Firepower

Handy for the next time you need to light a candle.

[Nicely done, Weer'd.]

Zombie Killer Saiga 12 with apple-corer/trident* muzzle device decoration and blood splatter paint job

Saiga 12 Zombie Slayer

(BTW, Don’t use a shotgun for zombie defense)

Taurus glowstick colored pistol

And to think, there's a law prohibiting black squirt guns...

Note: photo does not truly convey the brightness of this item; I expect the next version will actually be made of glow-in-the-dark translucent polymer and be illuminated by internal Cree ultraviolet LED’s and sport a titanium rainbow slide.

[*OK, it's a 'quadent' or a 'tetradent'; but I needed an excuse to use the link.]

A genuine bona-fide KSG in real life

Yes, it is priced a whisker shy of $1800.  The price of $3999.99 for David *name withheld* is a friendly jab at another dealer at the show.

As if that wasn’t the find of the show, look what was sitting next to it: the SRM 1216

Kel-Tec KSG and SRM 1216

And it would appear that for $2500 you don’t even get a recoil pad.

BTW, at the same show another dealer had very lightly used (no wear on action bars) Remington 870 Police Magnums for $325-$375.  Hmm, which to choose…

Somewhat off topic musings: I don’t know about you but I have a slight internal conflict with regard to scalper’s prices on guns.  On one hand, I am a red blooded capitalist and understand and appreciate supply and demand.  If the dealer thinks that they can make an extra $1000 above and beyond the MSRP of a gun (the KSG), hey, more power to them.  No one is forcing anybody to buy the gun and besides there are millions of other shotguns to choose from.  [Maybe you remember the ridiculous prices people paid for Miatas and PT Cruisers when those first came out too.]  Furthermore, if the dealer with the KSG had put it out for sale at MSRP, another dealer would have most likely bought it only to attempt to resell it at an inflated price.  If you want one at MSRP, then you can wait for supply to increase.

The dealer today was friendly and upbeat and had no problem with me picking up the gun to look it over.  I enjoyed talking with them and learned that the KSG was one of the first factory shipment of 250 guns.  This one had a three digit serial number starting with ’1′.  So to be clear, I don’t have a problem with the price I saw on the gun today.  In fact, I chuckled and wished the dealer well saying, “I hope you get it!” (referring to the asking price) and left happy to know that the KSG is in the pipeline and also happy to have had the chance to finally inspect one up close.

The twinge of conflict I experience is when demand skyrockets (say, for instance, due to a particular person getting elected) and prices increase for the short term that approach the level of gouging.   As I’ve stated before, I whole heartily endorse supporting local business whenever possible, however, with the Clinton Gun Ban having sunset only four years prior, in 2008, some local dealers had AR magazines double in price overnight following election returns.  On most you could still the the original price tags under the hastily applied new ones.   Ammo and gun prices also soared.  On one hand, current inventory has to be weighed in the cost of replacement in order to maintain stock.  Example: If gas prices increase, the stations instantly raise prices even if they won’t have a delivery for days because the gas in the ground has to be sold at a rate that will fund its replacement in order to stay in business.  On the other hand, I have enough friends with FFL’s that told me in the months following November 2008, most prices from manufacturers and wholesalers did not substantially increase.  The producers were playing the long game, while some retailers were playing the short game.  Unlike gas stations, gun dealers won’t be charged with price gouging in ‘times of crisis’ (hurricanes, etc.) nor do I think they should be.  Was the post election price hike a case of simply “making hay while the sun shines” or was it “taking advantage of peoples’ fear”?  Neither really, to consider it is just letting emotion get in the way; it’s still just supply and demand and it’s still just business.  The dealers might have thought there would be forthcoming legislation that would put them out of business or at least severely restrict there earning potential and needed to stockpile capital for a coming downturn.  Even though prices eventually came back in line with most other local shops, the long term result has to do with the customer’s perception towards the business.  Not every customer may feel this way but, every time since seeing 11/08 price increases, I remember it when I walk through the door of that shop.  I still shop there on occasion (and have directed business there too), the sales guys are knowledgeable and friendly, but I have no illusion of the owner’s ‘friendship’ with customers.   When I’m there, I shop based on price only since that’s the rule established by the owner.

What do you think?  Is that justified or just petty?

Deal Alert @ Brownells 12.16.11

This is a rare deal. Usually Brownells ships with a flat rate of $12.95.  On the occasions when they do offer a free shipping deal it usually requires a a $150+ purchase.

www.Brownells.com  [use code: DLW]

Mythbusters let a 6″ cannonball get away from them and it flew 700 yards and punched through a cinder block wall, completely penetrated an occupied house, crossed a six lane road, knocked off some roof tiles and came rest by destroying a minivan. (pics at the link)

Video: Mythbusters cannon accident news story

Wow!  Thank God no one was hurt.

The print article goes on to say that Mythbusters has insurance in case of ‘mishaps’.   I bet those premiums go up a tad after this too.

A quote from the article:

Reached Tuesday evening, [Adam] Savage said, “I can’t talk right now,” before hanging  up.

No foolin’.

A security guard in Mozambique displays his shotgun

It’s an Italian made Breda* (mostly likely the Antares model) that functions much like a Remington 11 or Browning Auto 5 using a long action recoil operated mechanism with a reciprocating barrel.  While I can’t find a list of manufacturing dates, I have found references to them being produced from the late fifties.  An interesting feature is that they were designed to be completely disassembled without tools (link to owners manual).  On this one, if you look closely on the forend you can see where it was repaired with suture-like wire fishing line ‘stitches’ above and below the length of the crack.  The loop of wire on the forend is for hanging it up for storage.  It obviously shows the long term wear from the daily handling of a working gun but it is still carried with pride and cared for.  I can’t see a spot of rust on the bolt.

Closeup of the Breda shotgun receiver

I looked about and found a YewToobz video showing the takedown of what appears to be the exact model for those of you curious as to the innards of this firearm.

As well as a video demonstrating a long action recoil mechanism in slow motion (utilizing an Auto 5)

Stay tuned for more pics from the other side of the world.

*most likely no relation to this Breda

I think maybe it needs a snow plow on the front like that land locomotive Ernie Hudson drove in Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone (in 3D!).  Nah, it’s perfect the way it is.

That’s a pretty good deal if you’re a southpaw.  At that price, you could even buy one as a gift for your left-handed glock-toting tightwad OC buddy.

Finetac finish Safariland 6070

[I had to look up what the FineTac finish is; it's basically bare kydex.]  Click here to go to item page.

BTW, this message is provided as a public service to enhance the image and security of open carriers.  I have no affiliation with OMB Express other than having purchased from them before.