M2

Not going to happen, I've seen a fair share of LOD determinations for fatal accidents and not once have I seen a single instance where the benefits were not paid out to the survivors. The potential is there, but I can't recall it ever being done. Riding is a dangerous activity, and an ORM must be constantly applied. Be smart, be safe!

Sorry, but that was pretty funny!

T-bonez Really nice! I love old revolvers, I may have mentioned I have a 1954 Colt .357 Magnum (pre-Python) that I inherited from my father when he passed away. He loved that pistol, and although I've shot it (as has my son), I've put it away for safe keeping. That's why I grabbed a Ruger GP100, so I'd have something that I can shoot .357 Magnums through... Cheers! M2

WTF? Hobo With A Shotgun

Sweet!

Spang has released the name of the pilot... Probably a bit too much information; but the good news is that he's OK!

T-bonez I know who Vickers is, but also keep in mind that this is just his opinion and there are others who may not agree. I for one would never consider an AK in 5.56, if buying something in that caliber I would choose a rifle that was designed for it. Also, I have one of those Krebs enhanced safeties on my Khyber Pass, it is an excellent design but for some reason I wasn't able to get it to work on my Arsenal. Since Marc Krebs designed and built it, you'd think Vickers would mention his name and give him credit. But the most ridiculous comment was concerning the melting of the accessories on the barrel. Seriously? I wouldn't put anything on a rifle that has any chance of failing due to the heat. Inasmuch as I respect his credentials, he is still only one man's opinion and call me a crusty old Commie bastard, but I don't think AKs were meant to have all kinds of stuff hung on them. Get an AR if you want to Barbie up a rifle! Cheers! M2

See, this is much better! I simply prefer the AK the way MTK envisioned it! I honestly don't expect to have to deal with SHTF or Zombies with my AK, and if so my Saiga would be more than capable for any situation I go up against. The AK has a well-defined operational range and is very capable within it, and a man's gotta know his limitations! Cheers! M2 p.s. Why doesn't Vickers credit Krebs for his safety? Also, I would never sacrifice reliability for a more common round (which, by the way, 7.62x39 is pretty easy to find on this side of the ocean). Lastly, "as long as you don't shoot a lot of full auto, heat won't be a problem?!?" WTF is that? There's a chance that crap can't take the heat? Then why in the hell would anyone put it on their rifle? Sorry, I don't agree with much of what he said in that video. Sure, he could probably outshoot me, but I know a lot of AK experts who would disagree with him as well...

Brick I could, but with an entry-level AK like the WASR, it really won't make any difference. Actually, it might increase the value to have nicer furniture on it. AKs have nowhere near the accessories that the AR does, but you can swap out the stocks and handguards. I stick within the confines of what is considered "original" in that I am not a big fan of these modern rails and stuff. This is just not to my liking... The only AK I have that breaks that norm is the Draco, which I've put an aftermarket handguard set on as well as a rear sling plate. Still, I could easily put it back to stock or something close (I've been thinking about putting the Polish swelled handguards on it). I guess my infatuation with Commie weapons derives from the years of studying them during the Cold War. I've had a few close-up encounters with them so when the time was I no longer got to shoot the USAF's or NATO's weapons and ammo; my interests turned towards the weaponry of our enemies. Cheers! M2

Well, I picked up the WASR-10, which turned out to be a WASR-10/63 (there are arguments as to whether there is any difference between the two, but some feel the latter is better). It was in pretty good shape but the furniture was mismatched. No problem there, I've got spares! So I get it home after the 140-mile round trip to Nixon, TX to meet the guy selling it, and transform it into this... I added some extra Romy handguards I got a few months back, and a Romy grip I took off my Draco. I had an old leather sling that I believe is Romanian as well. I had hoped to put on some Polish swelled handguards I picked up this past weekend at a gun show, but they require some work before they'd fit, so I stuck with the Romy set I had. The rifle had two steel mags, a cleaning kit and a bayonet with it; and it was Henderson Defense Industries "certified" meaning they inspected it to ensure it didn't suffer from any of the old problems that plagued the WASRs (mostly canted sights). The bayonet was a bit intriguing, as I have several Romanian bayonets and it looked nothing like any I had ever seen... So I did some research and found out that it is actually an East German AKM Type I "Transitional" bayonet, the knife is the usual AKM type I but the scabbard is resin (not metal) of various colors depending on the country of origin and does not need a rubber insulator. Only East Germany and Russian had variations of this type. Not overly rare, but still sweet! To add gravy to it all, a buddy of mine here in SA has an accessory kit (bayonet, oil can, and a sling) that he got with a WASR he sold a while back. He said I could have it and hopefully he'll bring it to the gun show tomorrow. Cheers! M2

Well played, better than the 10,000th episode of The Price Is Right today...

Save the Strat!

Redemption. That's a great story, I fwd'd it to my bud in the AIRCOM (RCAF). Cheers! M2

Agreed!

Air Force intel officer deployments are not uncommon, but I don't think they are anywhere near the tempo of Army bubbas. But it is a career field that requires a lot of study, not only to get trained up but the constant need to keep well-informed on whatever areas you are focusing on. It's also got a lot to do with knowing where to find the information you need, how to analyze it, and how to extract what's important out of it; so it requires a good mixture of knowledge and common sense. It's a good career field and one that surprisingly has many civilian applications. The security clearances you get can also garner higher salaries, be sure to keep your shit together and don't lose 'em for stupid stuff like financial irresponsibility. If you do decide to go that route, and have time for it down the road, I would recommend some of the advanced degrees offered by AMU. I just finished one in Strategic Intelligence a little over a year ago, sponsored by my company; and it has already paid dividends. Good luck with the decision, I’ve spent a lot of time around the intel/ISR community so if you have any questions feel free to drop me a line. I can tell ya that San Angelo is going to be a bit boring, but given that you’ll be there for school that might be a good thing as it decreases the distractions! Cheers! M2

1990s fashion!

Yes.

PSYCH, I couldn't find anything specific either; but this gives a little overview of the job. I'd contact your local USCG officer recruiter and see what they say, but without much info being on the 'Net, I wouldn't hold out much hope for it being a major program! Cheers! M2

I guess she was wrong... Apparantly she didn't know when to STFU! Cheers! M2

GP I am constantly on the hunt for good deals, many are private sales but I also know several firearms dealers who have found some particular items for me. I also have several forums and online sites I frequent that have been somewhat lucrative. They're not the well-known national ones, I've had better luck on the regional boards and not just those for this area. The Tula M44 I got last weekend was off a small board up in Michigan, I just used my outstanding Google-fu skills to find it! Some days I think it's more fun to track down something I are looking for than actually finding it... On a different note, my Mom just sent me this pic of my Dad in Korea, he's got a M1 carbine in his hand... He was the First Sergeant for a combat engineering unit. He later received a battlefield commission, and here's a pic of him with the 1911 he carried as an officer... I think I need to add a M1 to the collection, just because Dad carried one! Cheers! M2

By the way, it was a hundred years ago today that the US Army adopted the M1911! If you've got a half-hour, this is worth watching! Cheers! M2

Some of the worse damage and destruction I've seen captured on video... Sky News Japanese Tsunami Coverage

Well, like a good Communist I am adding to the arsenal. Thursday I drive an hour out into rural Texas to pick this up... It's a Century Romanian WASR-10 in "excellent condition" and only 30 "flawless" rounds down the pipe, and the seller ensures me that the sights are straight. It has two steel mags, a bayonet, and cleaning kit for $390. I didn't see a single WASR-10 for under $450 at last weekend's gun show, and if for any reason I end up not liking it I already have someone who wants to buy it from me if I decide to sell it. Oh, and I picked up some brand new Polish swelled palm handguards and a pistol grip this past weekend, so I might end up throwing them on this to see how it looks! I will now have as many AKs as I have SKS rifles! But both combined aren't even close to the number of Mosins I got! Cheers! M2

For the current US strategic intel priorities, try reading the DNI's Worldwide Threat Assessment for the HPSCI from last month. Also dig around the DNI web site, there's other reporting that will give you plenty to peruse. From here out you're on your own, this is the last of the spoonfeeding. If you want to be an intel officer, you are going to have to learn to be a little more resourceful in finding the information you seek!

Ah, the "33s," some of the finest riding roads in the Hill Country!