YouTube Videos Soon... Hopefully

I'm trying to get some tacti-cool YouTube videos up and running. I'll try start filming tomarrow. I'm not sure on what subject matter I want to cover yet so I'm open to suggestions.

Immeadiate Action AR15 Setup

About a month ago, the wife and I picked up a pair of BushMaster AR15s at Cabelas. She liked the AR I had a year ago (that I sold :/) and wanted one of her own. Of coarse I wanted another one too so we got matching ARs. She uses hers for plinking and home defense and keeps hers plain jane.

I on the other hand, well I'm decking my loadout out. I'v got mine setup for Immeadiate Action use; ie. Why use a pistol when a rifle is a better force multi-plier?

Part of the loadout is a basic belt and magazine pouch seen here:


The pouch has enough room for two magazines. In addition to the pouch, I keep a Trauma Kit aft that is not in the picture.

Next is the actual rifle.



Mine is plain jane with one exception; a Redi-Mag.



The Redi-Mag is an intersting device that allows for very fast, efficient speed reloads. The down side is that it does add some wieght to the system but the added benfit of more efficient reloads and ammunition managment offset the weight issue.



As you can see I use a two point sling system. The sling used isn't tacti-cool or that latest wizz bang sling but the sling off of my SKS. I'll get a replacement SKS sling for the SKS but for now it rides on the AR15 becasue it is simple and very durable.

The magazines pictured are the MSAR composite magazines. I'm testing them for a local gun shop right now. They are OK but I'm not going to trust them to defense use just yet. For that I have two BushMaster 30 rounders and one C-Products Steel 30 rounder. In the defense mags I keep Hornady TAP FPD 55 grain loads. It wasn't cheap but it was worth every penny. I sighted in using the Hornady 55 grain FMJ loads that are loaded to a similar specification as the FPD but wasn't as hard on my wallet. Now that the rifle is sighted in for the defense ammo, I'll shoot whatever is cheap (brass cased ammo prefered) for range/ plinking/ drills.

I may get some optics next year after the tax return and pick up an EOTech. I'v tried the AimPoint before on an AR and I wasn't too keen on it but the EOTechs I'v tried were pretty nice. Either way, I'm going iron sights until then. May be even pick up some Tritium sights and call it good. We'll see.

Piccahs

A few pics of the latest and greatest additions to the collection:

Back Again!

Been a long time since I'v had time to post anything here. Well for starters I'm in the US Coast Guard now. Gradutated boot camp on 28DEC07 and I am currently serving on WLM-554; USCGC Marcus Hanna. We're a Bouy Tender in South Portland, ME. Pretty good gig going on. Get to go home on a regular basis still and get some time with the family and pull some triggers in the ol' makeshift range I got.

I'v just gotten engaged to my HS sweetheart, Sophie on March 22nd and we are in the proccess of planning the next steps within the year. I'm applying for Gunner's Mate A school the end of the year.

I'v been crusing around in my new 07 Jeep Libery. I'll post pics ASAP.

As far as my usual gun blogging goes I'v converted my Armalite/Bushmaster M4gery to a Gas Piston using the ARES DEFENSE conversion kit. I love the M4gery now. It's much eassier to maintain and just as fun to shoot as ever. In addition, my SKS got a Tapco T-6 stock now, keeping the fixed magazine to comply with CT laws. It's a lot of fun; the fiance' keeps calling it her rifle... :)

Fine by me, I got my AR15 to hold me over! I'm looking at doing some projects in a while. I'm considering getting a Weaver scout mount for the Mosin-Nagant M44 and actually putting an EOTech Holosight on it. Why? Because I can. It's a very different concept but I think it would make for a neat 300 yard powerhouse of a rifle. May even be a sweet little deer rig. I'v also purchased a Lee Enfield No.4 MK. 1 and a Pardner Protector 12 gauge shotgun since my last post.

In the gaming department there are a few zombie games in developement such as Left 4 Dead, Dead Frontier, and Z-Day Online. The group I am in, the Zulu Aid Station Security Team stems from the Zulu Aid Station Network I made for a game earlier. It was a group dedicated to helping fellow players by establishing M*A*S*H* style units within the game. We may bring it back for Z-Day and may be Dead Frontier. I also finally bought Pirates of the Burning Sea; a game I'v been waiting for over 5 years now. Now I get to get underway right from the comfort of my own home (well, barracks when I'm in South Portland...).

All in all I should be posting much more often, keep an eye here for updates!!

Take care all...

Still Blogging... Just Bussy

As the title states, I am still blogging, I'v just been bussy. School is entering it's final steps and has sucked up most of my free time. Once I graduate I should be able to post a little more. On one note; I am currently contemplating some new SKS projects. There have been some new rules put out by the BATFE regarding 9.22(r) regulations that show that you only need to replace four parts on a Chinese SKS to make it compliant. Tapco is also developing a US made bolt with a spring loaded firing pin. I have a few projects in mind:

Project A:
Paractical-Tactical Paratrooper;
Take my SKS Paratrooper and put on the following:
- Tapco Gas Piston
- Tapco T6 stock
- Tapco SKS Bolt
This would allow me to use the stock SKS 10 round magazine which is a fixed box magazine. It is not a detachable magazine. This would allow me to use the Tapco T6 stock, which features a pistol grip and a collapsable stock, while being complaint with the Connecticut assualt weapons ban!

Project B:
Modern Rifleman's SKS:
Take a full size Chinese SKS;
- Remove the bayonet, put on:
- Tapco Gas Port
- Tapco SKS Bolt
- Tapco 20 Round Detachable
Again this would comply with 9.22(r) and the Connecticut assualt weapons ban.

These are just a few of the ideas I have. I won't have the time or money to do them all in one shot but rather over the next few years. Heck, some may always only be an idea but it shows the neat moddability of the SKS rifle; just be sure to follow the laws and be safe! The one I AM going to do, pending info I can gather from the state about doing the T6 stock legally, is the Practical-Tactical Paratrooper. In addition to the stock I would like to mount my Tasco Red Dot. Then buy some ammo so my neighbor and I can enjoy our SKS rifles!

Till next time; Keep your powder dry and try a little love and luck (and you'll get by!).

Eagle Scout

I completed my Eagle Board of Review December 8th, 2006. So far it's been my greatest accomplishment yet. But I always tell myself that this is only the beggining. My service has only started. Sure there's a lot of personal gain that has come/ will come out of it but the most valuable thing to learn from becoming an Eagle is the skills you aquire throughout your scouting "career". Plus you really do help your community out. Later on, I'll post pictures of my project. If anyone reading this is looking for advice for any of the steps for the Trail to Eagle send me an email at screaming_eagles_101@hotmail.com and I'll be more than happy to help you along. Moms/ Dads, encourage your sons/ daughters to join scouting. They'll thank you for it later!

Yours in Scouting,
- Thomas G.

Coasties

Well last week was a major step for getting going in life. Last Wendsday I took a trip to the Hartford recruiting office for the United States Coast Guard. After talking to the recruiter there I am scheduled for May 9th to fill out an application for MEPS. After that it's up to the scheduling of graduation that will determine when I go to MEPS. From what I hear, I may have to wait till October till I head to Basic. Sounds like a good time to get a summer job setup and get some new toys!