Now I remember why I don't shoot this one more often.....

With limited time to shoot lately, I more often grab a handgun for some range relaxation. Poking about in the safe today, I noticed a long-ignored Brazilian M1937. As I had a recently made box of 230 grain LRN handy, that was the choice of the day. Although I'm not a Smith & Wesson collector, I do think highly of their revolvers. And the .45 ACP is my favorite handgun cartridge. That said, today's range session reminded me that the original grips on this model are not conducive to extended shooting sessions. As in, each shot is like catching a strongly thrown baseball without a glove. The cylinder release plowing a groove into my thumb isn't the enjoyable either. That said, I doubt I'd notice either of these were I to actually need the revolver instead of shooting it for fun, a sentiment I'm sure Brazilian soldiers carrying these in the Italian campaign of 1944 shared.

Blowback

Apparently I need to up the pressure in my cast bullet loads for my Type 99. I'm using reformed Remington 8mm Mauser brass, as 7.7 brass was rare when I wanted to load these. There were a number of shots where there was a fair bit of a smokey breeze coming out of the wrong end of the rifle, and a good inch of soot down some of the cartridge case. Think I'll switch the load from IMR 4227 over to Winchester 748; Win 748 runs higher pressures for cast loads at similar velocities, which should form that case to the chamber nicely. Or blow smoke into my face at even higher pressure.

It's Been A While

Due to a deployment, then being back in school while working, and another deployment, it's been some time since I've done much handloading. I believe it's time to inventory the loading room, and do some reorganizing, as there are items that have been on the benches where I left them over three years ago.

One of the reasons I started handloads was my area of interest. I like old military rifles. If you've been around a number of years, you'll know that that some calibers like 30-06 or 8mm Mauser can be plentiful and cheap for years, then next to impossible to find or unpleasantly expensive later (think surplus .303 British- I remember when it was dirt cheap). But there's an area of old rifles and ammunition where handloads are the only practical way to go. Look up the price of factory .43 Spanish, for an extreme example. Even more modern rounds like 6.5 x 55 Swedish or .30-40 Krag, although more available, are relatively expensive as they're generally new manufacture hunting loads. When you get to 6.5 Japanese or 7.62 x 45mm Czech, you can recover your loading equipment costs in a short number of rounds. Granted, a lot of these relatively modern but obscure rounds don't offer anything unique in performance. But without them, an otherwise functional gun is just a wall decoration.

So for the next week or so, I'll be digging out the books and gear to start producing 7.5 French rounds for the MAS 49/56 I dug out the vault. I believe it's been shot once since I bought it back when they were on the surplus market; time to get the grease off it and put it back to use.

Redneck Gun Repair

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 disassembling the rifle for cleaning, and the extractor just fell onto the table.

Looking at this, my first thought was to wonder where I could buy a small piece of leaf spring material. Then, how to grind/cut/shape it for a good fit. That's when it occurred to me that I have a pile of leaf spring material sitting around:

The easily acquired, cheap stripper clip. In this case, from 5.56 rounds. These were sitting in the corner of the basement for the last 10+ years, but the rust scrubs off with a little steel wool and oil. A brief touch with a cutting wheel, or an appropriate handsaw, and a small length of leaf spring is available.


The piece above needed a little grinding along the long edge to adjust the width, and another cut to remove the retention curve at the tip.

Below, the finely-milled slots for receiving the spring can be seen at the base of the extractor recess.



With a bit of gentle pressure, the new spring can be slid into the milled recesses:


Next, gently prying upwards on the spring allows the extractor to be started into its recess:



A bit more gentle pressure, and the extractor will snap into place:


Total time to make, less then ten minutes, and a hell of a lot cheaper than buy the original parts via online auctions.

Old Rifles

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 bore is darker than I'd like, but with strong rifling and what appears to be a muzzle in good condition. Unfortunately, using 154 grain Romanian military surplus ammunition off of a bench rest, I was getting "groups" of around two feet. No keyholing, just really, really bad accuracy. I've a feeling the muzzle is more worn than I'd thought. I'll probably end up running some Yugoslavian 198 grain rounds through it to see what happens, but when groups are that big, I think it's more than simply ammo preferences.

Down Time

Working hours here aren't much like those in the states. There's no labor law awarding overtime or comp time when the work week exceeds 40 hours, and if someone in the military is working only 40 hours a week here.........they're not really working. Regardless, there is down or free time here and there, which people take advantage of in different ways. Gym rats head to the workout tent, gamers to their consoles, caffeine addicts find a Green Bean or gather around a coffee pot to try their latest variation received from home, and the cigar afficianados gather in dark and secretive lairs to avoid the glares of the health nuts. Or, some people shop at the two "bazaars" on post:

But for a lack of money and an excess of regulations..........

Souvenir!

A Martini-Henry carbine made by the Braendlin Company of Birmingham, England. This was found in a shop on Camp Phoenix in Kabul shortly after arriving in Afghanistan. These shops are full of Pakistani copies, most of which an experienced vintage collector will recognize out of hand simply by the quality of fit and finish on the part. Heavy grinder marks on all the metal tends to be one of the signature tells. There are some pieces that are very well done though, and require a shopper to know not only the proper markings, but the correct locations, sizes, and orientation of those marks. One of first clues this was a truly vintage rifle is fit and finish: the wood, although well-used, has excellent fit to the metal; another is the lack of grind marks, and the fine atttention to detail of the metal to metal fit between the stock and barrel near the muzzle. Another is the crossed pennants on top of the hexagonal rearmost portion of the barrel. Braendlins are worth less than rifles made by the Royal Armouries, and this commercial or "trade" marking adds no value to the piece as a counterfeit. As an aside, it's evident this piece apparently and an ejection issue at one time, as someone has seen fit to seriously beat the feed ramp portion of the breech block. Local merchants being what they are, there has been an attempt to present this rifle as something it isn't. Forged markings are seen to the left of the pennants, and on the left forward portion of the receiver, along with original correct manufacturer markings seen on the round portion of the barrel, as seen in the two images above. And on the opposite side, a very large set of forged markings, designed to get the novice collector or souvenir collector to part with his cash. And a definitive stamp; the manufacturer's trade stamp on the left receiver of the rifle. A very small, fine font with excellent linear character placement, which is difficult for the local gunmakers to duplicate. Again, this stamp actually lessens the value relative to a true military carbine, so this is also little incentive to duplicate it. Additionally, I have not been able to find any sources which note that British government accepted arms had this manufacturer's mark on the receiver in addition to governmental markings. Now, if the ATF would be so kind as to approve my import papers the military customs folks want before I can ship it home........

Yard Ornaments

From the Russians to the Taliban to us.

That 37mm AA gun would look fine out in the begonia patch in the front yard.

Colt New Army & Navy Revolver

One of the things I've been doing while home on leave is cataloging my gun collection. One of the older pieces I have is this this Colt New Army & Navy Revolver. These have a rich, although not particularly successful history.

This revolver had a counter-clockwise rotating cylinder, opened for loading and ejection by pulling back on the release mounted on the left side of the frame behind the recoil shield. Rounds or empties were extracted by pushing the ejector rod to activate a star extractor. Reloading was accomplished by the method common to most modern revolvers. Sights, as seen above, were a basic rounded front blade and notched topstrap. Sources I've read note thant the finish on all military revolvers was blue, with civilian guns having a nickeled finish as an option.

The revolver became known as the New Army and Navy after acceptance by the Army in 1892. User feedback resulted in a series of improvements over the years. Although apparently revolvers intended for the civilian market retained the name through the refinements, the military continually updated the designations resulting in the Models 1892, 1894, 1895, 1896, 1901, 1903, and the Model 1905 Marine Corps revolver.

In the case of my pistol, it's evident that the cylinder was blued. I strongly suspect someone decided spend several hours with a polishing wheel on the rest of the revolver, rather than being a nickel finish. If so, the value on this gun is severely diminished, as well as the very worn condition of the cylinder. This leads me to consider possible re-bluing this gun. I normally stay away from refinishing guns, as I tend to look at things from a collecting point of view, rather than a utility or attractiveness perspective. But in this case, if the value is truly minimal, this piece may be best refinished, and placed in a shadow box on the wall. To me, it essentially comes down to what would be the most correct finish; if it's been "unofficially" altered by a someone with a power tool fetish, why not take it back to facsimile of it's original appearance. If it's simply had the cylinder swapped out at some point, it'll probably go up on the wall as is.

Thoughts?

Weekend Gun Show

Another semi-annual gun show has come and gone. Some of the changes I've noticed:

Hardly a Russian rifle to be seen; have people finally bought all those Mosins that have been stacked like cordwood for the last several years? On the other hand, there were more AR variants than I've seen a long time, with rail farms seeming to be the latest trend. As usual for the Midwest, shotguns ruled the show, running from $125 for 16 guage single shots to $1200 for various over/unders. Mausers seem to be getting thinned out, with rifles that would have sold for $150 a few years ago now tagged above $400. Most surprising of all, a glut of Japanese rifles in decent condition, and perhaps a fourth of them with Mums intact.

Missing and unlamented from the recent show: Beanie Babys, jerky, and unwashed fat men in military-style clothing.

Present, and unexpected: the coin dealer who was at least 80 if he was a day, wearing a hillbilly hair ballcap.



Didn't buy anything this time, although there was a Galil sporter for $475 available; too little time anymore.

Sino-Soviet Saturday

Took a break to attend an auction at the local fair grounds today. While the focus of it was various auto repair shops cleaning out their obsolete and redundant tools, there were two items of interest to me noted in the paper; a "Russian rifle, 7.62x54" and a "rifle, 7.62x39". Can't hurt to look, I figured.

After getting there, I found an M-44, dated 1944, and a Norinco SKS. Both in relatively good shape. While I was waiting for the auctioneer to get to the rifles, I got a brief lesson in rifle identification listening to bystanders. Apparently, M44 carbines are easily confused with Springfield rifles. Also, they're American made, because there's writing on the side of the receiver in English showing "the company that made them". And according to one man, at least in his fifties, speaking to his friend, no one with any sense would by either of them, because "they're old junk; only modern rifles are any good".

All that may be why I now have another SKS for the cost of $140, and another M44 for $110. A damn good price for an SKS, and a not-bad price for a bolt rifle selling for $169.99 two blocks away at the local Fleet Farm.

I'll be watching the auction advertisements a little closer from now on.

Ugly Gun Sunday

Another Krylon Commando special. This one was a Turkish Mauser at one time. As the author of the webpage I found this on states, many people feel that "thousands going for $39 and up. With prices like these, even if the gun dies during surgery, who cares?" I bet people used to say that about well-used but original Ford Model Ts back in the day, before buying them for their kid to chop into a piece of crap jalopy for high school. Those aren't to0 common anymore, and original Mausers won't be for much longer either. Pity.

Mosins N' Carhartts

Actually made it out to the range for the first time in months, which is way too long. And instead of being 28 degrees, it was a balmy 42, with a 10mph wind out of the very flat, unobstructed west. Anticipating this, I decided to take my snowblowing gear, which is a set of lined Carhartt bibs and jacket.

Getting to the range, I was a little suprised there was anyone else there, but there was one pistol shooter with his very supportive wife/girlfriend/something, who looked decidedly cold. Shortly after this, another two pistol shooters showed up, one of them shooting in jeans and a t-shirt. I love shooting, but not enough to freeze my ass off for a fifty round plinking session. Then again, he was probably wondering why some guy was shooting an antique dressed like a construction worker in January. Hey, at least I was comfortable, even lying on the ground for an hour of prone unsupported at 200 yards.

Some realizations from this session:

I can shoot my Model 1891 Mosin made in 1916 more accurately at 200 yards than I can shoot my AR, which also went along today;

With the right weather and a good tin roof overhead, the 7.62 x 54R makes a beautiful rolling boom that really stands out on the range;

My AR fires Brown Bear 62 grain softpoints without a hiccup;

Two years of no shooting past 50 yards takes a noticeable toll on my skills;

Carhartts are a great product;

I may start doing some winter shooting if I can be as comfortable as I was today.

The Gore Effect

I was planning on setting aside some time to work with my AR tomorrow morning.........

but it's supposed to be about 28 degrees.

I actually have worked with M16A2s in in sub-zero temperatures. Wisconsin in February is a suck-ass place to have three days of range time. Although it was interesting watching the Colorado Guard try to shoot under those conditions with nothing but M-65 field jackets and leather glove shells for hand protection. Anyhoo, 16/ARs need extra attention when the temperature drops below freezing. Maybe things are different with the A4s and civilian models these days, but somehow I doubt it. So, if I'm willing to submit my arthritic carcass to a little cold (and in Iowa, 28 degrees is just a taste of what's to come), what would be a little easier to work with?

Why, a Mosin-Nagant 91 modified by the Finns, I suppose. Reliable and proven in winter conditions far worse than what I'll see tomorrow, and with far more thumpy goodness than my poodle shooter.

Plus, I'll bet I have the range to myself.

Slow, Dirty........

and plenty of fun!

Finally got out shooting yesterday, although not the 7.62 x 51 I was planning on. Given the scarcity of ammunition, I feel more comfortable just holding on to my recent find. But, as I got out of work early yesterday, and it was sunny out, I needed to find something to shoot. Fumbling about in the arms lockers, I looked for something interesting, recreational, and most of all, reasonably easy to restock ammunition I'd burn up. Which led me to the reproduction 1858 Remington, a gift from The Wife years ago (The Wife has outstanding taste in gifts). So far, there hasn't been much of a run on cap and ball components, although one reader has noted Midway ran out of percussion caps recently. But, thirty rounds lasts well over an hour with this gun, while I'd burn up that in ten minutes of leisurely shooting with my modern revolvers.

It was enjoyable just shooting for pure relaxation, with the old single-hand target stance, rather than modern holds. For anyone who would have seen it, there was an interesting contrast: while I slowly shot and reloaded, leaving substantial clouds of smoke for every round fired, a young man in tactical gear several yards to my right practiced his tactical reloads and weapons transitions with his M4 carbine and Glock. I'm pretty sure he burned up a lot more money than I did, although he seemed to be enjoying himself as much as I was. And probably enjoyed cleaning far more than I did at the end of the day, although a bottle of Smithwick's Ale made the task a little less onerous.

Keeping with the theme of Remington and blackpowder, I think I'll whip up a batch of blackpowder cartridges for another vintage gun, although this one isn't a reproduction, but a (mostly) original. A little something to look forward to for the next sunny day I can sneak away from responsibilities.

But now; time to go do the first of several days worth of post-shooting/cleaning rust checks.

We Wants It, We Do

Having a little time at lunch during drill yesterday, I slipped off to check one of my favorite mil-surp haunts for the last twenty-three years. Where I finally found bricks of standard velocity .22 rimfire, currently unavailable in my home town. When I informed the clerk I would like three, he assumed I meant boxes, and was surprised when I told him I meant bricks. Apparently they do things on a small scale here these days.

But more exciting, and disappointing at the same time, was finally running across an Uberti reproduction Schofield at another local shop. Although this one primarily markets outdoor products marketed to the local granola munchers, the profits support the real interest of the owners: the shooting section. This tends strongly towards shotguns, being in the Midwest, and plastic/stainless pistols, modern tastes being what they are, but I still occasionally find something of interest. I've lusted after the repro Schofields since the first time I saw one in American Rifleman, and would damn near rob a convenience store to get money for a copy of the Russian Model in the correct caliber. Although this one was a different variant, it was still a beautiful copy in blued steel and warm wooden grips well worth having. But an $840.00 out the door, it's still to steep for me. Perhaps next May when the taxes come back, if Dear Leader is feeling generous, I'll have some tax returns to apply towards it.

The Perfect Weapon

is a show on the National Geographic Channel, featuring, what else, weapons. Now, if the underlying theme of the whole show is weapons, one would expect some degree of research on your topics.

But.

When you start your comments with "this is a reproduction Colt Navy revolver; you'd think you would shoot it one-handed, but it's really heavy and kicks like a mule" you know what ever else comes out the host's mouth, it's probably going to be downhill from there.

And so it was.

However, the vintage weapons vs pig carcass was interesting, although it wasn't a complete carcass. Take what you can get over there I suppose.

One More For The Road: Model 1895 Nagant

Another impulse buy. If I'm within 60 miles of a gunshow, I might as well just pull money out of the ATM and go first thing. I managed to restrain myself until Sunday afternoon for this one, but when I actually had to run an errand where I was within a quarter mile of the show, I couldn't resist any longer. This particular revolver was made in 1931, and has been nicely government refinished. It took me a bit to figure out the ejection system on this piece, as most of my revolvers were made after the 1950s, and are considerably more user friendly. Unfortunately I won't have time to order up factory ammo for it before I leave, and given the prices, I'll probably end up using cast bullet handloads when I get home. Something to look forward to, and a way to burnish the reputation at the gun club as "that guy who shoots that weird foreign crap".