Saturday, April 26, 2014

TM1 Thompson Carbine


 
One of the most enjoyable firearms are the Thompsons.  The TM1 is the semi automatic copy of the famed M1 Thompson of World War II. At this range session, a fellow shooter came up and stated “ I saw that gun in Saving Private Ryan!  The semi-automatic Thompson carbines are great nostalgia pieces and really fun to shoot. One point often missed, is the potential of the Thompson as a self-defense piece.  
TM1 with two 30 round magazines
The original fully automatic Thompsons were marketed to a variety of businesses and ranchers as defensive weapons. The semi auto versions can still do this task admirably.  A magazine of 20 or 30 rounds of 45 ACP is formidable close range firepower.
15 yard rapid fire group
The target pictured was engaged rapid fire at 15 yards. The shot group is quite small and speaks to the accuracy and controllability of the carbine.  
Optional extended cocking handle for the TM1

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Tactical Long Range Shooting Kit.

Here is a quick range picture of my tactical long range shooting kit. By long range I really mean 500 meters.  That's about the limit of my equipment and my eyesight. The rifle is an Imbel FAL made in Brazil topped with an ELCAN Specter OS 3.4 (Canadian Army C-79) sight, and M249 style pistol grip, STG-58 stock furniture with a folding bipod and black m1907 sling.

   

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Dodge Nitro


 
One of the best SUVs ever made. The Nitro combines style with function. The V6 engine provides good performance and excellent power.  I like the Nitro’s styling, it looks like its owner may be carrying a gun. This is important as it may dissuade a potential “car jacker” .  The Nitro is a gun owners type of automobile. Sadly it was discontinued by Dodge in 2012.

 
 

Chrysler A57 Tank Engine.


An assembled A57 Multibank engine
In World War  II aircraft and tank engines were in short supply.  Manufacturers were hard pressed to keep up with the demand. For the early variants of the M4 Sherman tank, Chrysler developed a unique engine comprised of five 6 cylinder engines in a single assembly which created a powerful 30 cylinder tank engine called the A57 Multibank engine.  This Dodge 6 cylinder engine was used in the Dodge Windsor automobile before the war and was adapted for this purpose. Tooling already existed to produce the Windsor engine in large quantity.

5 Six Cylinder blocks ready for assembly

Tanks with these unusual engines were supplied to our Allies, most notably the British.  The engine produced 450 horse power and was very effective.  It was reportedly very smooth and reliable and could absorb a lot of punishment. Does it have anything to do with classic guns? No but its very cool.
Beautifully restored M4 Sherman with a Multibank engine.