What I'd Like To See on Down Range

[Dakotaranger]

What I'd like to see on Down Range...

...self defense for women - how to carry, how to train, how to get a mindset

...history of firearms by manufacturer

...from target to defense to hunting (one gun three purposes)

...proper gun maintenance - rifle, pistol, revolver what products work which ones don't

...a behind the scene look at Shooting Gallery and Cowboys from concept to showtime

...interviews,interviews, interviews

...ballistics - charts, charts and more charts (ie, is the .357 that much more than .38?)

...shoot things (aka the box of truth)

At Combat Carry this has come up a couple of times, we determined that as a garbage hits the fan gun the .30-30 would suffice pretty well. It is also the Number one deer rifle. 

[Dakotaranger]

What I would like to see is some suggestions on securing firearms in vehicles.

[Michael Bane]

Hey Brother Walt!

Was thinking of you the other night when the local hippie microbrewery debutted their "Smoked Oak Bourbon Stout!" I lift a class in your honor. It's REAL good...

I've also been pondering this whole Mini-14 vs. the Sooper-DeLuxe Rifles, too...I sort of think the Mini is in many ways being bum-rapped like the .30 M1 Carbine in the 1950s. After WW2, the gunwriters of the day had VERY VERY cozy relationships with American gun manufacturers, but they had to hammer something...so the M1 Carbine became an object of scorn, and hte .30 Carbine cartridge only slightly less efficient than a .22 Short. A couple of years ago I started looking into the .30 Carbine, because I'd come across a really nice Blackhawk in that caliber and had Hamilton Bowen finish it into a great pistol. I kept looking at the cartridge, which pretty much mimiced the .357 Magnum, and wondered why the ..357 was considered the HAMMER OF ODIN while the .30 sucked. Answer, the .30 in JHP worked exactly like the .357. I got a lot of "field reports" from people who's used the Carbine in battle up until Vietnam, plus cops from several decades, including our friend Jim Cirillo, who found a cut-down Carbine and a 30-round clip to be just the ticket.

Now I keep reading how the Mini sucks, except that hasn't been my experience. I have one of the old 181 series I used in 3-gun competition in the Back When. Most of the rifle shots on our Florida ranges were 75-150 yards, with a few gongs at ranges out to 300. I never had any problem with the Mini, which was butt-ugly with a Choate pistol grip stock, the wooden forend and one of those original small-tube Aimpoints on a Mickey Mouse mount. You coudn't MAKE the thing jam...I may have cleaned it once, but I don't remember. I didn't touch it for years, giving in to the AR siren song, but I hauled it out a few years ago, stuck a 3rd rate red dot on it and, true to form, it shot just fine. When I talk to people who have Minis they actually shoot a lot, they love them. It's not a target rifle, but a HECK of a lot of the AR clones out there aren't either. I'm thinking of sending the Mini to Accuracy Systems for minimal work — mostly trigger — then take it to a carbine class and see what transpires...other than me getting laughed at by the AR-nistas!

I would like to get my hands on a Masada that wasn't a toolroom prototype...that's why I'm such a fan of the SIGARMS 556...it's made by a big company that has made great guns for a long time and you can buy one NOW!

Bunch of tother stuff in the works...I've made my Sweetie put her thinking cap on for self-defense for women...what is it that we guys get wrong.

I also like Worsham's one-gun...target, defense, competition, hunting...but you're gonna be shocked when I show you my Winchester '94 Trapper in .44 Magnum!

Regarding the SG tapes, let's say that The Outdoor Channel and I are still...unsettled. More about that when we settle down...

Michael B

[Pathfinder]

How about ballistic tests of self-defense ammo, including the use of gelatin blocks to show dispersion of ball, JHP and frangible ammo in SD loads at typical SD distances? Maybe even some real-world expertise from those who know, those who've been there, on what to expect in different scenarios. Especially debunking (or bunking) myths.

[Middle Man]

Michael,
I think you should do a "humor" forum too...

Here's a good one I found today:

http://www.newyorker.com/shouts/content/articles/070129sh_shouts_martin

SEVENTY-TWO VIRGINS
by STEVE MARTIN
Issue of 2007-01-29
Posted 2007-01-22

Virgin No. 1: Yuck.

Virgin No. 2: Ick.

Virgin No. 3: Ew.

Virgin No. 4: Ow.

Virgin No. 5: Do you like cats? I have fourteen!

Virgin No. 6: I’m Becky. I’ll be legal in two years.

Virgin No. 7: Here, I’ll just pull down your zipper. Oh, sorry!

Virgin No. 8: Can we cuddle first?

Virgin No. 9: It was a garlic-and-onion pizza. Why?

Virgin No. 10: . . . so I see Heath, and he goes, “Like, what are you doing here?,” and I go, “I’m hangin’ out,” so he goes, “Like, what?” . . .

Virgin No. 11: First you’re going to have to show me an up-to-date health certificate.

Virgin No. 12: Hurry! My parents are due home!

Virgin No. 13: Do you want the regular or the special?

Virgin No. 14: I’m eighty-four. So what?

Virgin No. 15: Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!

Virgin No. 16: Even I know that’s tiny.

Virgin No. 17: “Do it”? Meaning what?

Virgin No. 18: I’m saving myself for Jesus.

Virgin No. 19: Somewhere on my body I have hidden a buffalo nickel.

Virgin No. 20: Don’t touch my hair!

Virgin No. 21: I hope you’re not going to sleep with me and then go sleep with seventy-one others.

Virgin No. 22: Do you mind if we listen to Mannheim Steamroller?

Virgin No. 23: Are you O.K. with the dog on the bed?

Virgin No. 24: Would you mind saying, “Could I see you in my office, Miss Witherspoon?”?

Virgin No. 25: Ride me! Ride me, Lucky Buck!

Virgin No. 26: You like your vanilla hot?

Virgin No. 27: Does Ookums like Snookums?

Virgin No. 28: It’s so romantic here, dead.

Virgin No. 29: Well, I’m a virgin, but my hand isn’t.

Virgin No. 30: You are in?

Virgin No. 31: Hi, cowboy. I just rode down from Brokeback Mountain.

Virgin No. 32: I’m a virgin because I’m so ugly.

Virgin No. 33: You like-ee?

Virgin No. 34: I’ll betcha you can’t get an erection. Go on, impress me. C’mon, show me. Show me, big shot.

Virgin No. 35: By the way, here in Heaven “virgin” has a slightly different meaning. It means “chatty.”

Virgin No. 36: Sure, I like you, but as a friend.

Virgin No. 37: No kissing. I save that for my boyfriend.

Virgin No. 38: I’m Zania, from the planet Xeron. My vagina is on my foot.

Virgin No. 39: It’s a lesion, and, no, I don’t know what kind.

Virgin No. 40: I’m Jewish. Why do you ask?

Virgin No. 41: Hi, I’m Becky. Oh, whoops—you again.

Virgin No. 42: I just love camping! Camping is so great! Can we go camping sometime?

Virgin No. 43: In the spirit of full disclosure, I’m a single mom.

Virgin No. 44: You like my breasts? They were my graduation gift.

Virgin No. 45: When you’re done, you should really check out how cool this ceiling is.

Virgin No. 46: I’m almost there. Just another couple of hours.

Virgin No. 47: Get your own beer, you nitwit.

Virgin No. 48: No, you’ve got it wrong. We’re in the Paradise Casino.

Virgin No. 49: I really enjoyed that. Thank you very much. Gee, it’s late.

Virgin No. 50: You make me feel like a real woman. And after this is over I’m going to find one.

Virgin No. 51: What do you mean, “move a little”?

Virgin No. 52: Not now, I’m on my BlackBerry.

Virgin No. 53: I love it when you put on your pants and leave.

Virgin No. 54: We’ve been together twenty-four hours now, and, you know, sometimes it’s O.K. to say something mildly humorous.

Virgin No. 55: That was terrible. I should have listened to the other virgins.

Virgin No. 56: I think I found it. Is that it? Oh. Is this it? Oh, this must be it. No?

Virgin No. 57: It must be hot in here, because I know it’s not me.

Virgin No. 58: Those are my testicles.

Virgin No. 59: Did you know that “virgin” is an anagram of Irving?

Virgin No. 60: First “Spamalot,” then sex.

Virgin No. 61: Great! I was hoping for circumcised.

Virgin No. 62: Was that it?

Virgin No. 63: Dang. George Clooney was being reckless on a motorcycle, but instead I got you.

Virgin No. 64: Tonight, I become a woman. But until then you can call me Bob.

Virgin No. 65: They’re called “adult diapers.” Why?

Virgin No. 66: We could do it here for free, or on a stage in Düsseldorf for money.

Virgin No. 67: I’m just Virgin No. 67 to you, right?

Virgin No. 68: Pee-yoo. Are you wearing Aramis?

Virgin No. 69: Condom, please.

Virgin No. 70: My name is Mother Teresa.

Virgin No. 71: I’m not very good at this, but let’s start with the Reverse Lotus Blossom.

Virgin No. 72: It was paradise, until you showed up.

[Sponsor]

[ewayte]

Definitely more of The Prickly Man!  Maybe a short segment on a regular basis.
And what's Jim Cirillo up to these days?
Oh, and how about getting John Taffin in front of a camera?

[Michael Bane]

Taffin told me absolutely positively NEVER NEVER NEVER, but maybe he'll change his mind.

I like the idea of regular Walt (I don't know if WALT likes it or not!); Jim C. is on-board...

mb

[HBMan]

I would like to see a show on ideas for informal shooting or suggestions for plans on making your own range as well as plinking and practice targets. Maybe details on building your own targets or shooting areas with
designs on fun AND safety.

Firearms history and the evolution of guns in the last few years along with the modern masters of the gunsmithing trade are always entertaining and informative.

Long Range shooting that the average guy can get into without the big $$$$s.

[DonWorsham]

... suggestions for plans on making your own range ... details on building your own targets or shooting areas ...

I second this one.

[Michael Bane]

Worsham...just don't point your BB guns at people's eyes!

I have a call into Hamilton Bowen, and Bill Laughridge at Cylinder & Slide is already on board...we've just got to start filming his stuff....as is John Paul at JP Enterprises. I'm also planning to talk to my old friend Jimmy Clark at the NRA Show.

THANKS, all...I'll see if I can find a target/range guy...

Michael B