Category: Weapons

Amateur Hour

Marxists, Morons & Idiots, Weapons

I suppose that we should be grateful that this latest Leon Czolgosz-wannabe wasn’t as well prepared as he should have been.  Clearly, he went straight to the “Suggested Assassin’s Weapons” tab at Amazon or something — that is to say, he got some things quite right, and a lot of other things very wrong.  Consider this series of pics of his “arsenal” which he hoped to use at the Hilton D.C.:

Okay, let’s look at this “arsenal”.

  • Pump shotgun:  Yes of course.  If you’re going for “maximum damage in a confined area”, there are few better choices.  One might argue that a semi-auto would be a better choice, but potato-potahto.
  • Colt 1911 model:  Also a solid choice for a handgun, although he may have been better off with one of those guns which carry a 500-round magazine, e.g. a Glock.  Still, the chances of him getting to actually use a handgun (any handgun) during a mass shooting are going to be minimal, unless the 1911 is backup for when you run out of 12ga ammo.  But:
  • Knives (4, assassin for the use of):  Four knives?  For a gunfight?  Okay, by all means carry a knife as part of your EDC accoutrements (I do), but let’s be honest about this:  in his proposed scenario, a knife — any knife, let alone four — will be about as useful as a golf club, maybe less so.  And:  two throwing knives?  Useless;  toss them for a couple spare magazines (which you are going to need if shooting a 1911;  ask me how I know this.)  Also, a Ka-Bar is too unwieldy;  that boot knife (which I carry when wearing cowboy boots) would be the only decent option here.

I still think that the Secret Service missed a trick by not shooting the asshole dead on the spot, but that’s just me.  Given how inept the SS have been with their handguns in the past, however, subduing the scrote might have been the better option;  at least there was no collateral damage.

Pointed Stick

Weapons

From his lair in chilly Scotland, Longtime Reader and Friend Quentin S. asks the following intriguing question:

I saw a post on Quora about swords and open carry which piqued my interest and might pique yours. I understand that open carry of swords is actually legal in many US states. So, suppose you were no longer able to carry a gun, which sword would you choose? And which would you recommend?

I’m guessing that you personally would choose a sword-stick, but how about for someone younger and fitter? A rapier? A cinquedea?

The fact that I had to look up “cinquedea” to see what it was reveals my abysmal ignorance of cutlery.  For those of similar ignorance, here’s what it is (with a link in the pic should you want to buy one… hmmm):

I have to say that as a gunnie, I’d never given much thought to what I might select should the bitter question ever come to pass (“If we aren’t allowed to carry guns, how about swords?”).

If it came to just a bladed instrument I already own, I’d be caught short because my interest has confined itself to knives.  Although my Fox 685 survival machete (also of Italian origin, coincidentally) might do in a pinch:

…it’s a tad short and much too heavy for (shall we say) those social occasions.

No;  just as one night choose a rifle over a handgun in order to keep an enemy at a distance, a sword would definitely be preferable to a knife — and that cinquedea, lovely as it is, is more of a dagger than a sword and to be honest, I have that area covered, in spades.

So which long-bladed implement would I choose?

At first impulse, I might indeed chose a sword-stick, as Quentin surmises.  Here’s an example (once again, link in pic):

I have to tell y’all, that looks extremely tasty.  Hmmmmm…  (Yeah yeah, I know:  “Wait a minute Kim;  you mean you don’t own a sword-stick already?”  Shuddup already;  I carry a 1911, FFS.)

Here’s my problem, though.  While that sword looks lovely, and in a pinch the stick could even be used as a light cudgel, I don’t have the faintest idea how to use one.  Never got interested in swordplay outside childhood, so here we are.  And I’m not sure I’d want to learn, at this my advanced age.  It does strike me, however, that if you don’t know how to use a weapon, it could prove to be problematic should you actually be required to use one in extremis.  And if I’m about anything, it’s about training and practice when it comes to lethal weapons.

So if not a dagger or rapier-type of sword, what next?

How about a more slender, slashy version of the Fox 685:  a cutlass?

But it’s kinda long (nearly 3 feet) and clanky, innit?  I’d want something just a tad more controllable, something that would be as handy for slashing as for stabbing.  As always when I’m searching for answers, let me learn from history:  what was used in antiquity, back when they didn’t have SMLEs or 1911s?

Ha!  When in doubt, see what the Greeks used, when slaughtering Persians and other assorted fuzzy-wuzzies.  Here’s the xiphos (linked):

OMG I think I just fell in love.  24 inches of sharpy goodness, curves that would make Sophia Loren envious, and all the heritage and history rolled into one.  It’s like the E-type Jag of swords:

…only a lot more reliable.  I think I may just sell one of my seldom-used guns to get my hands on a xiphos because it’s beautiful and also unlike the E-type, affordable.

Any reason why I shouldn’t?

Bucks

Toys, Weapons

Here’s a nice little tribute piece about the Buck 110 folder.

I’ve always loved Buck knives — pretty much of any type or description — and I sometimes wonder why I don’t own more than one, a Buck 500 Gent (now called the “Duke”), which has been a constant companion for over forty years.

That 110 is calling me — drop point blade, ebony grip plus brass caps… what’s not to like?

[Add to cart]

That Maintenance Thing

Weapons

Loyal Reader Mike S sends me a missive entitled:  “Sharpening Bayonets Takes Time”.  Well, yes;  indeed it would…

By the way, I’m lacking a bayonet for my M1 Carbine, so if anyone has a spare knocking around, drop me a note.

Gunny’s Gear

Guy Stuff, The Gun Thing, Weapons

All things must pass, to quote George Harrison, but I have to admit that I never thought that this would apply to Gunny R. Lee Ermey, R.I.P.

Anyway, his gun stuff and related items are being auctioned off (and thanks to all the Readers who sent me notice that this is happening).

In keeping with the eccentric nature of the man come a few interesting items, e.g.

(The drooling sound you hear in the background comes from Reader Mike Of The Dueling Pistols.)

Anyway, your job for the day is to scrutinize the list of items, and tell me which ONE (and only ONE) you’d like to own.  (Right-click on the pics to get a full description.)  Answers in Comments.