Thursday, May 28, 2020

Thursday Thoughts

Why I Compete
-By Pudge

There are arguments from both ends of the spectrum when it comes to firearms competitions. On one end people will say there is nothing better than competing. One the other you will hear people say that competition shooting will get you killed in the streets. My thought, I recommend competition shooting. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.
There are many benefits to be taken away from shooting in competitions. When I say competition, I mean everything from bullseye to hosing down targets with handgun, rifle, and maybe even a little shotgun thrown in there. In my opinion, the biggest takeaway from competing is the added stress. Some people lose their minds when the buzzer goes off at the beginning of a stage. This helps replicate, to some extent, the rush of adrenaline you’ll get in a possible shoot scenario. Unless you have been through a gunfight, it is impossible to replicate so you need to find the best way possible to prepare yourself for one if you carry a gun for self-defense. Being timed and having others’ peer pressure of watching you will usually cause you to subconsciously speed up. This can lead to mistakes that otherwise would have seemed impossible.
Some people have told me, “I’m not going to compete because I will never win against so and so with their decked out $4,000 pistol.” That’s great but I’m not asking you to compete against them. I’m asking you to find ways to better yourself. If you’ve been to an IDPA match lately you’ve seen at least 75% of the competitors wearing ‘shoot me first vests.’ So what. For them that may replicate a jacket or button down they normally wear. Or it may just be a way to better their chances of a faster time. I have shot IDPA for about 15 years and I wear my normal day to day attire with my normal concealed carry holster and my every day carry handgun. Will I potentially be hindered compared to some of these other competitors? Yes, but I’m becoming more proficient at self-defense skills that may one day save my life. With that said, there is nothing wrong with being the guy who has ‘gamer guns.’ Even with these you still have to apply the fundamentals to be successful. And guess what. A lot of add-ons such as red dots and compensators that used to be reserved for competition handguns and low powered variable optics on carbines are now finding their way into many peoples’ daily carry holsters or on the duty handguns of local law enforcement and the weapon systems of elite military units.
That brings me to another benefit that competitions are a very good place to test out gear. Even on Army SFOD-A teams we will have our own little competitions any time we want to try a new piece of gear or weapon system to verify its capabilities. We like to deem these as, ‘gear shakeout competitions.’ A lot of accessories that I have used during my military career have made it onto my home defense/competition carbines. Through low-light competitions I have found better ways to attach my flashlight and more efficient ways to access my pressure pads for lights and lasers. Competing with my bolt action has taught me more efficient ways to carry and load rounds when in a hurry. All these skills translate into real world benefits.

Gear shakeout competition.
 
Many people don’t have a local range or backyard where they can shoot while moving or just move in general. This is where a lot of competitions shine. It gets you moving. It also gets you thinking on efficiencies. Anyone that knows me knows that I am all about efficiency in all aspects of my life. Add all that together with having to fire rounds faster than the one per second you’re allowed at the local range and there is no way you can’t take something positive away if you try.
There are many, many benefits to all disciplines of competition shooting. However, you do have to keep in mind the differences between competition and real life. Always try to be moving or finding cover. Don’t drop magazines with bullets still in them. (You never know when you wish you would have held onto those four extra rounds.) Don’t be used to having a speed draw holster or your rifle at the ready. Remember these differences and take away the positives. Even in life, bad situations can bring about positives if looked at correctly.
Those are just my thoughts on competing with firearms. Competitions are not the be all end all. I still recommend attending firearms courses with vetted instructors when possible but competitions are a good way to help maintain your proficiency. They are also a great place to get out and meet people with similar interests. If you have never done one and are nervous to try. Just go. Most competitors will even let you borrow guns and equipment if you don’t have enough or the right stuff. I’ve seen shooters lend out gear just to be beaten by the guy that borrowed it. It is a great community and if you have questions this is the place to be. Identify yourself as a new shooter and everyone will help you out any way they can. If you already compete, keep on doing what you’re doing and maybe even look into different competitions. The only way to increase your abilities is to get outside your comfort zone and push yourself. Now go have fun and learn some potentially lifesaving skills in the process.

Monday, May 25, 2020

Memorial Monday

Pudge writes:

I'm not the most eloquent so I will merely say, thank you, to all those that have laid down their lives for the rest of us. Many of us here gave Uncle Sam a signed, blank check knowing what it may cost, and some have had to pay it in full. To some, this is just another weekend to party. To others, it is a day that we hope people can stop for a moment and see how much freedom costs.

For me, I'm going to fire up the grill, grab some good beer, and celebrate. I'm not going to mourn the loss of my good friends. No, I'm going to celebrate the lives they led, the lives they touched, and the memories made together. That is the best way I know how to honor my brothers and sisters. I'm going to try and carry on the light they brought to this world and make sure it is never extinguished. I'll raise a glass for all of you until we meet again. Thank you and well done my friends.

Mack writes:

There are beers to drink and dead animals to throw over fire. I'm banging this out right before we head off to a day of drunken shenanigans. I've found that it is best for me not to dwell or be somber on Memorial Day. I start thinking about how Jack I can drink in one sitting.

Honor the fallen however you choose. It's what the died for. Cause we are the greatest country on Earth.

My good friend Danny would be piss drunk at the lake right now. Danny was my turret gunner. I miss him everyday.

So, tonight I'll drink a beer (or eight) for him. And picture him in a folding camping chair next to the fire.

He'd like that.

I know when Cart showed up at Fiddler's Green that Danny was there. And he was happy to see "Mister Cart" as well.

I know in our circle of readership just about everyone has a friend that fell for the flag.

So, go honor them however you choose.

Thanks for stopping buy.


Friday, May 22, 2020

Film Friday - The Highwaymen

Today we review another Netflix offering. "The Highwaymen" concerning the hunt for a couple of worthless outlaws by Frank Hamer and Maney Gault. For more information about Frank Hamer, whom was one of the better gun fighters in the early part of the 20th century, I recommend reading "Texas Ranger" by John Boessenecker. A great read.

Pudge writes:

86 years ago tomorrow, a ruthless killing/crime spree carried out by a daring duo was ended by a couple
of old Texas Rangers. I love history and I really like historic type movies when they get it right…. or
mostly. Today we are going to discuss ‘The Highwaymen.’ It is about Frank Hamer and Maney Gault
chasing after the notorious Bonnie and Clyde and the ultimate demise of the wannabe gangsters.

There were some fairly obvious inflations to the story for dramatic effect. However, even most
historians agree that the overall details are correct. The biggest one showing Bonnie and Clyde in a non-
heroic view. Many films on this subject and some retellings of the story paint the criminals as modern-
day Robin Hoods and make the law look inept. (Not that they always need help with that.) This one
however, showed how bad Bonnie and Clyde were and they were not to be romanticized.

Again, some of the details about Hamer and Gault were inflated. But both of them truly did have fierce
reputations as lawmen not to be trifled with. And I don’t mind the way both men were portrayed by
Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson.

Now on to the important reason we wanted to talk about it. Mack and I were messaging each other and
it started with Mack attempting to make fun of the best creation given to man, the 1911. And this got us
going down the rabbit hole of what we would have carried as a lawman in the 1930s. Which brought up
the Colt Monitor. This gun is an awesome variation of the M1918 BAR. After much discussion of the guns
we would have carried we thought about their roles in history which lead us to ‘The Highwaymen.’ I
really enjoyed this movie because there is something about a couple of old Texas Rangers still carrying
their six-shooters chasing after modern outlaws that appealed to me.

I also don’t know how many times
I bugged my wife about how I wish I could just walk into the local hardware store and walk out with the
firearms that Hamer did early in the movie. And since I’m very partial to my 30-30 I especially loved that
when Hamer bought his assortment of guns he added in a Winchester ‘94 in 30-30 just to make sure he
had a reliable rifle that wouldn’t jam.

Mack writes:

I like Kevin Costner. I like westerns. I like some (most) old guns. The other day I was attempting to show Pudge the error of his ways and bring him into the 21st century in regards to combat handguns. Which some how led us to discussing what a well to do lawman of the early 1930s would carry. For the record, the correct answer to that question is: Remington Model 8 in .35 Remington, Winchester '97 in 12 GA, and a S&W Heavy Duty in .38/44 High Velocity.

Anyway, on to the movie. I thoroughly enjoyed it. And Jackie did as well. It is well paced but doesn't feel like an action film. Kind of has a melancholy vibe to it.

And I can't overstate how much I enjoy the fact that it makes Hamer out to be the hero that he rightfully was.

Frank Hamer was partial to a Colt Single Action that he called "Old Lucky" and was also a fan of the Colt Government Model in Super .38 Automatic. Now, the .38 Super is what John Browning said the 1911 Government Model ought to have been chambered in.

Another thing I thoroughly enjoyed in said movie was the fact that it shows the FBI to be, well, incompetent.

If you deep dive into the guys that really brought down the infamous gangsters, they were old timey lawmen. Even if they wore a Justice Department badge. Hoover was an idiot. And well, that seems to still be the case for the Federal Bureau of Idiots.

And a minor quibble, in 1934 the Winchester '94 would have been referred to as being chambered in "thirty w-c-f" and Frank Hamer loved him some BAR. No worries about the reliability of Browning's second best design.

Six out Six Long Necks. Thanks for stopping buy.

Monday, May 18, 2020

Money Taking Tuesday - Thirty Seconds Flat

"Don't let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you feel the heat around the corner." - Neil McCauley, as portrayed by Robert De Niro in "Heat"

I like Michael Mann movies. I like them a lot.

And I'm not saying I've ever though about how I could knock over the bank with four of my closest friends, but well, legend has it that is use to be something taught in Ranger School until the Miami Shootout.

So, yeah, Michael Mann movies. Good plots. Good writing. Great gun play.

And well, when a seven year old sees a movie that has something a bit different than the M-1873s, Winchester lever guns, M-1 Garands, and M-16A1s he's used to, he takes a liking to both the film and the guns.

The Colt 733 has always been a cool gun. But I never wanted to pay $200 dollars to the Feds simply to removes two inches from an item that is already heavily taxed. And carry handles are so 1959.

But when you stick a kid of the '90s in a gun shop and give him too much disposable income, sometimes things happen.



Not anything at all like a 733 except in general style. But man, is it handy. I'm kinda enamored with it.

I'm thinking it needs a detachable carry handle and one of the repro XM-177 moderators.

But until then, it's a gun I'll take with me if I have to leave in 30 seconds flat.



Monday Musings

A Range Day Plethora
-By Pudge

About a week ago, I went to the range with quite the assortment of firearms. I failed to snap a picture with all of them but they were: Kimber K6s DA/SA, SIG P365, SIG P365SAS, Keltec Sub2K, CAA MicroRoni with Glock 19X, my SpaceNag, a newly built NAG17K (at least that is what I’m calling a 19 gripped, 17 slided gun), and a Ruger American Ranch .300blk. Needless to say, it was quite the spattering but made for a fun day at the range. I went with my father-in-law to sight in and try out some new guns on both of our parts. Below are some quick thoughts on the plethora of lead slinging pieces we brought with.
The Kimber K6s DA/SA with its nice wood grips had some nice push back letting you know you touched off a .357 magnum. It shot amazing though. The trigger in double action had a natural, easy to find holding point right before it broke. In single action you’d think this thing had been worked over by a very sought-after gunsmith. Everyone needs a wheel gun in their collection and this is one I wouldn’t be ashamed to add.
I really like the little SIG P365 and its slim, easy concealable size with decent number of screaming bees on tap. I was extremely happy to get to test it out next to its even more streamlined twin, the P365SAS. The SAS version is supposed to be anti-snag so even the sights are recessed into the gun. I really liked the sighting system for close, rapid engagements. I couldn’t really tell much difference on the ported barrel. I’m guessing due to the extremely minimal size. As I’ve posted before, usually porting makes a decent difference, but I didn’t really perceive any benefits on this little guy.
The Keltec Sub2K just made its way onto my short list. It is handy, compact, runs the same tupperware magazines that Mack likes so much, and dang does it suppress really well. The only big issue is the sights are just a hair too short so you really have to jam your cheek into the buffer tube to get a good sight picture. Running an optic takes care of this but then you have to worry about moving the optic or buying a specialized flip mount so that you can fold the gun as designed. Either way, it would make a very good grab and go gun to throw in a bag or under the seat of your trusty steed.
I thought the MicroRoni was sort of a gimmick when I first saw it. It does however have some merits. I don’t think I’ll be rushing out to buy one anytime soon but it was fun to blast away with. You have to run a stock (pick your brand based on which model) handgun in it. Any additions such as suppressor height sights, beavertails, or similar will preclude you from running your chosen handgun in it. It does however handle very easily and makes it a piece of cake to knock out the bullseye of your target at a decent range just like we all used to try at the carnival trying to win over our special lady friend with a teddy bear won from superior shooting.
The SpaceNag is running better and better every time I take it out. I’m getting more comfortable with a red dot on handguns and will actually be attending some training for it next month up in Mack’s neck of the woods. (Expect lots of productivity while we are building woobie forts and watching the Green Berets!) We did however bring out my father-in-law’s NAG17K he just completed. It needs a little more smoothing up before being reliable but that is what happens when you throw lots of aftermarket parts together and see the tolerances stack up. It will be a very nice gun once it gets smoothed out. Nothing some good ol’ +P ammo and lots of oil won’t solve.
This is going to be the ultimate hog slayer...I hope!

And lastly, I just picked up a Ruger American Ranch in .300blk that I’ve been eyeing for a while. A few months back, Mack helped “talk me” into a Sightmark Wraith digital scope. Like I needed convincing but as stated before if I get a thumbs up from Mack then it has to be a great idea! Since then, I’ve been researching the best gun to throw it on and decided I wanted to make the ultimate night time hog slaying gun that was still usable during daylight for other critters. That is what brought me to the American. I’ll do a more in-depth review on both the sight and the rifle as I get more time behind them. I am very pleased so far and can’t wait to really test this setup out.
Now, I’ve got to go pick up aluminum cans so I can afford to go back to the range.

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Weapons Wednesday - Service Smiths

Not a lot to say today. Most of y'all know that I like old Smiths. Here's an assortment that at one point were all issued by the City of Atlanta. The 4586 was Columbus PD, but on the Atlanta approved list.

Bonus points for the 66-2. Atlanta, the GSP, Columbus, and my home town all used to list that gun as an approved duty gun. The GSP ditched it for the 4506 when they realized that it was not suited for a steady diet of hot .357 Magnum loads. Still a great gun.


Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Tsundoke Tuesday - Tank Killin'

U.S. Armored doctrine in WWII has always fascinated me. As a kid, I had issues reconciling what the History Channel said about how bad the Sherman was with what my Great Uncle Homer told me.

Now, Uncle Homer, as I called him, was Cart's Uncle. And Uncle Homer crossed the Rhine. And was a bow gunner in the fourth Sherman into Bastogne.

Uncle Homer always spoke of how that his guys always sought to engage the German tanks. The Sherman was more mobile, faster, and a better gun platform.

Fighting the guys on the ground with Panzerfausts was what scared him.

So, as I grew older, I spent a lot time reading about our armored push across Europe. And spent a lot of time as a junior Cav Scout trying to explain how, really, I mean really, what we called the Armor Branch should be the Cavalry Branch. But that is a story for another day.

Along that path, I read and heard a lot about tank destroyers. And man, they had some cool branch insignia.

And my G.I. Joes were well equipped with a tank destroying half track.

But, by and large, a tank destroyer isn't something that gets a lot of ink. And with the push to the main battle tank after WWII, the concept simply faded from history.

And the other day I was watching something or other and decided to type "tank destroyer" into the Amazon search bar. And was rewarded with a legit academic study on the matter. At least concerning the ETO; the use of TDs in the PTO being negligible.

So, with a couple of clicks "The Tank Killers" by Harry Yeide arrived.

If you are a serious student of the ETO, I would certainly recommend it. If you are commanding a tank company headed to Poland, I'd recommend it.

If you're just a casual student of history, maybe not so much. Mr. Yeide is great at research and it shows.

However, his narrative is a bit dry and the book drags just a bit. I struggled to finish the book. However, I blame that on the whole end of the world nonsense; reading has become a chore as of late.

That being said, I can't emphasize enough how well researched and cited this book is. Which as a guy with a history degree I really appreciate.

The book is very informative and certainly a labor of love.

So, as Hognose used to say, buy it if you're a scholar.

Thanks for stopping buy.

Monday, May 11, 2020

Military Monday - Fightin' .45s

So, the last couple of days have been a bit of a blur. But I did do some shooting. And some Glock armorer work. Which will circle back to in a later posting. 

But, something that I have been wanting to do for a bit is a simple post praising one of JMB's better ideas.

We are a gun blog, after all. 

And the post title is fitting. Uncle Cart was an integral part of the Guard's response to some racially motivated unrest down in Macon. An old faded photo shows him in fatigues, sleeves rolled up, baseball, and a holstered 1911. But that's it. And the old flap holster is worn on his actual belt, not a web belt. 

But that's a story for another time. Enjoy some gun porn. 



Full sized .45 automatics. 

Clockwise: S&W 4586 as issued by the Columbus PD until they went to the M&P .45; a Gen 3 Glock 21 with a TLR-1, Colt M-1991A1, and finally a Ruger P-345 with TLR-3. 

The Ruger was a pawn shop special that I couldn't pass up. That was the last SA/DA auto Ruger made. 

Pops bought me the Colt around the 7th grade because I picked up Star Scout. It's got some Wilson parts in it and a laundry list of upgrades I want to do to it.

The Glock 21 I bought new when I found out about Blue Label. Will talk about that later, too. 

And the old 4586 belonged to my Father in Law. Whom after the Army was done with him spent a good career putting away bad guys for the Columbus PD. For low pay and a couple of shitty mayors. He's a good fella. 

Sunday, May 3, 2020

Somber Sunday


Fiddler's Green - 2 May 2020

The man was tall, well built, dark haired, and wore classes. He was a bit befuddled. He was well mounted on his favorite Tennessee Walker, Big Boy, who stood at about 15 hands, but couldn't quite figure out why.

Nor could he figure out why he was clad in OG-107 jungle fatigues with his SFC stripes on the sleeve. He hadn't worn fatigues in years. A gray Milano was on his head, well weathered with a lot of miles ridden and pastures mowed on it. The Ted Williams 30-30 in the scabbard looked familiar. As did the M-79 hanging from his saddle horn. He hadn't used one of those since that day way back in 1964 when the VC nearly cut off the whole company.

The ramshackle bar and grill was crowded. And the hitching post out front had a couple of familiar looking horses tied up out front as well. A large neon sign read SCHLITZ. Well, that settled it. Riding up to the bar, the SFC hitched his horse. And on a hunch, dug into his right saddle back and fished out the small S&W J-Frame. The Model 30 dropped easily into his pocket. That felt normal. Two of the other horses tied up look so damn familiar as well.

Walking through the doors, he was greeted by a kid who looked too damn young to be wearing the PFC chevrons on his hat or to have that brown plastic gun on his hip. He doffed his hat and placed it on the convenient hat rack. Which was nearly full. Stetsons, a coon kin cap, a couple of campaign hats, one or two bus driver hats, a couple of berets.

The juke box was playing an old Don Williams song. A group of guys were playing cards at the nearest table. They looked friendly enough. The SFC was so damn confused. Miss Kitty popped a top on a can of beer before he even got to the bar and handed it to him with a smile. He felt better but was completely lost now. An old Sergeant Major in tiger stripes nodded as he took the offered beer. He had the Special Forces arrow head patch on his sleeve. He looked like some the guys who were really putting the hurting on Charlie up in the central highlands.

The dealer of the card game stopped shuffling.

"Mister Carlton, care to join in? Nickle buy in." JT said, happy to see his old friend. JT was wearing a set of 505s, with his Eight Army and 1st Cav patches in full color.

"Jay Tee?" I haven't seen you in 20 years."

"Hell Cart, he hadn't changed none."  Mr. Ed said after sipping his beer. Ed was wearing a set of olive drab utilities, the Eagle, Globe and Anchor stenciled on the breast pocket.

"Uh....guys, where are we? I was just home. With Becky and the grandkids. I think Mack was there but he mumbled something and went outside."

"Yeah, Skee. You're at Fiddler's Green. Saint Peter hasn't something big planned he's pulled in a bunch of us here recently."

"The bar from the old Cavalry song?" Cart asked, totally lost now.

"Yeah, Skee. Welcome to the other side. You were missed here and you'll be missed back home. But like I said, Saint Peter has something big up. Bunch of us are up here. Pretty easy gig. Ride some, shoot some, train a little bit with the new kids, and then come here for a couple of beers."

"Okay." Cart said slightly taken aback, but glad to be in good company. JT and Ed explained the two familiar horses outside. After he got back from the 'Nam, and got settled in at the Mill, they were his riding buddies. A T/Sgt in the old Ike jacket, a big 4th Armored patch on his sleeve, walked out from the bathroom.

"Skee, good to see you." Uncle Homer also took a beer and set down at the card table.

"Oh, Cart, I nearly forgot, we heard you were coming a week or ago. Laid something on for you."

Captain Moreno walked in from the private party room, she was wearing those new fangled computer printed camo fatigues that Mack raved about.

"Hey, Sergeant. This little one waited up all night to see you." The Army nurse handed Cart the small little girl. And the baby started to goo. Cart really felt good now. He hadn't seen his Granddaughter since she was taken way to early. She smiled at the big friendly man. One of the most decent men on the planet. It was nice to have him here, not quite Heaven, but almost..

"Sorry Sergeant, but this little one has an early bed time." Captain Moreno said as she turned to leave with the swaddled new born. Cart felt a lot better. He took another beer from Miss Kitty.

"Deal me in." Cart said, glad to be among friends. His head felt a little better, the headache was gone, and his knee was obviously working. And hell, training for some big op didn't seem so bad.

Editor's Note:

Uncle Cart passed away yesterday. I can only hope and pray that his reception at Fiddler's Green was something like the above. He was a good man. All y'all would have liked him.

Friday, May 1, 2020

Friday Film - The Great Raid

Today, we will review "The Great Raid" which is great piece about a direct action raid undertaking in WWII. However, I will forewarn you, this one didn't exactly hit a home run with the Counter Jockey Ladies' Auxiliary.

Pudge writes:

The Great Raid-
I know it seems like all I do is say, “great movie, definitely worth watching” but, I’m going to say it again. I can’t help but pick good movies apparently. I really enjoy reading, watching, or studying about the Pacific Theater during WWII because I don’t think there is as much well-known information about it as there is the European theater.

Even though these are the guys that added the last straw. This movie is about the 6th Ranger Battalion and how they conducted a raid deep in enemy territory to rescue American and Allied prisoners of war. It follows LTC Mucci, the Battalion Commander, and CPT Prince as they plan and conduct the raid to free POWs at Cabanatuan.

From my perspective, I really enjoyed seeing the Alamo Scouts and resistance fighters. I just wished they could have highlighted these guys more. A lot of Special Forces’ begins where right here in the Philippines during this time. Guys that said, piss off, we won’t surrender and headed for the hills to lead their own fight. It is amazing to see what these ‘irregulars’ can do if allowed and how they can perfectly augment a regular Army unit.

I think my favorite part has to be at the beginning when a man on horseback rides up to the headquarters tent and LTC Mucci asks one the guards, “find out who the cowboy is.” This cowboy is a LT that got left three years earlier and had been running resistance fighters quite successfully.

I’m not a big fan of the added romantics but it did introduce us to Margaret Utinsky. She played a huge role in the insurgency’s underground and did her damn best to help the POWs when she could. Did I mention that I like unconventional warfare?!

I watched this movie with my father-in-law who is not only a huge history buff but also a retired girl scout hat wearing card holder. He thoroughly enjoyed the movie as well and stated that the plan portrayed was almost exactly how the plan played out in real life. Always makes me happy when this happens.
One day I’m sure Mack and I will stumble upon a bad movie. But until then, let’s see what Counter Jockey himself has to say.

Mack writes:

So, one of the things I really really liked about this movie was how a critical op was depicted being launched based on time sensitive actionable intel with hasty planning. That happens. And I felt like the film did a good job in showing how the unknowns of such an undertaking can contribute to the burden of command. 

As Pudge mentioned, I really appreciated the showing of the combined Filipino/American Resistance. A lot of good dudes laughed when General Wainwright relayed the surrender order alongside General MacArthur's orders not to resist, promoted themselves, and went into the hills. And they get overlooked by history. Because a guy with five stars on his collar really didn't like being upstaged by a bunch of enlisted guys and junior officers. 

Oh, and the Alamo Scouts are really cool. As is the mention of General Krueger, America's forgotten four star who was also a mustang. General Krueger is ably portrayed by CPT Dale Dye, USMC (ret) whom served as the military adviser on the film. 

Something I remarked on that has born credence from oral histories is how different the uniform and gear of the 6th Ranger BN would have looked to the POWs they liberated. 

Oh, and we're a gun blog!

I think my favorite part of the movie is when some of the Filipino Scouts tear into the Japanese relief force with a water cooler M-1917 .30 cal machine gun. And just keep shooting them. Which is an accurate reflection of both the performance of the weapon and the role for which it was envisioned. 

Probably one of the most important and badass missions in the history of the Rangers. RLTW and all that. 

So, I enjoyed the movie for the most part. It just seemed to drag a little bit. But everyone with an interest in American military history needs to watch it. 

Five out of Six Budweiser long necks. And yes, I just made up a rating system. Thanks for stopping buy. 

Somber Sunday

 So, been wearing a badge for seven months now. I enjoy it. Have had good days, fun days, bad days, and even dare I say it, boring days. Tod...