Category: Gratuitous Gun Pics

Keeping Quiet

Gratuitous Gun Pics, The Gun Thing

As I was wandering along the Gunny Trail, I happened upon this new thing:

It’s from Henry Rifles, and they’ve apparently created a new department called “Special Products Division” (SPD).  This particular model is known as the HUSH line.

“Why ‘HUSH’, Kim?”

Thought you’d never ask.

Long Time Readers will be all too aware of my antipathy towards plastic stocks, and especially so when used on classic rifles like Murka’s own lever action repeater.

I have to say, though, that this one’s not that horrible when there’s a suppressor attached (although how well a suppressor is going to work on the booming .45-70 Govt cartridge remains to be seen).

Let’s just say that when suppressors are freed from the stupid red tape and registration nonsense (not to mention the average cop’s hostile attitude towards them), I would be tempted — not towards a .45-70 Govt chambering (as pictured), but certainly the .357 Mag model — and certainly still more if I were to shoot the Hornady Critical Defense 110gr light loads — which achieve just over 1,000 fps out of a 4″ revolver… now imagine them emerging from that 24″ barrel, suppressed.

Excuse me, I need to take a quick cold shower.

Sorry.  Anyway, I’m not saying I’m going to become a Plastic Fantastic fanboi anytime soon.  But there’s just something about that HUSH rifle that intrigues me.

Being Henry and Made In The USA, these rifles are gonna be spendy, my guess in the almost-two grand area, but these are the times we live in.

Verification

Gratuitous Gun Pics, Gun/Ammo Tests

Ask me again why I love the Swedish M96 Mauser in 6.5x55mm… in the hands of Henry Chan.

…or the model (M/41B) actually used in the video:

Of all the rifles I’ve let go in my life, this one ranks near or if not actually at the top.

And Henry’s post-range commentary parallels my own thoughts on the subject, precisely.

Incidentally, viz. his earlier comments on the Lee-Enfield counterpart, Henry shooting the the No.4 MkI (T) can be seen here.

Almost Perfect

Gratuitous Gun Pics, The Gun Thing

For purposes unknown (LOL), Friend & Reader JC in PA sends me this link about a gun:

Of course, there’s a lot to like about this gun (it’s a 1911, for starters):  Novak-style sights, lightweight hammer, beavertail grip (hammer bite, for the alleviation of), to mention just some.

For me, the flies in this lovely ointment are the extruded grip safety (unnecessary and a massive irritant in an extended range session) and of course the fact that it’s chambered for the Europellet.

Nevertheless, I think it’s a Good Thing (albeit not for me and in any event, I own a sufficiency of 1911s, and properly chambered withal).

Some might ask:  Why not just use a Browning-type SA-35 (High Power), if one wants to use a John Moses Browning-designed gun? 

There’s no reason not to, of course;  as any fule kno, I yield to no man in my love of the High Power (despite its Europellet chambering).

If one is going to go the Euro way and use the 9mm Parabellum, then both are sound choices — the 1911’s shorter barrel may even make it more portable than the full-size High Power.

The problem, however, is that deciding on the 9mm does open up the choice of gun, bigly.  Sticking with all-steel construction, there’s the CZ 75 series (e.g. the compact):

…not to mention the full-size SIG P210 (a longtime favorite of mine):

…and of course, the Beretta line (e.g. the 92X Performance):

…to mention but some.

Once you go completely over to the Dark Side and espouse such filth as the plastic guns, of course, the choice expands exponentially, and this post has gone on long enough already.

So thanks, JC;  but I’ll be sticking to my beloved 1911 .45 ACP guns.  If ever I do want to downsize, I’ll step down to the short-barreled Combat Commander type:

…but that’s as far as I’ll go.

Old Sights, Old Eyes

Gratuitous Gun Pics, Optics, The Gun Thing

Longtime Readers will be familiar with my affection for Browning’s Buckmark .22 pistol, she of the wonderful trigger and reliable feeding.  And excellent accuracy… well, except in my hands.

I used to be able to shoot the Buckmark acceptably well, but as old age has buggered my eyes up horribly (stop me if this is familiar to y’all), so has my accuracy suffered.  Of course it’s not the gun:  I’ve owned (counting on fingers) five of the things over the years, and I’ve always been able to make the cans pop and dance, so to speak.

Now?  I’d be lucky to hit the inside of a room.

So I’ve had to go from this light, sleek little beauty:

…to this (much) heavier, ungainly-looking thing:

Accuracy?  I’ll let you know next week, after I’ve been to the range and zeroed the dotty thingamajig in.

Interesting Concept

Gratuitous Gun Pics, Marketing / Advertising

From PSA:

Why is this interesting?  Well, I like the idea of an easy-switch barrel combo rather than having to hump two .22 rifles around (as I do) in order to get the maximum fun out of the cheap .22 LR and the added power of the .22 WMR.  (Plus there’s that space issue in Ye Olde Gunne Sayfe…)

That straight-pull bolt is an excellent idea.  (The B1 was originally marketed as a Hammerli-designed action, hubba hubba.)

But there’s a snag.  You see, Walther has made this rifle accept Ruger 10/22 magazines — excellent — and they supply three magazines with the rifle — even better.  BUT:  the ratio of magazines is:  two .22 LR mags, and only one .22 WMR mag.

And that’s the problem.  Ruger .22 LR (BX-1) mags are so plentiful that people hand them out to kiddies as Halloween favors or Xmas stocking stuffers.  Ruger .22 WMR mags… errr not so much;  you have to get them online rather than in brick-n-mortar stores.

Far better, in my opinion, to supply two magnum mags and one LR mag.  Or just up the price of the rig by $10 and offer two of each.

OR — gasp! — include two BX-10 .22 LR mags, and one of the BX-15 .22 WMR mags (15 rounds, oh my).  There’s almost no difference in price between the 10- and 15-round mags.

There ya go, Walther:  free marketing advice from a would-be customer (blocked only by poverty from being an actual customer).  Have at it.

Tell me that’s not a toothsome prospect, I dare ya.  (Maybe if I looked under the sofa cushions…)

Better yet, mounted on a nice laminate stock.  Nah, that’s asking too much.

Okay, here’s an offer to any of my Loyal Readers:  buy me one of these Walthers, and I’ll send you both my .22 rifles (the SQ LR and the SSV WMR) in exchange, including scopes and bipods.