Let’s Talk AR

Posted on February 14, 2020 by mfna

Whether intentionally or not, the initials “AR” are believed by many to be simply an abbreviation for “assault rifle.” This is not the case. Armalite is a small arms manufacturing company. The original company was founded in 1954 in California. It produced the original “Armalite Rifle,” a lightweight survival rifle designed for downed American aviators. The AR-15 (the AR stands for “Armalite Rifle”) became the military’s M16 standard. The history of the AR-15 can be read on Wikipedia as well as elsewhere.

For people not keeping up with technology, the term “rifle” brings to mind the Old West, with scenes of John Wayne brandishing a Winchester level-action, wooden stock long gun.

Lever-action rifles are still being made. The Henry Repeating Arms company makes some very highly-regarded “traditional” rifles.

But this article is about modern rifles. This is what today’s “ordinary” rifle looks like.

Believe it or not, the two are more similar than they are different. In fact, I’d posit that the Henry-style rifle is more difficult to build than the AR. That’s because parts for an AR abound, and the ability to mix-and-match parts is one of the reasons it’s the most popular rifle in America today!

One of the reasons it’s so popular is that it’s customizable, and the entry-level cost is relatively inexpensive. By the way, both rifles shown above are SEMI-AUTOMATICS. Put another way, 1 trigger pull = 1 bullet fired. When the military had them made, their version was FULL AUTOMATIC, or more accurately, SELECT FIRE (full or semi). Fully automatic firearms have not been legal in the USA for decades! So, once again, the lever action rifle, and the AR-15 are FUNCTIONALLY EQUAL.

Because the AR-15 has become so popular, it’s not surprising that gun-grabbers want to ban it, as it has shown up in some of the mass shootings that have sadly made the news. But the fact of the matter is, and while it’s a common “slogan,” guns don’t kill. People kill! According to Statista, in 2018, rifles accounted for only 297 of the total murders committed. Blunt objects (443) and personal weapons (fists, hands, feet, etc.) 672, each accounted for more. Yet politicians don’t seem to want to ban clubs, hammers, fists or such.

So why the continued focus on banning “assault rifles?” Dana Loesch in her book “Hand Off My Gun: Defeating the Plot to Disarm America” (Loesch, D. (2015), Center Street, Reprint Edition) claims that ignorance of the technology makes “black rifles” scarier and “shootier.” There is also an underlying belief that anti-Americanism drives the desire to disarm and subjugate the American populace.

Over the past couple of weeks I have been researching the technology that makes up an Armalite Rifle. Technology fascinates me, and I find myself amazed at how all the little pieces add up to make a rough, tough, instrument of destruction. The number of grains in a bullet can dictate the proper twist rate of a rifle barrel (don’t worry if that sentence makes no sense to you; trust me). Stainless steel, chrome lined, nitride… there are so many possible variables and pieces. A fully custom-made AR can cost thousands of dollars, and the components that make it up can be as intricate as the pieces of a watch (the old style, not the digital kind).

The purpose of this post is to outline some of the thought processes that I’ve been going through, as I consider getting my first AR.

For your viewing pleasure, here are some of the sweeter ARs I’ve looked at:

The Geissele Super Duty 16
CMMG Resolute 200 MK4 or Resolute 300 MK4
Bravo Company (BCM) M4 Mod 2 Carbine
Midwest Industries MI GAUSA-P Aircrew Self Defense Weapon Clone Pistol
Sons of Liberty (customizable)
Colt LE6920 (discontinued, hard to find)

Political Activism

Posted on January 22, 2020 by mfna

I received my Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in the study of Political Science, with a focus on International Affairs (in fact, my major was International Relations until that field of study was folded into the general GVPT curriculum). I credit my interest in affaires politiques to having grown up in a family where Dad was a diplomat.

During my late high school years, the Vietnam War was raging, and I, being of draft age, became more and more disillusioned with the U.S.A.’s lack of commitment to winning that conflict. The media focused on body counts, and the horror of the Mỹ Lai massacre continued to erode my faith in how the U. S. was pursuing that war, seemingly to add to the pockets of industrialists at the expense of American lives. I walked in the Moratorium March on Washington on November 15, 1969. I had graduated high school just months before.

Vietnam faded into memory, as I did not serve in the armed forces, and did not have direct experience with the war. I matriculated college while in Europe, and began my study of International Relations. I saw, first-hand, how communism turned countries into soul-less, grey landscapes, and how the free enterprise system allowed people to succeed. Even though I was no longer marching in protest, my political education continued. I even ran for student body president, and was defeated by less than a half dozen votes.

Then came marriage, a career, and family. I still read, watched and listened to political items; when you live within spitting distance of the nation’s capitol, it’s hard not to. But other than vote in elections, I stayed away from getting involved.

That all changed recently. Virginia, my adopted home, has been becoming more and more tyrannical, in large part supported by anti-American or control-freak types, George Soros, Michael Bloomberg, and others. One of the most successful states in the union one day, seemingly overnight, became another bastion of “progressivism” (I purposely do not capitalize the word). Following the 2019 elections (Virginia holds off-year elections) the entire General Assembly became Democrat-controlled. No sooner had they danced their victory dance, they began putting legislation on the table to reduce the “birthplace of presidents” to the “burial place of human rights.” I won’t go into the numerous bills proposed that will overturn Virginia’s history, increase taxes, and infringe on God-given liberties, but I will say that I’ve awakened to a movement I do not see being beneficial to Virginians.

On Monday, January 20, the official celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, I attended a rally in Virginia’s capital city, Richmond. The rally was a demonstration against the stated proposals that in many peoples’ opinion (mine included) were anti-Constitutional. I was taken back to that day 51 years ago. I wasn’t being rebellious, I wasn’t being threatening, I was being present. I stood up for what I believe.

Maybe this is a turning point. I think it’s too early to tell. What I believe is that if people like me just sit and expect other people to march, demonstrate and attempt to make a point, I will have surrendered my privilege as an American citizen.

Pew – Pew, Redux

Posted on January 7, 2020 by mfna

I tend to switch gears among my interests, so it shouldn’t come to me as a surprise that I’ve come back to the issue of firearms.

Currently, the Commonwealth of Virginia is changing hands in its political leadership. The Democrats will control every component of the legislature for the next couple of years, and they have made no secret of the fact that they intend to impose some drastic new measures on the citizenry.

This does not please me, as I have seen the results of this in other areas of the country, and they do not sit well with me. For starters, I believe there is a lot of unconstitutional action being contemplated, and I am well aware of the “law of unintended consequences.” One thing of which I am sure is that a lot of lawyers are going to be making a lot of money.

So, I’m using this as the excuse for my last two purchases, although if I want to be honest, I bought them because I wanted to!

Almost two weeks before Christmas, 2019, I bought a Ruger LCP II pistol. I have a carry permit, and it occurred to me that I might want a smaller handgun than that which I normally carry. The LCP II is chambered in .380 ACP (short for Automatic Colt Pistol, or “Auto”), a caliber which I have not used or owned before. In Europe, this load is also known as a “9mm kurz,” or 9mm short, given that it’s just a bit smaller than a 9mm round. I did a lot of research before settling on the LCP II, and deciding between the different versions was tough. Until I spotted the “Chattanooga Shooters Supply Distributor Exclusive” model. I knew that was the one I wanted!

Of course, the next challenge was finding a seller who resells from CSS, as one can’t buy from them directly. After a bit of searching and inquiring, I found one on the Sportsman’s Outdoor Superstore. Followed the usual procedure: order, have the gun sent to my local FFL (Federal Firearms License holder), go and fill out the Form 4473, and bring it home. Done.

But why stop there? Somehow, I came across the name Seecamp. Once again, using Google-fu, I learned a lot of history, and found that this company, founded in 1973, produced what many refer to as the “Rolex” of pocket guns. There’s a lot of interesting (to me) history behind the gun and its company, but I leave it to you to read on their web site.

These are not easy guns to find, even though the company still produces them. Many gun shops don’t carry them, some don’t know about them, and I had one fellow tell me he thought they’d gone out of business.

Well, I know their web site is active, but one can’t buy from them directly, so I started searching online again. I found a few on places like GunBroker, ARMSLIST and GunsAmerica. Some of them older models, which many people deem collectors’ items, but I finally decided I wanted a brand new one. Since they are known to be very finicky guns, I wanted a warranty to cover any first year problems, should they arise.

As fate would have it, I stumbled across a web forum owned by the Seecamp company, and registered to learn more. I found a terrific group of very helpful, knowledgeable people. One of them, Doug Childers, owner of Bear Creek Holsters was extremely helpful in steering me in the right direction, and to make a long story short, I was able to get my local gun shop (Herndon Arms) to obtain one from Seecamp. At a good price, too!

So, as I type this, I’m in California on business. But thanks to the Internet, I was able to get the order in, and my new Seecamp LWS32 should be waiting at Herndon Arms for me when I return. This isn’t the actual gun, but some stock photos to show the size.

Now THAT is a pocket gun!

Fall/Winter Sets In

Posted on November 25, 2019 by mfna

It’s been almost a month since the Washington Nationals made this little boy happy! After the World Series, the reality that baseball was over for the 2019 season began to set in. I made sure to add a couple of t-shirts and sweatshirts and a cap to my collection to commemorate the event.

Since then, the colder, darker weather has begun settling in, and, like the leaves from the trees, browns, grays and subdued hues dominate. My running, which I resumed in July continues, and I average 12-13 miles per week, taking it 5 kilometers at a time.

I’ve also updated two of my other collections. I purchased a new SIG SAUER P365 handgun, after reading and watching the reports of this ground-breaking pistol from its early stages and rough spots, to being one of the most popular pistols in SIG’s catalog.

While not as aesthetically pleasing to me as the SIG P938, the size is quite similar, and its major feature is that it is capable of hold 10+1 rounds of 9mm ammunition in its micro-compact form. A new magazine design makes that happen. I also purchased a 12- and 15-round magazines for use at the pistol range. It feels very comfortable in my (small) hands, and I’m aiming to replace my P938 as my carry weapon.

I also added to my guitar collection. In my twisted way of thinking, I felt I was one Telecaster short, since I have five Stratocasters and only four Teles. One of those Strats is a G&L Tribue Legacy (G&L stands for George and Leo, the latter being Leo Fender, who, with his partners George Fullerton and Dale Hyatt, founded the company after Fender sold his original company), so after I spied a G&L Tele-style guitar called an ASAT, I fell in lust.

Besides the color (honestly, I’m not a “red guitar” guy, but two of my Strats are red!), I was taken by some of the specs: a pair of specially designed P90 pickups, and the 12-inch radius neck (the Brazilian Cherry looks an awful lot like Rosewood, which is currently on the CITES restriction list). Those two features made it read like a Gibson Les Paul, many of which boast those features. Indeed, plugging it in a playing it have already convinced me that P90s are pickups to be reckoned with. They’re awesome!

Incidentally, the name ASAT has a weird backstory. Yes, it’s all-capitals. Believe it or not, it’s a military acronym for “anti-satellite,” and not, as some people believe, “After Strat, After Tele.” The name was suggested by author Richard Smith after he read an article about the Air Force’s ASAT missile. Apparently Leo and Dale liked the image of a guitar shooting down things in space, and so the name “stuck.”

So now as the days continue to get shorter and the dark nights longer, I’ll have the opportunity to spend time at the range lighting things up, or at home, shaking things up!

The Armory

Posted on February 4, 2016 by mfna

I don’t profess to be a Constitutional scholar, but I do proclaim to be a Constitutional adherent. This means that I believe the Constitution is and was the document that described how the United States of America should be governed; that neither the Constitution nor the government grants rights to the people, but rather enumerates the rights bestowed upon man by God, and limits the government’s ability to restrict or revoke them.

Thus, I believe the Second Amendment was presented in that order to demonstrate that the First Amendment’s protections of free speech, free assembly and the free exercise of religion was backed up by the force of arms, should the government ever become tyrannical. To that end, I am part of a “well regulated militia.” As a gun owner, I attend classes, train regularly, clean and inspect my firearms, and do not break the law or behave in a manner that would draw attention or disdain.

Much of the reason that I behave the way I do is because owning and carrying a gun is a tremendous responsibility. Because I have the means to defend myself with deadly force, and understand the repercussions of doing so, I prefer to avoid confrontations or situations where I would have to use my gun. Pulling a gun is the very last resort; it means that I am in a position of having to defend myself or someone else from lethal harm with no other recourse.

Years ago, the very idea of carrying a concealed weapon was so far from my mind that I would have rebelled at the thought. That was before the growing incidences of “active shooter” reports and the shadow war that is being waged against fundamentalist terrorists. Knowing that the police are not legally obligated to protect anyone (see Warren v. District of Columbia, 444 A.2d 1 (D.C. Ct. of Ap., 1981)), it becomes clear that the Constitution affirms a person’s right to defend himself.

Thus, I am now a gun owner. In fact, I find I really enjoy going to the range and learning how to shoot. I’ve started a small collection of guns, and appreciate their mechanical engineering and their aesthetics. Here then, are some photos (incorporating one of my other interests) of my weapons.

Sig Sauer P938 9mm Semi-Automatic Pistol

My first gun. A Sig Sauer P938. This is a subcompact 9mm (caliber) semi-automatic pistol that is modeled after the Browning M1911 that was the standard issue sidearm of the U. S. Armed Forces from its introduction in 1911 (hence its name) to 1986. The 1911 is still favored by a large number of gun owners today.

Smith & Wesson M&P9 Pro C.O.R.E.

Next, is a Smith & Wesson M&P (designated for “Military and Police”) 9mm Pro Competition Optics Ready Equipment (C.O.R.E.) . This is a full-sized handgun, and on it I’ve mounted what is known as a “red dot” sight. The sight adds a bright red dot that lines up with the gun’s sights and lets the shooter focus on the target quickly and accurately. Red dot sights are becoming the standard in competition shooting.

Springfield Armory XD-S .45 ACP 3.3″

Wanting to go to a larger caliber, yet stay in the compact (i.e., carry-able) size, I added a Springfield Armory XD-S subcompact pistol in .45 ACP. With a 3.3″ barrel, this little handgun can pack a terrific punch!

Physics would suggest a .45 caliber round would produce too much recoil for a weapon this size to handle, but I’m happy to report Springfield has managed to make this a very “shootable” gun!

Here are some group shots.

Trio of Pistols

The trio posing together.

Second Amendment

Not “Tacticool,” Part 2

Posted on February 3, 2016 by mfna

I titled yesterday’s post “Not Tacticool” and then didn’t explain why. Here’s why:

“Tactical” is word that appears on just about every web site and in every magazine dedicated to the shooting sport. Tactical gear is recognized by the plethora of pockets, zippers, tabs, loops, buckles, snaps, compartments, and the like. Take for example, the 5.11 Stryke Pants. Whatever one’s opinion of the fashion statement, there is no mistaking these pants for upscale, casual khakis. And thus is born the concept of “tacticool.”

There are some (okay, perhaps a lot) folks who are so into the gun culture that they adorn themselves with tactical pants, tactical shirts, tactical belts, tactical boots, etc. They equip themselves with pocket knives, flashlights, concealed-carry holsters, extra magazine carriers, and enough gadgetry to make Batman envious.

But here’s the rub: These “tacticool” people are so obvious by how they dress, that if there were ever an active shooter situation, of the kind we’ve heard and read about so much lately, these folks stand out as if they’d painted a target on themselves. A target that says, “hey, look at me – I’ve got a concealed handgun. You’d best shoot me first!”

The truth is, for me, that I’m a jeans-and-tshirt kind of guy. I don’t want to go “tacticool” and look so out of sorts everywhere I go. That’s why I’m being “not tacticool.”

Not “Tacticool”

Posted on February 3, 2016 by mfna

It’s been a while since I posted anything here, so this is an attempt to make up for the lack.

First, at the end of December, I “officially” retired from running. The struggle I’ve had over the past several years with knee and hip issues finally led me to realize that I no longer had the wherewithal to put on the shoes and grind out 100 miles a month in pursuit of a thinner waistline and more ribbons and medals that I’m not even displaying anymore, anyway. Not that I’ve stopped running (although the winter weather has halted things for now), but I’m not going to approach it with the same dedication I’ve had for the past 25 years.

Not content with being a couch potato, I’ve actually found a new interest that’s attracting a lot of my time: Shooting. More specifically, handgun target shooting.

Introduced to the sport by my son-in-law and daughter, who both own guns and shoot, and learning I have a five-star range halfway between home and work, the fit seems perfect! Since my first foray at the range last November, I’ve taken a number of courses, purchased several handguns, and have applied for a concealed handgun permit (CHP).

Why this last? As odd as the answer may seem, it’s not to be a swaggering, gun-toting macho man. The simple answer is that I want to be legal. Here’s the oddity: Virginia is an “open carry” state. That means anyone, without needing a permit, is free to strap on a holster and carry a gun openly, except in certain prohibited areas (schools, government buildings, etc.). However, if one’s open carry gun somehow becomes obstructed from view (say, by putting on a jacket and thus covering the gun), one is breaking the law without a required permit. So, since I have to carry a gun between my home and the range, I decided a CCW (concealed carry weapon) permit would make me legal.

Owning guns is a responsibility second only to raising kids, in my opinion. I’ve taken safety courses, and practice, practice, practice. I take to heart the cardinal rules of guns:

Every gun is always loaded. Never assume a gun is unloaded, or believe someone who says it is. Never. Always clear a gun before you handle it.
Keep your finger off the trigger. A gun will not discharge if the trigger isn’t pulled. So only place your finger on the trigger when you’re ready to pull it. This is known colloquially as “keeping the booger hook off the bang switch.”
Never point a gun at something you don’t want to destroy/kill. Not in jest, not by accident, not even with an empty gun.
Know your target and its environment. This means not only being sure of what you’re shooting at, but also being aware of what’s behind it and in front of it.
Keep the mechanical safety engaged until you’re ready to shoot. Not every gun has a mechanical safety, but if it does, use it!

I’ll post more here shortly. With some severe winter weather, I’ve found myself indoors a lot, so I pulled out my other “shooter” and have taken a number of photos I’ll share with you.

Running FROM Office

everyone is entitled to my opinion

Category Archives: Firearms