Here's a great article from American Handgunner about what to pack for an emergency. I like the wheeled tote, but it would be better if it could be carried (relatively) comfortably on the back as well.
Sunday, May 28, 2006
American Handgunner's Bugout Bag
Here's a great article from American Handgunner about what to pack for an emergency. I like the wheeled tote, but it would be better if it could be carried (relatively) comfortably on the back as well.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Wishlist: Ruger New Model Blackhawk Convertible
One of the first toy guns I played with was a Colt SAA model. One of these days I hope to have the cash for one. Prospects are good if I can save the money, my girlfriend just saw a picture of one and said that we should get a matching set even though I told her the pair we were looking at were probably $2000 each. She didn't seem to mind which is cool by me. Well, until I can own a real SAA, I might have to "settle" for a Blackhawk Convertible. These SA's look great and they can cover a wide range of calibers! I'm most interested in the .45Colt/.45ACP.
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Springfield Armory M1A Loaded
I recently took the big plunge and called my gunshop to order an M1A Loaded for me. The sales assistant was a little surprised, which in turn had me surprised. I had orderd a Kahr PM9 from him a few weeks earlier and perhaps that's why he was a little surprised. Frankly it is a lot of gun for me, and I have a long way to go... I'm sure it's more accurate than I can shoot it. I'm really excited that this will be my first M1A. I'm sure I'll not regret choosing this model as my main battle rifle.
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Airsoft, Part 3
I had my second day of gaming outside today. My goals were to have fun, call all hits as soon as possible, and keep learning. Things went pretty well. First I wasn't sure if I'd make it because I was sick earlier this week. Then the weather looked sketchy so I wasn't sure we'd be out today at all.
I'm still able to look at the experience as basically an outsider. In part that's due to the fact that I'm a foreigner here in Japan, so I'll always be an outsider to some degree. In addition, I'm a newb so there's lots I'm trying to pick up on the fly. Finally, it's something so out of the ordinary yet oddly familiar that it's easy to reflect upon my experiences.
I'd be almost afraid to loan these guys a real gun at the range. Airsoft give one great practice at draws, obtaining a good sight picture, stance, and tactics... but whoa... this squad has almost no muzzle discipline. Just today, I saw a guy pull the trigger on his handgun then look down the muzzle repeatedly when no BB's had shot out. All without wearing his facemask dangling around his neck. Guys also wave their muzzles around with loaded weapons in the safe zone. During one of the pre-game huddles, a guy went to load his handgun, and racked the slide while casually covering half of us with the muzzle before holstering his weapon. They have an odd habit of resting the muzzles of their rifles on top of their feet while standing around.
I'm not really worried since these guys will almost never get a chance to handle a real firearm. But I'm being very conscious about not letting a lax attitude around the airsoft field effect how I handle my real steel firearms or my airsoft replicas.
I'm still able to look at the experience as basically an outsider. In part that's due to the fact that I'm a foreigner here in Japan, so I'll always be an outsider to some degree. In addition, I'm a newb so there's lots I'm trying to pick up on the fly. Finally, it's something so out of the ordinary yet oddly familiar that it's easy to reflect upon my experiences.
I'd be almost afraid to loan these guys a real gun at the range. Airsoft give one great practice at draws, obtaining a good sight picture, stance, and tactics... but whoa... this squad has almost no muzzle discipline. Just today, I saw a guy pull the trigger on his handgun then look down the muzzle repeatedly when no BB's had shot out. All without wearing his facemask dangling around his neck. Guys also wave their muzzles around with loaded weapons in the safe zone. During one of the pre-game huddles, a guy went to load his handgun, and racked the slide while casually covering half of us with the muzzle before holstering his weapon. They have an odd habit of resting the muzzles of their rifles on top of their feet while standing around.
I'm not really worried since these guys will almost never get a chance to handle a real firearm. But I'm being very conscious about not letting a lax attitude around the airsoft field effect how I handle my real steel firearms or my airsoft replicas.
Monday, May 08, 2006
Tactical Defense
Unfortunately our airsoft nightgame was canceled, but I discovered a totally new place. My sempai, or mentor, took me to Tactical Defense. It's a small warehouse that's been converted into an indoor airsoft arena. I arrived around 8PM and played until almost midnight. During that time we played about three rounds. There were about six people per team and things got pretty crowded.
My first round was pretty depressing. I seemed to go out into the field only to be sent back to the "dead room" without getting a single hit. My second and third rounds were better being able to make a number of kills.
It's all about movement and angles. Accuracy and speed were secondary. Playing indoors is totally different from outdoors. Everyone was more casually dressed for one and the games were almost entirely played with GBB pistols. There were only two of us using AEP's, but we held our own. AEP's have an advantage that they have higher-cap mags and are quieter to use. I doubt one needs more than two regular mags to play a game. You don't get off many shots in a place that small.
I'm looking forward to spending some Friday's there and perhaps more depending upon the weather this year. It's a lotta fun for sure.
My first round was pretty depressing. I seemed to go out into the field only to be sent back to the "dead room" without getting a single hit. My second and third rounds were better being able to make a number of kills.
It's all about movement and angles. Accuracy and speed were secondary. Playing indoors is totally different from outdoors. Everyone was more casually dressed for one and the games were almost entirely played with GBB pistols. There were only two of us using AEP's, but we held our own. AEP's have an advantage that they have higher-cap mags and are quieter to use. I doubt one needs more than two regular mags to play a game. You don't get off many shots in a place that small.
I'm looking forward to spending some Friday's there and perhaps more depending upon the weather this year. It's a lotta fun for sure.