Bound for Tokyo, Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle launches his B-25 Mitchell from the heaving deck of the carrier USS Hornet on the morning of 18 April, 1942. Leading a sixteen-bomber force on their long distance one – way mission, the Doolittle Raiders completed the first strike at the heart of Imperial Japan since the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor four months earlier. Together, they completed one of the most audacious air raids in aviation history.
And seven didn’t come home…
It’s NOT about those of us that came back, it’s about those who didn’t make it home…
Take a moment, say a prayer for your freedoms and the military men and women who gave their lives that you may enjoy those freedoms.
Y’all may have seen comments by ‘Skidmark’ here and on other gun blogs. Sadly he’s passed away. Skidmark was Paul Henick, and he was a long time member and supporter of both VCDL and ODCO. Paul was always willing to step up, and did quite a lot in the Virginia gun activist community.
Sadly, I only met him once, but found him to be a true gentleman. If anyone is close, there will be a memorial next weekend-
Celebrating Paul Henick
Planning for this “Celebrating Paul Henick” event has been finalized, save a few details.
When: Saturday, June 4th beginning at 11:00am
Where: Deep Run Baptist Church, 10907 Three Chopt Road, Henrico, Virginia 23233 – in the Fellowship Hall, directly behind the church.
It would be nice if a number of people would be prepared to take the podium and share one or two stories about Paul with us.
This gathering of his friends will have food & beverages provided (no alcohol) at the same location.
Yes, you may OC, CC, or noC, but please no long guns.
Please send an email to [email protected] with the subject line being “Henick event – #__ attending.
If you don’t get the email sent, come on anyway – just trying to get a rough count.
Rest In Peace Paul, and know that others are continuing to carry the banner.
h/t .45ACP
Since this is Memorial Day weekend…
58,000 plus of our brothers and sisters didn’t make it back.
Nuff said…
![President Obama: (Still) The Greatest Gun Salesman in America [INFOGRAPHIC]](https://i0.wp.com/ammo.com/media/images/infographics/Obama-Still-Greatest-Gun-Salesman-in-America-Infographic.jpg?resize=800%2C8631)
Via: Sam at Ammo.com
Due to a technical issue that a few folks have brought to my attention, Barron has been researching the issue. As of now, he’s got cache off, which clears the script at the top of the page, but makes for a slow load.
It’s not your fault, and we apologize for the slowness, but would rather get the issue solved. It appears to be a glitch with the new version of WordPress.
More as I get info from Barron on this.
Peter’s got a new book out!!!
Hook the picture to go to Amazon!
From Peter-
It’s been a labor of love for me, because I grew up on a steady diet of what I’d call ‘classic’ Westerns; Louis L’Amour, Zane Grey, the ‘English Westerns’ of J. T. Edson, and the like. In military camps across Southern Africa, paperback copies of their books were in circulation. One sometimes had to wait to get hold of two or three copies in order to finish the story, because missing pages at the beginning and end could make the books a little impenetrable; but one knew there’d be more copies floating around at the next base.
I particularly strove for accuracy and historical authenticity. I’ve gotten very tired of reading (and watching) Westerns where the weapons, or the food, or the wagons, or the clothes, weren’t period-correct. The real thing was fascinating; the impact of the Industrial Revolution on so many areas of life was still making itself felt, so that from generation to generation, lives would be lived very differently. I was able to take my time while writing it, assemble a fairly decent reference bookshelf or three, and make sure that what I wrote was as accurate as I could make it. (I may have gone a bit too far in that direction for some readers, judging by early reviews, but it doesn’t seem to have stopped them enjoying it. So far, as I write these words, the book’s already garnered four 4-star and six 5-star reviews. That makes me very happy!)
The initial release is an e-book. A print edition will follow within weeks, as Castalia House gears up for it; and there may be some special news on that front, too. (Later on today I’ll put up an article about how I ended up at Castalia House with this book, and offering some thoughts on my experience working with them. It’s been a lot of fun. You can read their perspective on that here.)
I hope you enjoy reading ‘Brings The Lightning’ as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it. The sequel is already under way, to be published (hopefully) about this time next year.
Peter
I’m proud to have been a pre-reader for this effort from Peter. It’s very similar to Louis L’Amour in the style and content, but a little more depth of characters from Peter for the minor characters!!!
Go get it, you’ll enjoy it!!!
Have ‘pun’ with these:
A man’s home is his castle, in a manor of speaking
Dijon vu – the same mustard as before
Practice safe eating – always use condiments
Shotgun wedding – A case of wife or death
A man needs a mistress just to break the monogamy
A hangover is the wrath of grapes
Dancing cheek-to-cheek is really a form of floor play
Does the name Pavlov ring a bell?
Condoms should be used on every conceivable occasion
Reading while sunbathing makes you well red
When two egotists meet, it’s an I for an I
A bicycle can’t stand on its own because it is two tired
What’s the definition of a will? It’s a dead give away
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana
In democracy your vote counts. In feudalism your count votes
She was engaged to a boyfriend with a wooden leg but broke it off
A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion
If you don’t pay your exorcist, you get repossessed
With her marriage, she got a new name and a dress
The man who fell into an upholstery machine is fully recovered
You feel stuck with your debt if you can’t budge it
Local Area Network in Australia – the LAN down under
Every calendar’s days are numbered
A lot of money is tainted -Taint yours and taint mine
A boiled egg in the morning is hard to beat
He had a photographic memory that was never developed
A midget fortune-teller who escapes from prison is a small medium at large
Once you’ve seen one shopping center, you’ve seen a mall
Bakers trade bread recipes on a knead-to-know basis
Santa’s helpers are subordinate clauses
Acupuncture is a jab well done
Its been an interesting weekend. Final thoughts…
Less people than last year, at least from the crowds observed.
“Targeted” shoppers/lookers- Most of the booths I talked to said they had seen people coming in looking for/at specific items. A particular rifle, or pistol, or accessory.
‘Informed’ customers- People had done their research and were more price conscious than last year.
A lot of what I’d call “because I can” stuff… I mean how many people want a can for a .50 BMG? But Barrett has done it (with muzzle brake)!
Ballpark $17,000…
In the customers wanted it, so I built it…
Les Baer Commander sized 1911, in 9mm!!! Definitely drool worthy!
Ballpark is $3000. And yes, it’s a single stack.
Had to stop by Rock Island Auctions… Talk about drool worthy… 1866 Winchester Musket with Bayonet in .44 cal.
One of the few fully engraved Conrad Ulrich pieces out there. This one is known as the Three Graces. Estimates range from $300-500,000 for this rifle.
One of a pair of 1897 Winchester 12 Ga pumps. Interestingly, they are consecutive serial numbers!
These were actually shot, as you can see by the scuff marks on the slide, but the wood is absolutely beautiful.
And one of those one of a kind ones… Hermann Goering’s personal Gold plated Walther PPK along with his wring and cuff links. I’m sorry, but this is just over the top garish… 
I also stopped by Mountain House’s booth to chat with them about food storage, since I’m now back in Texas…
They’d also been getting specific and detailed questions all three days. How much, how long will it last, etc… I talked to one older gent (a customer) who had actually toured the plant in Oregon, and had been impressed with the cleanliness and honest answers of the people he talked to…
You can go look at the various research/reviews of freeze dried emergency foods, and Mountain House is always in the top three. Wesson Research is a good one for reviews and specific details…
I’m thinking about a specific post on this stuff, as a quick and dirty to get one through a week or two if necessary.
The usual suspects are one the way home, or back in their hotels by now, nursing sore feet, sore backs and sore brains (trying to figure out what and how to say stuff on short notice is NOT easy). Hopefully I’ve answered those who emailed me with requests/questions and I thank y’all for reading.
As always, Tam, DaddyBear, No lawyers only guns and money, Another day, Say Uncle, Shall not be questioned (all on the sidebar) were also putting up reports. There were a number of others, sorry if I don’t have the blogs and links, but it was a good turnout for us. The NRA gave us credentials this year, but didn’t give any to foreign media. Something to think about.
Thanks to the NRA for allowing us access.
Sadly, an era has truly changed… Larry Weeks was no longer smiling and cracking bad jokes at the Brownells booth this year. According to folks, he’s either shooting three gun, or playing with race cars. He will be missed. Larry was one of those truly class acts, and a gentleman and outstanding representative of Brownells and the gun culture itself.
The usual suspects are here, and it’s been great meeting up with folks that sadly I only seem to see at NRA. There are some truly interesting ‘things’ here, and the crowds are pretty heavy considering the weather.
The biggest kerfluffle, at least so far, appears to be over some of the new changes in the instructor side of the house. Sadly, I had to step out and make a phone call, so I missed it, but Keads and Aaron, the Shekel were there.
Roughly 700+ instructors were in attendance, so I’m sure it got interesting…
Georgiacarry.org were giving out some interesting buttons.
The derp was stronger this year, apparently the ‘reason’ was the old “because I can” rationale… Sigh…
I will be going back to specific booths tomorrow to try to get info from those folks who asked for it.
Oh yeah, in the because I can category…
Nighthawk/Korth are putting out a line of revolvers that start at over $3000 and go up. Uncle has his review up HERE, and here is a LINK to NH/K website…
Honestly, I think they are technically very advanced, but ‘revolvers’…
This is an almost three pounds (Empty) .357 or 9mm Supersport revolver. With rails… So you can put a scope on it AND a light, AND a laser. Not saying people aren’t already trying this, but it’s nose heavy already… And almost $5000.
With a rather interesting cylinder release… It’s effectively a push the lever/button.
And according to the designer, yes it IS dual caliber. See the little silver button above the green tag allows one to remove the installed cylinder and replace it. E.g. ,357 for 9mm or vice versa… 
This is the 4 inch version, at $3500. The weight is much more manageable.
The trigger pull is ‘quoted’ as 7-8lbs in DA, and under 2lbs in SA. Having said that, it is a smooth trigger, about as good as a good Python trigger.
It is a great example of fine German engineering, CNC machining, and precision fitting. But it’s not blued, and it’s not got wooden furniture. And they are proud of them
I will not steal Tam’s comment, but she would have won the Intarwebz with it. 🙂
In other news, SureFire has reduced the prices on some of their suppressors, and FN swears there will be a 20 inch barrel and a new upper for the SCAR-17… Maybe next year… CSAR is taking every one they currently build. Sigh…
Good get together at Rocky’s last night, as always fun to sit and chat with the gang. 🙂
