough to have a solid opinion one way or another. Alex

Liota has two more days of pictures in her camera...just got home a few minutes ago, and will do one more installment of "This Ole' SHOT". On the Leupold 1-6...not bad glass, but it is not illuminated and they did not know if (or when) they would make it so. In Burris news, they must have got tired of swapping target turrets for the short "hunter" turrets on the nice 1.5-6 XTR illuminated; they will all come with "hunter" knobs now. They are also working a "click" switch for the illumination to replace the problematic XTR system and the F30 push button; no idea when that change would happen. Steiner has a slick little 1-4 with a circle dot; the nice thing about it was that it had the brightest illumination I have ever seen. On max, it was just amazing. Made the Meopta look like a US Optics! The engineer commented that they were considering a 1-6. If they can keep the price under the Z6i, that would be a solid choice. Even so, it was a great little scope. Noticed a oddity at the Sharps/Merwin&Hubert booth...a 16" AR type with a octagon barrel under the handguard. Being a fan of the Winchester '92 in a half-octagon, I found this really cool. Interesting piston system, too. I'll write up "stuff" to go with the pictures once Liota gets them online, but meanwhile (in no particular order): 1911's everydamnwhere. I like 1911's, but wow... The only one that really interested me was the reproduction 1911 (no bloody -A1) that Bill over at C&S is putting out. Absolutely amazing. AR's...now with 142% more pistons! Yay. Pistons. Rah rah. Whatever Pink. Lots of pink stuff. Astounding amounts of pink gear. If it gets more women into shooting, then great. However, making a 2/3rd scale .38+P pink does not make it fun to shoot; cute, maybe, but not something that will encourage range time. Kimber's little 7+1 hinged trigger "carry" gun was my pick for best new pistol...17 ounces, nicely rounded, adequate trigger, nice sights (!)...seemed like a bucket of "win" to me. Although the Taurus Raging Judge in 28 gauge was cool (the ATF told them (at the show) that they couldn't make it, damn it). Kel-Tec's 15-round 26.1" pump shotgun was a hit. If they fix the trigger problem (I noticed that...not that I was checking to see if it would slam fire or anything... but if you held the trigger back and worked the pump, the trigger did not reset. Poking around the web, I was not the only ubergeek to notice that particular "safety" feature), that is. Our crazy friend there at Double Alpha has a new holster hanger for his great holster that may be enough to pry my long-favored Limcat (in a custom hanger) off my belt. His new aluminum mag pouch is slick, too...the adjustment system is a radical departure from what everyone else has been doing, and locks up but releases smooooooth (and is very low profile)...I'm looking forward to buying three to swap out for my current rig. And on a non-SHOT note: If you are ever in Vegas, you can now jump off the observation deck of the Stratosphere and fall 855 feet (while attached securely to a cable, of course). Seeing Vegas at night from that high is special, but then walking the plank and falling to the ground was amusing. Worth the trip. Alex

Didn't see it over at the Leupold booth...may have had it "out" for a meeting. Quick thoughts (to be accompanied by pictures later)...the S&B Short Dot still has the problem with the eye relief changing as the magnification changes. The Premier Reticles 1.1-8 is still pretty hot, and is due out in September. Rossi now makes a lever-action Judge revolving pistol. No idea what for, but it is entirely too cool. They also made a N-frame type in .44 into a revolving rifle. What was old is new again. The new Kimber DAO single stack "mini" 9mm is very nice. Smith revolvers still have the zit, and thus are not on my "to buy" list. Handling Dirty Harry's .44 was great fun. The 500 from The Spirit was not as heavy as it looked. Ruger's copy of the PF9 is very clean, but the magazine safety is an abomination unto shooters (as is the huge "if this lever is a'risin', your chamber is loaded" (or some such) machined into the loaded chamber indicator). The Lucid 2-7 variable magnifier has poor quality glass and no ability to focus (darn it; I liked the idea a lot). Alex

Also made in Turkey (like the .410), imported through Russian American Armory. Alex

Ran into Larry over at the STI booth...he was very excited with the 6" 10mm (with extra .40 S&W barrel) that the folks at STI put together for him (complete with a perfect serial number and great engraving). http://picasaweb.google.com/lpwakal/SHOTDay202?authkey=Gv1sRgCOCp-LWS8bXyjwE&feat=directlink#5564177661240192946 Here is a picture of the NEW Meopta...the one with the three chevrons instead of the bottom line in the reticle. Still great illumination, just a bit shorter. It should ship in July, and the price point is $100 more than the old one (which will also be available). Seems that the one everyone was messing with at last year's SHOT was one of two prototypes. The entire production run has been going to various NATO units, and they have not imported any to the US. That should change this summer. http://picasaweb.google.com/lpwakal/SHOTDay202?authkey=Gv1sRgCOCp-LWS8bXyjwE&feat=directlink#5564177645656300338 Something for the M14/M1A crowd...ProMag has a new stock on the way for the M14 platform. Not aluminum bedded, but with a combination of polymers and carbon fiber with a plastic shell. Adjustable for length of pull and comb height, molded QD sling swivel points, a rail (with cover) aligned with the barrel on the underside of the forearm...feels great, balanced well and at $299 I think they will sell a lot of them. I'll drop my NM M1A in one as soon as they ship http://picasaweb.google.com/lpwakal/SHOTDay202?authkey=Gv1sRgCOCp-LWS8bXyjwE&feat=directlink#5564177634361465346 And last..these are 12 gauge mag fed gas operated shotguns. Feels like a DPMS 308, only lighter. This is the configuration they are imported...the front sight tower is just clamped on. Free float handguard, choke tubes, and 10-12 round magazines...to hell with Saigas...if they actually ship (and run as described), these will be the heat. http://picasaweb.google.com/lpwakal/SHOTDay202?authkey=Gv1sRgCOCp-LWS8bXyjwE&feat=directlink#5564177613134941714 And last, CRKT has a combination wrench shackle, bottle opener, screwdriver, and spork on the market in stainless steel for $4. Amazing Alex

Some quick thoughts in no particular order about what Liota and I saw here on the first day of SHOT. As mentioned in the IOR scope thread, their new 1-10 is very trick. First focal plane M8 type reticle with green illumination, second focal plane dot with red illumination. 35mm tube, very clear. Nice piece of glass. http://picasaweb.google.com/lpwakal/SHOTDay1?authkey=Gv1sRgCJvfwoHWwqXoKA&feat=directlink#5563918784245394706 http://picasaweb.google.com/lpwakal/SHOTDay1?authkey=Gv1sRgCJvfwoHWwqXoKA&feat=directlink#5563919175760513730 IOR also has a new 12-52. Cams available in 338, 50, and a third caliber that escapes me. Note three color markings on the elevation...neat idea, easy to not get lost as you dial up from zero. http://picasaweb.google.com/lpwakal/SHOTDay1?authkey=Gv1sRgCJvfwoHWwqXoKA&feat=directlink#5563794224102986370 http://picasaweb.google.com/lpwakal/SHOTDay1?authkey=Gv1sRgCJvfwoHWwqXoKA&feat=directlink#5563794414207977394 http://picasaweb.google.com/lpwakal/SHOTDay1?authkey=Gv1sRgCJvfwoHWwqXoKA&feat=directlink#5563794233873949394 Sabre has a new bullpup semi-auto 50 BMG. 18 pounds. Awesome. $6,500. http://picasaweb.google.com/lpwakal/SHOTDay1?authkey=Gv1sRgCJvfwoHWwqXoKA&feat=directlink#5563794306495715058 JP has a new AR15 that looks like a scaled down version of his nifty side-charging .308. The complete gun (top) is pretty hot (the bottom gun is a upper; it uses a standard charging handle as well as the side charger since it fits regular lowers; nice but the complete gun is very clean). Too heavy in the snout for my taste, but I'm a little guy, shy and retiring, and heavy barrels are too much for me. With a mid weight barrel, I think this would be the best off-the-shelf three gun rifle on the market. http://picasaweb.google.com/lpwakal/SHOTDay1?authkey=Gv1sRgCJvfwoHWwqXoKA&feat=directlink#5563794267367553122 The new Smith and Wesson 6-shot Judge knock-off is, as might be expected, very nice. If it didn't have the side zit, I'd buy one. http://picasaweb.google.com/lpwakal/SHOTDay1?authkey=Gv1sRgCJvfwoHWwqXoKA&feat=directlink#5563794374711334066 The Kel-Tech 15-shot pump bullpup shotgun is amazing. Lighter (and better balanced) than I expected, with simple and logical controls. I want one. http://picasaweb.google.com/lpwakal/SHOTDay1?authkey=Gv1sRgCJvfwoHWwqXoKA&feat=directlink#5563794453109483650 Still in the Kel-Tech booth is their MP7-ish carbine companion to their new Grendel .22WM. Should be about $550, and cries out for a little can and a SBR stamp. Unlike the H&K, we will actually be able to buy these. Want. Stopped by the H&K booth to look at a MP7; more solid construction, sure, but made out of a combination of unobtanium and fail...from the attitude of the folks in the booth, H&K still thinks you suck and they hate you. Or maybe just us http://picasaweb.google.com/lpwakal/SHOTDay1?authkey=Gv1sRgCJvfwoHWwqXoKA&feat=directlink#5563919262368861218 http://picasaweb.google.com/lpwakal/SHOTDay1?authkey=Gv1sRgCJvfwoHWwqXoKA&feat=directlink#5563794462923029538 Played with the Bushnell 1600 ARC line of combination binos (in 12, 10, and 7 power). FAST response time, worked great out to the 145 yards visible in the show, adequate glass, great price point. Gives incline and hold overs for pre-selected loads. Neat. I'll buy one of these to replace my "truck" binos and current rangefinder, although I won't chuck my favorite 10-power Steiners in the rubbish bin quite yet. Liota found the one thing that she wanted from SHOT: http://picasaweb.google.com/lpwakal/SHOTDay1?authkey=Gv1sRgCJvfwoHWwqXoKA&feat=directlink#5563794490198950514 Today's plan is to go annoy the nice folks at STI, Meopta, Al Mar, and then to swing by every scope maker that builds something better than 1-4 for the Annual Scope Trudge (second year). Fun! Alex

The M8-type reticle is in the first focal plane. The red dot is in the second plane. The dot is bright red (hard to tell indoors how bright it REALLY was, but it seems far better than the usual dim offerings from US Optics and such. Several buttons on the left side behind the side focus; one turned the dot on (red), the other turned the cross hairs on (IOR green). Very clear glass, moderately extended lever built into the adjustment ring. I did not notice the (very acceptable) eye relief change as the power changed (unlike the Short Dots). Not as heavy as I expected. Should be available early third quarter in the $2,400 range. IMO, vastly superior to the hideously overpriced 1.1-8 Leupold offering. Better glass, one power on the low end, and just over half the cost. Pictures linked here: http://picasaweb.google.com/lpwakal/SHOTDay1?authkey=Gv1sRgCJvfwoHWwqXoKA&feat=directlink#5563918784245394706 http://picasaweb.google.com/lpwakal/SHOTDay1?authkey=Gv1sRgCJvfwoHWwqXoKA&feat=directlink#5563919175760513730 Alex

Good characters, strong dialogue, great costumes and sets. I rather liked it. Not a great classic of western civilization by any means, but good for a rainy afternoon. Alex

Liota and I messed with two of them yesterday. Much better balance (and lighter) than I expected. Easy to switch from tube to tube. This is going to make a great "truck gun" Picture here: http://picasaweb.google.com/lpwakal/SHOTDay1?authkey=Gv1sRgCJvfwoHWwqXoKA&feat=directlink#5563794453109483650 Alex

Meopta is on my list of booths to visit today...of course, LAST year they said it would be out by fall. Now that reflect on the parsing of that sentence, I realize that they never said WHICH year Alex

The UBR is my favorite folding stock for all the reasons already mentioned, but it is heavy. The ACE is about as light as it gets...my new rifle has the same "nose heavy" feel as you describe (also with a 18" Noveske barrel), which is why the barrel will get fluted as soon as I get around to it Alex

Oddly enough, Fred and I will be there both days plus the night match...Heavy and Tactical...time to beat, five million seconds... Dreadnaught Industries, LLC has been working up a sponsor box of goodies...not ten guns, though Alex

Fred and I did the "all optics" trudge last year...seems Round 2 is this year I think...4 and a HALF pounds on the IOR Liota and I managed to arranged "press passes" for ourselves this year (along with our regular dealer passes), so THIS time we can take pictures without security getting all whiny...although we have noticed that if you are Chinese you can take pictures of EVERYTHING from EVERY angle in closeup and then scurry back to the Chinese crap section of SHOT without a press pass...very odd. Alex

Actually, if the 200th place (and last) guy in Tactical has a match score of 500 seconds and the 8th place (and last) guy in Heavy Metal has a match score of 5 million seconds, then the guy in Heavy Metal was beat like a rented mule. However, the guy at the WAY tail end of HM goes 24th and the guy in Tactical goes 216 (assuming 200 Tactical, 8 Limited, 8 HM for the point of discussion). Separate prize tables. Or "Top 3" and random draw. Or "combined" BY SCORE. Or $20 entry and no prize tables This "go to the table alternating Divisions" concept means that although you are scored separately, you are ranked in strict order of finish without regard for actual score by combined Division. This rewards Division shopping, not competence. Alex

Hmm...that seems a little strange. If a guy, for example, is one of eight shooters in Heavy Metal and (again as an example) his total time is 5,000.2 seconds...he will go to the table 24th, even though there are 200 Tactical shooters who beat him like a rented mule. Might want to set up three prize tables, weighted by the number of shooters like every other match tends to do... Alex

Easy enough. I'll haul a complete bolt carrier group along to SHOT next week and put it in Jim's hands, since he is building the gun Alex

Need a bolt carrier group? Alex

Here is Liota's new toy. Still needs to be sandblasted, the flats polished, and finished in...something. She is debating the usual chrome, or Ionbond, or "copper" ionbond lower with black slide, or...well, she hasn't decided yet Alex

Usually about forty bucks and two weeks. Alex

Tom at AMS Machine makes a very Dr/Jpoint type mount that fits the rear sight dovetail. Email him and ask...they are not on the website: http://amsmachine.net/ Been running one of those with a Insight RDS lately. Works great, and has a brighter dot than the Pride/Fowler I was running before. Alex

By the way, if you happen to get stopped by a fat border patrol guy of obvious Mexican decent in a slovenly maintained uniform who then asks in heavily accented English for your ID, he and his equally unprofessional partner do not find it amusing when you say "...sure, and may I see yours?" Alex