Sunday, July 26, 2009
Excellent Snub Post with Discussion at...
Hell in a Handbasket. Interesting stuff, especially for those of us who have never but are fixin' to start toting a snub when appropriate.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Sad, losing a hero...
and I mean an actual, jumped out of airplanes and battled across Europe against the forces of evil known as the Axis Powers of Europe type of hero. Not a modern day weenie who we claim is a hero to make everyone around the burning barrel feel better.
God rest your soul Shifty Powers.
H/T Firehand @ Irons in the Fire
God rest your soul Shifty Powers.
H/T Firehand @ Irons in the Fire
"We Bring Fear"
Honestly, I haven't (and shame on me for not) researched the actual conditions in Mexico as they are a much closer neighbor than any other nation save Cuba and a few of the Caribbean. This is something that I am not surprised by. I have spent zero time looking for the sourcing of this story and verifying it.
H/T Kaveman @ Days of Our Trailers
H/T Kaveman @ Days of Our Trailers
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Getting one right...
Alabama Attorney General Signs Amicus Brief Supporting Second Amendment Incorporation...
This from an NRA-ILA e-mailing.
This from an NRA-ILA e-mailing.
Socialism explained...
so that even the dense can get it. Got this in an e-mail today... Thanks Mary.
An economics professor at a local college made a statement that he had never failed a single student before, but had once failed an entire class. That class had insisted that Obama's socialism worked and that no one would be poor and no one would be rich, a great equalizer.
The professor then said, "OK, we will have an experiment in this class on Obama's plan". All grades would be averaged and everyone would receive the same grade so no one would fail and no one would receive an A.
After the first test, the grades were averaged and everyone got a B. The students who studied hard were upset and the students who studied little were happy.
As the second test rolled around, the students who studied little had studied even less and the ones who studied hard decided they wanted a free ride too so they studied little. The second test average was a D!
No one was happy. When the 3rd test rolled around, the average was an F. The scores never increased as bickering, blame and name-calling all resulted in hard feelings and no one would study for the benefit of anyone else.
All failed, to their great surprise, and the professor told them that socialism would also ultimately fail because when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great but when government takes all the reward away, no one will try or want to succeed.
It could not be any simpler than that.
An economics professor at a local college made a statement that he had never failed a single student before, but had once failed an entire class. That class had insisted that Obama's socialism worked and that no one would be poor and no one would be rich, a great equalizer.
The professor then said, "OK, we will have an experiment in this class on Obama's plan". All grades would be averaged and everyone would receive the same grade so no one would fail and no one would receive an A.
After the first test, the grades were averaged and everyone got a B. The students who studied hard were upset and the students who studied little were happy.
As the second test rolled around, the students who studied little had studied even less and the ones who studied hard decided they wanted a free ride too so they studied little. The second test average was a D!
No one was happy. When the 3rd test rolled around, the average was an F. The scores never increased as bickering, blame and name-calling all resulted in hard feelings and no one would study for the benefit of anyone else.
All failed, to their great surprise, and the professor told them that socialism would also ultimately fail because when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great but when government takes all the reward away, no one will try or want to succeed.
It could not be any simpler than that.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
And lastly,
Just to make you want to go back to today's "train to WIN" video.
MSNBC: "What a tax on benefits may mean"
Excerpt: "The tax exclusion for the value of workers' health benefits represents one of the most substantial sources of funding for comprehensive health overhaul efforts, many economists say."
Congress wants to tax us on our health insurance benefit to pay for universal health care. Morons. Sorry... individuals.
MSNBC: "What a tax on benefits may mean"
Excerpt: "The tax exclusion for the value of workers' health benefits represents one of the most substantial sources of funding for comprehensive health overhaul efforts, many economists say."
Congress wants to tax us on our health insurance benefit to pay for universal health care. Morons. Sorry... individuals.
Next, off to Sipsey Street
Legitimacy: The Unemployment Bomb, Obama in Moscow and blocking the fatal blow.
If you have the time, give it a read.
If you have the time, give it a read.
Then there is this from Jihad Watch
UK deports terror threats!
It is a story about how a few Christians (of US origin) got shipped back to the US for having the audacity to show up to do some missionary work. Amazing how far wrong the laws have gone.
It is a story about how a few Christians (of US origin) got shipped back to the US for having the audacity to show up to do some missionary work. Amazing how far wrong the laws have gone.
Monday, July 6, 2009
A more complete list of the events...
that occurred during the 04 July 2009 "Thunder in My Hands" experiment.
First, THANK YOU, to James @ Hell in a Handbasket for bringing this up to start with and then directing all the traffic to this site. Second, THANK YOU, to all of you who have commented and e-mailed about the topic. I have learned that I don't know Jack about audio... oh well, what can you expect from a metallurgist?
Starting around 13:00 on my back veranda (also discussed as the 25 Backyard Range of Doom™), the gear is assembled.
The meter and the forms... note the spiffy Aluminum clipboard.
The firearms, ammunition and ever-present mobile phone.
All of the above are placed ever-so-professionally upon the top of my Weber.
First off, load six rounds of 180 grain Remington Jacketed Soft Point into each firearm.
Second, paw the Ruger and set up with it in my right hand and the meter in my left hand held against the left side of the grip and as near vertical as I can manage.
Third, draw the hammer back, take aim and squeeze trigger.
Fourth, look at the meter and be confused by the 41 dB it is showing.
Fifth, realize that I did not set the "hold max" feature on the meter and have no idea what the loudest noise it recorded was.
Sixth, reset in the position noted in the second step.
Seventh, repeat the hammer draw, take aim and maintain strict trigger finger discipline.
Eighth, set the "hold max" feature. Set now so as to not record the cocking action.
Ninth, fire.
Tenth, place the firearm on the Weber and record the data point.
Repeat four more times with only one more of the did not set the "hold max" feature. Repeat six more times as I did not believe the data and I blew it on two data points.
Repeat six more times with the meter being moved to near my left ear.
Next, grab the Desert Eagle and repeat the above steps and add a put safety on/off step for near grip and near left ear data collection.
Next, get reminded why I don't shoot 180 grain ammunition in the Desert Eagle. Yeah, the book even says 240 grain minimum, anything less will not cycle the firearm properly... guess what? It means it.
A classic extractor did not eject the shell and attempted a double feed.
A bit clearer view of the double feed.
Now, repeat the above, without the forget to set the "hold max" feature and without the double feed, using 240 grain Hornady Jacketed Hollow Point eXtreme Terminal Performance ammunition.
All worked well here except that I forgot the Desert Eagle doesn't like Hornady either. The Hornady ammunition is just a bit longer and you can only fit four to five rounds into the magazine before the bottom one sticks. Once one is stuck, plan on monkeying with it for awhile to get the stuck one to drop back out. So, I did these six round sequences a whopping three rounds at a time.
All of the "equipment" except the glasses lined up.
Spent Hornady.
Spent Remington.
All of the data is posted here. Yes, I am too lazy to copy and paste the data from a failed experiment to here. ;)
So, after a fair bit of discussion and reading, I have come to the realization that the meter is very likely the root of all evil (insufficient range of measurement and insufficient sampling rate) here in this failed experiment. And, now I have to determine what my next course of action will be.
Things that I did notice during this experiment.
1. I noticed that the data was ridiculously out of range for what I "know" to be true, but I kept on collecting data because it was fun. :)
2. The Ruger is shooting high. I wonder if that is because I am shooting one-handed where I would normally shoot with two? If so, why did I not see the same phenomenon while shooting the Desert Eagle? And, I am the first to admit that I normally fire both of these with both hands... on deck, as it were.
3. The meter showed around 50 dB at the hammer draw on the Ruger and at the safety disengage on the Desert Eagle.
4. I have never before continued to collect data when I "knew" it was incorrect, but it was fun. :)
5. The Desert Eagle is a fussy little... critter. But, I knew that anyway and it is still one of my favorites, nix that, it is my favorite and if I could conceal it, I would carry it. It is fiercely dependable when fed the proper diet.
What's next?
Research the topic more thoroughly, ascertain the correct equipment, develop an appropriate procedure and try again. I am now more curious than ever. As always, input is always & absolutely welcome here at the Rewst.
First, THANK YOU, to James @ Hell in a Handbasket for bringing this up to start with and then directing all the traffic to this site. Second, THANK YOU, to all of you who have commented and e-mailed about the topic. I have learned that I don't know Jack about audio... oh well, what can you expect from a metallurgist?
Starting around 13:00 on my back veranda (also discussed as the 25 Backyard Range of Doom™), the gear is assembled.
The meter and the forms... note the spiffy Aluminum clipboard.
The firearms, ammunition and ever-present mobile phone.
All of the above are placed ever-so-professionally upon the top of my Weber.
First off, load six rounds of 180 grain Remington Jacketed Soft Point into each firearm.
Second, paw the Ruger and set up with it in my right hand and the meter in my left hand held against the left side of the grip and as near vertical as I can manage.
Third, draw the hammer back, take aim and squeeze trigger.
Fourth, look at the meter and be confused by the 41 dB it is showing.
Fifth, realize that I did not set the "hold max" feature on the meter and have no idea what the loudest noise it recorded was.
Sixth, reset in the position noted in the second step.
Seventh, repeat the hammer draw, take aim and maintain strict trigger finger discipline.
Eighth, set the "hold max" feature. Set now so as to not record the cocking action.
Ninth, fire.
Tenth, place the firearm on the Weber and record the data point.
Repeat four more times with only one more of the did not set the "hold max" feature. Repeat six more times as I did not believe the data and I blew it on two data points.
Repeat six more times with the meter being moved to near my left ear.
Next, grab the Desert Eagle and repeat the above steps and add a put safety on/off step for near grip and near left ear data collection.
Next, get reminded why I don't shoot 180 grain ammunition in the Desert Eagle. Yeah, the book even says 240 grain minimum, anything less will not cycle the firearm properly... guess what? It means it.
A classic extractor did not eject the shell and attempted a double feed.
A bit clearer view of the double feed.
Now, repeat the above, without the forget to set the "hold max" feature and without the double feed, using 240 grain Hornady Jacketed Hollow Point eXtreme Terminal Performance ammunition.
All worked well here except that I forgot the Desert Eagle doesn't like Hornady either. The Hornady ammunition is just a bit longer and you can only fit four to five rounds into the magazine before the bottom one sticks. Once one is stuck, plan on monkeying with it for awhile to get the stuck one to drop back out. So, I did these six round sequences a whopping three rounds at a time.
All of the "equipment" except the glasses lined up.
Spent Hornady.
Spent Remington.
All of the data is posted here. Yes, I am too lazy to copy and paste the data from a failed experiment to here. ;)
So, after a fair bit of discussion and reading, I have come to the realization that the meter is very likely the root of all evil (insufficient range of measurement and insufficient sampling rate) here in this failed experiment. And, now I have to determine what my next course of action will be.
Things that I did notice during this experiment.
1. I noticed that the data was ridiculously out of range for what I "know" to be true, but I kept on collecting data because it was fun. :)
2. The Ruger is shooting high. I wonder if that is because I am shooting one-handed where I would normally shoot with two? If so, why did I not see the same phenomenon while shooting the Desert Eagle? And, I am the first to admit that I normally fire both of these with both hands... on deck, as it were.
3. The meter showed around 50 dB at the hammer draw on the Ruger and at the safety disengage on the Desert Eagle.
4. I have never before continued to collect data when I "knew" it was incorrect, but it was fun. :)
5. The Desert Eagle is a fussy little... critter. But, I knew that anyway and it is still one of my favorites, nix that, it is my favorite and if I could conceal it, I would carry it. It is fiercely dependable when fed the proper diet.
What's next?
Research the topic more thoroughly, ascertain the correct equipment, develop an appropriate procedure and try again. I am now more curious than ever. As always, input is always & absolutely welcome here at the Rewst.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
The Data.
.44 Magnum Remington 180 grain JSP
Ruger Super Blackhawk 7.5" barrel (#1 & #2 held meter next to the grip, #3 held the meter near my left ear).
#1: -, 87.3, 67.3, 68.6, 84.9, -
#2: 66.6, 71.7, 88.8, 67.7, 68.7, 66.9
#3: 67.3, 68.0, 67.1, 67.4, 67.3, 66.2
Desert Eagle Mk VII 6" barrel (#1 held meter next to the grip, #2 held the meter near my left ear).
#1: 88.7, 68.7, 87.3, 86.6, 86.5, 86.3
#2: 66.8, 67.8, 67.7, 69.0, 85.7, 66.9
.44 Magnum Hornady 240 grain JHP XTP (did not have enough 300 grain to complete the test).
Ruger Super Blackhawk 7.5" barrel (#1 held meter next to the grip, #2 held the meter near my left ear).
#1: 67.7, 68.6, 68.4, 86.6, 68.1, 67.8
#2: 67.7, 66.9, 67.3, 68.2, 67.7, 65.6
Desert Eagle Mk VII 6" barrel (#1 held meter next to the grip, #2 held the meter near my left ear).
#1: 69.4, 68.3, 86.6, 68.6, 68.0, 68.1
#2: 68.3, 67.9, 66.7, 67.5, 67.5, 67.1
Notes:
A. #1 in the Remington 180 grain has two missed data points due to not setting "hold max" feature on the meter.
B. Some discussion in the e-mail centered around the 40ms sampling and that it might not be sufficient to capture the report at its loudest. It would appear that is the case as the meter never even reached 90 decibels.
C. I added to the test by firing six rounds with the meter held next to the grip and an additional six with the meter held near my left ear. This was done in hopes of learning something about the location of the "ear" vs. the noise level experienced.
D. I will be compiling this in a better format and with what few pictures (none shooting) were taken.
E. I will be doing some research on how best to accurately measure the report of the firearms and will try this again... hopefully soon.
Ruger Super Blackhawk 7.5" barrel (#1 & #2 held meter next to the grip, #3 held the meter near my left ear).
#1: -, 87.3, 67.3, 68.6, 84.9, -
#2: 66.6, 71.7, 88.8, 67.7, 68.7, 66.9
#3: 67.3, 68.0, 67.1, 67.4, 67.3, 66.2
Desert Eagle Mk VII 6" barrel (#1 held meter next to the grip, #2 held the meter near my left ear).
#1: 88.7, 68.7, 87.3, 86.6, 86.5, 86.3
#2: 66.8, 67.8, 67.7, 69.0, 85.7, 66.9
.44 Magnum Hornady 240 grain JHP XTP (did not have enough 300 grain to complete the test).
Ruger Super Blackhawk 7.5" barrel (#1 held meter next to the grip, #2 held the meter near my left ear).
#1: 67.7, 68.6, 68.4, 86.6, 68.1, 67.8
#2: 67.7, 66.9, 67.3, 68.2, 67.7, 65.6
Desert Eagle Mk VII 6" barrel (#1 held meter next to the grip, #2 held the meter near my left ear).
#1: 69.4, 68.3, 86.6, 68.6, 68.0, 68.1
#2: 68.3, 67.9, 66.7, 67.5, 67.5, 67.1
Notes:
A. #1 in the Remington 180 grain has two missed data points due to not setting "hold max" feature on the meter.
B. Some discussion in the e-mail centered around the 40ms sampling and that it might not be sufficient to capture the report at its loudest. It would appear that is the case as the meter never even reached 90 decibels.
C. I added to the test by firing six rounds with the meter held next to the grip and an additional six with the meter held near my left ear. This was done in hopes of learning something about the location of the "ear" vs. the noise level experienced.
D. I will be compiling this in a better format and with what few pictures (none shooting) were taken.
E. I will be doing some research on how best to accurately measure the report of the firearms and will try this again... hopefully soon.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Data Collection
Set up my data collection forms today and they look like this.
If anyone sees something that I have forgotten / overlooked, please let me know. Also, this is a multi-use form that I will use when I get my "Box O' Truth"-esque shooting station set up.
You might note that I have chosen two different loads to perform the testing with. The first is 180 grain Remington JSP and the last is 300 grain Hornady JHP XTP. These were chosen because they cover the range of .44 Remington Magnum ammunition that I own. Well, I have some 305 grain Corbon, but at $2.50 per round, I chose to not use it here. Yeah, I know, cheap *&!!**~!%.
Notes about the calculations: the average is the Microsoft Excel 2007 =average() formula and the standard deviation is the Microsoft Excel 2007 =stdev() formula.
If anyone sees something that I have forgotten / overlooked, please let me know. Also, this is a multi-use form that I will use when I get my "Box O' Truth"-esque shooting station set up.
You might note that I have chosen two different loads to perform the testing with. The first is 180 grain Remington JSP and the last is 300 grain Hornady JHP XTP. These were chosen because they cover the range of .44 Remington Magnum ammunition that I own. Well, I have some 305 grain Corbon, but at $2.50 per round, I chose to not use it here. Yeah, I know, cheap *&!!**~!%.
Notes about the calculations: the average is the Microsoft Excel 2007 =average() formula and the standard deviation is the Microsoft Excel 2007 =stdev() formula.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Change
Thanks Frank.
Change Change Change!!!!!!!!!!
Not long ago I read a joke ... It said all the politicians running for president are promising change to the American people.
We send them billions and billions of tax dollars and they send us the change. Funny? Not really; there is too much truth in it to be funny. That got me to thinking ... They all promise change. How about if they run on a promise of restoration rather than change. A restoration that would take us back in time to a place where things ran better, smoother and life was more enjoyable. Change? That, in truth, is what they have been giving us all along.
We used to have a strong dollar ... Politicians changed that.
Life used to be sacred ... Politicians changed that.
Marriage used to be sacred ... Politicians are changing that.
We used to be respected around the world ... Politicians changed that.
We used to have a strong manufacturing economy ... Politicians changed that.
We used to have lower tax structures ... Politicians changed that.
We used to enjoy more freedoms ... Politicians changed that.
We used to be a large exporter of American made goods ... Politicians changed that.
We used to be an openly Christian nation .... Politicians changed that.
We used to teach patriotism in schools ... Politicians changed that.
We used to educate children in schools ... Politicians changed that.
We used to enjoy freedom of speech ... Politicians changed that.
We used to enforce LEGAL citizenship ... Politicians changed that.
We used to have affordable food & gas prices ... Politicians changed that, too... and one could go on and on with this list.
What hasn't been changed, politicians are promising to change that as well if you will elect them.
When, oh when, is America going to sit back with open eyes and look at what we once were and where we have come and say, enough is enough?
The trouble is, America 's youthful voters today don't know of the great America that existed forty and fifty years ago. They see the world as if it has always existed, as it is now. When will we wake up? Tomorrow may be too late.
When will America realize .... Politicians are what is wrong with America?
Change Change Change!!!!!!!!!!
Not long ago I read a joke ... It said all the politicians running for president are promising change to the American people.
We send them billions and billions of tax dollars and they send us the change. Funny? Not really; there is too much truth in it to be funny. That got me to thinking ... They all promise change. How about if they run on a promise of restoration rather than change. A restoration that would take us back in time to a place where things ran better, smoother and life was more enjoyable. Change? That, in truth, is what they have been giving us all along.
We used to have a strong dollar ... Politicians changed that.
Life used to be sacred ... Politicians changed that.
Marriage used to be sacred ... Politicians are changing that.
We used to be respected around the world ... Politicians changed that.
We used to have a strong manufacturing economy ... Politicians changed that.
We used to have lower tax structures ... Politicians changed that.
We used to enjoy more freedoms ... Politicians changed that.
We used to be a large exporter of American made goods ... Politicians changed that.
We used to be an openly Christian nation .... Politicians changed that.
We used to teach patriotism in schools ... Politicians changed that.
We used to educate children in schools ... Politicians changed that.
We used to enjoy freedom of speech ... Politicians changed that.
We used to enforce LEGAL citizenship ... Politicians changed that.
We used to have affordable food & gas prices ... Politicians changed that, too... and one could go on and on with this list.
What hasn't been changed, politicians are promising to change that as well if you will elect them.
When, oh when, is America going to sit back with open eyes and look at what we once were and where we have come and say, enough is enough?
The trouble is, America 's youthful voters today don't know of the great America that existed forty and fifty years ago. They see the world as if it has always existed, as it is now. When will we wake up? Tomorrow may be too late.
When will America realize .... Politicians are what is wrong with America?
So, the Experiment is set...
Well actually, a start has been managed. James over at Handbasket made a statement that caused me to ask a question (actually more than one). He saw fit to address it (them) in a blog post and now my curiosity is even greater than before.
Today, I borrowed a decibel meter (Extech Instruments 407730) from work and will use it some time this weekend to see if a revolver (.44 magnum Super Blackhawk) is louder than an autoloader (.44 magnum Desert Eagle Mk VII). I chose these two because they are the only pair that I have that fits the design criteria of the experiment.
Design (intent)...
1. The firearms must be able to chamber and fire the same ammunition.
2. They must both be of similar size (e.g. medium frame or full size, etc).
3. The meter will be held in my left hand next to the grip and facing me.
4. Six (because the Ruger holds six) rounds will be fired in each firearm.
5. An average for each firearm will be calculated as well as a standard deviation for each population.
Also, the following are true...
a. This means that I will be shooting one-handed. -- So what.
b. The meter is multi-directional. -- It does not matter which way it is facing.
c. I chose this configuration to make the location of the meter firearm specific, not user specific. -- As in, my ears are probably farther away than some folks'.
d. I have not calibrated the meter. -- I am comparing one firearm immediately to another, it does not matter to me.
If anyone has anything to add, I will probably be at it Saturday and am open to suggestions on how to better the experiment. Also, engineer, not artist... so, the pictures will be amateurish at best.
Today, I borrowed a decibel meter (Extech Instruments 407730) from work and will use it some time this weekend to see if a revolver (.44 magnum Super Blackhawk) is louder than an autoloader (.44 magnum Desert Eagle Mk VII). I chose these two because they are the only pair that I have that fits the design criteria of the experiment.
Design (intent)...
1. The firearms must be able to chamber and fire the same ammunition.
2. They must both be of similar size (e.g. medium frame or full size, etc).
3. The meter will be held in my left hand next to the grip and facing me.
4. Six (because the Ruger holds six) rounds will be fired in each firearm.
5. An average for each firearm will be calculated as well as a standard deviation for each population.
Also, the following are true...
a. This means that I will be shooting one-handed. -- So what.
b. The meter is multi-directional. -- It does not matter which way it is facing.
c. I chose this configuration to make the location of the meter firearm specific, not user specific. -- As in, my ears are probably farther away than some folks'.
d. I have not calibrated the meter. -- I am comparing one firearm immediately to another, it does not matter to me.
If anyone has anything to add, I will probably be at it Saturday and am open to suggestions on how to better the experiment. Also, engineer, not artist... so, the pictures will be amateurish at best.
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