I'm a big fan of the Ruger New Vaquero. In dimensions, it's comparable to the beloved Colt SAA. Mine has the short barrel, but a 7.5-inch barrel wouldn't add all that much weight and would probably boost velocity a bit. I shoot mine with a ... wait for it ... 255 Keith bullet (Lyman mould) at 800-90...

7.62 nailed it. But I want to address the transitioning thing. About the only reason to transition is if the long gun malfunctioned or ran empty and you didn't have time to reload. In which cases, since it's home defense/self defense, just open your hands and let it drop. Then go to handgun while i...

Another Update - Parts Ordered: For the front anchor point: Uncle Mike's Remington 760 and 7600 (1969 and Newer) Swivels (Blued, 1-Inch Loop) For the buttstock: GrovTec GTSW295 Heavy Duty Push Button Swivel Set Both were ordered from Amazon. I'm supposed to receive them next week. I didn't find a sl...

AN UPDATE: I've taken some steps with the Rossi R92 Trapper project, and I'm delighted! I received a stainless mag spring and follower from Steve's Gunz and installed them. It's reassuring to have those parts in place. The huge change came with the bolt-mounted peep sight , also from Steve. Wow, wh...

I enjoyed watching the movie, but if you really want to get you blood pumping about a 'hawk watch The Patriot or Last of the Mohicans. Lots of tomahawk work in both of those. Rob Agreed! Last of the Mohicans , especially, is an all-time favorite. It's one of the few films that's better than the boo...

Thank you for the encouragement, my friends! FWiedner : I think you're right. I chose the camp axe, as it has no spike or other "'hawk" features, besides the narrow handle and overall blade shape. The hammer poll should be useful. AJMD429 : That is one gorgeous Hospital Bolo! I always like...

Not long ago, my wife and I saw the independent Civil War era film: The Retrieval ( http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2635006/?ref_=nv_sr_1 ). One of the characters carries and uses a light 'hawk, and I was reminded that I really don't have a light axe that's easy to carry like that. After much Internet s...

I think the LCR is a solid choice. Another that I've always liked is the Ruger Bearcat. It's heaver than the LCR, but it's of steel construction with a longer barrel. I've seen guys "pack" them in a back pocket of their jeans. I would prefer a holster. Just a beautiful little revolver. Dir...

For typical HD use, I doubt you'd be doing much transitioning. :) If you find yourself carrying two guns around the house, you start out with the carbine & empty it, then switch to the handgun, you might consider just dropping the carbine. :) Denis Agreed! I would likely be using a long gun OR ...

Hi, all! I recently acquired an R92, .45LC, in the "trapper" length. I can't believe how light and short this carbine is! It's super-quick, and I plan to keep it as a home defense/self-defense long gun. I may also take it along as a vehicle gun on trips. If I'm going to practice SD work wi...

Jeepnik: I love it! What's the story on that really cool knife?

All my best,
Bob

Awesome thread, friends! I totally love Josey Wales , but I have to put The Good, the Bad and the Ugly a half step above it, in part for the music. The scene of "Tuco" (Eli Wallach) running through the cemetary to the tune of "The Ecstasy of Gold" is a favorite. Another favorite ...

With choices like that, I think I'd have some picnic / shooting parties with the family to see what everybody liked best! A novice who likes a firearm and enjoys shooting it is more likely to come along on range trips, especially fairly short range trips. If I had to pick one for everybody, it would...

Robert Adams -- author of the Horseclans series of books -- referred to it as a "pillow sword." Mine is a Cold Steel Gladius Machete.

Dirty Bob

I placed an interlibrary loan request with my public library. I hope to have it in hand in a coupla' weeks. Sounds like a wonderful movie, and I was unaware of it until just now!

Thank you!
Dirty Bob

Here in TX, a lot of ranchers and farmers are facing major damage by large numbers of feral, non-native pigs. It may not seem "sporting" to take them from a helo, but their numbers are huge, and people are getting desperate. My only real regret is that it's almost impossible to do anything...

Thanks for the positive comments, guys. My humble efforts so far have been interesting, but they pale in comparison to the work of Paco and others. Blaine's .54 RB Pyrodex load, for example, sounds like a lot of fun, doesn't it? Catshooter: I had to get Paco's book from Interlibrary Loan and have ta...

Thank you, Paco Kelly! I've been reading Paco's articles and, of course, Leverguns , for several years. I have also read the writings of C.E. "Ed" Harris, who has done some load experimentation similar to Paco's. I've been especially intrigued by the idea of quiet loads in centerfires. I'v...

I shoot at a private range in the middle of San Antonio. We have mostly trap shooting, but also have pistol, 50 yard and 100 yard shooting. It's pretty close to home, and it's nice to be alone at a range. I'm able to take reloading gear when working up a new load and load and test right there. The o...

Anyone try the Skinner Sight peep that mounts in the dovetail on the barrel? Looks like a very nice way to add a peep to a '94 without making any permanent changes to the gun. http://www.skinnersights.com/barrel_mount_6.html BTW, Griff, nice pics, and general agreement on the folding tang sights. I ...

A big plus of the .357 is that you can practice much more cheaply than with just about any cartridge that's suitable for short range deer. I strongly encourage learning to reload. You can get into it cheaper than you think, with a Lee Reloader press, a powder scale, an inexpensive priming tool, some...

You could use the ol' Rockchucker as a decapping press, with a universal decapper in it. I like to decap, then clean, then resize. With the used primer out, I think I can better inspect the cases -- including the primer pocket and flash hole -- before reloading.

Just a thought,
Dirty Bob

There are so many to choose from! The Lewis & Clark air rifle is not what I would have come up with, but it was important. How about: * The M1 Garand - first semiauto rifle in general military service, and it gave US troops much needed firepower in WWII * Colt Paterson - first production Colt re...

The Sigma may have been his choice, but I've heard good stuff about this most recent version of the Sigma: that it's much improved over the old version that some of the S&W employees had nicknamed the "Smegma." A good day at the range is better than waiting for TEOTWAWKI at home! All m...

If you're going with reloads, the .45 Colt is just a whole lotta fun! OTOH, the price of .45 Colt factory loads is more shocking than the price of gasoline, these days! Components for .45 Colt are also more expensive than, say, .357 Magnum. For hogs, I'd go with a caliber beginning with a "4,&q...

BigSky: Thank you for that post. I got a real chill reading it. Thank you also for your service and sacrifices in a time when those who gave so much were not appreciated by those who had everything given to them. My service was after 'Nam, in the 1980s, although my first commanding officer had been...