M2

Shooting at a single target with a semi-auto Glock, it still takes about 10 seconds to go through 30 rounds. Just watch this U-tube vid... Notice the gun jams once; but even without that (he clears it pretty quickly) the shooter can still fire about three rounds per second. But remember he was shooting at a single target, which speeds things up considerably. I am not sure how close in proximity the victims were to each other, but since Loughner shot multiple individuals (20), it would have added considerably more time to re-acquire each. In my opinion, I would guess he would have been able to shoot for at least 20-30 seconds before he was tackled; so you can’t really claim it was “immediately.” Given the crowd at the location, there had to be many people within a few feet the shooter who could have taken him down while he was going through that 30-round clip. A person could have also drawn a weapon and shot him within 3-5 seconds (I can draw my weapon in a second or so, which is about normal). Now, considering the number of people present at the time of the shooting, it would have been a very risky shoot. Even with JHPs, there is a good chance of hitting innocent people even at a short range. Studies have shown few actual hits occur at even during close distance gunfights by professionals such as law enforcement officers; so the probability of someone else being hit would have been very high. So what's the answer? I don't know, I wasn't there and it would be tough for anyone to speculate what they would have done under such circumstances. Honestly, most people's first natural reaction would be to flee from the threat; and I believe it would have taken an armed individual a few seconds to evaluate what was going on and react. Could an armed individual have stopped the shooter? Sure, it's very possible; but it's just as likely that more innocent people could have been injured and/or killed. Also, you have to take into account that if an armed citizen intervened, to responding police officers or other people they would have been just a person with a gun and there is a high likelihood that they too could have been tackled or even worse shot and killed while being mistaken for the original shooter. It's a tough situation with numerous scenarios as to how it could have played out. We can Monday morning quarterback it to death, but the only facts are what happened and the tragedy of it all. I too am worried about the fallout from this incident, it wasn't surprising that someone has already used it for more anti-gun fodder much like after President Reagan was shot. Arizona has some of the most liberal gun laws in the country, to include open carry; it will be interesting to see what affect, if any, this incident will have on them. But the bottom-line truth is they can pass all the laws they want, it doesn't stop tragic events such as these from happening... It all makes me glad I picked up a Bulgarian 75-round drum for my AKs a few weeks ago, as well as a 1260-round can of Romanian ammo at the gun show yesterday! Every time gun control nuts pipe up, prices follow! I wish the surviving victims a quick and full recovery, and hope that the deranged shooter and any accomplices he may have had are brought to justice quickly and feel the full extent of the law! Cheers! M2

Not quite, read Neil Armstrong's history on Wikipedia. In 1947, Armstrong began studying aerospace engineering at Purdue University under the Holloway Plan. Applicants were committed to four years of study, followed by three years of service in the Navy, then completion of the final two years of the degree. But in January 1949 he was called-up to the Navy and reported to NAS Pensacola for flight training. During his 18 months of training, he qualified for carrier landing aboard the USS Cabot and USS Wright; and on August 12, 1950--a week after his 20th birthday--he was notified that he was a fully qualified Naval Aviator. He then served, to include flying combat missions in Korea, until 1952 when he transferred to the Naval Reserve and returned to Purdue. After he graduated, Armstrong decided to become an experimental, research test pilot. More details at the link, but while it was NROTC, things were very different then than they are today... Cheers! M2

OK guys, better pics of the Vietnam bring-back T53 I got earlier this week... The bolt is mis-matched but from what I've read that's not uncommon. Otherwise, it's all matching (even the stock), to include the paperwork! Only $300, which is a frigging deal! Cheers! M2 p.s. The guy that brought it back 40 years ago was from Tucson. I know a retired police detective out there who is checking to see if he can find out any info about him. An online search found his name mentioned in an obituary as "having proceeded his brother (the deceased) in death" but I can find no obituary for him. I don't want to bother him (if he's still alive) or his family (if he's not); but if he did pass away and there was an obituary, it might provide some more info on his military service during the Vietnam War...

Yeah, 'cause guys like this don't know shit about war! Just look at all those uniform violations!!! And not a single reflective belt in the bunch!

Looks like they're pushing for more people to go the IAS/PAS/RAS route...

Just trying to keep pace with you, my brother! Nice Glock, I think we're both gonna have a nice arsenal and a depleted savings account! Cheers! M2

Lots of funny comments in that link, but you could've included the pic! Cheers! M2

While I am trying to slow down my Mosin habit, I happened to stumble across this Chinese T53 carbine that is a documented Vietnam bring-back for sale locally at a great price, and just had to snag it! I just got it about a half hour ago, so all I've got are the photos from the ad; but it's in really good shape! The rifle is almost all matching--to include the stock which I found odd, 'cause I've never seen a Chinese Mosin marked like that. The only exception is the bolt, which doesn't bother me as it is very common especially for Vietnam War bring-backs. It is a 1960 Factory 26 (/26\) with no indication of any import markings on it. I will take some good pics in a day or two, but the serial numbers matched the paperwork and while the paperwork (DD Forms 603 & 603-1) did state it was a Russian M44 in two places; that was a common error and doesn't bother me either. I got a nice Vietnam bring-back T53 at an excellent price! Cheers! M2

I was bored and watched Zombie Strippers on Netflix, and it wasn't as bad as I was expecting! As a matter of fact, it was almost entertaining! Watching Jenna Jameson decompose throughout the movie was interesting, as there are parts of that woman that will never rot (and some that are already rotting!) Robert Englund (of Freddy Krueger fame) did pretty good in his role. The entire movie was shot on a $1,000,000 budget in 18 days, and it shows; but for free it was worth it if you've got some time to kill. Plus, there are a few good lines in it... Cheers! M2

And free on-demand with some cable providers...

Ditto!

Why? Big boy rules apply, if he's an idiot and wants to make a fool of himself (and he's not doing anything illegal), then let him...

Well, we do have to put up with months of searing heat and drought; but I'd rather endure that than sub-freezing temps! Cheers! M2

Temps in the upper 60s/low 70s, and after a couple of days or rain the sun's out and is expected to stay that way for the next ten days...but there are some real idiots on the roads around Universal City, so I stick with rides out into the Hill Country.

I've decided not to waste the time/gas to go back over to the other side of SA, and ordered some from Nametags4U instead... Cheers! M2

The Aussies have always had a good sense of humor... Cheers! M2

WTF? Watched a pretty funny movie the other nice, titled Roll Bounce, about a bunch of black kids roller skating during the late 1970s. In it was an old disco song called 'Get Off' by a band called Foxy that I remember from "back in the day." It was a great dance tune back when everyone wore polyester, not just those wearing the Air Force service dress. So, my 13-yr-old son asked me more about it, so I looked it up on YouTube and holy shit, it's a bunch of white dudes!! I swear I always thought it was sung by black chicks, it sure as hell sounds like it and back in those days we didn't have MTV (hell, we didn't even have cable television!) so radio was the only time we heard the tune. The dude on the far right should sue Sacha Baron Cohen for stealing the Borat character from him! I bet these guys are celebrating the overturning of DADT! Fucking hell... Cheers! M2

Reasonable, it is why the vast majority of my handguns are in .45 or 9mm. Yep, that's how I am with my .455 Webley Mk VI, .38S&W Webley Mk IV, my two .357s, my .38 Special and my two M1895 revolvers. I just keep a handful of ammo on tap for each of them in case I ever feel like shooting them. For some reason I've always had an interest in Russian/Warsaw Pact firearms, and as you know I am a big history buff. It's much easier collecting Commie milsurp than US, cheaper too! Speaking of history, there's a factory engraved one-of-a-kind 100th Anniversary Colt 1911 on GunBroker.com... As a very special bonus, the high bidder will be invited to visit the Colt Factory in Hartford, Connecticut on March 29, 2011-the official 100th Anniversary of the U.S. Army's approval of the 1911 as the U.S. Army sidearm. Winner will be given a private tour of the factory, will have lunch with Colt Management, receive a package of special Colt logo items and collectibles and will have photos taken with the Colt engravers. During this visit, the high bidder will visit the Colt Historical Department and will be presented with an official document authenticated his Colt as the one and only 100th Anniversary 1911 featured as the 2011 SHOT Show gun and featuring the historic 1911COLT2011 Serial number. And to top off this special package, the high bidder will have the opportunity to have his or her initials engraved on spare mainspring housing as a keepsake or to have installed on their 1911. Currently it's sitting at $50,000 with only just over 27 days left, so hurry up and get your bids in!! Cheers! M2

I agree completely, and some comments have been removed. This thread is to mourn a lost brother and his wife, keep it on topic or there will be hell to pay. If you have problems with that, feel free to discuss it with me via a PM.

Brick Good write up, and I too typically subscribe to "simplified ammo logistics" when acquiring firearms. The main reasons I dumped my .380 was due to the lack of availability and high cost of ammo, but the fact that it was the only gun I had in that caliber made the decision much easier. Of course, it was also a piece of shit Kel-Tec; and .380 is now easier to find (heck, our local Walmart has it in stock); but there was nothing about the round that would draw me back to it unless of course, I find a good deal on a Taurus PT738! That said, "9mm Kurz" basically means "9mmm short" in German. I prefer the "normal" 9mm Luger myself, and in fact traded the P3AT I had for a Taurus PT111 and later acquired a single-stack PT709 Slim. Both have been great pistols, and ammo is cheap and plentiful. Of course, I also own a couple of Russian Nagant M1895 revolvers that use the really odd 7.62x38R round in which the bullet itself is contained within the shell casing. You can use a .32S&W Long in it, but it can be risky. Cheers! M2

WTF? Will Farrell plays David Bowie? John C. Reilly as Bing Crosby? First, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyvf7E-trac...for those of you who may not be aware of the David Bowie/Bing Crosby collaboration. Then, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiOwX5G7OpY, because someone thought it was funny... Personally, I think it warrants a big 'WTF?!?' OK, maybe it's a little funny at the end, but still...

Shit, there was about a dozen Asian women in there who barely spoke English; I had a momentary flashback before I remembered where I was! I think I was getting the brush-off, to be honest, the scraggly hair and beard may have caused them to think that way. I'll stop by there again whenever I find myself on that side of town, which isn't that often.

Went by Jean's Embroidery outside of Randolph last Friday to see if they had any mini Texas flag patches. Was told not only did they not have any, but also that they couldn't make any until the new year. WTF? Won't be rushing back there anytime soon to put in an order...

Well, add another AK to the herd! I picked up the Khyber Pass clone today along with four Russian bakelite mags for $825... Merry Christmas to me! Cheers! M2