Tasering the Language

Daschle took a dive. Zzzzzz. Old news by now.

But the assault on English continues. Through at least three separate leads (updates),  AP has described his wimpout as "stunning." 

The word is strictly the reporter's, a piece of his "objective" narrative.  He does not quote anyone who is a qualified expert in the analysis of what is or is not stunning.

I didn't find it "stunning" that the former senator caved in. Neither did anyone I've talked with.  About as strong as a rational mind can go is to call it a little surprising this early in the game, especially given the Senate's stunning acceptance of tax-evader Teddy G.

Aside: Does Obama's "absolute" backing of Daschle (until he stunned) remind anyone else of McGovern's "1,000 per cent" loyalty to Tom Eagleton?

EDIT: Finally, in a fourth (or more) lead,  an authoritative source. AP reports: "I was a little stunned. I thought he was going to get confirmed," said Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont...." 

Uggo in .30-06 and bushido stupido

Don't say I didn't warn urbanites against sneering at us bucolics who while away hours at tiny gun shows.  The 75-table extravaganza Sunday boosted my lethality potential noticeably but cheaply.

Item 1: The Stevens 110e lacks visual grace. One's impulse is to opine, however wrongly, that such ugliness bespeaks  British origins (think Webley). Never mind. Its hole accommodates .30-06.  A quick trial proves it feeds, goes bang, and ejects,  plus you can see all the way through the genuine Bushnell Sharpshooter 3-9 scope. (Always insist on quality.) Two hundred bucks including the extended warranty, to wit:  "I haven't shot it, Jim. But take 'er home and if it isn't right, I'll take 'er  back." 

Item 2:  The Japanese once decided they could sell a  four-inch lockback with a floating hilt or whatever you want to call it. It looks like a shabby  Buck knockoff, but a substantial handguard folds and deploys with the blade, something new to me.  Ninja-mod cool.

The rifle is a low-round piece, though it needs a little cosmetic help. The goofy knife requires replacement grips. (I have some cocobala; nothing like a ten dollars worth of wood  on a three-dollar knife.)  

Okay, so the knife was a foolish extravagance. I made up for it by getting my buddy to pay for the beer. 

Since you insist, the Stevens did not come with documentation. Worrisome as Hell, eh Ms. Pelosi?

Next up: The big and beautiful Dakota Territory Gun Collectors Association show is 11 days away.  It's in Sioux Falls, but I suppose I can tolerate a megalopolis for a day or two. I mean, how often does a guy get to ogle the four or five old revolvers that killed Jesse James?

More on the uggo 1911 project

About a month ago I posted a bit on carbinizing a 1911A1. Sunday a reader was kind enough to ask about it.

"I assume that you, like me, bought one of those "carbine conversion kits" and then found that you were expected to grind away the back of your 1911 frame to get the shoulder stock to fit."

This stock requires mangling only an arched mainspring housing -- grooves for  the screw-clamp and a detente groove  in the rear for a tightening stud. I suppose guys working on a GI issue model would just buy a dedicated spare housing. 

"I couldn't find many other posts on on your blog about this topic, and I will be interested to hear about your progress."

No progress to report because (a) the shop is too damned cold and (b) I always have too many stupid projects pending to do prompt justice to any of them. This one should be ready to shoot in April or so -- depending on whether a possible March trip to Merry Old England actually occurs.  

"Can you direct me to any other web resources on this topic?"

Google "carbinize Colt 1911" and you'll get some hits on a newer kit that uses a lot of that crappin' plastic. I'd like to know more about my walnut-stock version (gun-show find)  but haven't found a thing yet.

Thanks for asking. 

Respite from Politics

Gun show today folks. A ~75-table affair 50 minutes down the road. Yuk it up you urbanites.  Last one like it - maybe smaller - yielded a minty pre-Series 70 Colt SS 1911. To tell you the price would be to ruin your day.

No special want list this time, but I'm fooling with notion of dickering for another .30-06 bolt action. And I need .25 bullets, around 117 grains.  Real bad, although not bad enough to cough up two bits a round, a price I consider violative of my Second Amendment rights.

I may or may not find them. The only thing fer shure is some laughs and a decent beer-and-burger stop on the way home.