WNW: Doctor Whooves

Look, just deal with the fact that most Wednesday Night Wackiness entries are gonna be about ponies, ok? Just accept it and move on with your lives.

With that out of the way, I present to you a perfectly charming intersection of two of my fandoms: Doctor Who and My Little Pony.




Also included for your viewing pleasure: the Doctor Whooves theme (a DW/MLP music mashup).

Monday Gunday: Accessorizing the Kel-Tec Sub-2000

Last time on Monday is Gunday, I reviewed the Kel-Tec Sub-2000. Today I'm going to talk about accesories for it because, as I have said earlier, my girliest feature is my need to put accessories on everything.

I'm still deciding upon a name for this one. In fact, I'm not sure if I should name it at all, since the moment I name it I consider it "mine" and this gun was bought as a self-defense weapon my mother could use. Admittedly, I'm the head weapons-handler (weaponista?) of the household, and therefore its storage, maintenance and upkeep fall under my purview. Still... I didn't buy this one, nor was it expressly gifted to me. And I'd feel really strange about taking it with me if I moved out, since that would leave mom once again without a way to defend herself.

Sigh. My feelings, they are mixed.

Regardless, these are the accessories I have bought for the S2k, either out of perceived necessity or desired comfort.

1)  Three 33-round magazines. (Although, by an odd quirk, one of them holds 34.) This allows me to put 2 full boxes of 9mm ammo into ready-to-use containers, which saves on space and time spent loading. The S2k comes standard with a 10 round magazine, which is probably sufficient for any self-defense scenario, but is a pain to load at the range. 3x33 is not only far more convenient, it gives the user peace of mind that they won't run out of ammo any time soon -- unless they're at the range. In which case, I can probably empty all three of these before the lanes go cold for checking & changing targets.You'd pay $35 for a Glock-branded magazine, but if you're willing to accept magazines made in Korea and approved by NATO, you can get them for $15, for no tax and free shipping, from Botach Tactical.

2) A Butler Creek UPLULA (Universal Pistol Loader/UnLoader Accessory). I had never loaded a pistol magazine before I owned the S2k, and let me tell you -- it is damned difficult. You have to hold the magazine in your off-hand while the thumb and forefinger of your primary hand simultaneously hold a bullet and try to mash it down and back into the magazine, fighting the spring. This is not easy even in the best of situations, as the more you load the mag the greater the spring compresses and therefore the force required to depress it increases. This is made even worse if you have a brand new magazine (stiff spring), small hands (like me) or arthritis (like my mother).

This bad boy, however, makes loading fast, easy, and practically idiot-proof. Best of all, it works for nearly all pistol-caliber ammo (9mm to .45), and if you shoot something smaller, you can get the Baby UPLULA for .22 to .380). It retails for $35 (and it would be the best money you ever spent) but you can get it for $24.95 and free shipping at Amazon.

3) This is more of a modification than a purchase. I took a sling swivel stud (machine screw kind, not wood screw), cut it down, and then threaded it through the sling loop in the buttstock. A washer and a locking nut secured it on the other side. I attached the sling loop, and now I can attach my single-point sling to it easily. When not in use it tucks snugly behind... 

4) ...a small Limbsaver-brand recoil pad. This is included not so much to reduce recoil as it is to make the hard plastic buttstock with uncomfortable knobby thing (seen above) more comfortable when held against my shoulder. You can get this at most any Wal-Mart for $20 - $25.

5) This is the flashlight which used to be on Leo, my shotgun. As soon as I'm flush with Christmas money I'll be getting another one so that both home-defense weapons have tactical flashlights. What's nice about this particular setup is that I can dismount the light from the barrel clamp with a single allen screw, revealing a single Weaver-style mount to which I can then attach other accessories as needed. 

Also shown: my modded operating handle, now covered in 3 coasts plasti-dip. 

6) This just arrived in the mail today: a bolt tube cover from Tacticool Products ($13.50, free shipping).  I bought it strictly to make the carbine more comfortable. From their website:

The Kel-Tec SUB-2000 carbine is fun to shoot, but the cheek weld to the steel bolt tube is a source of some discomfort.  The heavy bolt recoils inside the bolt tube which is in contact with the shooter's cheek.  The steel bolt tube is also a good thermal conductor, transferring heat or cold into the shooter's cheek.  The bolt tube cover insulates the shooter from the shock loads and temperature extremes, greatly increasing the comfort when shooting the SUB-2000.  It also provides a tough rubber armor for the bolt tube, making it an even tougher little go-anywhere, do-anything carbine.

I haven't tried it at the range yet, but so far I like it. It takes a little bit of work to get it installed, as removing the buttstock from the buffer tube is a pain in the ass. Once put on, however, it doesn't need to be removed, and it fits the tube snugly. 

Also, I ordered this product on the 14th and received it on the 17th. Free AND fast shipping? Love it!

I need a conclusion here, don't I? Drat. All right, how about this:  while I know I am a compulsive accessorizer, I hope it is clear that I add things which are a) useful and b) tasteful. If I'm wrong, I'm certain I'll hear about them in the comments below!

MLP: Thoughts on "Student Zero"

Some spoilers ahoy if you haven't seen s2e3 of MLP.

• I always suspected Twilight Sparkle's intense organization masked a barely-contained Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. 
• Rarity has a fainting couch. This is most splendid.
• Apparently Rainbow Dash has leveled up and not only can perform a Sonic Rainboom at will, she can now apply a Nuclear Rainblast to her target. 

• Of course Fluttershy knows chiropractic and shiatsu massage. 
• I find it strange that Twilight didn't check in with Pinkie Pie before the picnic.  
• At this point I am convinced Lauren Faust employs people specifically to read Internet speculations about MLP just so she can more effectively troll us. First Derpy Hooves, then "Cupcakes"/Party of One, and now, in this episode: This is Rainbow Dash! Right now... she's Rainbow Glasses.
• Rarity takes her fainting couch with her on a picnic. Truly, she is a highly prepared Victorian Lady.
• Finally, the long-anticipated Twilight Sparkle freak-out. Now each of the Mane Six has had a moment of insanity related to Complete Cutie Mark Collapse. 
• I approve of the Cutie Mark Crusaders being  trolled in this manner. 
• Big McIntosh will now perform the role of Ash as the Ponyville Players present Army of Darkness.
• Princess Celestia puts the deus in deus ex machina. She's even hovering in the air. Of course.
• Big Mac shows us he has hidden depths! Eeeeeeyup. :)
• In true familiar/flunky fashion, Spike receives little credit for saving the day. 

In summary: Now that we've gotten the obligatory two-part not-especially-fun season opener out of the way, we are back to having the seriously fun/funny/lulzy/nearly subversive humor we've come to expect from MLP. Huzzah!

More Pony Alignments

I'm still not feeling great, but I didn't want to miss another day without posting something. So, in honor of (finally!) new episodes of My Little Pony tomorrow -- 9 am Eastern, on The Hub -- here is another version of the now-classic Alignment Picture Chart.

WNW: Zombies, Zombies Everywhere

Well, it's been a week and the virus which ravaged my home seems to have finally run its course with me. I'm in that gray area of "technically not sick, but not feeling good enough to properly be called healthy just yet" where I am no longer miserable but lack the energy to do much of anything.

So, zombies. It's October, so they're in vogue once again, and I feel like I've just woken from a zombie state. Therefore I give you a hodgepodge of debatably amusing zombie-themed media.

1. Run For your Lives is a zombie-themed 5k "fun run" where actors dressed as zombies chase you as you attempt to cross obstacles and make it to the finish line without "dying". Now, I hate running, but this looks awesome and if it were in my area I'd definitely give it a try. As it is, there'll be a gun show in my neck of the woods October 22-23, so I'll be preparing for the apocalypse in my own special way.

A couple of videos made by RFYL to promote the event:







2. An Ace Hardware store in Lenexa, Kansas (why is it always the midwestern states?) is running a Zombie Preparedness Special. In addition to sales they also have an extensive help section on frequently-asked zombie questions, such as the ever-relevant "My husband wants to use his blow torch to ward off oncoming zombies. Do you have any tips or suggested products to prevent fires?"  They also have a handy one-page PDF of guidelines for home zombie defense.

They even have a clever video. Why isn't Ace Hardware making this a national ad campaign?




3. Brownells (a shooting supply store) has a webpage which claims that the zombie apocalypse has already begun, and therefore is offering specials on ammunition. I find it odd that the zombocalypse is centered upon Iowa City, IA (there's that midwest connection again). Of course, if it spreads to Illinois, who would know the difference?

4. There is no fourth entry. This has been included solely to comply with the Law of Fives. Don't have a Chao.


5. Finally, enjoy an interactive movie about delivering pizzas during a zombie apocalypse in Deliver Me To Hell.




Enjoy, and don't get eaten!

WNW: EPIC CUPCAKES

Please excuse any absence of posting, I seem to have caught my mother's special blend of bronchitis and pneumonia.

At any rate, please enjoy this video. I am impressed by the quality of its animation and the nearness of the voice actors to the actual characters, even though i get the feeling I am missing a joke somewhere.

Monday Gunday: Kel-Tec Sub-2000

There's a new toy here at Château Palette:  the Kel-Tec Sub-2000.

Introduction
The Sub-2000 (henceforth known as the S2k) is a pistol-caliber semi-auto carbine, chambered either in .40 S&W or 9mm Luger, and able to accept a variety of different magazines depending upon which model you purchase. Ours is 9mm Glock, because for the sake of utility and frugality I wanted a gun which used magazines from the world's most popular pistol chambered in the world's most common pistol caliber.* While it comes with a 10-round magazine, we went ahead and got a 33-round mag, along with a hundred rounds of 115 grain FMJ (that's Full Metal Jacket, meaning the bullet is entirely coated in copper and is neither a hollowpoint nor has a soft lead tip).

I want to point out that this is not specifically MY gun; even though I picked it out and will be responsible for maintaining it, and I can shoot it whenever I like, it is technically my mother's gun because she's the one who bought it. Mom was feeling a bit left out because other than my .22, there weren't many guns in the house she could shoot. Dad has several revolvers in the .38 special - .357 magnum range, and while I can shoot them they aren't what I'd call comfortable, so it follows that my 72-year-old mother would not enjoy firing them. She wouldn't enjoy shooting my Mosin-Nagant, either, and my 12 gauge shotgun is pretty much out of the question.

Basically, she wanted something she could shoot either for fun or for self-defense. I knew that a pistol-caliber carbine would serve her well, because the combination of 9mm bullet, semi-auto action, and a shoulder stock would make the recoil manageable. The fact that the longer barrel allows for greater accuracy and a more solid grip -- three points of contact between shoulder and both hands -- is also a benefit. Combine that with a "Why would I need to reload?" 33-round magazine, and this is a pretty potent self-defense weapon in a surprisingly affordable package.

Retail price is around $400. We got ours for $350. Most 9mm handguns are in the $300 - $600 range, and because this was a long gun, we didn't have to wait 3 days to pick it up.


Review
The S2k is a surprisingly light weapon. I can hold it comfortably in one hand and it balances perfectly. Most of the weapon is covered in a plastic polymer; the exceptions are the stock (though not the shoulder piece) and the few inches of barrel not covered by a shroud. This plastic is one of three negative things I have to say about the S2k; there are quite visible mold lines ("flash" in model-assembly parlance) all over the housing and shroud, giving the gun an unfinished look. The checkering on the pistol grip is also quite rough, making it uncomfortable to grip without a glove, and there is a seam running down the back right where it can rub the sensitive skin between thumb and forefinger. Careful application of an X-acto knife will solve some of these problems, but I recommend either a shooting glove or a Hogue Handall slip-on grip.

The second problem I have with this weapon is the manner in which it is cocked. The bolt assembly lives in the buffer tube to the rear of the action, so cocking it requires me to curl my index finger around the operating handle which protrudes underneath and pull it to the rear. As you may imagine, this requires a fair amount of force (akin to releasing the safety on a Mosin-Nagant) and all of it is concentrated on the crook of my finger. This is not only unpleasant, it's poor ergonomics, and something my mother (who has arthritis) would have trouble with.

I plan to coat this in black plasti-dip to give it a more uniform appearance. 

Fortunately, the fix for this is simple. I took the head from an old Mini Maglite and used epoxy putty to pack the cavity. This simple modification allows me to wrap three fingers and a thumb around it, giving me much greater leverage. While I had no problems with this extension when shooting, it is entirely possible that men with large hands might find it striking them on the back of their wrists. I don't think this is likely, as you hold the S2k like a rifle (forearm held at an angle) rather than like a pistol (forearm straight back from the pistol grip), but be aware of this possibility and test it before you permanently modify your S2k!

Each square is 1 inch.

The third and final problem is the buttstock. It too is made from the same uncomfortable plastic, and due to the locking mechanism on the back it does not sit comfortably in my shoulder. In fact, the ridges and protruding lock-knob make it feel like a cleated shoe. If it's uncomfortable just being held to my shoulder, I don't want to think about what it would feel like when firing. Fortunately, this is another easy fix; just purchase a small slip-on recoil pad.

That's everything that I didn't like, and they're all easily solvable problems. Now let's talk about what I did like.

Perhaps the most interesting feature of the S2k is its ability to fold in half. This allows you to carry the weapon in a backpack or any carrier large enough to hold a full-size laptop computer What's more, the S2k is completely incapable of being fired while in this configuration, which renders it "safe for transport." There is also a locking mechanism at the back of the stock which enables you to lock the S2k in its folded position for added security in case of theft or curious children.

While this may seem like an oddity of little use, consider this: when folded, cleaning is a breeze. I have the convenience of using a simple cleaning rod while still going breech-to-muzzle. The action is similarly exposed, and I can attack it with a larger cleaning swab than I could if I had to go in through the ejection port. Finally, the sheer convenience of having it folded means that I can hold it in my lap to clean it.

Another point in the S2k's favor is that the bolt mechanism is easily removed without needing specialized tools. Press on the retaining pin in the back with your finger (or a bullet if necessary) until you can pull it out the other side. This disengages the buffer cap and allows you to remove the recoil spring and two-piece bolt for cleaning and lubrication.

Please note: the S2k manual says that you should never pull the trigger while the bolt is removed, as this will render the weapon inoperable. While this is true, it is by no means irreversible. If for some reason you are cleaning your S2k with the safety off (why??) and the trigger is pulled, do not panic. Simply find a small wooden dowel and run it down the exposed action until the hammer clicks back into place.

The front sight is surprisingly effective. Essentially a pair of ghost rings with a fiber-optic post in the front, this low-tech approach provides a highly visible and easy to acquire sight picture. When I took it to the range this weekend, I was able to shoot this group (approximately 60 rounds) at 15 yards using the default sights. I was not braced against anything.

Both accuracy and control are exceptional, and the recoil (with the pad in place) is barely more than that of a .22LR bullet.

This last part isn't scientific, but I'll say it anyway: the S2k is downright fun to shoot. There's something very James Bond or G.I. Joe about the way it looks and feels, and when I pick it up I have a hard time resisting the urge to run around like a little kid making "bang bang" noises. It shoots almost exactly the way you expected a gun to shoot back when you had toy guns, and the fact that most of the S2k is plastic is probably what contributes to the strong nostalgia.


Conclusion
It's small, it's afforable, it's a breeze to clean and a joy to shoot. If it was designed with more stringent ergonomics it would be the perfect gun. As I have just gotten it I cannot speak to its long-term durability, though I plan to put several hundred rounds through it before the end of the year. It's also an American-made gun (Cocoa, Florida) and the Kel-Tec website offers a number of accessories for it.

I wouldn't use this to go hunting, but this is an excellent gun for short-range self-defense or just taking to the range for a day of plinking. I am confident my elderly mother will be able to operate it effectively, as the controls are simple, the sights are accurate, and the recoil more than manageable.

My rating: 9 out of 10.


* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glock#Users