New Toy

My new-to-me milsurp CZ-82 arrived last night from the good folks at AIM Surplus via UPS, and after a quick clean and lube before bedtime it was read for its first range trip today. Ammunition of any kind for almost any caliber is scarce right now, but I was able to find a box of American Eagle 9x18 at Sportsman's Warehouse, so all was ready.

Today wasn't the greatest day for hitting the range, cold and windy to the point that Mrs. Attila spent more time in the range shack soaking up heat from the wood stove than shooting, but I was on a mission and soldiered on.

Shooting from about ten yards it didn't take long to discover that the pistol was shooting well below point of aim. Once I figured out where it was going, it was easy to adjust my sight picture accordingly and start producing a nice group in the bull. I've never shot anything in 9x18 before, so the lack of recoil actually came as something of a surprise. That, coupled with this being a steel pistol makes for very little muzzle flip, and consequent quick return to target, which I liked. A lot. The trigger was very smooth, but not very crisp. As expected, shooting DA gives you a long pull, stacking a little before breaking. SA has about an eighth inch takeup before breaking, and the break itself is more a "rapid roll-off" than a crisp 1911 type break. I didn't find it objectionable, just a little different from what I'm used to.

Overall, my impression is very favorable. It's a downright fun pistol to shoot. In size, it's almost the same dimensionally as my P-01, but seems smaller because it lacks the former's rail. I paid for the "hand-select" option from AIM, and this example is in very nice shape with only a touch of holster wear at the muzzle end of the slide. (Much nicer than the one pictured.) The current crop of imports seems to be a batch of police weapons and mine came with a very nice duty holster and mag pouch. Sportsman's Guide has a batch of Czech import surplus shoulder holsters which appear to be made for this handgun at a very attractive price. So, for well under $300 shipped, I've got a nice rig suitable for either open or concealed carry. Will I carry it every day? No, I'm much too attached to my P-01 and its more powerful 9x19 round, but I do see myself using it when I want to conceal under a jacket in a shoulder rig, or for use as a loaner/teaching pistol for friends and family new to shooting. A use, btw, for which I think it would be nearly ideal. The only fly in that particular ointment is that because it has a blowback action, the recoil spring is rather stout, and someone with weaker hands might have difficulty operating it.

Bottom line: I'm a happy camper.

Be Prepared

Some lessons learned early in life are worth repeating now and then. The necessity to be prepared is one of them. Be prepared for what? That's hard to answer. Some things are pretty easy to anticipate: a flat tire while you're out in the boonies, an unexpected overnight on that 'day hike' you had planned, a lost job, even the odd encounter with one of society's wolves. The larger things, the high consequence, low probability things, like a complete economic collapse, a wmd attack, etc. are harder. Whatever the threats are to your life, at least give them some active thought. You may decide that you don't need much in the way of plans or supplies, etc., but the very act of making those decisions will better prepare you if you do have to face the unexpected. Above all, remember that it's your responsibility, and no one else's to take care of you and yours, so plan accordingly.

!Range Day

Nope, not today. The weather's crappy, and I don't feel much above that level myself. My neck's out of whack, apparently from sleeping in some position only a chiropractor could love, and the weather's driving my sinuses batty. I don't even feel much like reading, which is really saying something. Maybe next weekend.

Temptation Resisted

Have you ever seen something you wanted so badly that you'd sell your eternal soul, give up your left testicle, and your firstborn child to own? I have. Our local Ranch and Home store has opened a gun section. Last night, in need of some bulk 9mm (an eternal quest) I stopped in. Looking in the display counter first, I spotted a C96 Mauser with case/stock for a cool grand. Very little bluing left, but to my eyes utterly gorgeous. Still, as much as I would like one in my collection, it wasn't even mildly tempting. What, then, was? Ah, my friends, the temptress was one of the most pristine M1 Garands that I've ever seen. Not only that, but it was an M1D, with M84 scope sniper variant. Ten thousand of them made, four thousand destroyed by he who's administration shall not be named in 1994. Rare, in other words. Two thousand, five hundred bucks, and you have no idea how close I came to pulling out Mr. Mastercard. As I told the gent behind the counter, that rifle was a naked twenty-year-old enticing me. Even now, twenty-four hours later, I can still hear her siren call. God, give me strength.

Taking Chance

Watch this movie. As an officer, as a military dad, I think this is a movie for America.

What Kind of Survivor are You

I come out as a Realist. No surprise to me. I will be getting the book this relates to.

QOTD

Seen on a list I monitor in response to this article:

Here's how I beat the robots:

sudo rm -R /


Kills 'em every time.

If you don't get it, it's okay. It's a geek thing.

Don't Know How I Missed This

Admit it, that's funny.

Any Day Shooting is a Good Day

It was a little cold and windy, but I opened up the range for myself and had a good day. The 22/45 ate up about 150 rounds on the plinking range, and then I shot through a 100 round box of Winchester 9mm. The P-11 got 20 rounds and the P-01, 80.

It's been a while since I've shot the Kel-Tec, and it showed. In my hands at least, it's a little finicky. You've got to have a very tight grip, or it has issues cycling. Part of my problem, I'm sure, is that I was using my standard floorplate magazine. The one with the grip extension is a bit easier.

The CZ, of course, is always a pleasure to shoot. When I do my part, it does very well, and the ergonomics of it make it easy to do my part. I can always use more practice, but I feel very, very confident with it as my daily carry piece.

Now, off to the next item on the checklist for today: calling AIM Surplus to see if they're open. If they are, I'm going to order a CZ-82 and a hex receiver Mosin. For bonus points, take a look at this little beauty. Too bad I don't have a spare grand lying around.

Five Bucks

That's what that splash in the water cost.

H/T The Firearm Blog

Dude, Where'd We Put the Van?

Now this is creative. Victim 1, burglars 0.

QOTD

Ragin' Dave says:

Besides... every damn day should be Valentine's Day when you're married. You should be doing something to show your love to your spouse EVERY SINGLE DAY, not just one day a year. So all you married folks, here's your challenge - live every day as if it's Valentine's Day. And I don't mean go out and buy more more cheap crap. Do something special every day for your spouse. Bring him or her coffee/tea/cocoa in the morning. Take a task they normally do, and do it for them. Remember to thank them for what they do around the house. Sneak up behind them and give 'em a hug and a kiss at random moments. ALWAYS kiss them goodnight. Instead of a hurried peck on the cheek as you're rushing out the door, take the time to give 'em a kiss that'll knock their socks off, and instead of a "Bye hon I'll see you at dinner", look them in the eyes and just say "I love you".

Good advice!

Heroic, Homeric*

Okay, by now you know that I'm a sucker for silly internet quizzes and such. Here's the latest. You all knew I was a superhero, right?

*Reference from? Anyone? Beuller?

Depressed

I'm too depressed by the hacks in Congress to blog anything light tonight. I need a beer.

Everybody Needs a Duck in a Truck

Seriously, there are days when I wonder if I should admit I'm from Minnesota. Although, if you read my other blog, you might also conclude that Minnesota's loons aren't just the state birds.

Solid Gold

The very first Gold Record was awarded on this date in 1942. Enjoy.

Well Said

The only difference between this piece and my own opinion is that I would have said that the climate is changing, rather than the earth is warming. The data's been pretty flat for about ten years now, but I haven't seen any mastodons or saber toothed tigers lately, so I've got to conclude that the climate's warmed a bit in recent geologic time.

H/T The Anarchangel

"Eyes right!"

If this doesn't make you tear up, sod off.


H/T Kevin

He's got People?

Too bad that 63 page vetting questionnaire didn't include a copy of the tax code for reference.

H/T Powerline

And another one down

An email from a friend:

 

Tom Daschle withdraws his nomination as health and human services secretary, as more tax issues arise.

This is what the Obama people get for contracting out their vetting process to the same people who test Microsoft software.

My Favorite Ad

I'll admit it. This was my favorite.