Illegal Deer Hunting or Pouching

A good archer with a bow and arrow can easily kill a deer, this is why they have 'Bow Season.'
But pouching as this fellow was accused of in the movie Robin Hood is also illegal today.

Question from Viewer : How to Clean a Muzzleloader

Q) Can you please explain in a step by step process how to clean my black powder muzzleloader rifle?

A) This is the old fashion way so I suggest you use this method.

You will need the following items :

Mild Dishwashing Soap

Boiling Water

Large Funnel

Cleaning Rod

Old Tooth Brush

Gun Oil (you can use 3-1 oil)

Cotton Cleaning Swabs (pads)

Rubber Dish Gloves

One-ounce tube of Anti-seize Compound (Ace Hardware or Home Depot)

Important Note: Do not use a wire bore brush on a muzzleloader.

Steps in Cleaning Your Muzzleloader:

Step 1 - Before starting boil about 3 quarts of water. Use a 5-quart pot. Just before the water boils add about one tablespoon of the dishwashing liquid.

Important Reminder - Dishwashing Soap will strip the oil from the barrel like it does on a cast iron skillet. This creates rust so make sure to oil the inside of the barrel before reassembling the firearm.

Step 2 - Carefully remove the Barrel from your Rifle. 

Step 3 - Remove the Nipple and the clean-out screw. 

Step 4 - Using a cleaning swab run it once through the barrel.

Step 5 - Using that old toothbrush gently clean the area around the nipple hole and the clean-out hole.

Step 6 - When the water is boiling take the Barrel, Funnel, and Hot Water outside. If it's too cold out, use the bathtub. If using the bathtub I suggest putting the end of the barrel in a plastic bucket so as not to scratch the tub surface.

Important Reminder - Do NOT use the wife's kitchen to do the cleaning.

Step 7 - Put on the rubber dish gloves. With the butt end of your barrel upright and using the funnel carefully pour in the hot soapy water. Stop when about half the soapy water has been used and start running a tight-fitting swab through the barrel. Then pour the rest of the hot water through the barrel. Run a tight-fitting swab through the barrel again. Let the barrel set for a few minutes vertical (upright) to drain and dry.

Step 8 - Now using the oil, apply to a clean dry swab and run it through the barrel.

Step 9 - Now reinstall the nipple and clean out screw. Put a small amont of the Anti-seize Compound on the threads of the screw.

Why do this? - Simple after a period of time the screw may become hardened and stuck in the nipple, and to have it remove without damaging the rifle will require taking it to a Gun Smith. This will prevent an expensive lesson.

Step 10 - Now just reassembly the barrel.

Important Reminder: Make sure the barrel is properly fitted, take your time in doing this. Now just wipe the barrel and metal frame down with some oil. To clean the wood I just spray some Pledge Furnisher Polish onto a rag and gently wipe the wood down.

Step 11 - This step maybe needed in dryer climates. If the ram rod becomes lose and falls out just wipe it down with a damp cloth. This should allow the wood to swell back to its original size. 

Good Luck ....

You are done and now ready to shoot once again.

This post updated, August 16, 2012 with photos ....

British Enfield 303 Sporterized Rifle

Thank you for your submittal SunnyBoy.

This is a great gun for shooting coyotes in Arizona. Also makes a great deer hunting rifle.

Rifle Description and Specs :

Manufacturer : British

Caliber : 303 British

Type : Bolt Action Rifle

Rifle has been sporterized.

Has fixed front sights.

Has adjustable flip rear peep sights (short and long distance).

All wood stock, refinished, sporterized.

Metal has normal age and wear and tear.

New Magazine Clip, fits very tight.

Bolt action and firing is very good.

Military All Leather Sling shows use, age, and wear an tear.

Sling swivels in good shape.

Rear Butt Plate and Feed Tube in good shape.

Trigger and Trigger Guard all metal.

100 Percent All Leather Rifle or Shotgun Scabbard with Belt Loops

Thanks Gary for the submittal.

Genuine Leather Rifle or Shotgun Scabbard.

Measures 36 inches long and is complete with leather straps.

Dimensions – Total Length 36 inches long x 8 1/ 2 Inches wide at top opening x 3 inches wide at base.
This can be used on a Horse, Motorcycle, or ATV.

Modified H&R 410 Single Barrel Shotgun with Hammer, Rubber Recoil Pad, Sling, Ammo Pouch, and Fake Silencer

Thank you 'Gun Smith' for the submittal.

About this firearm ....

An old 410 Single Barrel Top Break Action Shotgun was modified and professionally refinished by a Gun Smith with a completely new look.

This shotgun is perfect for Home Defense, Survivalist, Doomsday Preppers, and for Snakes.

Yes it meets both the legal overall length; and minimum barrel length set by the ATF rules. 

Firearm General Description and Specs :

Manufacturer : Harrington Richards (H&R)

Model : Topper Model 158

Gauge : 410

Shell Size : 3-Inch Full Shotgun

Action Type : Single Barrel Top Break Action

Release : Right Hand Button

Butt Stock : Rubber Recoil Pad

Special Features : Hammer, Butt Stock Shotgun Shell 9-Round Ammo Pouch, All Silver Metal Color, Black Stock, Black Swivels with Black Padded Sling.

Added Feature : Fake Aluminum Silencer.

Barrel Length : 20 Inches

Total Overall Length : 37 1/4 Inches

Deer Feet Single Gun Wood Rack

From a Deer Kill, two of the feet were mounted onto a piece of wood. The wood rack hangs on the wall and is used for a single firearm such as a deer rifle or shotgun.
Great for a 'Man Cave.'
Wood Rack Dimensions 25 inches long x 8 inches high.
Thanks for the submittal 'Hunter'.

Uberti Top Break Handgun

From the Uberti Firearms Webpage, 2012:

The Uberti Top Break is true to the original, designed by Major George Schofield at the Smith & Wesson factory in 1869. The Schofield revolver was created as a cavalry pistol. Its efficient, break-open design could be operated one-handed. That made it easy to eject all six spent cartridges and reload the single action revolver while on horseback.

The U.S. Cavalry was slow to see the merits of the top break, but Jessie James, John Wesley Hardin, and Wild Bill Hickok saw the fast reloading capability as a distinct advantage in their line of work. After numerous trials, the U.S. Army finally purchased three thousand top breaks with an improved top latch design.

However, it was the Russian government that truly embraced the new sidearm. The Czar ordered 41,000 top breaks with a modified grip design, lanyard ring, and a distinctive trigger spur.

True to the originals, Uberti Top Break No. 3 - 2nd models are available in 38 Special, 45 Long Colt, and 44-40. The New Model Russian, chambered in 45 Colt and 44 Russian, includes Cyrillic barrel stampings.

Footnote: Uberti is owned by Beretta.

Thanks for the suggestion Ron Paul to add these to the blog.

Choose your weapon carefully grasshopper.

Homemade Wooden Sledge Hammer :

Submitted by Psycho Dad.
100 percent made of wood.
This is for you nitwitted anti-gun nuts. If someone wants to kill another human being or animal they will find a way.

Question from Viewer : What to take when Hiking, Backpacking, or Camping

Q) What do you take when hiking or camping?

A) Even the most experienced people get lost and disorientated in unfamiliar surroundings.

Personally, I always have the following with me:

1 - Handgun with extra ammo. Forget the concept that if you wave your hands and yell at a bear, coyote, or pack of wolves they will leave you alone. And, it sure the hell wont work on snakes.

2 - Large Hunting or Bowie Style Knife.

3 - A Swiss Army Knife.

4 - A Compass.

5 - A Police Whistle, noise carries a long way in the wilderness.

6 - A Canteen of Water.

7 - 20 Feet of Heavy Duty Twine.

8 - Duck Tape.

9 - A Tube of Super Glue.

10 - A Flint Stick.

11 - A large Brimmed Hat such as Cowboy Hat.

12 - An Extra Pair of Socks.

13 - A Neckerchief.

14 - A Pair of Gloves.

15 - 4 Granola Bars.

16 - A NASA Style approved Blanket.

17 - A Walking or Hiking Stick.

Note: People like to add a lot more things but weight is a real factor when hiking especially in thick brush or woods, or in the blazing Arizona Desert Heat.

Duck Tape can be used for many things and when combined with Super Glue makes a great application for a field dressing if your are injured.

If I added anything it would be a shotgun. Rifles are fine, but shotguns are more practical.

If you want to be found and think someone may be near fire only two shots and wait for return fire, then fire one more shot in response. Don't waste ammo. Anything you kill is food, eat it.

Before you start your adventure get your bearings, check your compass and use a reverse direction to return to the same point. Don't try and find your way in the dark, most predatory animals hunt at night and your are just food to them.

80 Pound Bomb Suit :

Thanks Randy for the submittal.
These bomb suits shown in the picture are heavy and hard to maneuver around in.
These are used by the Military and Police around the world, including U.S. and NATO Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Largest Saltwater Crocodile :

This is the largest croc ever caught on record at 21 Feet.
It was caught and killed in the Philippines in the year 2012.

This is a 'NO' Smoking Site :

WW1 German Soldier wearing a Gas Mask holding a Mauser Pistol

Henry Arms AR7 Survival Rifle Kit :

I own one of these and they are real fun to shoot.

Model # H002B

Long Rifle (LR) caliber, sold in all Black.

A civilian version of the original AR-7.

Since 1959, the venerable AR-7 survival rifle has been a choice of U.S. Air Force pilots who need a small caliber rifle they can count on for survival should they have to bail out over a remote area. Over the years, the AR-7's reputation for portability, ease of operation, and reliability has carried over to the civilian world. Today, it's a favorite of Bush Pilots, Backpackers, Campers, Doomsday Preppers, Survivalist, and Backcountry Adventurers who, much like their Air Force counterparts, need a rifle that's easy to carry, but has the accuracy to reliably take down small game.

This civilian version like the original Henry U.S. Survival Rifle, is a semi-automatic rifle, lightweight, approximately 2.5 pounds, and is very portable. At just 16 ½ inches in total length (when all the components are stowed), it fits easily into the cargo area of a plane or boat or in a backpack. And because it's chambered in 22LR you can carry a large quantity of ammunition, without adding much weight to your total gear.

Question from Viewer : Stand Your Ground Gun Laws

Q) I am sick to death of Liberals in America wanting to take my gun rights way when Home Invasions are on the rise. Where can I move in the Continental United States that has a Stand Your Ground Law for self-defense?

A) Most states have long allowed the use of reasonable force, sometimes including deadly force, to protect oneself inside their own home called the Castle Doctrine. Outside the home, however, people generally still have a "duty to retreat" from an attacker, if possible, to avoid confrontation. In other words, if you can get away and you shoot anyway, you can be prosecuted. 

In Florida, for example, there is no duty to retreat. You can "stand your ground" inside or outside your home. If self-defense is invoked in Florida, the person is immune from criminal or civil prosecution. Although lately politics have entered the equation screwing up a perfect law.

Each State has their own version of these laws, so you need to check the particular state in which you want to live in.

Here is a current List of Current – Stand Your Ground Gun Law States: 

Alabama

Arizona

Georgia

Idaho

Illinois (The law does not include a duty to retreat, which courts have interpreted as a right to expansive self-defense)

Indiana

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Michigan

Mississippi

Montana

Nevada

New Hampshire

North Carolina

Oklahoma

Oregon (Also does not include a duty to retreat)

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Washington (Also does not include a duty to retreat)

West Virginia

Disclaimer: The above states with their 'Stand Your Ground' laws are subject to various interpretations and are subject to change without notice or even being revoked like any other law of the land based on some political whim and pressure. Read each law within each state and know your Gun Rights. Start by buying a handgun, going to a qualified instructor for proper use and training, then get a CCW Permit, and practice often at a Gun Range. Always store your firearms out of the reach of children and clean after use.

The 3-Trigger Stevens Shotgun :

Thanks Sammy Boy for your submittal.
Originally made in 10 and 12 Gauge with 30 inch or 32 inch Damascus barrels. The action and the hammers were casehardened. It was advertised by Stevens as an option on special order with one rifle and one shot barrel in 38 and 44 caliber.
These shotguns came with double trigger guards and a front third trigger. The front guard and single trigger released the latch to open the barrels, and the rear guard with double triggers fired the shotgun, see pictures below.
They were manufactured from 1876 to 1884. Barrel markings were: 'J Stevens Chicopee Ma' and 'J Stevens Co Chicopee Ma.' It is believed that only a few thousand were made. This design never caught on.

Muzzleloaders and Black Powder Shooting :

Thank you James for the submittal.
The Basics of Black Powder Shooting:

Choose the Type of Muzzleloader you want ...

Gun Parts of a Muzzleloader ...

Loading a Muzzleloader (Black Powder), Illustration Method # 1 ...

Black Powder Horns ...

Type 1 -

Type 2 -

Muzzleloader Propellents ...

Muzzleloader Primers ...

Muzzleloader Ammo ...

Type 1 - Standard Round Balls

Type 2 - Black Powder Slugs

Type 3 - Projectiles

Loading a Muzzleloader (Black Powder), Illustration Method # 2 ...

Please remember Safety First, these are NOT a toy and are dangerous. They are real Firearms. They can be used for small or big game.

Many people all over the world use black powder for various reasons from sport shooting and hunting to reenactments of historic battles, like the American Revolution and Civil War.

In Arizona, we have a large group of Hunter and Target Shooters of various types of Muzzleloaders and Black Powder users.

Good Luck hunting season is near.