A Nighthawk for JD

Well I finally coughed up the dough and placed the order for a Nighthawk Custom.

I'm getting a Talon, which is their basic 5" Gov't model but I'm changing a lot.

The first big change is that I'm upgraded the frame to their railed Recon frame and having it bobtailed. Next I'm going to have the barrel cut flush with the bushing and recrowned, I've always loved that look. It just looks kick ass.

The front strap and main spring housing are going to have the chain link texture treatment. While I love checkering this is going to be a competition and carry gun and the checkering can get a little rough on the hands and clothing. The gun will have the standard GI plug and spring guide and the sights are going to be of the Heinie Straight 8 ledge design and have the wider rear sight notch of .156". The Talon usually has the rear of the slide checkered, but as the front strap and MSH are not to be checkered I'm opting for just having the rear of the slide serrated to match the Heinie sights. To finish it all off, the frame and barrel will be hard chromed with the slide wearing what NHC calls Diamond Black, but is better known as Ion Bond. There's one more major change, but I'm keeping that one under my hat as I think it's going to be a nice surprise when the gun is finished.

Due to the Ion Bond, the lead time is 18 weeks instead of the usual 13 weeks so I should have the gun sometime in September.

The Story of My First Gun Purchase.

A thread popped up on DC regarding why did you buy your first gun and it got me thinking of my first firearms purchase which was my fourth firearm as my first three came from my dad.

Enjoy:

Well this is kind of a funny story.

My FIRST gun was a present from my father, as well as my 2nd and 3rd.

The fist gun that I bought was my Bushmaster AR.

It was during my post deployment leave in July of 2003 and I had just blown off meeting Lima in WI to hook back up with my ex, we had patched things up and I was going to propose to her...later (before I could pop the question) I found out about her and a little coke problem and broke things off, after I had all ready bought "The Ring."

I took the ring back to the jewelry store and told the clerk that I need to return an item, the clerk took the box and opened it and obviously recognized it as a wedding set and asked me what happened. I told him it was a long story and then he asked me what I was going to do. There was a gun show that day and I told him I was going to go buy a gun and his face turned as white as a sheet. I can only guess that he thought I was either going to gun down my ex or the jewelry store or something to that effect. I quickly explained my upbringing around guns, military service and the fact that I just liked guns and calmed his nerves. Why did I buy it? I just wanted one and thought that an AR variant was a fine "Welcome back" present to myself.

On a side note, the Bushmaster is now Lima's as I have my Noveske and she finds it very fitting that she is now in possession of the rifle that was funded by the return of a wedding ring that should have been hers in the first place... 

Bullseye Shooting-The Post Season.

Our winter bulleye league let out a month or two ago, I didn't really keep up with updates but I finished with a 511 average and ended up with a NRA Sharp Shooters badge and nine bars, not bad for a first time bullseye shooter, but I don't know if I'm going to stick with it it. I think my time would be better spent either reloading for IDPA/USPSA or just working from the holster in the basement with the snap caps and improve my mag changes. If I needed another reason not to do it next year, my wife was sworn into the USMC Reserves yesterday and will be shipping to Recruit Training on Oct 12th this year (Go get 'em honey! GET SOME!) and I wouldn't feel right leaving my son in day care longer than needed to go plink with the .22.

I think that with the money I would have spent on a new bullseye gun, better optic, and probably a new spotting scope would be better used on a Dillon given my grievances with my Lee (No, I haven't replaced it yet, but the time is drawing near), the local "major" sporting goods stores, Scheels is now carrying Dillon presses in stock and I'm just running out of reasons to get one.

On a side note, I mailed in my application to the Illinois State IDPA Championship that is to the held in July, a couple of us from the club will be traveling out and will hopefully make a good run at things. In the mean time I think I'm going to get the Baer outfitted with some new Heinie sights and maybe an ambi-safety.

Iowa to be Shall Issue as of 1-1-11

Governor Culver Signs Bill Standardizing Weapon Permit Process

DES MOINES – Governor Chet Culver today signed into law Senate File 2379, legislation that standardizes the weapon permit process across Iowa.

Iowa has historically been a “may issue” state, meaning that decisions on whether to issue an individual a permit to carry a weapon were made at the local level at the sheriff’s discretion, with inconsistencies among counties. Senate File 2379 makes Iowa a “shall issue” state in which individuals will be granted weapon permits unless they meet certain criteria for denial.

“I am signing this bill because I believe there doesn’t need to be any conflict between the freedom to carry firearms and public safety,” Governor Culver said during a signing ceremony at the State Capitol. “Instead, I believe that law-abiding citizens who are placed in situations in which their life and property are threatened should be able to protect themselves, and their families. When firearms are used properly by people who are trained in their use, public safety can increase in terms of crime prevention.”

The law does not grant automatic approval of application for permits for people who are likely to be a danger to themselves or their communities, but it provides that Iowans start with an assumption that an application will be approved, with reasonable safeguards for public safety. Sheriffs will be required to deny permits based upon applicants’ previous illegal acts, age restrictions (applicants must be over 21), and to applicants who are likely to commit a violent act with the firearm. People denied a permit under these limitations may appeal their case to an administrative law judge. Applicants for a carry permit must be knowledgeable and trained in firearm safety, and continue to show proficiency in control of the firearm.

“This bill strikes an appropriate balance, recognizing the rights of law-abiding Iowans guaranteed by the Second Amendment and the duty of local law enforcement officers,” Governor Culver said. “We all have a role to play in public safety. I believe this is a good bill that has the potential to keep Iowans safer.”

A sigh of relief as we were getting close to a veto due to inaction. Can't wait till 1-1-11 to ditch my nanny permit. Odd that as I'm typing this I am enjoying the fact that MI honors all State's permits (Yes I am thumbing my nose at my Sheriff) and am able to carry. This will be one happy new year indeed.