tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41484101698980032142012-01-26T07:24:45.248-08:00MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.comBlogger8951100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-83639911693660234812012-01-24T05:07:00.000-08:002012-01-24T05:13:32.299-08:00

I think not.I don't think I can sit through an hour plus of self-congratulations, lies, and socialist blueprints for a "socially just" economy that only leads to more equality in poverty for most us.I'll vote for a road-killed possum if that's my only alternative to four more years of an American Great Leap Forward.

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-47125488675055672112012-01-22T17:13:00.000-08:002012-01-22T17:39:44.658-08:00

And that's about as utilitarian as it gets.

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-60995837458241253332012-01-08T19:16:00.000-08:002012-01-09T19:40:15.267-08:00

"Sgt. Aaron C. Torian, a team leader assigned to B Company, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, examines a modified insurgent sniper rifle pulled from a buried cache site in Zaidon, Iraq."I'm guessing from the buttstock that it's a Mauser, from what looks like a bolt disassembly inlay. The scope reminds me of some of the ones I've seen on the old Mosin 91/30 sniper models,

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-54951429285941817282012-01-04T19:47:00.000-08:002012-01-04T20:03:00.387-08:00

So Romney has been endorsed by John McCain. The man who pretty much convinced the nation that a young, inexperienced, smooth prompter-reading, telegenic empty vessel was the answer to all our problems.I've loathed McCain as a venal, self-serving political hack who would sacrifice anything, especially his constituents, in pursuit of power and exposure. Viet Nam was a long time ago, and what he's

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-38224404155098313672012-01-03T17:08:00.000-08:002012-01-03T17:34:29.088-08:00

Which means we won't have to answer the phone thirty times an evening starting tomorrow.I care about politics. But at this point, I'm sick of it. The fix is in for Romney (I'm for/against/for/against/for/against........), Ron Paul (It's our fault Iran hates us!) supporters are embarrassing the hell out of me as an Iowan, and my guy probably won't make the top three because he's not a great

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-79465747913813480722012-01-02T17:41:00.001-08:002012-01-02T17:49:57.214-08:00

This kind of response to "have you stopped beating your wife?" questions needs to happen more often. In fact, Gov. Perry could have improved on his response by asking the reporter what he will do about the anonymous Politico staff allegations of deliberately fabricating untrue stories.

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-33164734294689290432011-12-31T17:58:00.000-08:002011-12-31T17:58:00.523-08:00

Swiped from Baboon Pirates. Someone needs to post an image of this thing being fired at dusk.

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-40190090274962717882011-12-29T19:32:00.000-08:002011-12-29T19:53:28.733-08:00

I actually came home from work in a good mood today. The only difference? Just one person being absent. Making all the difference between a desire to smash things with a bat, or walking into the house with a smile and a hug for The Wife.

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-39466912103873755032011-12-28T16:16:00.000-08:002011-12-28T16:31:48.224-08:00

SOPA.Just one more step on our march into a Police State.Civil disobedience.One of the actions free individuals take when confronted with statist ass-hattery.

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-27082544468699766982011-12-25T10:31:00.000-08:002011-12-25T10:38:09.377-08:00

Spec-ops SKS?Anyhoo.........Merry Christmas, and (I think) Happy Hannukah (I'm not as familiar with that side of the house).

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-63251293644218146132011-12-18T16:41:00.001-08:002011-12-18T16:44:32.769-08:00

Ah.................actually, I don't know what to say.

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-76439782210351104952011-12-17T14:59:00.000-08:002011-12-17T15:28:26.436-08:00

I keep seeing on TV and the web about Tim Tebow. Apparently people are either thrilled someone is finally proud to show their faith openly, or appalled by the same.As a "small a" atheist (e.g., I don't belong to any organizations, have any agendas, or feel either particularly empowered or marginalized), I'd simply like to say: WTF?Don't either of these groups of people have more urgent things to

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-13151642386632543592011-12-17T10:20:00.000-08:002011-12-17T10:39:30.241-08:00

Senator Harkin (Democrat/Cornfield Communist) says the Republicans, in holding out for approval of a new oil pipeline crossing the Dakotas before voting for an extension of the payroll tax extension, are attempting to cause the economy to become bad enough for it to negatively affect the Obama's re-election effort.Which part of building and maintaining an international, multi-state energy

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-66138900085151489872011-12-12T16:31:00.000-08:002011-12-12T16:53:57.653-08:00

cow·ard (kou-erd)1. a person who lacks courage in facing danger, difficulty, opposition, pain, etc.; a timid or easily intimidated person.2. lacking courage; very fearful or timid. The president (my god, how that title has been demeaned) asked the Iranian government/theocracy to return our drone.Asked.When you lose a valuable material asset to a hostile nation, you don't ask. You act.That's why

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-41099517322869485792011-12-12T06:58:00.000-08:002011-12-12T06:58:00.353-08:00

Slick.I'm considering buying a whole box of them and mailing it to CAIR's headquarters with a Christmas card.

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-30983508262394270872011-12-11T15:19:00.000-08:002011-12-11T15:26:12.655-08:00

A work in progress. But someone still cared enough to arrange that image.

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-71674825538753406132011-12-04T20:22:00.001-08:002011-12-04T20:26:01.194-08:00

It's a fine set up, if you're into spotlighting mice.Come to think of it, I've been in a few tents where that might have been handy.

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-65011223885699378422011-12-03T09:18:00.000-08:002011-12-03T09:18:00.250-08:00

Apparently not a permanent alteration; might be nice for some scenarios. On the down side, it definitely demonstrates that the staggered column of cartridges is more practical for getting down in the dirt.

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-30266561064677246312011-12-02T08:30:00.001-08:002011-12-02T09:08:27.954-08:00

He literally walked into our life shortly after The Wife had to put down her dog of sixteen years; we were leaving her house to go somewhere, when a rail-thin, hyper dog trotted up into the yard. No collar, tattoos, or chips. As fate would have it, my recently purchased home had a shed with an attached kennel inside a fenced yard. The thought of the local pound euthanizing him if no one showed up

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-74360050621831435152011-12-01T20:13:00.000-08:002011-12-01T20:23:31.792-08:00

Yeah. Your kids will be fine, because you're the kind of behind-the-scenes, double-dealing, backstabbing, lying, self-serving, amoral piece of shit you constantly say you're fighting against.Fuck.You.

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-84579474269618383702011-12-01T18:57:00.000-08:002011-12-01T19:26:09.681-08:00

So there's a bit of controversy about a pledge of allegiance down in Texas.I thought the instructor's statement about the Mexican pledge activity being "a cultural thing" is interesting. To a degree, she's right. It is cultural. And much more. It's a pledge,or in other words, a statement of fidelity, oath, or promise.Which means for this individual teacher that either these words mean absolutely

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-5155908230483851542011-11-30T19:22:00.000-08:002011-11-30T19:50:18.675-08:00

Had a patient today who is a Viet Nam vet, being seen for acute pain radiating down his leg. He mentioned to our nurse that it actually hurt worse than being shot, which was passed along to me to pass along to the radiologist. Unfortunately, there was a delay before the physician could get there, leaving me to keep the patient occupied. Which I'm happy to do, as I don't like sitting in a room

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-72141829524062514592011-11-29T15:43:00.000-08:002011-11-29T15:53:53.814-08:00

Apparently "cougars" are morphing into sabertooths. I honestly don't believe that just being elderly necessitates wearing "old people" clothes. I personally have no intention a developing a cardigan sweater collection or strapping my pants to my ribs as I age. On the other hand: if you're hitting the latter portion of your seventies, is wearing leopard spot high-cut panties to your medical

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-1217964103155711402011-11-28T15:49:00.000-08:002011-11-28T15:54:57.449-08:00

If you work in a hospital cafeteria as a cashier, isn't it a really bad idea to lick your fingers so you can make change faster? It's a bad idea anywhere, but inside a hospital?

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-66339178599140921542011-11-27T14:30:00.000-08:002011-11-27T14:39:26.976-08:00

"Cheek-stock weld? Why the hell would I need that?"

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-57041805693125357932011-11-26T07:55:00.000-08:002011-11-26T08:43:31.115-08:00

Did the publishers feel a need to mock the writers, or were they just dropping acid?

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-92100018753059490672011-11-20T04:46:00.000-08:002011-11-21T04:48:26.573-08:00

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-18102792548745620962011-11-19T19:55:00.000-08:002011-11-19T20:12:55.982-08:00

After spending a bunch of money to comply with an incorrect order, exceptionally poor communication, and a seven hour round trip to my current drill location to participate in two hours of "welcome home" activities, I can honestly say that while I truly enjoy having worked with many, many soldiers during active-duty deployments and weekend field exercises, I also have developed a deep desire to

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-70356725960741130472011-11-17T16:23:00.000-08:002011-11-17T16:48:25.608-08:00

What the hell is it with young men looking like jobless, illiterate, dumpster-diving shitbags the last several years? Even on commercials for clothing, phones, and food, the "protagonist" of the commercial looks like they haven't held a job in years, or washed, shaved, or changed their clothes in the last several weeks. Is this what women in their twenties find attractive now? It's like a

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-65639427506684470292011-11-13T15:22:00.000-08:002011-11-13T15:28:00.977-08:00

"Saw this at Cabela’s in Rapid City. Some metal tubing, a can of green spray paint, and jima Mossberg Plinkster, and you have…this."Thanks to reader Ed for this symphony of welded tubing :)

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-62337180245715313662011-11-12T21:36:00.000-08:002011-11-12T22:03:51.627-08:00

Having unjacked my reproduction Enfield Model 1853, I think I'll see if I can manage to run some rounds through it tomorrow. 60 grains of Pyrodex seemed to drive a .57 caliber round ball nicely for the whole series of three shots I had last time, although they were striking to the right of center. I've just lubed up 15 Minie-style bullets with a mix of paraffin and vegetable oil that has worked

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-18420854564506273602011-11-07T18:15:00.000-08:002011-11-07T18:15:00.803-08:00

So far in the last week or so, I've broken the extractor on my 1911 (replacement cost was nearly 10% of what I originally paid for the pistol); separated the powder dispenser on my Dillon Square Deal B into two parts while turning a fair bit of expensive gunpowder into worthless junk on the basement floor; and as of yesterday afternoon, ramming a .58 caliber round ball all the way down my

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-34211371792260765562011-11-06T18:06:00.001-08:002011-11-06T18:14:56.921-08:00

Yep, I know it's not a serious build. In fact, I do believe that's a Red Ryder at the center of everything. This was put together by an individual who knows how to orchestrate ugly.

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-59430294368330873752011-11-05T09:10:00.000-07:002011-11-05T09:27:48.989-07:00

Because it's hard to haul three or more guns when you only weight forty pounds.....Seriously, what a good idea. I hauled around a wheeled vertically stacked tool chest with my rifles strapped on top at CMP/vintage/high power rifle matches. The little 4-inch solid plastic wheels aren't that great off concrete or hard packed level ground.Might have to get one of those.(H/T to Ace of Spades)http://

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-67116462089753419942011-10-31T18:57:00.000-07:002011-10-31T19:03:54.993-07:00

I dressed up as a collection of bad habits, portraying a fat guy smoking a cigar and drinking Jack Daniel's while handing out candy on the porch tonight.Hell, I enjoyed it. Didn't seem to bother the kids any either.

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-75211903193428951262011-10-30T10:13:00.000-07:002011-10-30T10:22:35.401-07:00

I know I've always wanted a pistol that looks like it was made out of Bondo.

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-67950005998568070552011-10-30T08:52:00.000-07:002011-10-30T10:12:08.286-07:00

Apparently the Constitution applies to everyone, not just U.S. citizens. Reading "Alabama immigration battle recalls civil rights past" written by Phillip Rawls of the Associated Press, individuals who have intentionally entered this country illegally are equivalent to to black citizens who were denied their constitutional rights in the past. And the evil Republican/Conservative/Capitalist hordes

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-44551285633902216312011-10-23T19:11:00.000-07:002011-10-24T19:12:04.820-07:00

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-14885796766704145862011-10-18T17:44:00.000-07:002011-10-18T17:52:12.147-07:00

Reading this simply reinforces the pride in my tribe. Hooah Iowa Guard!

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-41784578810021399892011-10-16T17:47:00.000-07:002011-10-16T17:51:56.484-07:00

I'm guessing this is someone's version of a Beretta Model 92 race gun (race gun: any stock gun with more equipment added to give the operator an edge when winning the competition is the primary reason for participating).

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-51153549529710597882011-10-15T09:29:00.000-07:002011-10-15T07:37:12.947-07:00

or How To Replace A Hakim Ejector Spring On The Cheap.First, let me note that it's possible to shoot over 50 rounds of surplus 8 mm and have all of them extract without the spring. I'm a little surprised by this, but having unintentionally done it, it's possible.Seen clockwise above, the breech cover, bolt carrier, bolt, extractor, and safety housing. My first clue something was off occurred when

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-6174097398931813492011-10-14T16:25:00.000-07:002011-10-14T16:30:36.894-07:00

At least the video advertising has decent production values:

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-35382229111323497792011-10-09T00:01:00.000-07:002011-10-09T00:01:01.929-07:00

This gun was found in a yard sale this summer. Has a ramline stock and pro-mounted scope base and scope.Scope is a Tasco 3x9x40?. Has a bi-pod,spare bullet holder on butt stock and a nice sling. SN matching #xxx281. Has a Bubba Camo painted surface. Gun was used for a few years in deer hunting and was shot very little. I have never shot the rifle but the bore is bright and rifling is strong. No

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-24323961625487215952011-10-08T07:22:00.001-07:002011-10-08T07:38:08.765-07:00

After a work week of assisting the docs in jamming stuff into various anatomical areas (patients, not doctors), it's time to kick back and enjoy. By installing a garage door. I know how to party.

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-28846018851590994782011-10-02T18:36:00.000-07:002011-10-03T18:40:53.339-07:00

And cleaning a simple single-cylinder black powder pistol is a pain.

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-61451535639409998652011-09-30T18:56:00.000-07:002011-09-30T19:57:03.195-07:00

As noted in an earlier post, I recently participated in what was billed as a military "obsolete wooden stock rifle" match. Now, seeing that title, without any other description, suggests to me that the focus of the match is probably bolt guns like the one above, or possible semi-autos of the '40s or not set up for quick magazine changes. What it turned out to be was three guys (to include your

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-16805684329284348232011-09-25T17:36:00.000-07:002011-09-25T17:38:36.879-07:00

I want to see the holster that goes with this.

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-51788220375074090842011-09-20T18:22:00.000-07:002011-09-20T18:53:19.769-07:00

It occurred to me, while I was thinking about yesterday's post, that something was wrong there. As a matter of fact, when I was a younger man, I had an inordinate interest in certain gingers:As to Lucille Ball: in her younger days, she could rival any of the young ladies in the previous images, and maintained an elegant appearance even when her youth was past.It appears to me that although there

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-78726139307136353332011-09-19T18:07:00.000-07:002011-09-19T18:07:00.478-07:00

With an "obsolete wooden stock rifle match" (we'll get into the concept of "obsolete" down the road) coming up this past Saturday, I thought I'd get into the spirit of the match (as I perceived it) and get old school. As in a Czech 98/22 formerly in Turkish service. This particular model is chambered in 7.9 x 57 mm Mauser. For its age, and who was using it, it's in reasonably good condition. The

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-51127495898966025432011-09-19T17:27:00.001-07:002011-09-19T17:30:43.028-07:00

After seeing that, can you blame them?

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-41547654603155479452011-09-18T17:53:00.001-07:002011-09-18T17:56:54.759-07:00

Apparently this is an Hopkins & Allen vest pocket model of some sort in .32 centerfire. And one of the shortest barrels I've seen in a long time, at 1 and 1/8th inches.

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-63466621466463763492011-09-15T15:28:00.000-07:002011-09-17T20:06:00.956-07:00

Spent a weekend recently with a bunch of other vets who are bikers. Sometimes that means lots of hours in the saddle, sometimes lots of hours sitting around a fire drinking beer. This time it was the latter, which is fine, but: the older I get, the more I've realized I can sit around drinking beer far more often than I can get out in nice weather in a new location and ride. Drinking beer is

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-190064672865599732011-09-14T19:13:00.000-07:002011-09-14T19:32:18.351-07:00

Courtesy of Cap'n Ken's, Lake Park, Iowa. Nothing like this on the menu first thing in the morning after staying up with a bunch of bikers swilling cheap beer 'til 0200. Me, I stuck with the biscuits and gravy that morning. I like my morning grease intake in a traditional form.

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-5055763275214684942011-09-11T20:02:00.000-07:002011-09-11T20:05:14.085-07:00

Where does this pattern actually blend in?

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-17355032818106788182011-09-11T19:49:00.000-07:002011-09-11T19:58:43.377-07:00

As someone who's spent two years in Iraq and Afghanistan, and another year peacekeeping in Egypt because the Regular Army doesn't have the bodies for our international make-nice-with-each-other missions (note: three deployments aren't much compared to many of the RA troops I've served with), everything I would want to say about September 11th was said here.

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-80933620732807848712011-09-08T18:41:00.000-07:002011-09-08T19:06:49.897-07:00

Recently spent some time with The Wife out in the woods to get away from the house for a bit. We headed to Ledges State Park, taking the main bike along with the Cracker Camper on the back of the chase truck. Ledges has some beautiful views, proving that Iowa is not flat in the same sense as Kansas or North Dakota:It's also a great area for those interested in butterflies; one has to dodge them

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-37872091868507609432011-08-30T17:19:00.000-07:002011-08-30T17:41:48.327-07:00

A lovely weekend of camping, then home. Home to a small pond in the basement. From not one, but two PVC water valves failing while we were gone. Fortunately, PVC is easy to replace. Unless the jackass who installed it in the first place decides to cement the PVC to the older galvanized pipes. PVC cement will adhere to metal. It adheres so well that the only way to get it out is probably chasing

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-21885916747042662672011-08-28T20:46:00.000-07:002011-08-28T20:49:52.589-07:00

German prison gun..........remember kids, idle hands are the devils playground. That's why there's chain gangs!

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-50773702268636321022011-08-28T11:51:00.000-07:002011-08-28T11:51:00.682-07:00

Have at it. Not a caption, but a personal impression: I'd swear I've seen that same expression in some images of Ernest Hemingway in later life.

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-84576408720661289492011-08-27T11:45:00.000-07:002011-08-27T11:45:00.043-07:00

Someone has it bad.

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-64686528331078576772011-08-26T11:18:00.000-07:002011-08-26T11:38:53.592-07:00

A little bit of product from the Paranoid Disaster Garden Training Center. We're growing heirloom vegetables to gain experience, as neither one of us has much gardening experience. Generally, we've been getting good results given our low level of expertise. Can't remember the name of the corn at the moment, but it dates from the late 1800s, and this is the third year we've grown it, using seeds

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-47557463865610838522011-08-23T19:21:00.000-07:002011-08-23T19:21:00.062-07:00

This was cruising around the park we camped in on the way home, pulling in kids every time it slowed down. First time I've seen a cargo van converted in to an ice cream truck; it made me think of this when I first saw it. The piercings and tats didn't help either.

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-9568459230062519802011-08-22T19:01:00.000-07:002011-08-22T19:01:00.399-07:00

Funny what just pops up along the road sometimes.

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-37564871758223315412011-08-21T18:43:00.000-07:002011-08-21T18:59:05.181-07:00

I'm guessing an attempt at a COL Cooper "scout rifle"; loss of points for overly small optical sight (slower target acquisition, defeating the purpose of a low/no magnification optical sight), removal of tangent sights (sooner or later, something will happen to the optical sights- usually at a really bad time), and recoil pad (for skeet, yes; for 7.92 x 57 Mauser, no).

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-60757494663499467262011-08-13T20:12:00.000-07:002011-08-13T20:39:11.456-07:00

After the series of mishaps that plagued The Wife and me on the way out to N. Carolina, we seem to have caught some luck. Deer Trail Campground, slightly off Interstate 77 exit 47 in Virginia, offered a spot to regroup, hit some roads, then sit around the campfire while enjoying a bit of Jack Daniel's and a cigar after a long day. Although running across the occasional odd fellow camper and a

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-8056431500933856582011-08-11T13:50:00.000-07:002011-08-11T14:08:28.230-07:00

The Wife and I were visited by the Spirit of '80s Survivalism Past last night. Or maybe just an old guy with a fetish for looking like Robert E. Lee and owning Boston Terriers. None the less, while we enjoyed Jack Daniels and rum (not in the same container) around the campfire, we were treated to a monologue of rare form. First were the hints of a dark past, supporting the Special Forces in

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-64607959815542949002011-08-11T04:55:00.000-07:002011-08-11T05:10:54.794-07:00

Made it through a day of driving w/o anything breaking, burning or exploding. So it's time to celebrate by dragging the bike of out of the cargo trailer/cracker camper and hit some roads in Virginia: Life is better on a bike.

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-91518820707631387122011-08-09T17:34:00.000-07:002011-08-09T18:13:38.856-07:00

Thought it might be fun to get away from home when I got home. Maybe hit the mountains on the opposite side of the country from Sturgis. Less crowds, less stress. Yeah. Day 1, tire on the truck explodes on the interstate. Not goes flat; explodes. Ever completely lost a tire at 65 mph while towing a cargo trailer? Spend the next half hour swapping out shreds on a rim for a spare while hoping

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-28508089816418041322011-08-07T17:50:00.001-07:002011-08-07T17:55:50.903-07:00

All that's missing from the picture is a hacksaw.

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-84742404093268873822011-08-02T18:22:00.000-07:002011-08-02T19:11:02.302-07:00

It's transition time at Castle Hundsabbern, which means riding the bike, Jack Daniel's, cigars, and ............ household tasks. One of which is washing the truck. A simple task, normally. Why, all one has to do is wheel out the power washer, top it up, and spray. First, the gas can. Ah, there's one. Must be a new one The Wife purchased while I was gone; the spout looks different. In fact, I've

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-68534698668528059792011-07-31T18:04:00.000-07:002011-08-01T18:06:58.223-07:00

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-80010078811533220752011-07-28T07:20:00.000-07:002011-07-28T07:34:47.217-07:00

(Above, waiting for a customs inspection before leaving Bagram)Over the past few days, there's been a lot of it. When you have several hundred troops going through briefings and signing off on paperwork, it takes time. We've had briefings on readjustment to civilian environments, being around family, benefits, emotional states, and motorcycle safety, as well as several others that have blurred

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-76118342405846226212011-07-24T19:20:00.001-07:002011-07-24T19:48:16.808-07:00

It doesn't seem like a week since I posted something on here. Probably due to moving from Bagram to Kyrgyzstan to Germany to Wisconsin. There's nothing like spending the better part of 19 hours on a plane to put you in a homicidal frame of mind, especially when the last crew rotation gets you several stewardesses who obviously feel their job is a pain in the ass. Thankfully that was the shortest

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-77243453317753928562011-07-16T22:09:00.000-07:002011-07-16T22:21:46.558-07:00

Today's Type 53 Bubba Gun (anyone know if there's a chinese equivalent for "Bubba"?) brought to you from a large circus tent full of bunkbeds on Bagram Air Fieldcourtesy of IO Global internet services, whose marketing slogans should be: "If it sucks to be where you are, that's where we are""Internet service that works all of the time, fifty percent of the time"I'll admit I got spoiled in Iraq

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-13945873692811038222011-07-15T06:28:00.000-07:002011-07-15T06:49:34.989-07:00

The army will provide you with tool kits. It just has a hard time keeping up with the knuckleheads who keep breaking or losing parts. Here we a very nice DeWalt battery powered set. Unfortunately, we don’t have:Spare driver bitsDrill bitsSaw BladesScrewsHammersWait, the last one is wrong. We do have a Mark I Afghan hammer, AKA, a big rock. Not worth a damn for pulling nails, but you can really

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-46300908492076264042011-07-14T06:02:00.000-07:002011-07-14T06:02:01.523-07:00

There are no trees on the American portion of the post. In fact, there are no plants taller than two feet, and there's less than five of those. It will get to 124 degrees in the shade. I know this because I'm one of the two people who gets to go out every hour to check the "Heat Cat" with my vintage Wet Bulb device. Embiggen image for directions to figure out if you're hot or not according the

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-38649608770463409972011-07-12T21:58:00.000-07:002011-07-13T05:56:22.149-07:00

what Jalalabad looks like from a helicopter? Neither have I, but here are some images anyway.Looks rather average; other than all the roofs being flat ( live in the northern US, and you'll understand why that seems odd to some of us); not much activity down there at two in the afternoon, but I guess being 120 degrees will slow things down a bit; Jackpot! The one and only open -air pool in eastern

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-6865819364898740642011-07-10T03:04:00.000-07:002011-07-10T03:05:41.845-07:00

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-58345924790974903032011-07-10T02:31:00.000-07:002011-07-10T02:55:01.482-07:00

If I could find a way to lug this back to my reloading room.....Reminds of the 7.62x54R; I'd love to put a wooden dummy round in it.Tomorrow, Soylent Green Soup made from the leftovers.

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-44127902686300216822011-07-09T07:58:00.000-07:002011-07-09T08:19:13.462-07:00

Reception desk. When you enter our clinic, you know it's top grade! Or you might think you're in the Home Depot lumber yard. Whichever. The soothing enclosure of rounded plastic. It's sort of like being inside a giant garbage bag when the wind picks up. But it does actually stay cooler than the last plywood Aid Station I was in. Only the finest Made In Pakistan exam tables for us. Seriously.

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-4677294582847076422011-07-04T10:09:00.000-07:002011-07-04T10:16:13.677-07:00

Crude and primitive. I want one.

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-66139852251196192632011-06-30T08:04:00.001-07:002011-06-30T08:16:03.081-07:00

A series of images taken on a flight from Jalalabad to FOB Gamberi:The sharp demarcation between desert and the cultivated areas around the river.A family compound.Shows again how close the agricultural areas are to rivers.When you see these areas, you wouldn't know most of the country is rocks.

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-73659780131364542622011-06-26T11:08:00.000-07:002011-06-26T11:12:44.855-07:00

The KRISS Vector CRB/SO MSRP $1895 And, the Kriss carbine in its current form. From what I read, the things are like Glocks. Reliable, efficient, and examplifying form following function.

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-78156421250812463932011-06-20T05:18:00.000-07:002011-06-20T05:18:00.437-07:00

Thankfully, the local Slurpee Mart is now totally safe from break-ins via the second floor:Dried mud, the concrete of rural Afghanistan: Scrounging; there's enough stuff thrown away by coalition forces that it's probably well worth the time: It it goes up in flames, nobody's got the stuff to put it out: Local village:

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-65420337086982916002011-06-19T00:02:00.000-07:002011-06-19T00:02:00.495-07:00

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-87112331100361101972011-06-18T05:06:00.000-07:002011-06-18T05:06:00.664-07:00

It’s better to live higher; less air pollution, and less…stuff washing down hill in the rain.Just because your house is made out of earth doesn’t mean you can’t have a sweet door.Welcome to the mall. No parking in the trash piles.Firewood vendor; part of air pollution problem in Kabul. Lots of people still cook and heat this way.

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-69087891047404025512011-06-18T04:42:00.000-07:002011-06-18T04:47:03.632-07:00

Of course, this picture had the following immediately above it as the headline:"US pays European groups $1 million to hunt for anti-aircraft missiles in Libya "Good to see there's still some editors with senses of humor out there.

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-22688992806027991552011-06-17T04:55:00.000-07:002011-06-17T04:55:00.436-07:00

Another, less developed part of Kabul:A large traffic circle downtown:The local version of Home Depot:It’s the ice cream cart! Taking the donkey out for a spin; the kids in this neighborhood a fully informed on a variety of hand gestures that would get them a swift kick in the ass from several ISAF contingents.A vendor’s cart outside a living area.A local neighborhood. Notice the open waste water

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-80234992501038479182011-06-16T04:40:00.000-07:002011-06-16T04:40:00.863-07:00

A series of images taken from an MRAP in Kabul. Through a very dirty, thick window. These are the most modern buildings I’ve seen going through it.Don’t know what this complex is, but it reminds me of some of the malls I’ve seen back in the US.Apartments, I’d guess.Wedding halls. According to one of the interpreters here, these are where the rich and stylish go. Apparently there’s two parties:

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-34153563795321665722011-06-15T04:31:00.000-07:002011-06-15T04:38:10.822-07:00

A series of photos taken in a pass in between Jalalabad and Kabul. Several factors made this an interesting ride:The road is set for one direction of travel for a number of hours.The guard rail is made of mortared stone at the edge of the road, and there isn’t a shoulder. Just a couple hundred meters of steep slope.Occasionally people with AKs, DShKs, and RPGs enjoyed shooting down onto your

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-15848136877741581052011-06-12T00:01:00.000-07:002011-06-12T00:01:00.372-07:00

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-18372070745969007532011-06-08T23:42:00.000-07:002011-06-09T00:00:00.128-07:00

Yesterday I finally got over to the ANA side of the post, which is a major pain if you don't have duties there. Went to help drop off a piece of office furniture at the medical company, ended up staying an hour drinking multiple small cups of tea while we discussed through an interpreter why the female medic hadn't had several children yet, how to manage equitable attention amongst four wives,

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-49959390576709274132011-06-05T09:05:00.000-07:002011-06-05T09:07:01.171-07:00

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-45361508253325671452011-06-02T09:45:00.000-07:002011-06-02T09:54:55.107-07:00

Things that got my attention today:The sergeant who thought it would be really neat to push a dead scorpion into a bottle, until he found out it wasn't dead (near miss).The local national translator who was baffled by the fact that I wouldn't hand over Cipro anti-biotic pills so that he could take them prophylactically before he goes out to eat in the local village. There's a reason why

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-59104057075842765202011-05-29T06:20:00.000-07:002011-05-29T06:34:57.187-07:00

If you come in saying you have the worst abdominal pain of your life, and that you thought you wouldn't make the 50 yard walk to the aid station, while laughing, joking, pacing around, hopping onto the exam table, and failing to guard your abdomen, I would have to say you're probably full of shit, and not in the clinical sense. The fact that you displayed all the characteristics of an

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-18376998312878975602011-05-29T06:11:00.000-07:002011-05-29T06:11:00.335-07:00

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-73670500191920312011-05-23T08:49:00.000-07:002011-05-23T09:07:51.304-07:00

Let’s see, on top of the usual aches and pains seen today: one case each of uncontrolled hypertension (180/120), facial wart cryoablation, week-old accidental self-inflicted stabbing that converted from a painful hematoma in the distal thigh at noon to a compartment syndrome helicopter medevac at 1700, extensive bilateral knee exam and documentation for persistent pain, grinding, and popping so

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-89706205712107365742011-05-23T05:49:00.000-07:002011-05-23T05:49:00.059-07:00

One of the MRAPs before heading out on the road. This one a CROWS (Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station) on it, lessening gunner exposure. Not that everything is unexposed:If you’re going to hose someone with bullets, at least you can bring a smile to their face first.

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-52887986851626336502011-05-22T02:29:00.000-07:002011-05-22T02:29:00.175-07:00

I'd make sure my face wasn't in the picture if I was him too.

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4148410169898003214.post-37343871545579696112011-05-21T05:45:00.000-07:002011-05-21T05:48:32.790-07:00

Why no, it doesn’t make me nervous at all the helo fuel showed up in this truck. If you can’t trust a guy in a jingle truck with a name that sounds like it came straight from a Mel Brooks movie, who can you trust?

MauserMedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09657229228172032650noreply@blogger.com0