Posted on 09/23/2009 6:19:16 AM PDT by HairOfTheDog
Aw... thanks for your pet updates, sorry I don’t check in often enough here. It’s tough, seeing them get old, but it’s sure part of life.
We’re dealing with a little of that here too. Gidget is not strong in her rear end... but it doesn’t act like arthritis, it’s more like a general weakness than a stiffness. She’s having trouble with all the hills and stairs at this new place, and sticks pretty close in the front.
Barkley too, is looking old, older than his age. Mostly because of his gluttonous lifestyle and terrible dietary habits, but I don’t know how to change that. He now follows the goats around looking for the little gumballs they drop, but he’s not losing weight for all the exertion, if you know what I mean.
The only one doing better than ever is Homer. I think he’s been swapped out for another dog, when we moved here. He doesn’t itch any more, and he’s no longer hyper nervous with the fireworks. He took them like a champ, for the most part, this weekend, which sure beats him panting and clawing at us. And he hasn’t needed any of his expensive meds for over a month and he still has hair. I think he was allergic to the old house all this time. Much better here.
Glad to hear the move went well, especially for Homer. That is great news. Hope Giget gets to feeling better. Barkley appears to be Barkley, each with their own personality and quirks.
Yep, pets and their trials are a part of life. Sam has his good days. But often needs the pain meds to sleep through the night. Or to allow Not Valerie to sleep. She’s still downstairs with him most nights because of his separation anxiety. He doesn’t just want company. He wants Mommy.
He can no longer do any stairs other than the graduated steps they built out back for Nana.
The hermit crab molted again, which always gives me a couple of days scare until I know for sure that’s what is going on. The betta seems okay.
Luke said he thinks he wouldn’t be so sad about Abby if we got another cat, or a bird, or a hamster, or...
| Your Pizza Says You Like Many Foods |
 You consider pizza to be bread... very good bread. You fit in best in the Midwest part of the US. You like food that's traditional and well crafted. You aren't impressed with "gourmet" foods. You are generous, outgoing, and considerate with your choices. You are cultured and intellectual. You should consider traveling to Vienna. The stereotype that best fits you is guy or girl next door. Hey, there's nothing wrong with being average. |
| Your Pizza Says You Aren't a Picky Eater |
|
You aren't particularly picky about pizza. It's so good... how could you be? You fit in best in the Western part of the US. You like food that's traditional and well crafted. You aren't impressed with "gourmet" foods. You are dependable, loyal, and conservative with your choices. You are cultured and intellectual. You should consider traveling to Vienna. The stereotype that best fits you is geek. You're the type most likely to order pizza to avoid leaving your computer. |
Seen as in a mirror, obscurely...
An unexpected bonus in choosing green-and-black linen was the color matches quite closely to the Army "foliage green" camo color. More experimental grips, including laser-stippled carbon fiber, coming in the future.
However, my immediate future will be taken up with a couple of "rescue" EBRs. In this case, one has an impeccable lineage, but may be the last of its line due to American economic and political conditions (two sides of the same statist coin). The second is a technological prodigy that may be endangered for the same reason.
Here's the first one:
This is sort of a reverse introduction to the H&K SL8-6, showing all the major components, along with a number of accessory and conversion parts I will be working on. This was developed to comply with importation restrictions so it could be classified as a non-"assault weapon". It's also the H&K Eurorifle sold to those people in Europe who are still permitted to own a rifle.
Assembled, it looks like this, complete with the unnatural 10-round single-stack magazine, with mag well and upper receiver rigged to accept only that kind of magazine.
Despite the thumbhole stock that won't allow anybody's thumb to reach the safety, the rifle has a number of things going for it from the start. First is a 20 inch bull barrel, which takes this rifle out of the lightweight class, but makes it the foundation of a great Designated Marksman's rifle. Second, the detachable top rail comes in a number of varieties to mount optics, act as a carrying handle, an other interesting roles. You saw my modest collection of them in the first picture. Buy them when you see them, you never know when they'll appear again.
But the biggest feature, and challenge, is to install the military folding stock and pistol grip lower, with standard double-stack M16 mag well, to closely mimic the H&K G36 family of rifle. Here's a chart that shows some of the permutations available.
An "E" as part of the model number indicates it's an export version. The SL8 is the only model that has a 20" bull barrel with target rifle crown.
The conversion involves making the modified weapon "section 922(r)" compliant. You are installing enough (5 or more) American made and marked parts to change the original rifle into a form that could not have been imported. You can even make it an SBR, if you fill out the paperwork. No full-auto, however. My HK USC is in the process of the same conversion, just waiting on a few more American parts to avoid the 10-year, $250K penalty that is the one and only penalty for any BATFE infraction. Right now, neither my USC or SL8 can be fired except in the original configuration. I'm still scurrying for my compliance parts.
As an aside, this is also what has to be done when you want to add a folding stock to current-model AK47Ss imported into the USA. Rifles with folding stocks cannot be imported, but if you go the "922(r) route", you can add an imported or domestic folding stock. There are a number of companies that make it easy for AK owners because they sell complete compliance kits (usually trigger components) that are not only American made and marked, but probably better than OEM. You don't have to fill out any paperwork, just be all legit if a BATFE agent tears down your rifle to see if you did a legal conversion.
No compliance needed on the second rifle, which is so new I can't even get the dreaded (in Michigan) folding stock for it. This is the Bushmaster ACR, now no longer vaporware, but not exactly overflowing dealer shelves, either.
Taken apart, we see this isn't your father's (or my) M16, although Gene Stoner's control layout remains.
Reassembled, we have the baseline ACR (advanced combat rifle).
This was the Magpul Masada after they sold the project to Remington and Bushmaster and made into a competitor for some (unlikely) future US rifle competition, and for civilian sales. The Remington Military Products version has all the bells and whistles, including select fire. The Bushmaster (the name appears only on the magazine included with it) is for us civvies. Some day some of the military goodies, like folding stock and a sniper stock, will be available, according to PR statements. Right now, what you get out the the box is the entire Bushmaster product line.
The Magpul heritage is evident in most of the plastic work, and has a tiny Magpul logo on the stock and pistol grip. My only complaint so far is the stock, which is solid plastic, and doesn't telescope. It's the exact same length as a closed M4 stock, giving the rifle a length of pull more suitable to a Hobbit. I have a few ideas while waiting for Remington and Bushmaster, but without a chance to buy replacement parts, I won't try yet.
However, having a stash of leftover upgrade parts on hand, the ACR now has a Smith Enterprises vortex flash hider, and Troy Industries backup sights. I also slapped a spare scope on both for testing purposes. I'm still thinking over my final choices on optics for them.
The eye relief on the Leupold is so hugh that I had to put it in the middle of the rail in order to get a proper image while using the Hobbit-stock. A couple of inches of extension would have helped.
More to come after first fire. I already have lots more to say after disassembly and cleaning, but I've been writing this opus for almost three hours already.
These are fine, if expensive, rifles, although I did a hands-on comparison with the store's only FN SCAR, and found the Bushmaster gave more for about a thousand dollars less. I no longer yearn for the FN.
Just copied that from your post on the 4th, it fits today as well. That was a fast, fun way to get 1.4 inches of rain(sigh)and... and no, I haven't checked the basement yet, I'm scared to!
Just checked....I got 2 inches. Guess it’s going to be oven-fried chicken today unless I want to BBQ standing in a swamp.
Looking at the radar, and the approaching storms, I think oven-fried chicken is an excellent idea, notwithstanding that whole~swamp~thingy.
LSA
It’s in the oven.
Good thing I got most of the yard work done yesterday. Looks like good sleeping weather.
It’s in the oven.
Good thing I got most of the yard work done yesterday. Looks like good sleeping weather.
Here comes the sun; Jackson said he wanted to go out, we oblidged him.
Great Gun Pron Win-mag. Until I clicked the link on your grips, I thought the fluting was an optical illusion. The grips really have flutes. Awaiting a range report on those grips, they are darn interesting looking.
So now the house smells like chicken...and I’ve got a pan of chicken grease.
I made chicken gravy. I guess I need to make some biscuits now. :)
I’m hearing thunder again so batten down the hatches!
heh, yep, and now the sun is out again.
Warhorse, and the new grips, have a priority trip to the range, along with the ACR.
A little while ago, while tweaking some of the inner workings of the rifle, the thought jumped in my head that the rifle needed a name. Except for Warhorse, which I settled for as a code name for "that old beat up M1911 Colt", I've never felt a need to give them names.
However, this Bushmaster will forever more be known as "George W".
The fluted micarta grips worked very well. My wrist was still as sore after 100 rounds, but my hand was not beat up. The grip seems comfy, but very aggressive just holding it, but was not noticed while actually firing.
So far, I'd rate the stippled carbon fiber grips about equal with these, although the carbon fiber looks sexier (something nobody can see if carried concealed). There will be some head-to-head testing, and an evaluation as to whether one "prints" less than the other.
If concealment is not a problem, these micarta grips are great as-is. I'd recommend staying with paper or linen micarta, as the other fibers are more aggressive, and have more "fuzz" that increases grip security, but is rougher on bare hands.
Clark Long-slide with the Tigertooth stippling,,,
No “Meltdown” for me,,,
I'll just poke along with my old 1911,,,
Jim senior(RIP)was one of my teachers...
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