Vanderstock
I am unhappy with the decision because it feels like we got played. I’m with Alito on this one.
My issue with the decision is that outside things are considered when determining what a thing is.
I have a Bridgeport mill in my workshop. Does my having that tool mean that, for me, an 80% lower is actually a firearm?
If I have a CNC milling center with a program to turn a block of 6061 into a lower receiver, does that make a piece of 6061 a firearm?
This takes us back to the days when having one of the 6 forbidden M-16 parts while owning an AR-15 showed constructive intent, and that AR-15 was really an NFA controlled machine gun.
Signal
The oops of that chat session escaping into the wild has been shoved down my throat. I’m tired of hearing about it.
My opinion here, worth exactly what you paid for it, there is a security issue, and it wasn’t using Signal.
Every communications method used by the government has a classification placed on it. It could be only good for unclassified materials, or it could be good for TS and above. It doesn’t matter. It has a label and the people who are using it should know what the levels are.
Consider my situation, I’m just a computer geek. Any traffic that travels over one of the subnets is absolutely insecure. It is on a Wi-Fi. Any traffic that travels over the air waves can be intercepted.
This is why that subnet is labeled DMZ. to remind me that it is insecure.
There is another set of subnets that are fiber connected with no outside connections. That isn’t part of the DMZ, but it is still not secure.
I have another virtual network. This virtual network uses encrypted tunnels between the different nodes. Any traffic that enters the virtual network is securely encrypted until it exits the virtual network.
This is used for transfer of data blocks for the Ceph file system.
Any traffic that should be secured is secured on an end to end basis. I use SSH for node to node connections. I use SSL for other types of connects.
You can’t even connect to this website without using SSL.
In the case of the Signal chat, that application is labeled to handle a certain level of classification. From what I’ve seen, the traffic that was transmitted over the Signal chat did not exceed the levels authorized for that application.
What we have is an operational failure. Somebody without the proper clearances and with no need to know was added to the chat.
My opinion is that it was done maliciously by somebody.
This is functionally equivalent of using SSH to connect to a remote node but having the password to log into your computer, “password123”.
It doesn’t matter how good the communications channel is, if you are going to give away access to the channel through poor operational security.
Tariffs
I have a client that has to deal with the new tariffs being imposed by the United States. They aren’t unhappy, they just need to deal with in.
What I found was that they just built the cost of tariffs into their prices and never worried about it.
Now that I’ve written a new module for them, they will be using that module to handle tariffs to all the countries they ship to.
Prices will go up. I’m hoping that some of these foreign countries decide to do “the right thing” and the tariffs are removed.
Question of the Week
If somebody were to come to you looking to buy firearms for a SHTF situation, what would you recommend and why?
For me it would be:
- 30-30 Lever Action with scope
- Sig P365
- AR-15 with red dot
- Bolt action .22LR, with scope
- 7.62×51 bolt action, with scope
The 30-30 lever action doesn’t scream tactical, can be used for taking game as well as self-defense. With the side gate, it can be reloaded on the move. Dual purpose and non-threatening.
You can substitute whatever pistol you like. Be it a Glock or a 1911. I like the compact nature of the P365.
For personal security, an AR-15 with red dot seems to be a suitable option. Light weight, easy to acquire your targets, reasonable stopping power. It can be used on some small game.
There will be times when you need to take small game, a .22LR will do a good job on squirrels, rabbits, and other small stuff.
Finally, a rifle to reach out and touch game and two-legged varmint at distance.
Comments
13 responses to “Friday Feedback”
Your list is missing a shotgun in either 20 or 12 gauge.
I thought about adding a shotgun. It is my feeling that a shotgun is a good choice. It works for taking small game fowl.
The reason I didn’t include it was more of a feeling of training and ammo selection complexity.
Re Signal, i will wait and see but lean towards an inside actor. The best way to defeat any security system is from a trusted position. (Speaking of which, whatever happened re the Supreme Court leaker…?)
Re your question, upon first reading I thought it was asking what we would ourselves sell them. 🙂 But I have to quibble with your list, in that if they’re asking me, they likely are firearms newbies. That has some implications:
– a pretty simple manual of arms for any / all firearms is preferred;
– ammo selection should be simplified; and
– they probably aren’t ready to start ringing steel at 1000 yards.
So, shorter ranges, less to keep track of, and simple “point and click” interfaces.
For a rifle-like entity that looked less tactical, I’d suggest a Henry Homesteader. Semi-auto, and accepts common handgun magazines. (There are also a variety of other PCCs, e.g. the S&W folders, KelTec, etc., that are reasonably compact and can run with common handgun magazines.)
For a pistol, I’d recommend a Glock in 9mm, probably a 17 … not my first choice for myself, but they’re pretty ubiquitous, as are their magazines and the ammo. Or, one of the handguns with magazines interchangeable with the Homesteader.
As a variant of the above, a lever-action in .357 Magnum plus a good wheelgun would also work. Plusses, they work with .38 Special as well (usually, some leverguns are picky); minuses, the rifle is more complex to work well, loading is much slower, and the ammo isn’t as ubiquitous.
For a “real” rifle, it’s hard to beat one of the many AR-15 variants; again in plain-vanilla .223 Rem or 5.56×45. (So I’d tell them to get one in .223 Wylde if they could and don’t worry about it any more.) Again, in SHTF, looking for ammo and magazines, this is a good bet. I’d suggest putting a 3x prism optic on it. Robust, enough mag for middling distance but not so much you can’t use it like a red dot.
A 30-30 with scope is not because I expect them to be ringing steel at 1000 yards. I don’t expect them to be able to ring steel at more than 200 yards.
The reason is that it is easier to teach somebody to use a scoped rifle than to use iron sights for hunting. Most new shooters will have difficulty putting a round in a deer at 100 yards, much less a humane kill shot.
Same reason for the red dots on the pistol and AR. Keep it simple for them.
The Sig over the Glock is just a personal taste. Either works. Glock and Glock magazines are everywhere.
I, personally, have an R-95 in .357 mag. I have a matching handgun. I was staying away from pistol caliber rifles. I wanted a caliber in their first rifle that was good to 100 yards easily plus could drop a deer sized critter.
Fair enough. I was ignoring the 30-30 based on local preference; most hunters I know here in NM seem to use .308 Win or bigger.
It also, I think, depends on what type of S hitting what model of F, and when the H occurs. I was thinking along the lines of “oh crap here we go” not “just in case…”
Anyway, I’m off for a two hour drive to pick up a new rifle. Have a good weekend!
“I have a Bridgeport mill in my workshop. Does my having that tool mean that, for me, an 80% lower is actually a firearm?
If I have a CNC milling center with a program to turn a block of 6061 into a lower receiver, does that make a piece of 6061 a firearm?”
No, and no.
First of all, no reasonable definition of the term “readily” applies to having very expensive tooling that takes ages to perfect the skills. Even a dirt cheap used CNC machine capable of milling a lower is pricey to the point it fails the reasonable test. They are not commonly available tools.
And, per the decision, an 80% lower is now a firearm. You can certainly purchase one, but only from a FFL dealer and with a background check. Go ahead and use your mill to finish it. No problem. Just do not disfigure the serial number.
“This takes us back to the days when having one of the 6 forbidden M-16 parts while owning an AR-15 showed constructive intent, and that AR-15 was really an NFA controlled machine gun.”
And…. that is the problem. Right there. I do not care what the majority decision said about that idea. It can, and will, show up as soon as there is a leftist administration. Do not think for a second that a Democrat President will not direct the ATF to bring that stupidity back.
And, before I get replies, I am NOT defending the decision here. I am saying the logic that led to the decision is sound. I absolute think this should never have seen the SCOTUS.
with the conversation of 1000 atf agents to fbi and being sent to the border, I think atf is in for a rude awakening…
way back in the 90s when the feds fried waco the warrent that started it all had words like “machine tools that COULD make weapons” “ parts that could be nfa weapons parts” ect…
A friend got a copy of the warrent. it was chock full of vague references to everyday stuff that “could” do “something”…
with Trumps administration rooting out fraud and corruption We the People might see the assault on citizens dwindling…
Trust me, I am not supporting this decision in any way. Just making the point that I understand it.
And, I have no doubt that a future administration will look to this decision and declare that any amount of available tooling is evidence of intent to convert a semi auto into a full machine gun. Oh… I have sandpaper. Well if you just sand down this part… BOOM! Instant felon.
What did the ATF try to do with the arm brace rule? That can and will happen again.
all that is happening now can and will change if the administration changes.
its the chance we take…
meanwhile lets all live our best life and enjoy our Freedom we have not lost.
As far as SHTF firearms. One choice if you ask me.
A .357 revolver AND a lever action chambered in .357.
The advantage of having one caliber outweighs a measurable number of advantages of multi caliber choices.
First of all, the .357 is a solid handgun hunting round for smaller game, but it is also the caliber that benefits the most from a longer barrel. Meaning you can take larger game, or game from a longer distance away. Other handgun calibers benefit, but not to the same extent.
And, for defense, the .357 is a punishing round.
The ability to use .38 Special is a bonus, too.
You could also do the same pairing with .44 Mag. A Smith 29 shooting .44 Special is a lot of fun.
A .44 is not a bad choice either, but according to ballistics by the inch, it does not benefit as much from a longer barrel as the .357.
http://ballisticsbytheinch.com/
Generally, going from a 6″ to a 16″ barrel, the .357 sees about 300FPS gain, whereas the .44 sees a 200FPS difference. Not huge, but a factor to consider. (And, that is eyeballing the chart math. There are exceptions, and the math is not exact)
I know that is one of many factors. But… few thoughts.
1. A .44 is not good for small game. The lower ft-lbs of a .357 or .38 will leave a lot more of a rabbit available for use. Then again, a .44 would do much better against deer and sheep.
2. The extra fps that .357 sees over .44 may be the difference between bagging that deer, or it catching wind of you and taking off.
Now, having said that. When the SHTF, the best gun you could possibly have is…
The one you have.
I had a 4 inch Model 29. it was LARGE fun to shoot..
having matched pairs of handgun and long gun is a great plan..