tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83580640196952447242024-03-12T20:34:44.501-07:00Give Them What They WantArcticElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14348128028832333909noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358064019695244724.post-61655801192780357992013-08-08T14:29:00.001-07:002013-08-08T14:29:39.732-07:00WTF lake city<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUBJbJ9o1DQok3B7uQJN8Xd-xMW1ee_4tTzQtjeQplzIV9C7A8r7GX0iBuK2Ts-RLbIYUyM1OAjHkjdA7RpZUrj189OBmjobEECqkjyd12f2eMcmGtQcgT7FDMWYXTBQ2PLzVGFFU/s1600/IMG_20130806_192242_875.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUBJbJ9o1DQok3B7uQJN8Xd-xMW1ee_4tTzQtjeQplzIV9C7A8r7GX0iBuK2Ts-RLbIYUyM1OAjHkjdA7RpZUrj189OBmjobEECqkjyd12f2eMcmGtQcgT7FDMWYXTBQ2PLzVGFFU/s640/IMG_20130806_192242_875.jpg' /> </a> </div>ArcticElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14348128028832333909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358064019695244724.post-80166886439136073832013-01-03T17:37:00.001-08:002013-01-03T17:37:47.957-08:001911 Build #2<div><p>Custom re-build and conversation of a Springer 1911-A1.</p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKy3oQG-QbwZNzZsNu24mFz28JDcNXL0gLCCeeOdoelQ2aRFBKzNns3qYci2lWBlsWpy4Nz0vH-kgXd1rd7xqvES-s3yPd49VzNQi5FDA9RufFYo4XOkrI4sZuEyvunDIBbERfRzCq/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMiJrTop6UG7nxP_fJljaOjBEhyphenhyphenMwy7TXLXNxLPZ6rTq-RfTuDLbfG48EqEHsC8WRXTjChX2HP66OWyZvBf-KPb1FIh77zTVcQ8obZmK61yDhiV-eX7_bVMijQCPiSYL8mV4AM5agM/' /></div>ArcticElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14348128028832333909noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358064019695244724.post-75661191759326472112012-08-24T13:55:00.001-07:002012-08-24T13:55:12.485-07:00More 1911 build pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4voKRYIr_mO7xcbE6n7qc6Ky93Q2BqyvTnsG6ZMjvnCz3tFqsUuJrq-ne1kGBY2dm-xKohbH8jIBwJeQ29hRsiBhPvtNeuR0Pa1dTlvPxpMjxapCKYMQQy1k7Gx6n5syPPb-hX1m4/s1600/2012-08-24_13-28-07_573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4voKRYIr_mO7xcbE6n7qc6Ky93Q2BqyvTnsG6ZMjvnCz3tFqsUuJrq-ne1kGBY2dm-xKohbH8jIBwJeQ29hRsiBhPvtNeuR0Pa1dTlvPxpMjxapCKYMQQy1k7Gx6n5syPPb-hX1m4/s320/2012-08-24_13-28-07_573.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LZF7UG_UWXaiLsY7ScIvlksBZl-xje1HrxjK-sekGD4yWkStiaN4U7JB6VEOoSPoPtYtMMb2HEeSdtWxNpFlx40VQO7YiKP6dlb7OrS-LyOyVgV_XQjm1qPQt5XIR1XnQvb5hFIZ/s1600/2012-08-24_14-09-34_157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LZF7UG_UWXaiLsY7ScIvlksBZl-xje1HrxjK-sekGD4yWkStiaN4U7JB6VEOoSPoPtYtMMb2HEeSdtWxNpFlx40VQO7YiKP6dlb7OrS-LyOyVgV_XQjm1qPQt5XIR1XnQvb5hFIZ/s320/2012-08-24_14-09-34_157.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhluT9tWoWeIQ8sohHsIFThCFff-bO9VhfMKKcGfgDRLiIAtp7QWUPFpl8whlIlLgBeDTJEEoaXnTftKMgwyaOnHlclWK2p4Q7sR0ajpdhwUQUOy6SuzeC2FYq1Q3vTqqMjMsizQRFI/s1600/2012-08-24_14-28-18_568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhluT9tWoWeIQ8sohHsIFThCFff-bO9VhfMKKcGfgDRLiIAtp7QWUPFpl8whlIlLgBeDTJEEoaXnTftKMgwyaOnHlclWK2p4Q7sR0ajpdhwUQUOy6SuzeC2FYq1Q3vTqqMjMsizQRFI/s320/2012-08-24_14-28-18_568.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYY6655b3zaZlkUC3DftimEJx89eEa5r8GL-iw_6CfkPa8Ra51O0GPtqh6BsLh8cSEWKiGjTEC89acrSx8nwDGNX1CphpEFAG2dMvrRiKJjuwA8y6gAexhrcXwcNUxNeiq_Ckf85B/s1600/2012-08-24_14-55-50_429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYY6655b3zaZlkUC3DftimEJx89eEa5r8GL-iw_6CfkPa8Ra51O0GPtqh6BsLh8cSEWKiGjTEC89acrSx8nwDGNX1CphpEFAG2dMvrRiKJjuwA8y6gAexhrcXwcNUxNeiq_Ckf85B/s320/2012-08-24_14-55-50_429.jpg" /></a></div>
ArcticElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14348128028832333909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358064019695244724.post-10236661274157727822012-08-24T13:53:00.001-07:002012-08-24T13:53:01.831-07:001911 Build Pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIThAhuwsULXVHYb7U501c3I5QlDITvNYbdu5ZViASqgkC6iE_N7z_rCJHjUqaDl1znWGT1DXP7-sIy5V2lfQEJjU9jUX3Yf9MHQK-j60baK6tso_GrUAush0MZ4datHDQgPe27ovj/s1600/2012-08-13_18-14-28_183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="181" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIThAhuwsULXVHYb7U501c3I5QlDITvNYbdu5ZViASqgkC6iE_N7z_rCJHjUqaDl1znWGT1DXP7-sIy5V2lfQEJjU9jUX3Yf9MHQK-j60baK6tso_GrUAush0MZ4datHDQgPe27ovj/s320/2012-08-13_18-14-28_183.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdpGstjpJNALN6obpNMmR32RPZuzSAaoWk_XD8BlkE686UknPcaYSxLsvjm2OG1xLLh7MusWjzJY3Y4TlPkxPFGy_xd9QoZbfBfE0yQXuRoryeq73bEhAqCCYXZ_mDYzseCPAGFh7B/s1600/2012-08-24_11-02-34_727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="181" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdpGstjpJNALN6obpNMmR32RPZuzSAaoWk_XD8BlkE686UknPcaYSxLsvjm2OG1xLLh7MusWjzJY3Y4TlPkxPFGy_xd9QoZbfBfE0yQXuRoryeq73bEhAqCCYXZ_mDYzseCPAGFh7B/s320/2012-08-24_11-02-34_727.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjLGJeP8T6r35JrikMYSlROi8IqwkzBBo7CIbU_zarTzyPxICymOHjkGQ3Ko0Gv66U1ig2sAdctmwRuvtNrefR2YfWUks38tj2MUGV9T8rCvNlfrg4Wsvt3GsHDTuTdHJJDpBsLAF/s1600/2012-08-24_11-12-06_104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjLGJeP8T6r35JrikMYSlROi8IqwkzBBo7CIbU_zarTzyPxICymOHjkGQ3Ko0Gv66U1ig2sAdctmwRuvtNrefR2YfWUks38tj2MUGV9T8rCvNlfrg4Wsvt3GsHDTuTdHJJDpBsLAF/s320/2012-08-24_11-12-06_104.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgmPN_7u6iB49nYZ9tmjWDx0jhr4CqHij0eboiqDAEeFOyCRsM38LI6-cOeGGsfPhd-QsxX1TPkKu0RM90jTT6JS6K8n-aA4cvIw5NAFxJzlcGC5jVBqv3KN3PO0DUuh7-CPKJF_F/s1600/2012-08-24_12-10-09_888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgmPN_7u6iB49nYZ9tmjWDx0jhr4CqHij0eboiqDAEeFOyCRsM38LI6-cOeGGsfPhd-QsxX1TPkKu0RM90jTT6JS6K8n-aA4cvIw5NAFxJzlcGC5jVBqv3KN3PO0DUuh7-CPKJF_F/s320/2012-08-24_12-10-09_888.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cScFd5jpqjgeElhL8KDZQh5t4ws5p76wg1v3dpoROK6pr3AwFgjakYqDbXxXNkLyx-k-3lkQcEe7je27KtzGXCbOoyiinI8V_eONT54glak5z9lkxOs2l8duFgwzgG2KBGamoT8S/s1600/2012-08-24_13-27-50_956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cScFd5jpqjgeElhL8KDZQh5t4ws5p76wg1v3dpoROK6pr3AwFgjakYqDbXxXNkLyx-k-3lkQcEe7je27KtzGXCbOoyiinI8V_eONT54glak5z9lkxOs2l8duFgwzgG2KBGamoT8S/s320/2012-08-24_13-27-50_956.jpg" /></a></div>
ArcticElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14348128028832333909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358064019695244724.post-35306539458822873652012-07-17T16:12:00.001-07:002012-07-17T16:12:06.672-07:00They Multiply<div><p>New toys arrived today, adding a 60 and 70lb kettle bell to the collection. </p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4TWsZcTkNeTPBINyVS31mslaeT0uzC8A3rwUWGaTkGF2Vv1I09ZL02iRhP1mwrUkeE3S9jcNPuJmoTM1gczyotu4ZXIo6v7rrzTWaA-OboboUE4mYezCclTsdQphZ5XAETmXiRC8p/' /></div>ArcticElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14348128028832333909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358064019695244724.post-28210147355208135092012-07-15T05:39:00.001-07:002012-07-15T05:39:57.166-07:00Found in my office<div><p>40 rounds of .303 British on stripper clips, in web pouches. Now I can be tacti-cool circa 1940.</p>
<p>AE</p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_feh_m0cJ48wO2NSBxjVteOfxrx2jv1mmBsX5Xmgbh_WVdf4jluOJ_ZQkjZmfEOAKB_ZWDkqY3_juavhtij5pEmB1CNmawfUAcb22cogRGZk2vOwDY-SH_0a1CQ7hi3ZwULEM6KV/' /></div>ArcticElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14348128028832333909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358064019695244724.post-4393656672297870152012-07-07T09:32:00.001-07:002012-07-07T17:56:06.646-07:00No Apparent Situational Awareness<div><p>Going shooting today,  we stopped at the Stop-n-Rob for drinks. The Sheriffs Deputy on the way out noticed my 1911, traded 'good morning' and left.</p>
<p>Clerk #1 noticed my spare mag and commented ' you've got a clip'.</p>
<p>Clerk #2 ' What's that for?'</p>
<p>Me 'My pistol' indicating the 1911 on my belt.</p>
<p>Clerk #1 'Cool man'</p>
<p>Clerk #2 'Oh' visibly surprised.</p>
<p>I'd only walked past Clerk #2 three times before this exchange. Clerk #1 picked it up on the first pass.</p>
<p>Carry your guns and stay safe.</p>
<p>AE</p>
</div>ArcticElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14348128028832333909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358064019695244724.post-65066391763561546952012-01-08T18:12:00.000-08:002012-01-08T18:23:01.109-08:00Prevent Violence<a href = http://weerdworld.com/>Weerd</a> proposed that today we light a candle to prevent gun violence, and make sure to include a means of actually preventing violence in the picture.<br /><br />I couldn't find a candle, but figure that _building_ a means to prevent violence should be a good substitute. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkkRNoR1LybhDJxrh8iUJzZodE8mhBX2a-JYlXM4UAWidN4UcG8UWKULfBp8V26Gf9zd-BEP4Ruyg-d6joeNK1e5uVgRG6z6H1E1Cu9pqRN8pYUwZ58b1WrT8drk-3cQfqSz9wqvU/s1600/one.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkkRNoR1LybhDJxrh8iUJzZodE8mhBX2a-JYlXM4UAWidN4UcG8UWKULfBp8V26Gf9zd-BEP4Ruyg-d6joeNK1e5uVgRG6z6H1E1Cu9pqRN8pYUwZ58b1WrT8drk-3cQfqSz9wqvU/s320/one.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695450039889489490" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hljCNtOA3VZGGg4icNBVbErcqsMGf63j4GXfSUTpqW8NrAgJwP70uYjwi4xiJG-wCIWGcKiOMaej40ptxC13b2UpgiNVjKI3hjPvfAnHJGF25jd6MYPU518Z9044ydnyRJcvAMXg/s1600/two.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hljCNtOA3VZGGg4icNBVbErcqsMGf63j4GXfSUTpqW8NrAgJwP70uYjwi4xiJG-wCIWGcKiOMaej40ptxC13b2UpgiNVjKI3hjPvfAnHJGF25jd6MYPU518Z9044ydnyRJcvAMXg/s320/two.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695450166473815106" /></a><br /><br />The details on this build are: started with a Springfield 'National Match' GI model, replace all of the fire control parts, flat trigger, new sights, beaver tail safety, undercut trigger guard, checker front strap, add ambi-safety and one piece mag well/main spring housing. <br /><br />As is clear its a work in progress, but the list gets shorter every weekend. I need to finish blending the undercut job, and do the checkering, then its off to machining for sights and re-finishing.<br /><br />Stay Safe,<br />AEArcticElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14348128028832333909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358064019695244724.post-46056563412119835902011-11-24T07:11:00.000-08:002011-11-24T07:17:11.157-08:00Finished 1911We got the slide back from the good folks at Coal Creek Armory, with their <a href="http://coalcreekarmory.com/custom_finishing.html#Melonite">Isonite</a> finish. A little final fitting, and adding the sights later...<br /><br />Here is the finished gun.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXibZk3Z0IwdVY3dNTeRUjy_RnhPLLpAaRifPJCWyT5xvd0MOR6OlDCn_VgKqh8V8sF1janVhj24HasLDvZ_r8fjQGxt3G0-comqg75N8n4NSC41izaBPiPVRxlI-vJxEa8ZEoHjXt/s1600/CaspianRecon2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXibZk3Z0IwdVY3dNTeRUjy_RnhPLLpAaRifPJCWyT5xvd0MOR6OlDCn_VgKqh8V8sF1janVhj24HasLDvZ_r8fjQGxt3G0-comqg75N8n4NSC41izaBPiPVRxlI-vJxEa8ZEoHjXt/s320/CaspianRecon2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678581442126045490" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicF4PhFmhHJCWWsyPCGKyV4qdEQKooGXoSVZMyLX-MqEP4JexdiDIVrSFrXAr4r_o-F6xH7dIztJ6-WUHtfZf2gK8JVXzjnkXX6Dqsc9ZCVtoooFCwmJAXpM9x6zyUjOmYfuQ_PPov/s1600/CaspianReconEdit.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicF4PhFmhHJCWWsyPCGKyV4qdEQKooGXoSVZMyLX-MqEP4JexdiDIVrSFrXAr4r_o-F6xH7dIztJ6-WUHtfZf2gK8JVXzjnkXX6Dqsc9ZCVtoooFCwmJAXpM9x6zyUjOmYfuQ_PPov/s320/CaspianReconEdit.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678581561166583442" /></a>ArcticElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14348128028832333909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358064019695244724.post-77309418648673731772011-08-07T17:18:00.000-07:002011-08-07T17:45:11.722-07:00Shooting with Mr. MurphySince we couldn't make it to <a href=http://stuckinmassachusetts.blogspot.com/>Jay's</a> get together again LadyElf and I decided to go try our luck at the local bowling pin match. <br /><br />To say it went poorly would be an understatement, between the two of us we had more ammo or gun related problems in the course of 150 rounds then I have had in the previous 18 months and 10K rounds. <br /><br />Things that worked: <br />The truck, and the pizza place we stopped at on the way home.<br /><br />Things that mostly worked: <br />The Kimber digested all but the most horribly malformed reloads. <br />My experimental 'U' notch sights were only 4" off at 7 yards, but the basic principal seems to work.<br /><br />Things that did not work: <br />The STI Escort, it will get a detail strip and full check over, but I suspect crappy reloads had some influence here.<br />My TFO tritium/fiber sights, the fiber fell out of the front blade. I've had them on for about 6 months, trying to decide if they were rugged enough to survive life near me, and the answer is No.<br /><br />Aside from finding Mr. Murphy then putting two rounds in his chest, then one more in his head just to be sure; I'll be detail stripping and cleaning everything. Some of the problems were clearly ammo, I've been cycling out my cache ammo of reloads, and it looks like I have a bad batch in there. Given that I've changed several things on my setup and not had trouble with any recently loaded ammo I'm not too worried.<br /><br />On the sights I'll be ordering a set of <a href = http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/sid=53363/pid=26673/Product/Kimber_U_Notch_Sight_Set>10-8 'U' notch sights</a>, and sending them off to have tijicon inserts installed. Much as the TFO is a nice combination of Triji and fiber, its not very robust, and the green on green does not draw attention to the front sight. Triji green front and yellow rear, with a white outline on the front is not as bright, but it works well in all light, and doesn't fall apart.<br /><br />Stay Safe,<br />AEArcticElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14348128028832333909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358064019695244724.post-74550717657253682772011-07-30T11:19:00.000-07:002011-07-30T11:48:56.337-07:00AR-45 UpdateThe barrel arrived from <a href="http://www.gmriflebarrel.com/catalog.aspx?catid=17.5%22%20round%20rifle%20barrel%20blanks"> Green Mountain Rifle Barrels</a>, they are not kidding when they say its a blank. It looks like a piece of round stock with a rifled hole drilled in the center.<div><br /></div><div>Starting to put things together and determine overall length. Here is the bolt in the upper:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjO_sWIL5nedhlikuK-8I0sY1MXm6cwTI70vmecV3fpC0eFHoywk1gyIROkc1nsS0jOBy6WnsgZBknU4ZvJoXCqxnMpppSgbsqr-UAD-Xcv0j2_S64U2hcNkYF6NYY7F9Lpe3OKrK/s1600/bolt.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjO_sWIL5nedhlikuK-8I0sY1MXm6cwTI70vmecV3fpC0eFHoywk1gyIROkc1nsS0jOBy6WnsgZBknU4ZvJoXCqxnMpppSgbsqr-UAD-Xcv0j2_S64U2hcNkYF6NYY7F9Lpe3OKrK/s320/bolt.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635213211504363906" /></a><br /></div><div>The bolt face is about half an inch into the receiver, when the bolt is locked, so I need a 17" barrel beyond the end of the upper to be legal.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXx54Qo7hg1bMTkIkC-eqTjCKc7RAobRBs7uQngx9qCWRTLvKwblFDfrcB1nzgdenleK09cvxaGWVeAfXsRB8eakU_wD98BtyvNgEuUKUamvtFBLg5mN1oyPsfQgzda8GAy6k0fuVC/s1600/ar45.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXx54Qo7hg1bMTkIkC-eqTjCKc7RAobRBs7uQngx9qCWRTLvKwblFDfrcB1nzgdenleK09cvxaGWVeAfXsRB8eakU_wD98BtyvNgEuUKUamvtFBLg5mN1oyPsfQgzda8GAy6k0fuVC/s320/ar45.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635213796330552594" /></a>If that looks long its because it is. Here is the same setup with my AR15 for scale, and to show how much the stock will add.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59jEpW9XIM_9ZD3D4GpPlDgk-tMszLJ6vIpjE4vLL9ykv3jJtHBvApm1kcacEjfMAvgbzVbgj-2uxTX0_H4imFeMnsEuyQMXkGu5eAXDymGk39Ns1Qzn861uSz-he8Oq02pXcJJoR/s1600/overall.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59jEpW9XIM_9ZD3D4GpPlDgk-tMszLJ6vIpjE4vLL9ykv3jJtHBvApm1kcacEjfMAvgbzVbgj-2uxTX0_H4imFeMnsEuyQMXkGu5eAXDymGk39Ns1Qzn861uSz-he8Oq02pXcJJoR/s320/overall.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635215369303955858" /></a>Crappy picture, but its clearly a long rifle, the AR15 has a 16" barrel, and is 32" OAL. Because the AR45 is based on an AR-10 receiver its two inches longer. </div><div><br /></div><div>This leads to the obvious conclusion that this rifle will have to be a SBR, otherwise it will be too damned big to be at all 'handy'. That still leaves the question of suppressing it, but having a suppressor, and an SBR may not add much, other then a bigger check to the BATFE.</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally here is the receiver with a mag installed. That's a converted AR-10 mag that will feed .45ACP.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZNHzG0Ov8lhSyAZ5YAD6_dENZ593Jm_c3p2So1qIw82VyWRbqFs__KAzJFgd6vj5Ujqp-Glf7gD9Ur-gEXro6I-dzrJYy638jKR9mmy0iu0ny8SalSHAUrmQVXrAov8aHdWakPHH/s1600/ar45_rec.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZNHzG0Ov8lhSyAZ5YAD6_dENZ593Jm_c3p2So1qIw82VyWRbqFs__KAzJFgd6vj5Ujqp-Glf7gD9Ur-gEXro6I-dzrJYy638jKR9mmy0iu0ny8SalSHAUrmQVXrAov8aHdWakPHH/s320/ar45_rec.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635217904142921714" /></a><br /></div><div>The next step is a lower parts kit, a stock and a charging handle.</div><div><br /></div><div>AE</div>ArcticElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14348128028832333909noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358064019695244724.post-16418114575311637532011-07-14T02:03:00.000-07:002011-07-14T02:18:23.601-07:00Not Very Good at This Blogging ThingWorcester MA area meet up: Thursday, 14 July 2011. At the Horse Shoe Pub, Hudson MA. The reservation is for Mr. Johnson.<br /><br />Last weekend Lady Elf threw her sister a bridal shower and bachelorete party, the former lasting almost as long as the latter. Given the state of all involved when they were over I am unclear which was a wilder party. Neither got the coroner called, so they was less then a 3 on the 'Lady Elf throws a wild party scale'.<br /><br />While all that was going on my Father in Law (FiL) and I went to the NRA and met with <a href = http://oldnfo.blogspot.com/>Old NFO</a>. A good time was had by all, and a few C Stories swapped. Along the way I botched by Fairfax land navigation, but made up for it with a perfect 20 on Boston Driving :) Next time I'm using a damned map. <br /><br />My FiL succeeded again in producing a marksman ship challenge everyone: shoot the numbered area on a dart board at 7 yards. <br /><br />Old NFO produced a couple very nice 1911s for us to try, and my fingers have mostly recovered from the stippling on his Clark Custom. For a pistol that is not broken in its an amazing gun, and once again we are reminded why master craftsmen charge the prices they do.<br /><br />Now its off to Boston again, we'll see if the TSA boy with the kind eyes is working Logan again.<br /><br />AEArcticElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14348128028832333909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358064019695244724.post-22607742741400691172011-06-30T18:18:00.001-07:002011-06-30T18:20:20.563-07:00Worcester MA Meet UpI'll be in Worcester on July 14th and 15th, any one interested in a meet up at the <a href=http://www.horseshoepub.com/>Horse Shoe Pub</a> in Hudson? Or some where in Worcester?<br /><br />AEArcticElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14348128028832333909noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358064019695244724.post-52796677649968120012011-06-05T14:59:00.000-07:002011-06-05T15:13:43.141-07:00KimbersDragon, over <a href = http://www.dragonblasts.com/?p=54> here</a>, discusses his first, last, and only Kimber 1911. It makes me very glad I passed on the SIS when it first came out, albeit for philosophical reasons. <br /><br />This brings me to the point of my Kimber: a Custom Classic series 1 (colt series 70 copy with out the foolish series 80 firing pin block. I got the gun used, already equipped with an Ed Brown barrel and bushing, everything else was MIM, so I presume original. The gun had been run hard, the finish on the front strap was worn noticeably where the shooters fingers hold the pistol. And it has continued to run very well while I run it hard. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXk-9RBilABD4srWGIlPi1Hbd2LU2kzyovbegzLtkL6ZKZCi-sfO_PEo3mM7YaT-ytyoVCm-wWb9rghodMNKakqY_AkX55hUBGgKoV6CyH404rlNSIlBQX2OYDUxtnKNuec1D6WgW5/s1600/Kimber.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXk-9RBilABD4srWGIlPi1Hbd2LU2kzyovbegzLtkL6ZKZCi-sfO_PEo3mM7YaT-ytyoVCm-wWb9rghodMNKakqY_AkX55hUBGgKoV6CyH404rlNSIlBQX2OYDUxtnKNuec1D6WgW5/s320/Kimber.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614861256585632802" /></a><br /><br />As the holster wear might suggest I carry and shoot this gun a lot. Some where between 6 and 12 thousand rounds a year, and on my belt any time I'm not in a prohibited. <br /><br />I've replaced all of the small parts, either for practical reasons (grips and trigger to make it fit me better, and and ambidextrous thumb safety for off hand) or for shits and giggles (everything else). Only the guide rod, barrel and slide/frame are original. And this has made absolutely no difference in reliability. <br /><br />I'm not sure how common or uncommon my Kimber experience is, but given that I have just demonstrated the ability to build a custom 1911 for the price of a new Kimber, I don't think I'll be buying another one. On the other hand this one is not for sale at any price.<br /><br />AEArcticElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14348128028832333909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358064019695244724.post-36697122241653683982011-06-04T13:14:00.000-07:002011-06-04T13:26:24.520-07:001911 BuildThe gun is basically done. The slide needs to be sent to CCA for coating, and the stocks need to be changed out for Crimson Trace lasers. Over 400 rounds though the gun, and function seems reliable. Thats a mixture of my hand-loads and factory ammo. <br /><br />Here is the Mag-Well after bead blasting:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJolaaQrnNKQsiKrmrs1tNgJUf3ySFlxudOkOWS79OL8AfG9Dl_vr7W95q1y5VJ-BDx3ig51aKG_8vIB4MnPobrTZL8PUj3dn6IwsscOip8huYZC_GhzidmDrN0U-kOJBZv_Ec7dr/s1600/1911_a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJolaaQrnNKQsiKrmrs1tNgJUf3ySFlxudOkOWS79OL8AfG9Dl_vr7W95q1y5VJ-BDx3ig51aKG_8vIB4MnPobrTZL8PUj3dn6IwsscOip8huYZC_GhzidmDrN0U-kOJBZv_Ec7dr/s320/1911_a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614461451125063362" /></a><br /><br />Here is the slide/frame/grip safety after bead blasting:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWgC6NR3I5PNdpYUSgSiN2roTO-jJ1CZRhyY2Ovt0EV_7I4UGb6ieKKyN14H5RykI3zTDmin5xqnQcCs6OhANSj8ObOLBX_GbuV3y86fIbvmARJAdarWeLhvOq_Iaj-PgxZRK_hqO/s1600/1911_b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWgC6NR3I5PNdpYUSgSiN2roTO-jJ1CZRhyY2Ovt0EV_7I4UGb6ieKKyN14H5RykI3zTDmin5xqnQcCs6OhANSj8ObOLBX_GbuV3y86fIbvmARJAdarWeLhvOq_Iaj-PgxZRK_hqO/s320/1911_b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614462042543536386" /></a><br /><br />And here is proof I'm not going to be competing with Mr. Volk any time, every, as a gun photographer. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosZSEB1EBuyDMv-4XoqvyexeAASTF6jBLW5n2QnlLzmVeauBFW7OToK3GAffRryrq7sywQYtYlQ7VEWsAv9saHegCMeplXaVtW-0yxHnBiDLDTmCg_7XglrzEyzk8rb7At6ELhcpo/s1600/1911C.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosZSEB1EBuyDMv-4XoqvyexeAASTF6jBLW5n2QnlLzmVeauBFW7OToK3GAffRryrq7sywQYtYlQ7VEWsAv9saHegCMeplXaVtW-0yxHnBiDLDTmCg_7XglrzEyzk8rb7At6ELhcpo/s320/1911C.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614462498970614418" /></a><br /><br />The next three show the barrel linking surfaces.<br /><br />Top Lugs:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHJZjyEPdCCkq_SEFfMsvpKBn52AcsZo93H3lmoYxyZEiCc5DQQVcA87Y4sgVkqu3ILgRQwo4U2XBzYu6oMv3ENA6RoOeM0stHvhW9ynXQ-RyOoGmGk5N590x20FenEGzx9tlG8Xp/s1600/barrel_upper.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHJZjyEPdCCkq_SEFfMsvpKBn52AcsZo93H3lmoYxyZEiCc5DQQVcA87Y4sgVkqu3ILgRQwo4U2XBzYu6oMv3ENA6RoOeM0stHvhW9ynXQ-RyOoGmGk5N590x20FenEGzx9tlG8Xp/s320/barrel_upper.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614462907858868354" /></a><br />Bottom Lugs:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hUOGy-p3oBJ-gtfZykpmnRjMebkP7-9Kfr0VmhViIra_IfT9yNRpBI7TKLaIOyYjuKF2qekRGjOqD_1sf81_Y4KKNk4t3CYjqP8-nqnpDB2XWv0JG2VJzu80Z1u06qjnujCvd2Cx/s1600/barrel_lower.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hUOGy-p3oBJ-gtfZykpmnRjMebkP7-9Kfr0VmhViIra_IfT9yNRpBI7TKLaIOyYjuKF2qekRGjOqD_1sf81_Y4KKNk4t3CYjqP8-nqnpDB2XWv0JG2VJzu80Z1u06qjnujCvd2Cx/s320/barrel_lower.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614463212640414610" /></a><br />Back of the bottom lugs:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9MX4FqtuJJ7ry6rQ72-v4NZOp995X28pgN05Mkj0aVteltSlB-cgOfr6Il9Lpg00Ys0aCszl9hvaxttWajMtsWUGMdj4mZlXPZ81JDlWWN3dwy-UF-5IIctsoF9jDEnLyIxddRBee/s1600/barrel_back.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9MX4FqtuJJ7ry6rQ72-v4NZOp995X28pgN05Mkj0aVteltSlB-cgOfr6Il9Lpg00Ys0aCszl9hvaxttWajMtsWUGMdj4mZlXPZ81JDlWWN3dwy-UF-5IIctsoF9jDEnLyIxddRBee/s320/barrel_back.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614463403219141282" /></a><br /><br />Stay safe,<br />AEArcticElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14348128028832333909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358064019695244724.post-65938403587947615832011-06-04T13:02:00.000-07:002011-06-04T13:08:28.439-07:00Vacation PicturesWe didn't see the gators, but did get a yard full of deer.<br /><br />These are the ones who stuck around after I walked outside to get pictures. There were at least 7 in the herd. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOe28N6K8dbORG3r3DEoUlvD-ZVo_u3REvRptlzmiUYnMu6tWYD3L8thdMt3tGA-5T6nD1JoyxAZIDzVPuSxsR9093S9U1zVfpSk40ykH3c8v1H2qyQQfvVukct0jYS3N_JThr1zgb/s1600/deer2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOe28N6K8dbORG3r3DEoUlvD-ZVo_u3REvRptlzmiUYnMu6tWYD3L8thdMt3tGA-5T6nD1JoyxAZIDzVPuSxsR9093S9U1zVfpSk40ykH3c8v1H2qyQQfvVukct0jYS3N_JThr1zgb/s320/deer2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614458368125984066" /></a><br /><br />This one shows one of the two biggest, who will have very nice racks come fall.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtN8xqVVAR_wojKeDHA0XEXGwfYyBTnlIw1h1G38MQ_2ghIFn3qGvsg3n-udOm0zK4spZF1w1Z_qIiqXsP2rE4Il1-xTesnJUhhk4DztYN3wyogu5EbD71mjfSKF9OGHGrm1hFZl97/s1600/deer1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtN8xqVVAR_wojKeDHA0XEXGwfYyBTnlIw1h1G38MQ_2ghIFn3qGvsg3n-udOm0zK4spZF1w1Z_qIiqXsP2rE4Il1-xTesnJUhhk4DztYN3wyogu5EbD71mjfSKF9OGHGrm1hFZl97/s320/deer1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614458117050471826" /></a><br /><br />Of course I'll be there again in November, but I suspect the neighbors will object to rifle fire.<br /><br />AEArcticElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14348128028832333909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358064019695244724.post-33172070456416345922011-05-20T18:46:00.001-07:002011-05-20T18:48:08.565-07:00Dog bloggingBecause I'm uploading pictures from my phone: the latest round of dog pictures.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1nEwYFQDEZCJUSSM4sR_bWXYvr2vYtrJmh-kUzwilFYbHuAxDOxNVmX-vymcJHrBKbJXcwFF05_g8uWUMOMbkIH9Y2qUcM6v87IWYcYfAzTPe0w26vlmk41TkAV_J6Yc-ETleAqD/s1600/Basenji_lori.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1nEwYFQDEZCJUSSM4sR_bWXYvr2vYtrJmh-kUzwilFYbHuAxDOxNVmX-vymcJHrBKbJXcwFF05_g8uWUMOMbkIH9Y2qUcM6v87IWYcYfAzTPe0w26vlmk41TkAV_J6Yc-ETleAqD/s320/Basenji_lori.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608980142996695522" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-TCt2u7GiEKozBwxyvI0M-AmGs6TAvdrwOOSVxrQ7WK-8ccoT7lMHkXN95oWPZ3YIzqnhZnSK06ALSyfRN2XPUI1mWuI5iadA1-Gwf7o0i_q3g9LzoJi6mzBCJPXvHbWgpNTnLJo/s1600/Basenji_indi.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-TCt2u7GiEKozBwxyvI0M-AmGs6TAvdrwOOSVxrQ7WK-8ccoT7lMHkXN95oWPZ3YIzqnhZnSK06ALSyfRN2XPUI1mWuI5iadA1-Gwf7o0i_q3g9LzoJi6mzBCJPXvHbWgpNTnLJo/s320/Basenji_indi.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608980052275457858" /></a>ArcticElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14348128028832333909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358064019695244724.post-63717418448124954242011-05-20T18:34:00.000-07:002011-05-20T18:44:56.744-07:001911 PicturesHere are some more pictures of the 1911 build. First up are the slide/frame fitting, with all parts blended, the next step is to bead blast to remove all tool marks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41T9xzHz0y9rM-rd7hei4sGj8c47-ISbRTe0K4WQ2LqcI7OAmR4thvrvakxgxkrPeFr3PXyp73mpWhFFvrDTPX_ad2ilzMPJYqHRc9yKj_YYgl0bRhE50w2KgjBqvgq_DrLF-aRps/s1600/slide-frame1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41T9xzHz0y9rM-rd7hei4sGj8c47-ISbRTe0K4WQ2LqcI7OAmR4thvrvakxgxkrPeFr3PXyp73mpWhFFvrDTPX_ad2ilzMPJYqHRc9yKj_YYgl0bRhE50w2KgjBqvgq_DrLF-aRps/s320/slide-frame1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608977494546785906" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34N_XvB-PuCAk40nsPQtjNAEOhIdnML8KZpqeXudVXSJt1rQNEyJmroLRvqEqhiVI1fbQcXRTv73qtcfhEXkQOL7_Y-4chLLD9aONiig7U1StNZtKqYGBj8tyS9xdHbmhl_zWzkt3/s1600/slide-frame2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34N_XvB-PuCAk40nsPQtjNAEOhIdnML8KZpqeXudVXSJt1rQNEyJmroLRvqEqhiVI1fbQcXRTv73qtcfhEXkQOL7_Y-4chLLD9aONiig7U1StNZtKqYGBj8tyS9xdHbmhl_zWzkt3/s320/slide-frame2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608977698926327970" /></a><br /><br />Here is the magwell, blended to match the frame. This will also get bead blasted to match. I'm unimpressed with this style magwell, the joint between the magwell and the mainspring housing is not very tight, so the position when assembled is not as precises. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VNChRxGMOgvyj9GoRBiGSJHS1e1QETVC3UXHsGetXSAdRIs2XREDHEp7vTSx1bbNlF2qrVbKaCSmMZSK8s9gsL5GxUuvA0W1pwz0PxOm2-EzunwoqWNmuw_jGALFFbb-I1nRDbNi/s1600/Magwell.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VNChRxGMOgvyj9GoRBiGSJHS1e1QETVC3UXHsGetXSAdRIs2XREDHEp7vTSx1bbNlF2qrVbKaCSmMZSK8s9gsL5GxUuvA0W1pwz0PxOm2-EzunwoqWNmuw_jGALFFbb-I1nRDbNi/s320/Magwell.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608978994455663122" /></a><br /><br />Stay Safe,<br />AEArcticElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14348128028832333909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358064019695244724.post-82852376998390307102011-04-10T04:21:00.000-07:002011-04-10T04:57:07.418-07:00AR-45 PicturesMy AR-45 project is starting to work. The goal is to build an AR platform rifle chambered in 45ACP, and feeding from a standard AR mag. Wally (of GBC fame) pointed out that this would require an AR-10 based build, instead of an AR-15 based build, and that has made life allot easier. <br /><br />Here is the prototype magazine. You'll notice the follower is two pieces of sheet metal braised together. Aside from the spring I could build the mag from scratch this way, but but buying a mag body is easier.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJui1Leb4PR8qWCubN5WDZnbuBXyuB1UJTP-LcEtO-y8R4woDhwstyzgHtdgxAptNXVVxRMivmqj-uE3JDDwHCBVZeG1rTsVQLuVkkd7agmI_vvQ9V6mRfCSwOo2P3uoPq3xsaysia/s1600/IMG_20110408_213219.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJui1Leb4PR8qWCubN5WDZnbuBXyuB1UJTP-LcEtO-y8R4woDhwstyzgHtdgxAptNXVVxRMivmqj-uE3JDDwHCBVZeG1rTsVQLuVkkd7agmI_vvQ9V6mRfCSwOo2P3uoPq3xsaysia/s320/IMG_20110408_213219.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593920188666222082" /></a><br />And here are the internals of said magazine. The curved piece is the front block to keep the cartridges under the feed lips, and the feed ramp. The other flat piece is the back block to keep the cartridges stacked neatly. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju08X7POkGbZHRuZcEoCMu2crwFUjjK9PKjIg0LOHizZJrIJzAS7aY8sFeJ1E66-Ud6lan4Sry6cvg2xE0pXkvv9oOTJFoH0YLmvrsZgDUKhRgGDhIJh7Nd4rHoYHr3rtZo3HtJGnr/s1600/IMG_20110408_213251.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju08X7POkGbZHRuZcEoCMu2crwFUjjK9PKjIg0LOHizZJrIJzAS7aY8sFeJ1E66-Ud6lan4Sry6cvg2xE0pXkvv9oOTJFoH0YLmvrsZgDUKhRgGDhIJh7Nd4rHoYHr3rtZo3HtJGnr/s320/IMG_20110408_213251.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593920748879561282" /></a><br />The next step is to build up the lower, and order an upper. Then I can put the barrel assembly together. <br /><br />AEArcticElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14348128028832333909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358064019695244724.post-61161139576197890332011-02-26T17:15:00.001-08:002011-02-26T17:16:28.393-08:001911 Picture<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi49gdylJef4ViPJTOeixxLoKQp0Gd9-SQ8q1kogigpVbDNNaA_wW8SdzoiPJejcvZ2nNoRugnpZsNv4S6A5-vEvvoL1oO9sT00z8k5wHuHfPaCmRyVV1Qaj64J9txvSH3j9Hqfq_wm/s1600/1911.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi49gdylJef4ViPJTOeixxLoKQp0Gd9-SQ8q1kogigpVbDNNaA_wW8SdzoiPJejcvZ2nNoRugnpZsNv4S6A5-vEvvoL1oO9sT00z8k5wHuHfPaCmRyVV1Qaj64J9txvSH3j9Hqfq_wm/s320/1911.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578172010771925506" /></a>ArcticElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14348128028832333909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358064019695244724.post-23948203258129548382011-02-17T04:35:00.000-08:002011-02-17T04:37:33.997-08:00The other questionThe reason we debate Glock (and clones) vs 1911 is to answer the age old question* “what hand gun should I buy”, usually asked by a new shooter. I have three criteria I’d use to answer this: 1) will you be treating that gun like a lawn mower or a classic Porsche 2) what fits in your hand 3) what will your carry routine be?<br /><br />Finding one gun to meet your requirements in all three categories may be impossible, so you’ll have to accept some tradeoffs. <br /><br />That may lead to learning to maintain your 1911, which is frankly not rocket science, and if you can change your oil and a flat tire you can learn to maintain a 1911. <br /><br />It might also mean learning to deal with the ergonomics of a plastic double stack. <br /><br />The best case you can hope for is that it gives you an excuse to buy several guns and use the appropriate one for the appropriate job. <br /><br />AE<br /><br />*Other than being bored, and having nothing better to do then argue on the internet.ArcticElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14348128028832333909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358064019695244724.post-90265781129276297582011-02-17T04:33:00.000-08:002011-02-17T04:35:24.893-08:00Asking the wrong questionAll the discussion of the 1911 platform over the last couple weeks got me thinking, and 4 pages of statistical analysis, discussion of abusing the central limit theorem, and questioning the link between the reliability of a pistol design to the reliability of the one in your holster* right now I came to this:<br /><br />Magazines are the weak link for self-loading firearms.<br /><br />If this assumption is, true does the Glock/XD/M&P vs 1911* reliability debate really come down to an inherent reliability advantage in double stack magazines over single stack magazines? This could come from two things: 1) a mechanical advantage to the double stack, because of the feed lips, the tapered upper mag body or the wider spring or 2) most of the mags for these guns are made by the company which designed the gun and the mag as a matched pair.<br /><br />*I'll spare you my sleep deprived analysis.<br /><br />AEArcticElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14348128028832333909noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358064019695244724.post-45661297981507396972011-01-02T16:56:00.001-08:002011-01-02T17:38:56.590-08:00Gun Blogger Conspiracy ChristmasThis year I participated in the GBC Secret Santa. <br /><br />I got <a href="http://therealnecessities.blogspot.com/2010/12/gbc-secret-santa-2010.html">John the Texaner</a> some parts for his AR build, and one of my 'training mags', basically guaranteed to cause at least one good jam per range trip, providing the user a training opportunity. <br /><br />Wai got me an awesome vacuum mug. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAl9O1UisIZTHHW8z44HxitiOzkn6dPGF88drf0GkrCUmjJeRRZr2j84v_pRIM1yPiotPAK-OTutMEvu-lkLIfOcuA3BsKZh1RtwXWMIYD0NS0OnLexr9EeLF-ab9eC-ZAzyrFeUo/s1600/cup2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAl9O1UisIZTHHW8z44HxitiOzkn6dPGF88drf0GkrCUmjJeRRZr2j84v_pRIM1yPiotPAK-OTutMEvu-lkLIfOcuA3BsKZh1RtwXWMIYD0NS0OnLexr9EeLF-ab9eC-ZAzyrFeUo/s320/cup2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557764774203717314" /></a> Shown in its natural habitat keeping my coffee warm during our southern Virginia winter. <br /><br />I'll be keeping that present close at hand until we get around to summer weather again.<br /><br />Thanks to Wai for a great Christmas present, and PDB for putting it together for us. <br /><br />AEArcticElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14348128028832333909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358064019695244724.post-50226951454703441452011-01-02T16:04:00.000-08:002011-01-02T16:55:47.857-08:001911s vs the WorldI've been agonizing over this for a bit, because I think Lady Tam has a valid point about gear arguments on the internet, but Phlegmy's first soliloquy during the VC new years show convinced me to share.<div><br /></div><a href="http://www.yankeegunnuts.com/2010/12/20/the-1911-sucks/">GunNutmegger</a> wrote a bit on why the 1911 sucks, and on the whole missed the point. He's got a couple things right on technical issues with the platform: many of them ship with shitty magazines, and there are boatloads of the same for sale in the after market; on the gun-smithing issue I'm unconvinced that most 1911s are less reliable or require more worth to get right than other auto-loaders. That said, the cheaply made guns, and the very top end highly tuned guns are exactly as reliable as you'd expect. My experience running a couple thousand shooters through IDPA stages is that Wheel guns are the most reliable (only ever have ammo or speed loader related issues) followed by the Glock or XD (rare mechanical issues, but average for ammo and magazine related issues) followed by all other auto-loaders.<div><br /></div><div>Far and away the most common failure is Magazine related, usually either they break into multiple parts or just jam up from dirt and filth. No auto-loader is immune from this. Maintenance is the only solution here. </div><div><br /></div><div>Those are the averages, some people just had either bad luck, or too much time to monkey with their guns. Every club has that guy, and no matter what gun he has it doesn't work, and design doesn't seem to matter. </div><div><br /></div><div>One clear advantage of the Glock or XD design is the lack of cleaning required, but a 1911 with proper tolerances (see highly tuned or cheap above) is probably good enough for the casual gun owner who cleans the peace after shooting. Personally, the Kimber I carry every day gets cleaned every month, or every 1000 rounds. </div><div><br /></div><div>And yes, it feeds hollow point or any other ammo you can find, with out issue, after more then 1000 rounds of my reloads (230gr at 950 FPS). </div><div><br /></div><div>Now for the area's where I disagree with GunNutmegger: </div><div><br /></div><div>Single action is no more or less safe then any other. NDs happen when people pull the trigger and heavy trigger pulls don't seem to make that much difference. I've yet to see any study done but from all the stories I've seen its across all designs. The 1911 itself doesn't seem any more or less safe, and if 95% of owners were unsafe we'd see it on CNN.</div><div><br /></div><div>As for the thumb safety being too hard to operate: the folks who get confused by the thumb safety also get confused by the slide locking back on an empty gun. Practice with the platform corrects this issue fairly quickly. The amount of practice needed to properly operate the 1911 is the same as the amount needed to operate any other semi-auto. </div><div><br /></div><div>The bottom line, and why the 1911 pattern still sells, is that it fits allot of shooters. The combination of a big steel frame, and the slow .45 bullet make for very manageable recoil. The single stack grip and the short trigger make it easy to hold for normal sized hands. The grip angle works for a lot of people. These are not universal statements, I've had several students who said all the same things about the glock and hated them about the 1911. </div><div><br /></div><div>It seems more about what works for you then about there being a single right answer. To paraphrase Lady Tam: "The best gun is one you'll practice with and carry". And thats where I'll leave it: the right gun is the one that works for you.</div><div><br /></div><div>AE</div>ArcticElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14348128028832333909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358064019695244724.post-82688329340917838172010-10-27T02:34:00.001-07:002010-10-27T02:34:30.472-07:00Top Tip for Trike Commuters<br>I realize that your shiney new trike has opened a new world of experiances to yor previously cage bound experiance, but unless you want that to include major surgery and the ICU here is a top tip from the cager in the truck next to you: <br /><br>Left Turn Only means we're going left. If you are in the inside of the two left turn lanes and I'm in the outside turn lane you're either going left or under my rear wheels. I'd rather you went left, personally. <br /><br>Fortunately for the idiot on the trike I was paying alot more attention to him the he was to me. <br /><br>Stay safe<br /><br/><font size="1">Posted from my Droid.</font>ArcticElfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14348128028832333909noreply@blogger.com0