Is 22 Long Rifle now Short?

Sorry for the humorous and confusing title. It really is not a joking matter. People are hoarding ammunition. This always happens when the ugly head of gun banners rises out of the muck.

This week I took my wife to the gun store to let her handle some candidates for concealed carry. The plan was for her to handle a Ruger LCR.

Her hand is small and it just didn't fit. The salesman handed her a Browning 1911-22. She squealed ooh it feels great. It is 85% the size of a standard 1911. I wanted her to have a heavier caliber but it fits.

 One writer said, "the best concealed weapon is the one you will carry". I would add it is the one you will practice with. During our conversation she inquired about ammunition  We were told they didn't have any. An inquiry about the next delivery was a shoulder shrug. The wife said well I might as well buy a toy if I can't buy ammunition  I said well you could throw it at the bad guys.

I have heard that manufacturers generally setup their lines and run one type of ammunition until they have stockpiled a years supply. When there is a great run on supplies they are not able to respond quickly. When the suppliers catch up with demand and prices recede I will stockpile so that I don't get caught short again.

If you can find it buy it.

Keep your powder dry.

Gary Barker

Marlin / Ballard No. 2 Sporting Rifle

There are few things that fascinate me more that the proper restoration of
an antique be it a classic car, old gun, piece of Early American Furniture,
or what have you.




In this case the object of interest was a Marlin manufactured Ballard No. 2
Sporting Rifle from the 1870s.  I ripped this rifle from the clutches of
Col. Brett Boyd, proprietor of the SINGLE SHOT EXCHANGE magazine.  Nice
rifle it was, but I wanted a little more.

Col. Boyd earlier had the shot out .32 Long bore relined to .22 Long rifle
by Burgins Gun Shop.  Burgins worked in such a way that you could look
directly at the muzzle and find no evidence of a liner.  The only give away
was a perfect bore in an old rifle!

After I received it I turned the rifle over to Dallas gunsmith Jim Stacy.
Jim was a long time and the last gunsmith at Jackson Arms Antique Guns.
That shop closed in 1993 after a run of almost half a century.  I have been
in mourning ever since the day Jackson Arms shut its doors.  

Jim has worked on his own since then.  He built an Ohio Vincent .40 cal.
muzzle loading target rifle for me a while back.  It has a period correct
cantilever rear and globe with post and pinhead front sight on it.  You know
that old joke about the hill billy looking down the sights of his longrifle
and saying "that fly'll never be a father".  The same could be true of Jim's
Vincent replica if it had a young sharp eyed shooter.

After monkeying around with the Ballard for three years Jim turned out a
nice restoration.  The forend had turned black due to handling, and the butt
stock was light.  He made them the same color.  The corners of the barrel
flats had a number of little dents.  Jim took the dents out.  He restored
all the screw heads, and did an action job on the rifle.  Jim did a list of
other things, including touch up bluing, which I'm too fuzzy headed to
remember.

Last but not least he added a Leatherwood Hi Lux William Malcolm 6X, 3/4"
diameter, 18" long scope with outside adjustments.  Jim customized a set of
bases for the scope.

I am so pleased with the results I'm bursting with joy.  I hope the
photographs do some justice to Jim Stacy's work.  If the 100 degree Dallas
weather will calm down a bit, the Marlin Ballard will go to the range with
me.

Keep your Powder Dry,

Chris Barker 

Best List of Firearms Owners Manual Ever

Stephen Ricciardelli

There is a guy from Saint Marie, Montana named Stephen Ricciardelli. He has compiled enormous amounts of information about firearms. The main purpose for writing this blog is to make sure I do not lose his website address. My brother Chris sent me the link to his Firearms Owners Manual Page . I spent some time exploring his site. His main Firearms Page has great links. If you visit that page be sure to scroll down and see them. He also has a Firearms Catalog Page. You will also find a Reloading Page. On the Reloading Page you have to click on the target links to find his charts.

Take sometime and visit his site. I didn't see advertising even though there are links to some of my favorite manufacturers. It is not a slick site but is loaded with useful information, tables and charts. He does accept donations which I would encourage. Earmark this Blog page to keep up with this site.

Keep your powder dry.

Gary Barker

What five pistols would you choose? - George King's Choices

We have been asking folks what five pistols they would own if he could have just five. Choices were further limited by stating that they needed to be still in production, readily available and affordable. Still in production could be quality reproductions. I suggested the following categories: Home Defence, Concealed Carry, Hunting, Investment/Collectible, Plinking. Below are George King's choices.


Home Defence - Kimber   1911-A1----  45 ACP 

Concealed Carry -  Ruger SP-101  357  revolver      

Hunting - Colt Anaconda,  6" barrel   44 mag

Investment/Collectible - Wilson 1911-A1 45  ACP   classic   

Plinking - S & W model 19  357 mag,  6" barrel                             

 We want to hear your choices. Send an email to gary@gary-barker.com and let me know yours. Click here to view Chris Barker's choices. Click here to view Will Cordes' choices.

Keep your powder dry,

Gary Barker

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What five pistols would you choose? - Will Cordes Choices

We have been asking folks what five pistols they would own if he could have just five. Choices were further limited by stating that they needed to be still in production, readily available and affordable. Still in production could be quality reproductions. I suggested the following categories: Home Defence, Concealed Carry, Hunting, Investment/Collectible, Plinking. Below are Will Cordes choices and comments.

Home Defence

S&W Model 65 .357 Mag. (the revolver is simple to use, and neither me nor my wife has to think about things like is the safety on or is there a round in the chamber), although it's tough to beat a Remington 870 loaded with #6 bird shot (it makes a mess of anybody close, but it won't go through your interior walls).

Concealed Carry

S&W Model 1911PD .45 ACP (this is the Scandium frame, Commander size, light weight .45)

Hunting

S&W .500 Magnum (it'll stop anything)

Investment/Collectible

S&W New Century .44 Special (also known as the First Model Hand Ejector and/or the Triple Lock--the father of all N-frame S&W revolvers)

Plinking

S&W Model 41 .22 Long Rifle (the finest .22 target pistol still made)

Will Cordes is  a retired captain with the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office (the eastern suburb of Atlanta, GA), and a retired state agent with the Montana Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation. He is currently certified as a firearms instructor in Montana, and has e a private investigator's license.  He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy at Quantico, VA (170th Session, 1992), and is a member of the FBINA "Possible Club" (He shot a perfect score at the FBI Academy). He writes for the Single Shot Exchange. He readily admits that he is a Smith and Wesson fan as many of our readers undoubtedly are. We want to hear your choices. Send an email to gary@gary-barker.com and let me know yours. Click here to view Chris Barker's choices.

Keep your powder dry,

Gary Barker

What five pistols would you choose?

My brother and I were exchanging emails the other day and I asked him what five pistols he would own if he could have just five. I further limited his choices by stating that they needed to be still in production, readily available and affordable. Still in production could be quality reproductions. I suggested the following categories: Home Defence, Concealed Carry, Hunting, Investment/Collectible, Plinking. Below are his choices and comments.

Home Defence

U.S. 1911A1, .45ACP, U.S. Fire Arms makes the best one available today.  Colt makes a mediocre one.

Concealed Carry

SIG P-230, .380ACP, stainless steel, it'll digest any of the hot .380 rounds on the market, won't rust    next to your sweaty body, it's the size of a Walther PPK.  

Hunting

Ruger Old Model Super Blackhawk, .44 Mag. OR Thompson Center Contender w/ barrels in .30-30, .44 Mag., .22LR, and other needed calibers.

Investment/Collectible

4th Generation Colt Single Action Army, preferably engraved, made by Colt OR U.S. Fire Arms.  There are FEW investment grade handguns on the market today.  U.S. Fire Arms is ten times better than Colt.  

Plinking

Ruger Standard .22LR, semi automatic pistol, 4 3/4" barrel, fixed sights, steel frame NOT 1911A1 style plastic frame.  Looks akin to a Luger or Nambu, reliable, accurate, 007 good looks.  The Ruger Standard .22 auto is a unique design not imitated by others.  Alex Sturm and Bill Ruger created this in the late 1940s. 

My brother and I would like to open this discussion to others. Send your choices to my email address: gary@gary-barker.com and I may be able to post them in our next blog.

Keep your powder dry,

Gary Barker

Happy 100th Birthday 1911 .45 Automatic

My brother Chris Barker, III recently sent this note out to family and selected friends. A warm sentimental holiday greeting:

Happy 100th Birthday 1911 .45 Automatic

The John M. Browning designed, Colt manufactured, .45 caliber self loading pistol was adopted by the U.S. Government as the nation's standard sidearm and designated the U.S. Model of 1911.

Many fine pistols have been designed since, but none have equaled the 1911 .45 Automatic.  The 1911 proved itself the superior sidearm in World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.  Many troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have requested and have been reissued .45 automatics, as the current issue 9mm Parabellum Beretta has proved to lack in stopping power.

Now in 2011, if a need for self defense arose, I would reach for my Colt ,45 Automatic.

Best regards,

Chris

The year 1911 is a very special year for both my brother and I. Our father and our favorite pistols were born that year. Our father who served in the state legislature and the US Navy left us a special legacy. Upon his death, many years ago, we discovered that he had two 1911 .45 Automatic on the shelf in his office. One would assume that they were his service weapons. He had served in both the Atlantic and Pacific in World War II and had commanded a large tanker during the Korean Conflict. He entered Annapolis in 1927 at age 16. His father, a country doctor told him that cash was scarce. He needed to obtain an appointment from the local Congressman to secure a college education. Our grandfather planned for him to serve his obligation and enter medical school. Daddy enjoyed his life in the Navy and stayed until he reached the rank of Rear Admiral.

He was a very straight individual and certainly would have relinquished all US property to the appropriate authority.  The pistols we found were new in the box and never fired. The fact that there were two indicates that he planned for us to find and possess them. He was not a shooter during our lifetime, but both of us enjoy shooting sports. I suppose he had burned enough powder out of 8 inch barrels during the war.

I have to believe he had acquired them with us in mind. Perhaps he enjoyed the fact they were labeled 1911 his birth year. What a wonderful legacy for sons to receive from a father after his death. In 2011 I will certainly remember Rear Admiral Chris Barker, Jr and 1911 .45 Automatics as they celebrate the first hundred years of their heritage.

Keep your powder dry,

Gary Barker

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True Grit 2010

After John Wayne and Kim Darby’s portrayals of Rooster Cogburn and Mattie Ross, I was skeptical about how anybody could follow in their footsteps or possibly do an even better job.  I was amazed.  The new movie was simply wonderful.  The main roles were:

Jeff Bridges– Rooster Cogburn

Hailee Steinfield– Mattie Ross

Matt Damon– Texas Ranger LeBoeuf

Josh Brolin – Tom Chaney

It should be noted that Hailee Steinfield was truly 14 years old when she acted the part of 14-year-old Mattie Ross.  Ms. Steinfeld commented that the new things that she learned from that role were revolver shooting and cigarette rolling.  Noble achievements indeed.

My lifelong enthusiasm for old American firearms just about caused me to foam at the mouth while I was watching this newly made True Grit movie.  I believe the film was made with modern made replicas, as originals are now too valuable to be thrown around on a movie set.  Aldo Uberti in Italy makes the best replica 19th Century American firearms.  The best Ubertis are marketed by Cimarron Firearms in Fredericksburg, Texas.  The Cimarron guns are marked exactly as are the originals.  I do not know which gun maker was represented in True Grit, but I have a strong feeling that most of them were Ubertis.  Rooster had a 7 ½” barreled Colt Peacemaker and an 1873 Winchester rifle.  Mattie had a Third Model Colt Dragoon percussion revolver.  I’m not sure but I believe Ranger LeBoeuf’s sidearm was an 1875 Remington.  His Sharps Carbine was a military model as it has a side bar and a saddle ring.  It could have been made by Uberti, C. Sharps, or Shiloh.  In reality any military Sharps of that era would have been chambered for the .50-70 or .45-70 Government cartridge.  The cartridges in LeBoeuf’s belt appeared a bit too long to be .45-70s, but my eyesight isn’t so hot anymore.  Maybe they were .45-70s.  Tom Chaney’s rifle was a Henry lever action.  Every gun toting character in the film had a weapon that was absolutely authentic for the period of the movie, which I believe was somewhere abound 1876-1878.  There were Colt percussion revolvers, Remington and Colt cartridge revolvers, Henry rifles, 1866 & 73 Winchester rifles, and of course LeBeouf’s Sharps. I noted that all the gun leather was period correct as well.  One of the bad guys even has a Mexican triple loop holster.

Lastly, the English used in the movie was perfect for America in 1876.  The dialect for each individual was just right for his or her class.

Needless to say I loved the whole thing.  This new True Grit followed the book better that the John Wayne version.  Go see it.  You won’t be sorry.  

Keep your powder dry,

Chris Barker

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My 35 Remington

Several years ago my Brother blessed me with a Marlin Lever Action in 35 Remington. Over the years we have gifted each other firearms. I believe he would admit regretting every firearm that he or I have ever parted with.

For several decades we had the traveling 45-70. Also a Marlin. Sweet gun. I miss it. It was originally a wedding gift from his first bride. The rifle was great but the wife didn't work out. When a new bride came into the picture the traveling 45-70 moved to my house. I enjoyed that weapon. It was its own fireworks show if fired at dusk. After a while wife #2 was gone. Wife # 1 starting coming around again and the prize quickly changed homes again. The renewal failed but a new lady eventually came into the picture. The wedding gift again had to go. Unfortunately it was sold to an outsider. I still miss that weapon. Spouses come and go but a rifle is eternal.

After an inquiry about the 45-70 and an admission of it's sale a beautiful Marlin in 35 Remington arrived. It lived unattended in the back of a gun locker for several years. A new hunting club's terrain and vegetation created a need for a brush gun suitable for deer and black bear. It shoots fairly flat out to about 150 yards and its 200 grain bullet will maintain its course through light brush. After dusting it off and sighting it in, it produce a tight group. Most of our shooting is fairly short range and I choose to sight it in at only 50 yards. A shot group within a one inch diameter was produced. See the picture below. Most would believe without seeing but my friends would need proof.

It turns out it is a shooter. I love that gun and my brother too.

Keep your powder dry,

Gary Barker