Sequester?

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Oh, the sequester!  The humanity!  The absolute tragedy of the cuts to government.  Thousands of workers laid off, lots of problems in airports, everything is going to grind to a halt.  If you believe any of that, we need to talk about a bridge I'm trying to sell.

They're not cutting anything, simply slowing the growth of government.  This whole sequester problem is only a problem if you believe that government should grow every year at a set rate.  This graphic from George Mason University shows how they intend to cut government under the sequester.


That looks like quite a cut, doesn't it?  Such a cut that government continues to grow.  No, dear friends, our problem is that we elected a President who doesn't understand that cutting a budget entails spending less money than we spent last year.

Mr. President, we intend for you to cut a trillion dollars from next year's budget, not simply slow the growth of government, but to actually use smaller numbers than you used last year.  A trillion dollars in next year's budget would be a good step.  A good first step.

Discussing 'Gun Control', a point that needs making....

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In discussing the issue of 'Gun Control' with people bent on disarming the citizenry, no matter the consequences.... there is nothing to talk about.

On the other hand, when speaking to people of good intent, but perhaps poorly informed or having been led down an illogical path.... there is a line of questioning that's proven immensely valuable.  It sidesteps all other points, leaves the Constitutional angle out completely, and calls into question every single gun control law already existing.

It's such an easy and honest argument to make, such a salient point to make, that those who devoutly argue in favor of disarming citizens invariably refuse to even acknowledge the  question.  It's such an obviously unattainable point to a mind already closed to thought, that person utterly ignores the question, refusing to even admit it was spoken.

It's so simple, really.  It's just these two little sentences.... which drive straight to the heart of the debate, re-framing it completely in the terms of Human Rights.


Do human beings have the right to defend themselves?

If so.... do human beings have the right to own the means of defending themselves?


Try it out on yourself.  Roll those words through your mouth and give voice to them.  Can you imagine an argument against the basic right of human beings to defend themselves against violence?    Now, carried one logical step farther.... who can argue that people have the obvious right to do something, but no right to the means of doing it?

It would be akin to claiming people have a right to breath, but no right to lift their head above the water.

The next time you find yourself debating 'gun control' of any kind, take the discussion t o these points.... and go no farther til you have an answer.  It's a matter of Human Rights.  It's a matter of right and wrong.  

The 'Ammo Shortage'.... what's your thoughts?

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Folks, Carteach is trying to get a sense of what people are seeing across the country right now.  Regarding the ammunition supply issue, a few questions in hope of generating discussion...

Can you get what you want, only at higher prices?

What are you seeing happening at the stores you normally buy from?

What are you hearing through the rumor mill about this?

What are your thoughts long term?


I'll chime in first, of course, to get the ball rolling.  Can I get what I want? Mostly, yes. Prices are higher, no doubt.  It helps that I can load almost anything I wish myself.  Rimfire prices are a bit vexing, and there is no such thing as "I'll come back tomorrow" when you find it for sale.

The stores I normally buy from are running thin, leaning towards bare shelves on most everything.  Prices have jumped.... a LOT.... but that is to be expected.  Wholesale prices on ammo has also jumped, in some cases by 100%.  

I've been watching the wholesale websites, and supplies that do show up vanish fast... very fast.  Sometimes within minutes.  The only thing generally readily available are the high ticket items, like buck-a-round premium defensive ammo and such.  I see the same on reloading supplies as well.

What I am hearing, from the most credible sources I have, is that this is likely a typical politically generated run on the supply, and will probably ease up in a few months as people lose their fear.  On the other hand, should Pres/Congress/States do more silly grandstanding, it could really extend that period.   I hear short term = a few months, and long term = well into next year.

Meanwhile, Think I will replenish my supply of primers and powder ..... today.

Putting a few aside: The Chinese Type 53 Carbine

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I recall my Dad used to buy canned food by the case when he saw it at a good price.  It was stored in the cellar, on shelves, and there was no inside door to the cellar.  Not infrequently, 'Boy' got sent for a few cans to round out the dinner menu.  I used to catch a lot of crap because I thought putting on shoes a waste of time when I was only going to be a few seconds going to the cellar..... snow or no snow.


The point is.... my old man would buy it when cheap, buy a bunch, and put it away til it was needed.  That's not a bad philosophy, and applies to far more than canned peas.

This brings us to today's adventure.... unpacking a pair of Chinese Type 53 carbines recently added to the collection.

The Chinese worked hand in hand with the Soviet Union for quite some time, and that included transfers of technology.  Thus, the Russian M-44 carbine, itself a shortened version of the 91/30, which in turn was derived from the Mosin Nagant of 1891...... became the Type 53 carbine.  Obsolete before it was ever built, the Type 53 had the feature of being cheap... very cheap.... and very easy to manufacture by the boat load.  That, and the fact the Soviet Union would quite literally trade/sell ammunition for the rifle by the shipload, and  suddenly the recycled Mosin design looked pretty good.  At least, to the Chinese it did, when they had a stupendously large army and a stupendously tiny treasury.

Now collectors and shooters are seeing the Type 53 in the United States at deeply discounted prices.  A few years ago, they were available for $69 at every gun show, by the dozens.  Now, one will bring $130 or so pretty easily, and have been seen changing hands at $200 since the crazy times set in (Thanks Mr. President!).

The Type 53 (slash M-44) is indeed a Mosin rifle, chambered in the full power 7.62x54mm Russian round designed at the turn of the century.  The last century.  As in the 1890's.  It's a rimmed cartridge of roughly 30-06 ballistics in it's modern loadings.  Loaded for shooting from the longer barreled 91/30, the short barrel of the Type 53 gets rather 'barky' when fired on the line.

To paraphrase something The Fat Man overheard from a nice lady the last time someone brought a Mosin Carbine to the match..... "Who the %$#@ brought the %^#@!$^%# CANON??"

Looking exactly like a shortened and much handier copy of the Mosin 91/30... because it is.... both the M-44 and the Type 53 bear a rather unusual feature.  That being a permanently attached bayonet that is hinged to the barrel and swings back alongside the stock.

The rifle itself is .... um..... how  to say....... ugly.  There is no other way to put it.  It is, in fact, so ugly that it's attractive in many ways.  Like a scraggly puppy who's the runt of the litter, you just want to pick and up and play with it.  Shooting it reveals this puppy to have a hell of a bark, and a pretty stiff bite as well.  That said, it's a fairly effective battle rifle for very little money, no matter how one looks at it.


Now, regarding that whole notion of 'putting things aside'.  Here, the relative cheapness of the Type 53 carbine, and the ammunition to feed it, make it a natural for such things.

Depending on local markets and the power of bulk buying, a Type 53 and a 'spam can' (440 rounds) of surplus Russian ammunition can be purchased for roughly $200 to $250.  At that price level, hiding away a few of these rifles and a case of ammo is not such a crazy idea. At the very least, it's an investment who's value can only grow.  At the very worst.... well, lets save that thought for another day.

There is a bit of work associated with owning such a beastie.  They will typically arrive as packed by a Chinese conscript, and that means in occasionally rough condition and so-so preservation.   Care must be taken to thoroughly clean the rifle, with special attention to scrubbing the bore.  The 7.62x54mm round has always been corrosively primed, which is no problem when a weapon is properly cleaned after use.  Not all the Type 53's were, sadly.  

It's not uncommon for the first swab pushed down the barrel to pile up an eight inch plug of grease ahead of it.  This is the equivalent of a blocked bore, and under NO circumstances should any surplus military weapon be fired till the bore is cleaned out and the unit function checked by someone who knows what they are doing.

Completely stripping the rifle down would be a good idea, and is not difficult at all.   Remember.... these rifles were designed to be used and maintained by peasants drafted into the military. Much of what the rifle might need can be done with little more than a crude screw driver and a handy rock.

Consider the possibilities.   Despite being more than a little outdated, the little carbine is quite powerful, fairly effective, and extraordinarily cheap. Ammunition is plentiful and inexpensive right now, and stocking away a case or two and a few rifles won't break most budgets.  It can be used for recreational shooting, hunting, and...... for hard times.  As this cost, a few can be set aside for giving to the neighbors in a 'Katrina' like emergency, even, or whatever other perilous time should come along.

Think about it.

 

Speaking about putting some away....

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As I am doing my reloading project, and filling cans with ammo for the year's shooting, each container is getting a few of these put in it:

Silica Gel Desiccants

I've seen the results of damp storage over time, and written about it here on the blog.  I expect to use this ammunition before corrosion becomes an issue, but if I don't get to it in the near future I'll be damned if I open that can in a few years just to find nastiness.

The 'Ammo Shortage'.... what's your thoughts?

To contact us Click HERE



Folks, Carteach is trying to get a sense of what people are seeing across the country right now.  Regarding the ammunition supply issue, a few questions in hope of generating discussion...

Can you get what you want, only at higher prices?

What are you seeing happening at the stores you normally buy from?

What are you hearing through the rumor mill about this?

What are your thoughts long term?


I'll chime in first, of course, to get the ball rolling.  Can I get what I want? Mostly, yes. Prices are higher, no doubt.  It helps that I can load almost anything I wish myself.  Rimfire prices are a bit vexing, and there is no such thing as "I'll come back tomorrow" when you find it for sale.

The stores I normally buy from are running thin, leaning towards bare shelves on most everything.  Prices have jumped.... a LOT.... but that is to be expected.  Wholesale prices on ammo has also jumped, in some cases by 100%.  

I've been watching the wholesale websites, and supplies that do show up vanish fast... very fast.  Sometimes within minutes.  The only thing generally readily available are the high ticket items, like buck-a-round premium defensive ammo and such.  I see the same on reloading supplies as well.

What I am hearing, from the most credible sources I have, is that this is likely a typical politically generated run on the supply, and will probably ease up in a few months as people lose their fear.  On the other hand, should Pres/Congress/States do more silly grandstanding, it could really extend that period.   I hear short term = a few months, and long term = well into next year.

Meanwhile, Think I will replenish my supply of primers and powder ..... today.

Once again... deal alert on the same danged shotgun bandoleer

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They gone and done did it again..... another price drop on those 12 gauge shotgun bandoleers. I'm getting to the point that these are how I store 12 gauge ammunition now.  They are just so easy to grab and carry,  all but putting ammo boxes to shame.  A regular gym bag is all that's needed to carry a LOT of shotgun ammo, holding a bunch of these all curled up.

I'm a firm believer in the shotguns role in home defense, but it has a downside.  No matter how fancy the 'Riot Gun', it's going to be limited in capacity.  Defensive shotguns run dry SOOOO fast... and need to be topped off on the go.  That presents a problem in carrying the heavy and ungainly shotgun shells.  This bandoleer solves that problem.  One over the shoulder motion, and 50+ rounds are across the shooters body in perfect position to feed a reload. One need not even look at the shells... just running a hand down the bandoleer in a swipe locates the next shell, already oriented correctly.

Aim Sports Shotgun Shell Bandolier/56 Rounds