News

So, I was going to wait until my start date for this post, but my wife beat me to it without telling me. Since the cat's out of the bag...

I am starting a new job with the Louisiana Department of Probation and Parole.

I'm pretty excited about it.

pocketknife

Okay, so it's a stock image, but I don't have a camera handy. I am currently carrying a Kershaw Leek, just exactly like the one in the photo, with the pocket clip removed. I'm not a fan of pocket clips. I carry a pocketknife in a pocket.

This is a great knife, but sometimes I change it out for an Opinel No. 7, which is a GREAT knife.

Also, I used to carry a full sized Case Sodbuster, but I lost mine about a month ago... I'd had it for about 15 years, and I need to buy a replacement...

Anyway, meme complete.

Still Kickin'

Hey, guys, I'm still here.

I am still doing living history and making holsters, but I have a butt-ton of stuff going on in my life right now. It's all good stuff, so I'm happy, and when things settle down (probably in October) I will fill everyone in on what's new in my life.

Hope all is well, blogosphere!

Talk to ya'll later!

More Leather

I've been doing a lot of leatherworking lately. I've been jonesing over a Galco Jackass rig for my 1911, but, alas, it hasn't been in the cards. Last week, I decided that, hell, I know how to work leather, so I went to Hobby Lobby to buy some supplies.

I bought a belt blank to cut up for straps, some button snaps, and I got a large Farmer's bundle of leather. Next I ran to Lowes, and I got a large metal ring, and a length of chain, and I was all set.

I used the small chain links as the metal bindings for the holster and magazine pouch, and the snaps made the thumb break and tie-downs easy to operate, but I had to do some serious thinking about how to set up the strapping. Eventually, I just cut the straps into 4 even pieces, and ran them through the ring, taping them with masking tape, and adjusting them until I had a good fit. I think it turned out.

Here's a picture of me wearing the rig.

Here's a concealed picture.

I do like it, but it is a bit bulky for summer wear, and I wanted another project, so I tackled a pancake holster for my S&W J-frame. I had to do some serious wetting to fit the firearm to the holster, but I got it shaped well then dried it on the clothesline before oiling it.

I truly like this rig for summer wear.

Wilson's Explanation

In comments, Wilson asked for an explanation of the 1/2M.O.A. post.

Basically, I was shooting my savage, with the new stock, and it was the first chance I've had to really wring it out. I went with my dad to the sheriff's range, and settled into the 300 yard range. I had to work with my mil-dot scope to get the elevation right, but after a little tweaking, I found my groove, and the rifle did it's part. My rifle was a 1M.O.A. rifle at 200 yards before. Seems the stock shrunk my groups a bit.

Anyway, Wilson, and all my readers, sorry for the terse post. hope that explains it a bit better.

1911 Grips

I've decided to try my hand at making grips. I enjoy working with my hands, and it passes the time. I had a few pieces of poplar lying around, so basically, I just used another set of grips to trace a pattern, and I cut them out with a jigsaw. After drilling the holes, I shaped them with a pocketknife, and sanded them smooth. I coated them with polyurethane, which gave them a slight amber color. After installing them, I realized that I forgot to put the bevel on the bottom edge of the grips, so they have flat bottoms.

I like them, though.


I was also going to make a set for my dad, using red oak, but when I was digging around, I came upon this great piece of deer horn, so what the hell, I decided. I mad my dad a set of stags for his Kimber. They are a little outside of spec, as I was working with an irregular section of horn, but they turned out ok... I just wish I would have flattened the back of the left grip just a tad more.
Ah, well. They still look nice.

1/2 M.O.A.

1.42 inches at 300 yards? I think so...

New Leather

I made a purse for my wife while she was away in Florida. Monogrammed, with a 'clutch' style handle, and a flat bottom, so you can stand it upright. I like how it turned out.

Father's Day

Yesterday was Father's Day. I made my dad a holster, and gave it to him last week, but I'll let him tell you about it.

My wife is leaving to visit family next week in Florida, and she's taking my car, because it's a gas-saver, so I'm picking up my dad's motorcycle tonight. it's a Honda Goldwing. Super-gas saver, and about as comfortable as you can get on two wheels.

And next Monday? Why the old man, my brothers and me are going to a 300 yard range.

Heh.

.308 Monday

Monday, my father and I traipsed off to our private range for a little trigger time. I recently updated my .308 with a Choate stock, and I wanted to see how it shot. Results were good, with my group average being around 8/10ths of an inch. Most groups were around 3/4 of an inch. I also brought a Handi-rifle in .308 of my father's that I will probably be hunting with this year. It shoots well, but I will probably take it out a few more times to make sure it's right.


Dad brought two hunting rifles as well, both in .308. He had a Savage and a Remington with him. both gave great cold barrel shots. both are capable of taking game.


It was a great day.