Form 1 Forums

Once SD Tactical got their hand slapped by the ATF for selling solvent traps, their forum was gutted.  Someone else started a forum for Form 1 builds, which appears to have a lot of good info.  Well, I have stamps for at least three Form 1 cans that I haven't built yet....

One useful thread is the list of solvent trap manufacturers.  Another thread posted a link to B-tube-sized cones (not drilled).

Can Design

Some light reading this evening on silencer design:

• Rules of thumb for suppressor design (generalities)
• Beating a dead horse back to life (interesting Q&A, answers here)
• Pressing freeze plugs into M baffles (improvised tools)
• Omega baffles (wut.)
• .30-cal can design (lots of pictures of the cone baffle design) 

There was also a funky thread on .510 Whisper that's worth reading.

Guns & Radio

MNGunTalk has a thread on free trusts mentioning Dakota Silencer, Ben Rust, and GOCRA.

qrz.com has a thread comparing the Kenwood TM-V71A and Yaesu FT-8900.

Can Comparison

On the Minnesota NFA FB group, a guy posted a link to an Arfcom thread and YT video of a comparison of a bunch of popular rifle suppressors.  Very cool.  Apparently the Rugged Surge, Dead Air Sandman, or Silencerco Omega are the ones to consider.

Can Knowledge

Mobile link dump.

I had been concerned about having "extra" suppressor parts, like mounts and endcaps.  Here's an example of apparently acceptable use in the industry.  There's a post on Reddit NFA regarding a SilencerCo Octane 45 that has an available 9mm endcap, apparently only available at SilencerShop.  (The description says "replacement," so perhaps that's how they get away with it.)  The interesting thing on the Reddit post was hole dimensions of the baffles: they seemed fairly loose at 0.493-0.495" for each of the eight, and 0.509" at the endcap.

Another post on Form 1 builds is from SilencerTalk.  It linked to an apparently famous thread dating back to 2008 regarding one user sub-sonic's build of a freeze plug can.  This must've been the prelude to the whole solvent trap suppressor craze....

The original thing that drove me to question mounts was mention of YHM Wraith cans, which apparently had the flash suppressor be the back of the can, yada yada yada.  Apparently it's a non-issue normally.

I came across another site that definitely treads the edge of legality, because it isn't until halfway down the page that it mentions one needs an NFA stamp to do this legally.  Unconstitutional or not, if one gets caught with an oil filter can and no stamp, one's gun rights are gone.

Form 1 Suppressor Stuff

I'd mentioned SD Tactical previously.  They make a "B tube" size "solvent trap" in titanium, suitable for conversion to a sound suppressor when in possession of an approved Form 1.

The SDTA forums have some information on builds.

J&S Tactical makes jigs for forming the B-tube freeze plugs; however, those tools cost more than the tube!

Another board dedicated to Form 1 cans has a list of freeze plug dimensions and part numbers, as well as valve spring retainers (VSR) that are apparently often used for a blast baffle.  Another post has weights of the B size tubes and end caps.

Other solvent trap makers include Apogee and Diversified Machine (who only takes orders via email).

There was mention of "reflex" suppressors on the boards.  One description I found had a picture but it still wasn't clear exactly how it differs from non-reflex.  Another one clarified it as basically jamming the barrel up in the can.  And another showed an adapter for a reflex-type design.

One concern of mine was multiple mounts.  One solution:

You need another use for the adapter, if you're worried about possession of suppressor parts. 

For me, I built a set of three cans, with three different lengths and calibers. The thread pitch and length for all adapters is identical. So, I will always have three complete cans, but any of them could be mounted on 1/2-28, 5/8-24 or a YHM mount. 

If you had a piece of tube that didn't suppress sound, like the MAAD brake I linked, it could "hold" a mount and an end cap, so that each piece is always in use.

I like that better than the set screw solution.

There's also JM Performance Fittings, which sells "storage cups" that fit in flashlight bodies.  They make a B-tube model, but unfortunately it's only aluminum.

AR-15 Retractable Stocks

Recently on Facebook I saw a picture of a Remington 870 with a retractable stock, which was completely badass.  (There is a difference between retractable and collapsible.)  I then set out to find it, but didn't see anything for an 870.  It turns out that the picture was using an AR-15 stock adapter and a Nordic Components CRS (Compact Retractable Stock).  Midway used to have them for $120, but they're now discontinued.  There was a similar one made by Loki Weapons Systems, but they ran afoul of the ATF and are now defunct.

The only similar item I could find is the North Eastern Arms CCS (Compact Carbine Stock) over at Brownells.  This isn't the same since it actually has a buffer tube, whereas the CRS only worked with buffer-less systems (such as the 870).  Further, it includes a modified bolt carrier group and such, and so costs $330.  Ow.

Local Bees

For the apiarist, some MN bee stores:

• The Bee Shed (Oronoco, MN)
• Bee's Knees Honey Farm (Oronoco, MN)
• B and B Honey Farm (Houston, MN) - lots of equipment
• Mann Lake (Hackensack, MN, as well as sites on the coasts and in the UK) - the biggest beekeeping shop
• CrossRoads Apiaries (Fertile, MN) - no website; Email: crossroads0305@gmail.com, Tel: 218-230-1146

The Southeast Minnesota Beekeepers Association has a website and a forum.

AR-15 SBR

So I'm jonesing to have an SBR.  Not like I can really afford to do it, but I want to.  In the worst way.

I was thinking it might be easier to buy a registered receiver.  However, apparently that's not the way it works: even though the receiver is the registered part, there are certain requirements on ATF Form 1 or 4.  There's a thread on Arfcom on this subject, with a link to the ATF FAQ on SBRs.

Well, and then there's the issue of whether or not I'd need law enforcement approval if I were registering under my LLC.  The Interwebz say no, but the Form 1 instructions doesn't specifically say this.

I also found Tactical Innovation's AR-15 lower receivers, the T15BDX.  I think I'd have to pick up one of those if I ever decide to pull the trigger on an SBR.  Nice looking hardware.

Paul Revere's Legacy

Via someone on the Appleseed forums (Transform), I learned of an interview of the author of Paul Revere's Ride, David Hackett Fischer, where he voices something that occurred to me when I read the book:

I think he had a message for us as well. To me, the interest of the story is partly that. I think we can see a kind of message, first of all, in what he was doing. For me it was mainly the kind of collective effort in that cause of freedom, and we forgot about that. We forgot about both sides of it, sometimes. I think people on the left today, some of my colleagues at academe, tend to forget about American ideas of freedom. People on the right tend to forget about collective action. Paul Revere and his friends brought those two things together, and I think that's a message for us.

Yeah.

Case Cleaning

Found on the Appleseed forum:

I just received a new case cleaning machine from Thumlers. I got the Model B High Speed and use Stainless pin media with Lemi shine and Dawn dish soap. I had been using a Thumler vibratory tumbler with corn cob media & case polish for years and yes, it gets the cases clean on the outside, but the inside and the primer pocket never got the crud out. (even after 8 hours of tumbling!) This new “wet” tumbler is simply the best thing I have ever used for cleaning the brass cases before reloading. It cleans the outside (even the really cruddy range brass), the primer pockets and the inside of the case to spotless squeaky clean.

Before I was using a brass brush to remove the carbon from the necks so it wouldn’t damage the expander in the die, and using a primer pocket cleaner to remove most of the heavy primer residue from the primer pocket. Now its just clean directly after tumbling. No additional steps needed. Here is what I do and if anybody else has any experience or suggestions with this type of tumbling I’d love to hear it.

1. Fill the tumbler with 5 lbs. of Stainless Media
2. Fill the tumbler with just under 1 gallon of the hottest water I can get from the faucet
3. Put in 2 tbs. of Dawn dish soap
4. Put in 1 tsp. of Lemi shine
5. Put in about 50 or so cases depending on the size (I use 8mm Mauser, 7.62x54R, 8x56RS)
6. Assemble the gasket, cover panel, and thumb screws
7. Run it on the machine for 4 hrs.
8. Remove the brass from the drum and dump the media out of the case as I remove it (make sure the media comes out, it’s a B*&ch to pick up out of the sink)
9. Rinse the brass with clear water
10. Towel dry and then let air dry to make sure the water is out of the inside of the case

Then I lube the cases, size them, and trim them & run them through again using the same process above for about 2 hrs. to remove any case lube or brass shavings. Then they dry again and its prime, powder, bullet, bang! Then do it all over again.

Honestly the brass looks new when its done in the tumbler and it is well worth the investment. I got mine for about $220 delivered with the media and the machine. Lemi-shine is $3.50 a container and the Dawn I stole from the Wife.. (sorry honey…)

Anyway, I just started with this new thingy and would welcome any advice. I'll try and post some Pic.'s of the cases when i can.

Cheers,
Mauser

Might have to give it a try.

Unscientific Plastic Magazine Test

In case you were wondering what those plastic AR-15 mags could take, here's one data point from Arfcom.

Adding Towing Capability to a RAV4

I'd like to add towing capability to my RAV4, but before I go ping the Toyota dealer, who seems to be way expensive on things like 30k service, I did a little searching.  One guy posted an installation guide on the OEM hitch itself.  However, the factory towing package also has an upgraded radiator, alternator, fan coupling, and wiring harness; one forum post indicated that the first three could be had for $160.  Installation of course would be another matter....  RAV4World, which had a link to the installation guide above, also has a thread on the OEM hitch.

I suppose I should confirm whether my "trucklet" (apparently that's the in-term for SUV...) has the mount points on the frame; I doubt anything extra would be added, though, in these days of cost-cutting.

The C&R Discount

In the vein of a prior post on stores who give a C&R discount, I found another list on THR that appears to be even more comprehensive.  Graf & Sons just sent me a catalog...I'll have to see what their discount is.  I just ordered something from TAPCO not too long ago; wish I'd asked about a price break.  Ah well.

RDIAS

For some reason, I got the urge to read about registered drop-in auto sears (RDIASes).  I'd love to own a machinegun (although in my crummy state I can only own C&R MGs) and a RDIAS seems like a good option.  Being drop-in, it can be moved to another lower receiver, as being the registered part, it's not limited to one lower.  Plus, an RDIAS works with .22LR conversions, so one could burn through 1k rounds for less than $50.

Well, Google turned up a few interesting hits:

• Quarterbore's DIAS page, with great pictures (the toolbox case for AR-15s is cool too!)
• A discussion of RDIAS vs. RLL vs. RR on Arfcom
• An Ohio gunsmith who works on NFA weapons and can fix damaged RRs

Ah, I wish I were rich and lived in a state that didn't suck from the perspective of gun laws.  Maybe it's time to move, or buy some land in a neighboring state....

rec.guns AAR from 2000

Sharp as a Marble linked to a recap of an old rec.guns post on The Smallest Minority, where a pawn shop owner ended up shooting a guy, who'd stabbed him with a sword, with a .25 ACP.  Pretty crazy stuff.  Better to have a gun than no gun—but I'd still rather be carrying an ACP two-tenths bigger in diameter.

Self-Defense

An old friend (who happens to have become a Democrat) messaged me the following link on Facebook: What Everyone Should Know About Trayvon Martin (1995-2012)

From those details, it doesn't sound like the shooting was justified.  Permit-to-carry holders, in MN anyway, are required to retreat (unless in one's home).  Chasing down a suspect isn't acceptable, also because it doesn't demonstrate a reluctance to participate in a confrontation.  Neither is shooting someone who doesn't exhibit immediate intent to inflict great bodily harm or death.

It's hard to tell from the news who the victim is.  The novel Bonfire of the Vanities comes to mind.  (Where the outraged community and leaders twist the facts to make one of the perps out to be a victim.)

I also came across a forum thread on Minnesota Carry where a permit-holder shot a guy who'd robbed another woman, and according to some accounts was pistol-whipping her, after he was fired upon.  Again, it's hard to tell from the news, but it sounds like the bad guy was really a baddie, as he was a felon who had been freed on a catch-and-release program.  (A felon possessing a firearm is also illegal.)  The guy's mother and sister claimed injustice, but they too have criminal records: the mother for drug possession and the sister for receiving stolen property.

The really fucked up thing is that the judge, Toddrick Barnette, who released the dead perp, is the same asshole who stuck the late MN gun-rights icon Joel Rosenberg with $100k bail after Joel was arrested on a technicality (apparently there was an unused courtroom in the building that allowed them to claim he carried in a prohibited place).  Hmm.  I'm guessing the judge is a Democrat.

SHTF Hygiene

For my research on hygiene without modern conveniences, of course I have to check SurvivalBlog as one of my sources.  One interesting link is for washable feminine napkins by Naturally Cozy; should things break down, women still need the essentials.  Of course a TP alternative would be necessary after the paper kind run out, so perhaps cloth TP would also be a necessity.

Amusingly, there're also several "female urination device" products that women can use to urinate standing up.  One is "Go Girl" (reusable), sold on Amazon, and another is "P-Mate" (disposable, non-flushable, 5 per pack).  Innovation at work!

Diamond Gusset Jeans

Recently I read that Levi's supports anti-gun organizations and has such a policy.  Ah well, 501s fit like shit if you have testicles (I've tried them on multiple times and they always crunch my kiwis).  I used to wear their carpenter jeans because the fit was better in the crotch and have extra pockets.  However, their quality control went to hell and I had a number of them wear out in the back pocket--and I put my wallet in my front pocket.  Now I rather like Vertx tactical pants, except they're owned by Berkshire Hathaway....

Anyway, one forum thread had a link to Diamond Gusset, which has a gusseted crotch and apparently isn't anti-gun.  Looks to be worth trying.  Motorcycle riders might appreciate their jeans with kevlar to prevent road rash.

A bit of editorializing: anti-gun people are one of three things: ignorant, stupid, or evil, and none of those characteristics are good.

misc.survivalism

There's a misc.survivalism newsgroup that lives on post-Usenet.  USA Emergency Supply appears to have cribbed some of their info on food storage from the FAQ.