News broke today on Facebook that William E. Butterworth III, better known under his pen name of WEB Griffin pasted away. The world is a lesser place with his passing. He was to the U.S. Army what Tom Clancy was to the U.S. Navy.
He wrote an expansive series of novels that concerned the birth of U.S. Army aviation and Special Forces from the remnants of the Army of the United States after the 1946 draw down.
He was a veteran, earning a CIB in Korea. And my favorite books of his centered around the exploits of small teams of American SOF doing things way behind the lines that the dirty Commies wouldn't like very much.
And these guys were generally always armed with -1911A1s, M1A1 Thompsons, and cut down pump guns, generally of the Winchester persuasion. And generally one fellow would have an M-1 Garand, usually one with a National Match barrel.
Further more, it was evident in his writing that He certainly appreciated the shotgun sports. And fine over and unders. Very fine over and unders. One instance sticks out in my mind where a Colonel with a 16 GA Superposed Diana grade and felt like he had the peasant gun of the bunch. And the flip side of that was that several characters, in different series shot Winchester pumps and Remington auto loaders better than anything else.
In a way Mr. Butterworth represented the older version of American gun culture. A hearty love for the weapons they used in the service and a love of fine sporting guns with blued steel and walnut furniture. And also, a desire to bring home a war trophy from a vanquished foe. Lugers, AK-47s., etc. are all mentioned as coming in duffel bags in his books. That gets you a one way ticket to USDB Leavenworth today.
Recently, I got Jackie started on the "Brotherhood of War" series. Having friends that are both Army Aviators and SF guys, it's fun to read about their beginnings. And hell, the patriarch of the series is a long serving Cavalry man whom is just one of many in his family to have worn the uniform. That married an Army brat. I can relate.
If there is a Valhalla, I like to think that Cadet Wang opened the door for Mr. Butterworth and directed him towards the table by the fireplace where Tom Clancy was having a Scotch and looking at his notes.
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Tsundoku Tuesday - "Big Guns Brave Men"
We, as Americans, tend to enjoy firepower. Be it hunting or in the military. In fact, firepower is one reason the American military is so successful. We blow the shit out of anything that looks funny, cost to the taxpayer be damned.
Going back to Fat Henry Knox, the U.S. artillery has always been world class. Hell, we even decided that despite being fine Southern gentlemen, we'd hitch some light pieces up behind a team of horses and dash all about the battlefield.
Warriors fight for the nobility of battle of some such. The American Soldier fights to fucking win so as to go home, marry a stripper, buy a Mustang at Eleventy One Percent APR, and probably get an Article 15. Well, at least mine did. But that is neither here nor there.
But the fact remains, that the American fighting man has generally enjoyed on call, accurate, and continuous fire support for the most part since Cowpens.
And we've always been able to provide that arty on time and on target due some braves guys whom venture forward with the weird guys wearing crossed rifles.
The Artillery FO, or FISTer in modern parlance is a true American hero. He puts the hurting on the bad guys for you.
And the FISTer comes from a long lineage of American badassery.
Big Guns, Brave Men: Mobile Artillery Observers and the Battle For Okinawa is a superb history, both oral and historiographic, of the FOs of the 96th Inf Div during the fight for Okinawa. Written buy R. E. Walton, himself, an Army officer, whom is the son of a FO, the books brings to light a little known junk of the American Army in WWII.
Few people if any think of the Pacific as an Army war, other than the intrepid defense of Bataan. But we were there. From General Krueger Sixth's Army, to the National Guard at the Canal, to the 96th at Okinawa, the U.S. Army executed it's part of war plan orange with skill and valor.
This book is a fun read, well researched, and an all to important collection of oral history from the guys who were there.
It's available from the United States Naval Institute Press at a clear the decks prices; which, generally means it is about to cease publication. Grab it while you can.
Going back to Fat Henry Knox, the U.S. artillery has always been world class. Hell, we even decided that despite being fine Southern gentlemen, we'd hitch some light pieces up behind a team of horses and dash all about the battlefield.
Warriors fight for the nobility of battle of some such. The American Soldier fights to fucking win so as to go home, marry a stripper, buy a Mustang at Eleventy One Percent APR, and probably get an Article 15. Well, at least mine did. But that is neither here nor there.
But the fact remains, that the American fighting man has generally enjoyed on call, accurate, and continuous fire support for the most part since Cowpens.
And we've always been able to provide that arty on time and on target due some braves guys whom venture forward with the weird guys wearing crossed rifles.
The Artillery FO, or FISTer in modern parlance is a true American hero. He puts the hurting on the bad guys for you.
And the FISTer comes from a long lineage of American badassery.
Big Guns, Brave Men: Mobile Artillery Observers and the Battle For Okinawa is a superb history, both oral and historiographic, of the FOs of the 96th Inf Div during the fight for Okinawa. Written buy R. E. Walton, himself, an Army officer, whom is the son of a FO, the books brings to light a little known junk of the American Army in WWII.
Few people if any think of the Pacific as an Army war, other than the intrepid defense of Bataan. But we were there. From General Krueger Sixth's Army, to the National Guard at the Canal, to the 96th at Okinawa, the U.S. Army executed it's part of war plan orange with skill and valor.
This book is a fun read, well researched, and an all to important collection of oral history from the guys who were there.
It's available from the United States Naval Institute Press at a clear the decks prices; which, generally means it is about to cease publication. Grab it while you can.
Monday, February 11, 2019
Monday Musings
- Today is my Friday. I'm off the next two days. I will probably go to Home Depot tomorrow after I have lunch at Hooters with a couple of
RhodesianGander Mountain ex pats. We will sit and drink stale beer and talk about what new books we've read concerning the Bush War. - If you put a Timney trigger in a Mosin that is already in an expensive aftermarket stock you still have an obsolete bolt gun in an antiquated caliber. I probably could have found you a Remington 700 for far cheaper than where you're at now with your janky sniper rifle. And no, it is not just as good.
- Jesus, AR parts give me a damn headache. Listen Cletus, you ain't fast roping into Mosul. I will do my level best to order what you want. Provided you can pay for it and it is a part, that you know, actually exists.
- I somehow found myself on the agenda at the district round table for the Scouts tomorrow night. I thought I hung all my uniforms up. Oh wait. I've had some sort of shirt with shoulder straps and crap over the pockets, be it Army or Boy Scout khaki since I was 10 years old. Oops.
- I've decided my "heavy" for Africa will be a Ruger Guide Gun in .375 Ruger Compact Magnum.
- Furthermore, I've decided my next big project is going to be a Remington 700 in .300 Win Mag; comfortably nestled in some sort of chassis. Probably something from MagPul.
- Speaking of the 700, I really really really like the Pawn Shop Special pre-ADL .243 700 I picked up. Damn. That thing is handy, and it shoots. Like real good. I may have to buy another rifle for Jackie.
- Look for a book review tomorrow.
- Look for a fun write about my new favorite weapon on Wednesday.
- Violating my political rule for a minute: What in the hell is happening in Virginia? I mean damn. I was a stereotypical frat boy. I drank a lot. I went to and threw a lot of raging parties. But we never assualted any women nor did we ever mock people of a different race. We were much too refined as fine Southern gentlemen for any thing like that.
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
Weapons Wednesday - Winchester's Poor Man's Pump
As previously discussed, I got lucky on a 1963 produced Model 12 last year. Good lucking gun. And as well all know, in 1964 Winchester decided to ruin their brand cut costs on most of their flagship guns.
The '94, the Model 12, and the Model 70 were all redesigned to be more cost effective. Some engineer at Winchester at least made a small principled stand and the cheapened Model 12 was renamed the Model 1200.
The new Model 1200 was actually kinda cool. It had a rotary locking bolt which it would share with the future 1400 semi auto. The 1400 being a very decent semi auto that was like half the cost of the competing 1100. I traded a friend a really nice Drake hunting jacket for one. But that's a tale for another day.
So, any who, the 1200 was released on the American market and actually met some decent success. They're nice old guns for what they are. The Army bought a bunch of the defender versions for use as riot guns and what not. Being produced from 1965 until 2006 when the Connecticut plant was shuttered, it stands to reason that more than a few would end up in pawn shops across the country.
And of course, if it ends up in a pawn shop, I may be interested in it. So, actually funny story here, I didn't buy this one. My long suffering wife did as a last minute fill in Christmas present. That poor shotgun set on the rack for about two years, not drawing any interest. It's a bit of an anachronism in the modern shotgun era. Wood furniture, a 2 3/4" chamber, and a fixed modified barrel. We didn't give the fella who sold it to us a lot of money, nor did Jackie spend a lot on it. But I'll be damned if the thing doesn't shoulder better than my Model 12 does. Probably that extra half inch of recoil pad. Also, the 1200 was one of the first guns in later years to come with a WinChoke compatible barrel. Which is on my to do list down the road.
Its in fair to good condition, showing some signs of being roughly stowed after a hunting trip. But the wood looks good. And it's a nice piece of American firearms history.
Winchester made these until 2006 when they were bought out by FN and the Winchester plant closed. The Winchester brand, as wholly owned by FN, began importing a cheap Turkish made pump as the SXP. And it's garbage. Kind of like the Model 120 Ranger which was an even cheaper version of the 1200 that you could buy at K Mart, Roses, and Wal Mart back in the day. I roll my eyes anytime some one mentions their Winchester pump and then utters "SXP" or "120" as a model. Grrr. But I'm a gun snob.
The '94, the Model 12, and the Model 70 were all redesigned to be more cost effective. Some engineer at Winchester at least made a small principled stand and the cheapened Model 12 was renamed the Model 1200.
The new Model 1200 was actually kinda cool. It had a rotary locking bolt which it would share with the future 1400 semi auto. The 1400 being a very decent semi auto that was like half the cost of the competing 1100. I traded a friend a really nice Drake hunting jacket for one. But that's a tale for another day.
So, any who, the 1200 was released on the American market and actually met some decent success. They're nice old guns for what they are. The Army bought a bunch of the defender versions for use as riot guns and what not. Being produced from 1965 until 2006 when the Connecticut plant was shuttered, it stands to reason that more than a few would end up in pawn shops across the country.
And of course, if it ends up in a pawn shop, I may be interested in it. So, actually funny story here, I didn't buy this one. My long suffering wife did as a last minute fill in Christmas present. That poor shotgun set on the rack for about two years, not drawing any interest. It's a bit of an anachronism in the modern shotgun era. Wood furniture, a 2 3/4" chamber, and a fixed modified barrel. We didn't give the fella who sold it to us a lot of money, nor did Jackie spend a lot on it. But I'll be damned if the thing doesn't shoulder better than my Model 12 does. Probably that extra half inch of recoil pad. Also, the 1200 was one of the first guns in later years to come with a WinChoke compatible barrel. Which is on my to do list down the road.
 |
| Had I been thinking I would have taken a picture of the lugs |
Winchester made these until 2006 when they were bought out by FN and the Winchester plant closed. The Winchester brand, as wholly owned by FN, began importing a cheap Turkish made pump as the SXP. And it's garbage. Kind of like the Model 120 Ranger which was an even cheaper version of the 1200 that you could buy at K Mart, Roses, and Wal Mart back in the day. I roll my eyes anytime some one mentions their Winchester pump and then utters "SXP" or "120" as a model. Grrr. But I'm a gun snob.
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
Long Range Thoughts
I believe I have myself an Africa rifle. Now to afford it. And in doing so, I may have solved another conundrum I'd been facing.
I have a shameful secret. I don't own the first platform in .308 Winchester. Nor 7.62 NATO. My love of the Scout Rifle, the FAL, the G-3, and rifles Bob Lee Swagger would shoot have thus far not prompted me to buy a rifle in said caliber. The closest I've come to a .308 rifle was nearly buying an Ishapore 2A1 from the pawn shop. I didn't.
But, I decided that I would like a Winchester/FN Model 70, with a walnut stock and a heavy barrel in .308 Winchester.
And damn it if that gun isn't cataloged by Winchester/FN.
Now, FN markets a tactical bolt gun under their superb FNH-USA line that is a heavy barreled .308 with the same action as the new production Model 70s, but it looks like something that the HRT would use to shoot ahostage terrorist.
Very befuddled. Back to the drawing board. I may wind with four Remington 700s and only two Model 70s. That offends my sense of symmetry.
But, anywho, that sort of brings me to my next point.
I like innovation in the firearms industry. I really do. Even if fads come and go, they still provide something to the gun culture, even if only to show how well proven cartridges work already.
The .224 Valkryie, the 6.5 PRC, the .300 PRC, the .22 Wildcat, 6mm Creedmoor, 6mm PRC, all seem really effing cool. And hell, I like oddball brass as much as the next guy. And if Julie Golob says the .224 Valkyrie is something special, I'm inclined to believe her.
But, and big but here, marketing hype can lead the average consumer astray. A while back, Jackie and I were at Mister Bo's store down in Butler. He has plenty of 270 WSM and it is well priced.
A gentleman came storming in complaining about the three deer he'd shot and how all three of them didn't go down.
He was shooting a 6.5 Creedmore XPR. A decent rifle. But not what I'd shoot for Georgia whitetail.
And to compound matters, he was shooting 140 grn ELD open tipped match bullets. those things are gonna act like a laser at 40 to 50 yards. And they sure as hell aren't going to expand.
And the fellow was incensed that the new wonder cartridge, the wonderful 6.5 Creedmoor had let him down.
I started to say something and thought better of it. But I did subject my poor wife to an hour long rant on the way home.
I have a shameful secret. I don't own the first platform in .308 Winchester. Nor 7.62 NATO. My love of the Scout Rifle, the FAL, the G-3, and rifles Bob Lee Swagger would shoot have thus far not prompted me to buy a rifle in said caliber. The closest I've come to a .308 rifle was nearly buying an Ishapore 2A1 from the pawn shop. I didn't.
But, I decided that I would like a Winchester/FN Model 70, with a walnut stock and a heavy barrel in .308 Winchester.
And damn it if that gun isn't cataloged by Winchester/FN.
Now, FN markets a tactical bolt gun under their superb FNH-USA line that is a heavy barreled .308 with the same action as the new production Model 70s, but it looks like something that the HRT would use to shoot a
Very befuddled. Back to the drawing board. I may wind with four Remington 700s and only two Model 70s. That offends my sense of symmetry.
But, anywho, that sort of brings me to my next point.
I like innovation in the firearms industry. I really do. Even if fads come and go, they still provide something to the gun culture, even if only to show how well proven cartridges work already.
The .224 Valkryie, the 6.5 PRC, the .300 PRC, the .22 Wildcat, 6mm Creedmoor, 6mm PRC, all seem really effing cool. And hell, I like oddball brass as much as the next guy. And if Julie Golob says the .224 Valkyrie is something special, I'm inclined to believe her.
But, and big but here, marketing hype can lead the average consumer astray. A while back, Jackie and I were at Mister Bo's store down in Butler. He has plenty of 270 WSM and it is well priced.
A gentleman came storming in complaining about the three deer he'd shot and how all three of them didn't go down.
He was shooting a 6.5 Creedmore XPR. A decent rifle. But not what I'd shoot for Georgia whitetail.
And to compound matters, he was shooting 140 grn ELD open tipped match bullets. those things are gonna act like a laser at 40 to 50 yards. And they sure as hell aren't going to expand.
And the fellow was incensed that the new wonder cartridge, the wonderful 6.5 Creedmoor had let him down.
I started to say something and thought better of it. But I did subject my poor wife to an hour long rant on the way home.
Sunday, February 3, 2019
Super Sunday Musings
- At new work, we have a 4" S&W 460 in the case. Two Canadians guys were doing some gun tourism and after shooting a Mk 18 clone, they oogled over it after they paid. One of them asked if it was a Judge. Trying to be polite, I responded that it was what a Judge wanted to be when it grew up. They were less than impressed with it's inability to fire shot shells. Derp is trans national apparently.
- I just walked up to the den after watching the third Transformers. It's really cool when Colonel Lennox asks for volunteers for a one way trip. And the junior kid says he'll find his own ride back. And all that is lost when Colonel Lennox says with all seriousness "We'll use the squireel suits to get in close." I finished my Mimosa after that one.
- Friday I had a gentleman get most irate over the fact that apparently I did use the newest bestest thread grease on his AR upper. Um, sir, I believe that grease you wanted me to use is metallic and conductive. But what do I know about the M-16/M-4/Mk 18/ AR-15 platform? I'm just a dumbass millennial who carried one for ten years and has shot them for near about twenty.
- A post over on the book of faces brought up Hognose. He and I first connected in discussing M-4A1 clones. When I work on something from Spikes Tactical or install something from Vendetta precision, I wonder if he is laughing his ass off at the current state of the AR market.
Thursday, January 31, 2019
Tactical Thursday
So, I have started the new job. Seems to be going well., Have already encountered several new flora of gun owners. But new gig has a different social media policy and I'm still working on curating stories so to be in compliance.
So, for now, enjoy a half ass gun review.
When Sig dropped the 365 at SHOT Show 2018 I was less than impressed. And then the racalls hit. And I was smug in his assertations of only metal framed SA/DA guns from Sig are worth having.
And well, then I actually held one. And then shortly there after I shot one.
I was thoroughly impressed. The little gun isn't much bigger than a Glock 42. But it gets you ten rounds of 9mm in a easy shooting package. That is still a pocket gun.
The gun has sights on it from the factory that are actually decent.
And holy hell, the things shoots. Like really, really, good. And it has a ten round mag as previously mentioned. So that gets you 11, and that makes the gun a three maybe even four bad guy gun.
Stuff that thing full of Critical Defense and you're in business as far as small, but almost for real fighting iron carrying goes. That'll be my next gun purchase here soon.
Oh, I bought a Glock 19. I took my own sage advice.
Bubba brought these in when he was trading out his .40 Blaster for a new 9mm Blaster. Progress I guess.
An Israeli M-1935 that was reparked by the importer. Still want it.
Thank y'all for stopping buy. Sorry for the long absence. I work less at the new gig, four on/three off, but it feels busier than the old gig. Either got guns to clean, work on sell, receive, or rent. And there is always brass to be swept up. Moving forward, I should start getting back into the swing of things with posts for sure on Monday and Tuesday.
So, for now, enjoy a half ass gun review.
When Sig dropped the 365 at SHOT Show 2018 I was less than impressed. And then the racalls hit. And I was smug in his assertations of only metal framed SA/DA guns from Sig are worth having.
And well, then I actually held one. And then shortly there after I shot one.
I was thoroughly impressed. The little gun isn't much bigger than a Glock 42. But it gets you ten rounds of 9mm in a easy shooting package. That is still a pocket gun.
The gun has sights on it from the factory that are actually decent.
And holy hell, the things shoots. Like really, really, good. And it has a ten round mag as previously mentioned. So that gets you 11, and that makes the gun a three maybe even four bad guy gun.
Stuff that thing full of Critical Defense and you're in business as far as small, but almost for real fighting iron carrying goes. That'll be my next gun purchase here soon.
 |
| Branding is good. |
Oh, I bought a Glock 19. I took my own sage advice.
Bubba brought these in when he was trading out his .40 Blaster for a new 9mm Blaster. Progress I guess.
 |
| Speaking, of 9mm blasters... |
Thank y'all for stopping buy. Sorry for the long absence. I work less at the new gig, four on/three off, but it feels busier than the old gig. Either got guns to clean, work on sell, receive, or rent. And there is always brass to be swept up. Moving forward, I should start getting back into the swing of things with posts for sure on Monday and Tuesday.
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