Just peeking around...

New stuff added through the day, btw.

Geoffrey, at Dog Snot Diaries, offers his response to people asking about why he needs more than one gun... and points us to Jeff at Alphecca who elaborates... I agree with Jeff, though I find his taste in modern firearms to be *terribly* declasse. I would add to his list - the history. Of course, with his morbid interest in the new and common, that wouldn't be one of his reasons... If it ain't 50 years old or older... who *does* need more than one of those? Snerk.

The answer to the puzzlers from yesterday. The top headstamp is a Czech 7.62x45 round - the original chambering of the CZ52 rifle. Mine (top rifle, the other is a Hakim) is in that caliber, hence I have a bunch of that ammo. Some of the sharper-eyed and knowing among you noted the corrosion. Laquered-steel casing, stored badly before I got it. I hadda buy 3000 rounds to get 1500 rounds I considered safe to shoot (hey, I spent $100, it was *still* a deal). The ammo is in stable storage now, and I clean it up and touch up the laquer as I get a chance. No, I wouldn't consider any of this ammo to be reloadable.

The second headstamp is that of the M82 Primer, in this case made at Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant. The M82 is used as the initiator for 155mm (and formerly, the 8 inch) howitzers. It has a black powder load. If you look at the second photo, the "teeth" are the petals that ICW the wad and some laquer, seal the primer. So yes, Virginia, we still use black powder in our artillery to this day... Boquisucio got it first, in two tries. Phil, a young Redleg currently serving in-theater with D Btry 2/180 FA came in second - but was correct straight up on his first try. Geoff from Australia came in third - also on his first try! Given time differences, first second and third don't really matter. If I were in a 'declare a winner' mode - nod goes to Phil - for a complete answer, with nomenclature, Geoff 2nd, with a correct id of artillery primer, and Boq 3rd, cuz he hadda try twice... the others who tried, thanks! You timid souls who didn't even try - fooey!

Ry asks, What Jet Fighter are you?

I'm an F-15. I can live with that.

Update: Given the fact that *everyone* I know has shown up as an F-15, a phenom Fuzzbear Lioness noted as well (and this includes office mates not appearing in this film) I decided to run some tests. The results are in the extended entry.

This is one hard-ass Pizza Guy!

Jon U - we honor your courage and mourn your passing. (see www.bugmenot.com for login data)

Jon U certainly didn’t think about his own safety when he heard Ruth Peck’s screams on the afternoon of May 20 as she struggled with a man who wrenched her purse away from her in a busy Olathe parking lot.

The full article is here.

I left the following entry in the guestbook:

It is the actions of men and women like Jon that mark the difference between civil society and anarchy. The Police cannot, and should not, be everywhere, everywhen... we as citizens must actually set the tone.

While this is a tragedy for Jon, his family, his friends, and Lord knows this wasn't the outcome anyone sought - society is better for the fact that there are people who will *act* and do so in a principled manner.

Thank you Jon, for being a shining example.

God bless and godspeed.

Go - add your own.

CAPT H reports the new Canadian rifle, the C7A2 is now in service with Her Majesty's Northern Hordes.

Ry sends along this bit of Coast Guard news.

Castle Chief of Security Sergeant B's wife, Kodiak Momma 6, was injured in an auto accident yesterday. Go give her some well-wishing! That's an order!

Zoot alors! Much is made clear now! Frenchmen are certainly sensitive fellas!

Castle Philosopher Kat has a great post on Women in Combat. I don't agree with her - but I'll let you read her post and the comments to see where I disagree.

Sagacious Blonde ALa has a hair-raising post for you.

Approaching from the cerebral aspect:

Approaching from a brute force aspect:

Aggressive but steady:

So yes, there is some variation. We're just all clones of each other, apparently.