Hello folks, 12-Gauge Chimp here with the second range report of the series. This range trip took place about 5 or so months ago and it was just after I bought my M91/30.
The day started out like any other, I woke up and went about my day. I knew my best friend was in town that day so I called him up and asked him if he was interested in helping me blow through a box or two of ammo. I packed my M91/30 and my Yugo SKS, along with the aforementioned boxes of ammo ( word of caution, if at all possible avoid laqcuer coated 7.62x54R rounds, they tend to make the bolt of most Mosin Nagants stick). We headed out to our local range and proceeded to set up our targets ( which consisted of wild watermelons and other stuff). This particular range had no problem with letting us bring unusual targets.
The Mosin was new to both of us and my friend had limited experience with an SKS, but he knew how to safely handle it as he had fired it once before. Now before we commenced firing, I went over the basics of the gun with him, the usual how to load it, cock it and how to use the sights. To be honest, we didn't really hit squat in the first hour or so, but once we got used to the military sights, we zeroed in on the watermelons and hit them with numerous 180 grain projectiles.
I found out a few things that day.
1. the military sights on the M91/30 are kind of hard to use, but once you get used to them, they are pretty accurate rifles.
2.The cartridge interupter built into the M91/30's magazine is SHARP, I found that out in a moment of brilliance and left the range with a nice little cut down the middle of my thumbnail.
3.You'd be suprised at how much a small cut on the thumbnail can bleed and its also a good idea to bring a first aid kit just in case.
4.Never shoot a watermelon when the wind is blowing at you.Watermelon juice and dust are not a good combination.
5.My Mosin Nagant hates laqcuer coated ammo.
6.My SKS will chamber and reliably fire all types of 7.62x39mm ammo on the market.
Other than being doused in melon juice and dust which is a really funky way to end a day, my friend and I had a fun day.
Well that's it for this edition of 12-Gauge Chimp's Range Reports, as always this is 12-Gauge Chimp signing off.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Random Thoughts # 3: Collecting Military surplus firearms
Hello folks, 12-Gauge Chimp here again bringing you another random thought.
Collecting military surplus guns can be a fun way to blow a paycheck or two and it can also be a way to learn a bit of firearms/military history ( at least for me anyway, your results may vary). Now I've only been collecting surplus guns for about 3 or so years, but I plan to buy more in the future, so stay tuned for that. I tend to go towards the older guns first, as the majority of my collection is over 40 years old, with the exception of my Mossberg 12 gauge.
My first mil-surp gun was my Yugoslav M-59 SKS. It was my first semi auto center fire rifle, the first gun I ever bought was a cheap .22, a Marlin model 60 that got sold as soon as I could find a willing buyer. That SKS started me off in the wonderful world of military surplus collecting, as I bought a Mosin Nagant M91/30 some time after and then added an M1895 Nagant revolver to my collection last year.
The first thing you want to do when you buy any surplus or used firearm, for that matter, is get it checked out by a competent gunsmith, preferably one that knows surplus guns, trust me they are out there. After the gunsmith has given you the ok, it is now time to buy ammo for your gun. Make sure you buy the right ammo for your gun. There should be a stamping on the barrel or receiver with the caliber of the gun, along with the serial number.
You also might want to pick up a weapons manual for your particular firearm and a cleaning kit, because some guns will be covered in some really funky stuff called " cosmoline ", which is a military grease that is supposed to protect the gun from rust during the long periods of storage most surplus guns endure. You'll find collecting surplus firearms a kind of fun and relatively cheap hobby, though not quite as cheap as it was 5 or so years ago.
Well that's it for this edition of 12-Gauge Chimp's Random Thoughts.
This is 12-Gauge Chimp signing off.
Collecting military surplus guns can be a fun way to blow a paycheck or two and it can also be a way to learn a bit of firearms/military history ( at least for me anyway, your results may vary). Now I've only been collecting surplus guns for about 3 or so years, but I plan to buy more in the future, so stay tuned for that. I tend to go towards the older guns first, as the majority of my collection is over 40 years old, with the exception of my Mossberg 12 gauge.
My first mil-surp gun was my Yugoslav M-59 SKS. It was my first semi auto center fire rifle, the first gun I ever bought was a cheap .22, a Marlin model 60 that got sold as soon as I could find a willing buyer. That SKS started me off in the wonderful world of military surplus collecting, as I bought a Mosin Nagant M91/30 some time after and then added an M1895 Nagant revolver to my collection last year.
The first thing you want to do when you buy any surplus or used firearm, for that matter, is get it checked out by a competent gunsmith, preferably one that knows surplus guns, trust me they are out there. After the gunsmith has given you the ok, it is now time to buy ammo for your gun. Make sure you buy the right ammo for your gun. There should be a stamping on the barrel or receiver with the caliber of the gun, along with the serial number.
You also might want to pick up a weapons manual for your particular firearm and a cleaning kit, because some guns will be covered in some really funky stuff called " cosmoline ", which is a military grease that is supposed to protect the gun from rust during the long periods of storage most surplus guns endure. You'll find collecting surplus firearms a kind of fun and relatively cheap hobby, though not quite as cheap as it was 5 or so years ago.
Well that's it for this edition of 12-Gauge Chimp's Random Thoughts.
This is 12-Gauge Chimp signing off.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Random Thoughts # 2: Selling stuff
Hello folks, 12-Gauge Chimp here with another edition of Random Thoughts.
During these incredibly crappy times (ie. screwed up economy), I have had to sell off a bunch of my stuff, mostly crap I didn't need anymore. Most of what I sold was some knives and swords I'd accumulated over the years. When I was a young chimp, I wandered through the local malls of my former hometown and on more than one occasion, bought some sharp, pointy objects because, one I had the money and two, I was a sucker for knives. I ended up with close to 400 dollars worth of cheap and very low quality knives and swords. I spent practically every dime I had on swords and other sharp pointy stuff. As I got older, I realized I had too dang many of the stupid things. So I decided recently, well about a month or so ago, to sell off some of my collection to fund my firearms purchases.
I now own only three swords, a couple of cheap samurai swords, a high end fantasy sword, and various fixed blade hunting and military type knives. The swords and knives I sold funded some ammo purchases and various other things, but so far, no new guns. I plan to purchase some high end knives from reputable makers and not just because they look cool, I will actually do the needed research to find out if a knife is of good quality.
Well,that's pretty much the end of this edition of random thoughts.
As always,this is 12-Gauge Chimp signing off.
During these incredibly crappy times (ie. screwed up economy), I have had to sell off a bunch of my stuff, mostly crap I didn't need anymore. Most of what I sold was some knives and swords I'd accumulated over the years. When I was a young chimp, I wandered through the local malls of my former hometown and on more than one occasion, bought some sharp, pointy objects because, one I had the money and two, I was a sucker for knives. I ended up with close to 400 dollars worth of cheap and very low quality knives and swords. I spent practically every dime I had on swords and other sharp pointy stuff. As I got older, I realized I had too dang many of the stupid things. So I decided recently, well about a month or so ago, to sell off some of my collection to fund my firearms purchases.
I now own only three swords, a couple of cheap samurai swords, a high end fantasy sword, and various fixed blade hunting and military type knives. The swords and knives I sold funded some ammo purchases and various other things, but so far, no new guns. I plan to purchase some high end knives from reputable makers and not just because they look cool, I will actually do the needed research to find out if a knife is of good quality.
Well,that's pretty much the end of this edition of random thoughts.
As always,this is 12-Gauge Chimp signing off.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Adventures at the gun show #1
Hello folks, 12-Gauge Chimp back today with the first of many gun show reports (this one was earlier in the year, as that was the last time I went to a gun show.)
Awhile back, I had the oppurtunity to go to a local gun show, ok so the show was in Odessa Texas, but it's kind of local. Anyway, after I paid my way inside I was surprised at the lack of people, granted I went the last day of the show, but the gun panic was still in full swing, so the few folks there was kind of unusual. I wandered around for about two hours, looking in vain for a Romanian TTC Tokarev, but alas there was not a single one to be found.
Some of the highlights of the show, for me anyway, included two C96 Mauser pistols, one with the shoulder stock/holster combo, a SIG 556 pistol(which had just barely hit the market, by the way), some nice M1 Garand rifles and some assorted AK-47's and AR-15's, but nothing that really screamed" Buy me, you idiot!". So I ended my gun show experience by purchasing two boxes of 7.62x54R ammo for my M91/30. Don't you worry though, your old pal 12-Gauge Chimp will be going back to this gun show whenever he's got more time, money and whenever the show is back in town.
That's it for this edition of Adventures at the gun show. I'll eventually be bringing you more of these show reports, as I hope to hit as many gun shows as I can in the next few years.
As always, this is 12-Gauge Chimp signing off.
Awhile back, I had the oppurtunity to go to a local gun show, ok so the show was in Odessa Texas, but it's kind of local. Anyway, after I paid my way inside I was surprised at the lack of people, granted I went the last day of the show, but the gun panic was still in full swing, so the few folks there was kind of unusual. I wandered around for about two hours, looking in vain for a Romanian TTC Tokarev, but alas there was not a single one to be found.
Some of the highlights of the show, for me anyway, included two C96 Mauser pistols, one with the shoulder stock/holster combo, a SIG 556 pistol(which had just barely hit the market, by the way), some nice M1 Garand rifles and some assorted AK-47's and AR-15's, but nothing that really screamed" Buy me, you idiot!". So I ended my gun show experience by purchasing two boxes of 7.62x54R ammo for my M91/30. Don't you worry though, your old pal 12-Gauge Chimp will be going back to this gun show whenever he's got more time, money and whenever the show is back in town.
That's it for this edition of Adventures at the gun show. I'll eventually be bringing you more of these show reports, as I hope to hit as many gun shows as I can in the next few years.
As always, this is 12-Gauge Chimp signing off.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Random Thoughts # 1: Ammo shortage, is it over yet ?
Recently, I was in my local big box superstore and I stumbled upon the sporting goods section. Not really needing anything from that particular area, I decided to have a look at the ammo selection. I was actually surprised to see ammo on the shelves. Nothing that I needed any of course, but it got me thinking, is the ammo shortage really over ?
One thing that pisses me off during this whole deal was the fact that some people were buying ammo for guns they didn't have and then selling it off on the internet for two and three times what they paid. I understand people have to make a buck, but when you buy all the ammo a store has just to go and sell it on the internet at a high mark up, that's not fair to the rest of us.
Prior to this whole stupid event one could, for example, purchase a thousand rounds of 7.62x39mm for under 150 bucks, but now a thousand rounds goes for $200 or more in some places, it's ridiculous really. I buy ammo for my guns, maybe once or twice a month, usually two boxes at a time, unless its for my 12 gauge and then I buy the 100 round cases. I don't buy more ammo than I need at the time and I definitely don't buy out the whole store just so I can sell it on the internet.
Some of the stores that I've been to have instituted a limit to the amount of ammo you can buy in one day, usually six boxes total, which to me is a good idea. It gives the rest of us a chance to get the ammo we need without having to pay some yahoos high prices, granted the prices at the stores aren't exactly the best, but we still buy the ammo any way.
Well I guess that's it for today, as always this is 12-Gauge Chimp signing off.
Have a nice day.
One thing that pisses me off during this whole deal was the fact that some people were buying ammo for guns they didn't have and then selling it off on the internet for two and three times what they paid. I understand people have to make a buck, but when you buy all the ammo a store has just to go and sell it on the internet at a high mark up, that's not fair to the rest of us.
Prior to this whole stupid event one could, for example, purchase a thousand rounds of 7.62x39mm for under 150 bucks, but now a thousand rounds goes for $200 or more in some places, it's ridiculous really. I buy ammo for my guns, maybe once or twice a month, usually two boxes at a time, unless its for my 12 gauge and then I buy the 100 round cases. I don't buy more ammo than I need at the time and I definitely don't buy out the whole store just so I can sell it on the internet.
Some of the stores that I've been to have instituted a limit to the amount of ammo you can buy in one day, usually six boxes total, which to me is a good idea. It gives the rest of us a chance to get the ammo we need without having to pay some yahoos high prices, granted the prices at the stores aren't exactly the best, but we still buy the ammo any way.
Well I guess that's it for today, as always this is 12-Gauge Chimp signing off.
Have a nice day.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Guns and Gear Review # 4: Mossberg 500 bullpup
Hello folks, 12-Gauge Chimp back again with the last gun review, for now anyways. Today I'll be reviewing the Mossberg 500 Bullpup shotgun.
Now usually I give a bit of history behind the gun, like the past three reviews I've done, but since I don't know the entire history behind this particular gun, I'll just skip all that and get to the review.
I purchased this shotgun at a local gun shop and being relatively new to the whole shotgun game, I had little experience with them. I had been told to buy an Remington 870 or Mossberg 500, so I knew what to look for, sort of. Lo and behold I walk into this gun shop and staring me in the face was my shotgun, a used Mossberg 500 bullpup. I paid the sum of $280 for it and after the required background check, it was mine. As an added bonus, the guy at the shop even threw in a box of shells at no charge. I thought that was pretty nice of him.
The basics of the Mossberg bullpup aren't that much different from the standard 500, just a few minor cosmetic tweaks. When this gun came from the factory, it had a vertical fore grip, but when I bought it, it was missing, and now I'm stuck looking for the factory grip (which is a pain in my neck, by the way) The heat shield works very well and after firing a few boxes of shells, it kept the barrel cool to the touch. The only thing I do not like about this shotgun, aside from the missing VFG, is the sight/carry handle. They do take some getting used to, but I have learned to aim a bit low and have successfully hit what I'm aiming at.
This is not a shotgun to hunt or shoot skeet with, but I'm ok with that besides it gives me an excuse to buy another shotgun for that purpose. If you ever come across a Mossberg 500 bullpup shotgun, buy it, because these guns are very rarely seen on the used market.
Well I hope you enjoyed my series of gun reviews, I promise there will be more, but for the time being this is it. As always this is 12-Gauge Chimp signing off.
Now usually I give a bit of history behind the gun, like the past three reviews I've done, but since I don't know the entire history behind this particular gun, I'll just skip all that and get to the review.
I purchased this shotgun at a local gun shop and being relatively new to the whole shotgun game, I had little experience with them. I had been told to buy an Remington 870 or Mossberg 500, so I knew what to look for, sort of. Lo and behold I walk into this gun shop and staring me in the face was my shotgun, a used Mossberg 500 bullpup. I paid the sum of $280 for it and after the required background check, it was mine. As an added bonus, the guy at the shop even threw in a box of shells at no charge. I thought that was pretty nice of him.
The basics of the Mossberg bullpup aren't that much different from the standard 500, just a few minor cosmetic tweaks. When this gun came from the factory, it had a vertical fore grip, but when I bought it, it was missing, and now I'm stuck looking for the factory grip (which is a pain in my neck, by the way) The heat shield works very well and after firing a few boxes of shells, it kept the barrel cool to the touch. The only thing I do not like about this shotgun, aside from the missing VFG, is the sight/carry handle. They do take some getting used to, but I have learned to aim a bit low and have successfully hit what I'm aiming at.
This is not a shotgun to hunt or shoot skeet with, but I'm ok with that besides it gives me an excuse to buy another shotgun for that purpose. If you ever come across a Mossberg 500 bullpup shotgun, buy it, because these guns are very rarely seen on the used market.
Well I hope you enjoyed my series of gun reviews, I promise there will be more, but for the time being this is it. As always this is 12-Gauge Chimp signing off.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Guns and Gear Review # 3: SKS M59
Hello people, 12-Gauge Chimp bringing you the third gun review in the ongoing series. Today we'll be looking at the Yugoslavian Model 59 SKS.
The SKS is actually a Russian designed weapon, but built in various Soviet satellite countries, such as Yugoslavia (or whatever its called now), China, East Germany, and others. It fires the 7.62x39mm cartridge and has a ten round internal magazine, which if feed by either individual rounds or by stripper clips. It uses a gas piston system similar to that of the famous AK-47 rifle.
Certain models of the SKS were modified to accept AK-47 magazines and these are primarily Chinese made models of the SKS known as SKS-D or SKS-M rifles.
I purchased my SKS M-59 in 2006 and it was my first centerfire rifle (I had purchased a semi-auto .22 a month or so earlier), and at the time 7.62x39mm ammo was a bit hard to find due to the enormous popularity of the rifle. It's simple to use, basically idiot proof when it comes to field-stripping for cleaning and maintenance, and is relatively affordable.
I learned a few things from owning my SKS rifle, one of the most important being, wear ear protection whenever you shoot a centerfire rifle. You can get away with not using ear plugs when shooting a .22, but with something like the SKS, do not be an idiot, wear the ear plugs or ear muffs.
You can still find SKS rifles for relatively little money, though they are not as cheap as they once were, but they are still a good buy. Russian SKS rifles still show up from time to time, but the majority of SKS's out there are going to be either Yugoslavian made or Chinese. The rarest SKS rifles are Albanian and East German SKS rifles, if you ever find one, buy it right then and there, if you can of course.
Well that's it for now, tomorrow I'll be looking at a Mossberg Bullpup 12 Gauge shotgun.
As always this is 12-Gauge Chimp signing off.
The SKS is actually a Russian designed weapon, but built in various Soviet satellite countries, such as Yugoslavia (or whatever its called now), China, East Germany, and others. It fires the 7.62x39mm cartridge and has a ten round internal magazine, which if feed by either individual rounds or by stripper clips. It uses a gas piston system similar to that of the famous AK-47 rifle.
Certain models of the SKS were modified to accept AK-47 magazines and these are primarily Chinese made models of the SKS known as SKS-D or SKS-M rifles.
I purchased my SKS M-59 in 2006 and it was my first centerfire rifle (I had purchased a semi-auto .22 a month or so earlier), and at the time 7.62x39mm ammo was a bit hard to find due to the enormous popularity of the rifle. It's simple to use, basically idiot proof when it comes to field-stripping for cleaning and maintenance, and is relatively affordable.
I learned a few things from owning my SKS rifle, one of the most important being, wear ear protection whenever you shoot a centerfire rifle. You can get away with not using ear plugs when shooting a .22, but with something like the SKS, do not be an idiot, wear the ear plugs or ear muffs.
You can still find SKS rifles for relatively little money, though they are not as cheap as they once were, but they are still a good buy. Russian SKS rifles still show up from time to time, but the majority of SKS's out there are going to be either Yugoslavian made or Chinese. The rarest SKS rifles are Albanian and East German SKS rifles, if you ever find one, buy it right then and there, if you can of course.
Well that's it for now, tomorrow I'll be looking at a Mossberg Bullpup 12 Gauge shotgun.
As always this is 12-Gauge Chimp signing off.
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