Still more NRAAM

Saw this in Atlanta, too.

It's the ARES Shrike, now back as the Fightlite MCR. It's a belt-fed upper for an AR-15/M-16, complete with quick-change barrel.
It transforms an M-16 into a baby SAW, and if I can find a deal on an M-16 or M-16 lower, I'm getting one of these. Full auto fire, 100-round belts, quick-change barrels, suppressible..and still under 12lbs.

Salesgirl not included...sigh.

If I get that, I might want this device, too.

The mag pump. Dump your 5.56 rounds into the hopper and it feeds them into the loader and stuffs your mags quickly and easily.

And I'm kinda fond of Slip 2000 now too.

This fella gave me a bunch of free samples of their lube and I've been trying it on my firearms, starting with my Walther PPK and Sig P220 in Atlanta. It definitely slicks the action up and supposedly prevents carbon build-up as well.

Smith and Wesson was huge there.

And Springfield Armory brought their wares too, including the Scout Squad rifle that I think I need.

This Benelli M2 shotgun might be an impulse buy shortly as well.

Fellow Blogger Bob seems to have found an Auto Ordnance Thompson that he's partial to.

And Aaron was trying to check out this FN PS90 carbine while a salesgirl was having fun photobombing him.

It's all fun at the NRA.

Well not for everyone. We got back to the hotel and saw this woman walking through the lobby.

I caught up with her and asked her where the protest was going to be. She looked me in the eye and said "I'm not here for any protest". Then I pointed out her "Moms Demand Action" shirt and asked for a picture with her. She said she didn't feel comfortable posing for a picture with me so I told her that was ok and just snapped one of her.

She about broke the glass door trying to run out. Pity. I so wanted to ask her who was paying for her airfare, lodging, meals and transport. But I guess that's a question for another day.

Seriously, how can anyone believe anything from a group whose members deny being in town for a protest when they are actually wearing their protest shirts?

More NRAAM

Saw this DPMS GII Recon and thought of a friend back in WV who bought one.

I didn't think much of it until I shot his, and then...Wow! I still want one.

And these Single Action Shooting Society (SASS) gals had to be photographed for PawPaw back in LA.

And yes, I visited Stephanie at Springfield Armory. We talked about the rumors regarding the currently-pending Illinois legislation that they are being trashed over and she assured me that they are not supporting it and pointed out that it hasn't even made it over to the State Senate yet so it's still much ado about nothing. But for some I guess, it's easier to fight our friends than our enemies.

We also talked M-1A Scout Squads, of course.

Visited Rock River Arms and had a similar discussion with Chuck Larson, CEO and one of the co-founders of the company, And he gave me the same assurances. He also stated that they were pulling out of the Illinois Firearms Manufacturers Association (IFMA) as a result of that group's decision to back the legislation.

Of course while we were trying to talk about this, some huge guy in XXXXXXL tactical gear (Dude, is that a BDU blouse or are you wearing a tent?) stepped into the middle of the conversation to scream "Gun grabber!" and "Traitor!" at Chuck, and he kept it up even when Chuck and I both tried to calm him down and get him to actually engage or participate in the discussion. He didn't want to learn anything that might change his mind and he finally wandered off after I politely (for me, anyway) suggested that he find somewhere else to be. People, when we do stuff like this, we're our own worst enemy.


I also talked to the folks at Century, long the largest importer of surplus military arms from around the world.

Their rep told me that while most of the surplus bolt and semi-auto guns have been bought up already, there still are caches out there and Century expects to bring more in in the coming months. He also says that the internet is making this harder than it used to be, because even in the most remote third-world countries, government officials can and do pull up Gunbroker listings and quote current resale prices here in America when trying to drive up the prices of the guns that Century is there to buy.

Atlanta NRAAM

Just into town, I loved seeing these signs all over the downtown area.

Cry over that, gun-haters.

Then it was inside, with roughly 80,000 of the best Americans I know.

Lots of manufacturers were present, including one of my favorites, Henry Repeating Arms.

I love this company's rifles, I love their customer service and no-hassle lifetime warranty, and I see a home in my gun room for one of two more of their big-bore lever guns before too much longer.

A lot of classic firearms were there this year.

And a lot of modern ones, too.

PTR Industries was there with their beautiful H&K-based rifles.

They started making these on original H&K tooling purchased from Spain but over the years they've modernized and improved their plant to make rifles that are at least as good as the original H&K 91 and 93 rifles.

Now they even have one in 7.62.39mm.

Made in America by Americans. And damned nice rifles. Probably the only new in box .308 fighting rifles out there for under a grand, too. (Their GI model) I will have one eventually.

I saw Springfield Armory's new XD-E pistol, offered in 9mm only at this time.

It was ok, I guess. but nothing to scream and dance and write home about. it was just another one of many decent, serviceable subcompacts and one that really only stands out because they put a hammer on it, which makes it about as "cutting edge" as the Colt 1911. I was happy that they at least made it ambidextrous though.

Speaking of small pistols, I stopped by Apex Tactical, another one of my favorite companies.

They make aftermarket improved spring kits for several Smith and Wesson guns. (Come on Smith and Wesson...partner with these folks and you'll have world-class guns right out of the box.)
I have their triggers on my S&W M&P pistols and once I saw their improved trigger on a Shield .45, I bought the spring kit and decided to buy the Shield just as soon as I can.

I also bought their spring kit for the Smith and Wesson J-frame revolver and I replaced the springs in my beloved Model 642 last night. Took me roughly half an hour, just following along with their on-line videos, and now the trigger is fantastic.

More later. Gotta run to work.

Here again.

Back at the convention. Many pics and write-ups will follow when I get back home, but so far, you'll just have to content yourself with stuff like this.

This morning, I got to meet Mr. Garibaldi for the fist time, and like most people I meet for the first time do, the first thing he did was ask my about $&@# Murphy and Belle. Sigh.

I should have brought the dogs here. And I could have used them to carry all of the promotional swag I'm collecting.  

Met Kevin of Misfires and Light Strikes, too. Lots of great people here. 

A number of the regular bloggers are notably absent this year, and most of them are missed. Looking forward to seeing them again, either in Dallas next year or when I just show up unannounced at their houses because no one quits me, dammit. 

There seems to be a shortage of booth babes this year too, and that's a bit of a buzzkill. But still, I'm surrounded by guns, gear and great Americans. And my President was great yesterday when he spoke to the membership. Life is great.

More to follow.