Category Archives: YouTube

Air guns, Airsoft, Airsoft, Firearms, Pistols, YouTube

KWA M226 (Sig P226 Replica)

KWA is a manufacturer of airsoft guns. More specifically, KWA manufactures very accurate replicas of real firearms – both rifles and pistols.  I have several of their products and like them very much.  My latest is their replica of the Sig P226 and I’ve made a little video using it.  See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdjO72pfunA .

An oddity, to me anyway, discovered during testing is that the velocity from the M226 is low after first charging the magazine. After the first few shots, velocity increases and then remains relatively constant.

I plan to do some additional testing with heavier BBs and varied charging techniques.

Air guns, Airsoft, Airsoft, Firearms, Pellet guns, Pistols, YouTube

Handgun Safeties

Real and replica guns showing safeties

 

I’ve made and posted a video about various safety mechanisms used in hand guns. Now, I’m no expert on guns – not even an Internet Expert.  In fact, much of what is shown was unknown to me until relatively recently.  Realizing my ignorance about safeties, I studied up a bit.  Realizing that many others were also confused, I decided to put my findings into this video.  After all, a good way to learn something is to prepare to teach it to others.

This is not a video about gun safety features such as drop safeties or even gun safety rules and procedures.  It is just an overview of hand gun safety mechanisms.

To demonstrate the various types of safeties, I’ve gathered a hodge-podge of real firearms and replicas. All of the guns shown have been safety checked and are unloaded.

I have to say that making a video — even a YouTube video — is not easy especially if you choose to use two cameras, an external audio recorder and mix in some PowerPoint slides.  I learned a lot while making the video and plan to do a few more.

Air guns, Firearms, Pistols, YouTube

Schofield #3 Top Break Revolver

Schofield #3 Replica Revolver
Schofield #3 Replica Revolver

I enjoy collecting and shooting airgun replicas of real pistols. My most recent addition is the Schofield #3 top break revolver.

About 1870, Smith & Wesson developed a top break revolver. An Army Ordnance officer, Major George W. Schofield of the 10th Cavalry, modified it to fit his needs and Smith and Wesson incorporated his modifications into the design in 1875.  They named the new design the “Schofield”.  Smith and Wesson produced variations of their #3 revolver until 1915.

Replica

This airgun replica of the Schofield No. 3 Revolver is imported from Taiwan by Bear River. It has:

  • 8 Inch Barrel
  • BBs
  • 435 FPS
  • 12g CO2 Powered

The Schofield actually preceded the famous Colt Single Action Army pistol which was introduced 1873. Colt’s Single Action Army (and it’s clones and reproductions) is still being manufactured.

Years later, another top break revolver, the Webley Mark I, was adopted by the British Army in 1887 and was manufactured until 1963.

Here’s my YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op97x1Eptgw

References

Bear River Description and Specifications: http://www.bearriveroutdoors.com/collections/pistols-revolvers/products/schofield-no-3-vintage-revolver

Pyramyd Air Review: http://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2016/07/schofield-number-3-bb-revolver-part-1/

Pyramyd Air Ratings: http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Schofield_No_3_CO2_BB_Revolver_Full_Metal/4159

 

Family, Uncategorized

The Great Ramen Noodle Salad Experience

Ramen

Growing tired of my own cooking, I’ve been searching for new – preferably healthy – dishes.  I recalled a salad that my sister, Kathy, made a few years ago and asked for the recipe.  She said it was easy so I decided to try my hand at “Ramen Noodle Salad”.

Finding Ramen Noodles at the grocery store was much more difficult than I thought.  In fact, I was tempted to buy Ramen Noodle soup and just use the noodles in my salad.  But no, that wouldn’t do – I could imagine the teasing.  Besides, those soup noodles were probably favored with chicken or something.  I continued my search for the real thing.  Suddenly, there in front of me, by the spaghetti, were packs of Ramen Noodles!  Not ordinary noodles either; these were organic, whole grain noodles even though they looked like very thin spaghetti to me.  I double checked the package and read, again, Ramen Noodles — Check. The rest of the ingredients were easy to find although I had to substitute sunflower seeds for sesame seeds.  Time to make the salad.

Kathy had said to break up the noodles into small pieces so I worked them over with the rolling pin to get little “sticks” of noodles.  The next step was to brown the noodles in butter. I sensed the beginning of problems when I dumped the noodle sticks into the hot frying pan.  For one thing, the pan was too small but I didn’t want to get another one dirty.  Besides, the noodle sticks on the bottom were “browning” a bit quickly so I had to stand there and stir, stir and stir.  Kathy hadn’t mentioned that but she probably used a larger frying pan. In spite of my best efforts, the noodle sticks were over cooked (OK, burnt).

The rest of the ingredients (shredded cabbage, onions, oil, vinegar, etc.) were combined while waiting for the noodle sticks to cool.  At last, I combined everything and took a big bite.  Not good – tasted like burnt fried spaghetti!

Obviously something was wrong with my technique so I searched YouTube for the secret method.  Although I didn’t find anything on YouTube, I finally realized that I was making a slaw instead of a salad and that I’d put too much emphasis on the “Ramen Noodles”.  To my surprise, I also realized that I was supposed to use Ramen Noodle soup!  Also, many recipes do not call for any cooking at all – the crushed noodles are simply added to the slaw.  Other recipes call for lightly toasting the noodles, almonds and sesame seeds in the oven.

Now it’s back to the grocery store for real Ramen Noodles and another try but this time NO COOKING!

Air guns, Airsoft, Airsoft, Pellet guns, YouTube

Cultivating the Air Gun Hobby

About this time last year, rummaging around in my closet, I came across my old Crosman 1377 air pistol.

(IPTC) content

Wondering if it still worked, I tried to pump it up.  No luck at first; however, a few drops of oil brought it back to life.  Now even more curious, I browsed around the Internet and YouTube and discovered that the Model 1377 was still being sold.  In fact, a small cottage industry has grown up around customizing it.  Before too long, I had bought the .22 caliber version (Model 1322) and done some modest customization.

Ringfeder

Looking back, it was at this point that I became hooked.  Next, I tried a pellet rifle but that first one (an early production version of a new rifle) did not work out for me.  From what I’ve read, the bugs in the Benjamin NP2 have been worked out by now.  I replaced that NP2 with a Xisico XS46U and have enjoyed learning to shoot it.

I had never heard of “airsoft” guns and belittled them when my son mentioned them to me.  Although not interested in airsoft “skirmishes”, I quickly learned that some airsoft guns are very accurate replicas of “real steel” firearms.  In fact, some airsoft replicas are used in preliminary firearms training programs.  I had to try one.

 

ASG M9

So now, I’m in.  I have several airsoft pistol replicas and a wish list for others to add to the collection.

A good site for learning about replica pistols is the Pistol Place .

Another good site with many reviews is:  Replica Airguns .

Pyramyd Air is a good online source for purchasing air guns.

Gateway to Air Guns is a good discussion forum for pellet rifles.

I have no affiliation with any of the above sites, companies or manufacturers except for being an occasional customer or visitor.

Air guns, Airsoft, Airsoft, Buck family, Family, Genealogy, General, Medicare, Pellet guns, Photography, Retirement, SSA, Uncategorized, YouTube

Welcome

Welcome to Gordon’s Miscellaneous Blog.  If Seinfeld can be a television show about nothing then I should be able to have a blog about everything.  I claim no particular expertise on anything but perhaps can document some experiences and lessons learned.

On joining the ranks of the retired, I’ll be renewing old hobbies and interests as well as investigating potential new ones.  Over the years, I’ve gone through many hobbies and interests, including:

  • Photography and videography
  • Genealogy and history
  • Archery
  • Rifle and Pistol target shooting
  • Hiking and Camping
  • Swiss Army Knives
  • Computers (programming and such)
  • Engineering (yep, still a math and science nerd – just retired now)
  • Automobiles and Bicycles
  • Retirement (a new interest!)

Although I already have two blogs, one of my goals is to learn more about blogging – especially using WordPress.  My other blogs are:

Both are badly in need of updates (which should happen soon).

So, here we go …