Popular Posts

5/30/2013

A Gun-Girl's Broken Heart

By Gabby

A Gun-Girl's broken HeartPeople fear that gun folks are going to suddenly get angry and start shooting everyone. Well, I just found out (a few days ago) that I was cheated on and had four months of my life wasted by a selfish brat of a boy, and not once has shooting him entered into my head. Allow me to clarify; This was not a drunken accidental slip. It was premeditated, fly to another state, lie by omission, try to rationalize it, cheating. It ended with him getting caught and being forced to come clean to me, but only after I had picked him up from the airport... I was used, no doubt; But while I'm deeply hurt, I'm not thinking of causing him any physical harm. I'm leaving all my anger to the theory of, "What goes around, comes around," and letting the whole thing go.

However, this incident causes me to consider why some people, with access to a firearm, reach for them at stressful moments like this. Frankly, I think people who turn to violence to solve non-violent issues, are not normal, they are criminally unhinged. (In my professional opinion) they are missing that part of the brain that knows the difference between defending one's self against a real threat and using force to appear stronger, or more powerful, than another.

5/29/2013

Gun-shaped Whatsit

Posted a very long time ago, but worth repeating, can you guess what kind of caddy this could be...?
Whatsit Wednesday


5/29/2013

Surprised by my Gun-Free Family for Gun Nuts

By Gabby for Gun Nuts

Concealed carry in North CarolinaA day before last weekend's trip to Asheville NC, my mother said to me,
"You're not taking the gun with us, are you?" I informed her that that was my plan, because when my family comes to my neck of the woods, I feel it, my responsibility to protect them. She then worried that this would upset my sister, who is basically anti-guns. To which I replied that she needn't know I was wearing it. Then my mother asked,
"So you're going to wear it everywhere?!" Matter of fact-ly I said,
"Thats how it works."
**and scene**

Read more at Gun Nuts
©2013 ArmedCandy,LLC

5/28/2013

AR Build Diary: Frog Lube

By Gabby

Frog Lube is Fun!
You know I couldn't help myself! As soon as I got my receivers home I had to start playing with them. I had been told the the anodized aluminum would be very thirsty, so I set to work greasing 'er up. Ready at home, I had a 4oz tub of Frog Lube (best price I found was from RedBarnArmory.com who ships free as long as it's part of an order totaling more than $99), some microfiber clothes (from the auto supply section at Wal-Mart) and some acid/flux brushes (from the pluming section at Home Depot). Frog Lube sells all these items as a kit, but, ya know, I like to make my life difficult.

5/27/2013

Concealed Carry Woes for Gun Nuts

By Gabby for Gun Nuts

CCW App for NC carry lawsI've really been trying to do it regularly, but this whole concealed carry thing is f***in hard! Not only is the wearing of my my gun a pain, but following the rules so that none of my actions are criminal, is very, VERY complicated. Even with this knowledge, for the first time this weekend, I am not just taking my firearm across state lines, I intend to carry, and take on the responsibility of protect my family, as we vacation in Asheville, North Carolina. I check my CCW App (that I have previously reviewed) and we're off!

Driving from Atlanta into NC: No problem. We drive from one state to the other, my pistol is surprisingly comfortably on my hip the entire time. When we get out of the car I have to remember to check that my shirt hasn't crept up to reveal (my muffin top) and my pistol. Had we driven through South Carolina, I would have had to leave my gun in the car, probably would have made it the trunk, and kept it unloaded. If we'd been staying in South Carolina, I probably would have left it at home altogether. (Leaving a firearm in a rental car or a hotel, really doesn't sound like a good plan to me.) But North Carolina is accepting of my GA permit so I wear my pistol all the way up.

Read more at Gun Nuts
©2013 ArmedCandy,LLC

5/26/2013

AR Build Diary

By Gabby

AC's AR-15
As my hand guard was on the verge of going into the anodizing tub, I realized that I might have no place to put accessories. Yes, my upper receiver has a few inches of rail that can hold a rear back up sight and maybe a scope, but where would a put a front sight? a forward grip? a flashlight? The smooth hand guard that I was so excited about has no place for rails to be easily attached, so if I was going to have some on there, holes for screws would have to be drilled and tapped. Being a handy girl I considered doing this myself, and then thought better of it.

5/23/2013

Being Girly, Gun-Girly

By Gabby

Being Girly is part of being a gun-girl
Being girly and being a gun girl, just go together, and I think I may have nailed down one of the reasons for this.

Last night I was lubing-up all the parts for my AR. I took out the main parts of my bolt carrier group so I could do each part individually. I didn't take the bolt it's self apart, (which requires tools) but when I went to put the bolt back into the carrier, I couldn't get the final pin to slide into place. Just then I remembered boyfriend saying something about how a certain part had to be facing a certain direction. I could remember the statement, but not the specifics...go figure. Rather then force it, I laid all the parts on my polishing cloth, and posted a photo to the ArmedCandy FaceBook page. Within a half hour, there were four comments, (all from guys) offering help. There were two emails from two other guys, and had I not answered the phone, there may have been a knock at my front door.

5/22/2013

AR Build Diary: To Sling or not to Sling?

By Gabby

Tacticalink has some products that look interestingAnother decision for that rear section of my AR is sling connection points. I prefer the idea of a two-point sling for the stability and I hate the idea of lacing it in and out of static attachment points.

5/22/2013

Whatsit Wednesday

I think every hunter needs one of these!
Whatsit Wednesday


5/22/2013

hey Gun Nuts, is "newer" really better?

By Gabby for Gun Nuts

ar build questionsI met my first plastic AR this week! ok, polymer, whatever! ...No, It wasn't Solo cup plastic, but it was so very plastic! It wasn't one of those wikiguns, to my amazement, it was actually a Bushmaster. My first reaction was to ask if it was real. Fortunately the person holding it was not the owner. He explained to me that his friend had bought this thing, against his recommendation, claiming that after extensive research, it appeared to be a quality product. We both rolled our eyes.

read more at Gun Nuts
©2013 ArmedCandy,LLC

5/20/2013

Your Gun, Your Style: Pick a Finish

Bluing

By Gabby

Making your gun match you style isn't as complicated as you might think, the only difficulty is choosing the right finish for the look you want. There is an amazing number of finishing options out there but not every finish can be used on every part. Some feel women's guns shouldn't reflect their owner's style, but I really disagree!

5/20/2013

Shopping for AR Parts -for Gun Nuts

By Gabby for Gun Nuts

AR anodized by Tactical PretttyWhen I told my friend, back in December, that I was ordering my AR receivers, he laughed and said, "Good luck finding a lower parts kit!" Another friend, who had started his first build six months earlier said, "Ha! You picked a heck of a time to start!" For all intents and purposes, both of them were right. Since the beginning of this year, inventory of guns and gun parts has been exceptionably low. You can't visit a single web-gun-store without seeing multiple "out of stock" labels. This is especially true of .223/5.56/AR-15... everything.

Therefore my friends' concern for my project made sense, but as it turns out, they were wrong. My lower parts kit, ordered in January, came in before my receivers, though I wouldn't call early April, speedy delivery. Everything else has required a hunt, but as a first time builder, I believe this was the best possible scenario. Before you call me crazy, read on.

Read More at Gun Nuts
©2013 ArmedCandy,LLC

5/19/2013

Reader Email: The President and his security

Obama visits Atlanta

By Annony Reader

Today, Gabby posted a pic of the president's motorcade driving through Atlanta and mentioned that he had shut down the southbound side of 75 and all the overpasses as well. I don't know about you, but that seems a little excessive.

5/16/2013

AR Build Diary

By Gabby

Red Barn Armory
I stumbled onto this site after too many hours of doing the same searching myself. It seems Gunquester has found a way to search many of the gun-parts web-stores for a certain item, and not only relay whether it's in stock, but tells you if the store's inventory system is actually linked to their site. (This is important because while some stores show an item as "In Stock" or are willing to take orders on a certain item, it is only after you proceed with the transaction that you will be told that you may be waiting for this shipment, indefinitely.)

5/15/2013

Wednesday Whatsit

What do we have here?!?
Whatsit Wednesday


5/15/2013

Ar-15: A Brief History Concluded for Gun Nuts

By Gabby for Gun Nuts

20130514-231004.jpgOn Monday we learned that AR-15 was not automatically accepted by the US army when it was invented. The rifle was too new in concept for the conservative military decision makers of the 1950s but in 1960, everything changed. As the Vietnam war ramped up the M16, the military version of the AR-15, was shipping out with each soldier. But the story was far from over. The troops had been issued the M16 and told the the gun was "self cleaning". They weren't even given cleaning kits. While many were not properly trained on the M16, the bigger issues came from the skimping by the military. The decision was made to use to ball powder, rather than stick, in the ammo made for the M16. Also, the government had opted to follow the AR-15's original design, (a design created for sporting, not the battlefield) and the chamber of the M16 was not chromed.

Read the rest on Gun Nuts
©2013 ArmedCandy,LLC

5/14/2013

AR Build Diary: Check List Update

By Gabby

I've received some orders and canceled some orders, but we're doing pretty well at this point.

Check out my checklist and let me know if I'm missing anything.

5/14/2013

AR Build Diary

By Gabby

Not your typical stockI chose my stock!!!

It was a long hard process but the order is placed and I'm excited! I chose a lesser known company, because, ya know, I like to be different. It's light weight, but still has a large storage compartment. It's adjustable and versatile, with two QD sling connection points and a standard connection point as well. Optional parts include an adjustable check rest and a tiny click on GPS unit. The storage compartment is accessed by flipping down the kick pad on the butt of the stock. I like this better than the side entry compartments for two reasons. First, to access the compartment one must lower their rifle. This keeps one's focus solely on the task at hand, meaning no accidents. Also, those side compartments add extra parts and controls, though they usually offer rear entry compartments at the same time. That's extra weight and extra mechanisms that may break. Further, the rear compartment on the stock I ordered is water tight, Awesome! The stock also comes with a X shaped foam block that buffers small items inside the compartment, so there is no rattle...when I'm in stealth mode.

Still not sure what stock I'm using? Keep reading...

5/13/2013

Girls & Guns, Breaking News

By Gabby

I have been doing my absolute best to inform the non-gunning masses about why we "heart" guns. I've been at this for almost two years, and have met tons of gun-girls like myself. I guess I had forgotten that there were still many people, outside the firearm community, who were not aware of the strength of the gun-girl movement.

Not to worry, I was brutally reminded of this last week when a friend posted an article from Jezebel magazine on my timeline. The writer, Doug Barry opened his article, NRA Convention Featured Pink Guns, Bra Holsters for the Ladies with the line, "GUNS!!!!! Right, ladies?? You like GUNS, don’t you?" dripping with sarcasm. He went on to describe how, unlike years past, this years NRA annual meeting, did everything it could to market to women. He specifically mentioned the Flashbang bra holster, but made the concept of a woman carrying a gun, sound like the most ridiculous idea anyone ever dreamt up.

5/13/2013

AR-15: A Brief History for Gun Nuts

By Gabby for Gun Nuts

Corbis: Vietnam Soldier with M16In order to do a better job on my own AR-15 build, I figured it might be handy to learn the history of this coveted weapon system. Having studied architecture in college, I realize that some times form can be affected by more than function. It turns out, the AR was not an immediately hit and caused almost as much controversy as it does today. But I get ahead of myself. We should begin with the term "AR". Until recently I believed the acronym stood for "Assault Rifle", but I learned that ""AR" actually stand for the company at which the platform was invented, Armalite. Eugene Stoner, Armalite's chief engineer in the early 1950s, called on his background in the aircraft industry, and designed a rifle that was lightweight and appropriately "space-age" for the day. He utilized plastic, fiberglass and aluminum for the AR's design, which was an 180 degree turn from the steel and wood firearms previously on the market.

Read the whole story on Gun Nuts

5/12/2013

AR Build Diary

By Gabby

The count down is on! My receivers and hand guard are anodized and crossing the country. I can't help but check the tracking number every few minutes. Because the lower receiver is part of this package, the law says that they must be delivered to an FFL. My FFL has also been made aware or the tracking number and knows to when the box is due to arrive, because FedEx will require a "Signature by an Adult".

Needless to say, my AR wrench is ready!

5/10/2013

Friday Night Trivia

Who can really explain to me the difference between Weaver Rail and Picatinny?

5/09/2013

AR Build Diary: Magazines

By Gabby

Don't even try to look for a 30 round polymer magazine today. Even if you find some in stock, you will probably end up paying double the MSRP. Be sure to go to the manufacturer's website to see what the price should be for such an item. For example, the infamous "PMag" by Magpul, can be found for up-words of $30 to $50 around the Internet at the moment. However, depending on the the generation (there are three currently on the market) this product shouldn't cost more than $20.

Why is everyone so excited about polymer magazines anyway? Isn't steel tougher? Firstly, the original "steel" style AR magazines aren't even steel, they are aluminum. Second, no. The metal magazines are susceptible to more bumps and bruises than their plastic counter parts. The "lips" of the magazine, the two pieces that bend inward where rounds are inserted, are most susceptible to bending. If these lips are bent, feeding problems are likely to follow.

5/09/2013

AR Build Diary: Grips

By Gabby


There are a ridiculous number of grips to chose from when it comes to the AR-15. This little piece of plastic is a major part of the legal arguments against the weapon system. I have gathered a selection of "AR grips" that are available from various manufacturers, though I have narrowed my preferences considerably already. The grip in the center left has a trigger guard built in, so you know I don't need anything like that, but as you can see, some of these extend back and up to cover a portion of the lower receiver, and some have finger indents molded in too.

5/08/2013

Gun-Shaped Whatsit


What am I?
Find out below...

5/08/2013

New for Gun Nuts: Is Gabby Ready For Her Close Up?

By Gabby for Gun Nuts

is gabby ready for her close up?Does any one else have trouble shutting off their gun brain? The other night I was watching "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" and as the plot reached its crescendo, all I was thinking was, there's no way she could have shot that suppressed fully automatic AR in her kitchen and not gotten a face full of smoke. Honestly, I'm incredibly proud of what I've learned (and retained) about guns, in such a short period of time. I love to teach new shooters what I know and hold my own when the long time shooters get to chatting. But how do I keep from driving my new boyfriend up the wall, when a movie makes a blatant firearm handling/depiction error? Further, will I ever enjoy an action movie again?

Read more at Gun Nuts
©2013 ArmedCandy,LLC

5/07/2013

AR Build Diary

By Gabby


Decisions for the back of my rifle:

• My lower parts kit came with a buffer and buffer tube, so I don't have to worry about that, but a few items are related to that area and need to be considered before completing the assembly of my lower.

5/06/2013

AR Build Diary Parts List

AC's AR Parts List


Read all of the AR Build Diary here
©2013 ArmedCandy,LLC

5/06/2013

"Gun Registry" via Social Media

By Gabby for Gun Nuts Media

Photo tweeted by @GlockincI love how the firearms industry is embracing the inter-webs. It took them long enough. At SHOTShow 2013, I was shocked to learn that there were still manufacturers without a twitter handle! Shocked! Since then, we've grown exponentially. Gun-folks have accepted blogs as valid sources of news and information, and I, for one, think it's fantastic. Early in my visits to the range, I noticed that gun people are talkers. I've learned some of my best shooting tips and gun recommendations, just by hanging around the range. We love to share what we know, and compare our experiences and this is one of our most endearing qualities.


Read the post at Gun Nuts
©2013 ArmedCandy,LLC

5/03/2013

AR Build Diary

By Gabby

I've been going back and forth on a number of decisions because, as I research I learn and must adjust my preferences (that were previously, only based on style). Barrel selection has been one such decision. I want something light, because I am a weakling in my left arm, but I want something that will last. I've been told that thicker is better when it comes to barrels, so I decided to go with a 14.5" barrel with a "government" profile. This means the barrel is thicker in the front than it is under the hand guard. I've also decided that a mid-length gas tube is the way to go. I had no idea that different gas tube lengths existed, let alone made a difference. But after doing some research, I found that carbine length gas tubes as not as good, so decision made...*

5/01/2013

Whatsit Wednesday

whatsit Wednesday
What could these be?
Answers can now be found below

5/01/2013

Field Strip Video


By Gabby

We checked out the CZ Custom shop's ProTek, but before I send back this wonderful gun, let me do a quick field strip video for anyone considering any of the pistols in the CZ 75 line.

©2013 ArmedCandy,LLC

5/01/2013

Post for Gun Nuts: An Open Letter

Open Letter To The Displaced Manufacturers of the Firearms Community

By Gabby for Gun Nuts Media

Georgia on My MindTo the displaced manufacturers of the firearms community:

I was sad to hear that the laws in your home states, are causing you to look for new digs. The loss of American jobs and revenue are a disappointing sign that these states are unable to recognize your importance to their economies. I have heard that you are being courted by Rick Perry, but I wanted to let you know that there are other states ready to welcome you. One such state, is Georgia, and while it may not be as obvious a choice as Texas, I'd like to tell you why you should have "Georgia on your mind!"

Read More at Gun Nuts
©2013 ArmedCandy,LLC

5/01/2013

AR Build Diary

By Gabby

I was considering a gas block with top and bottom rails last night, until I was advised that anything other than iron sights near the barrel would melt. I'd love to hear thoughts on this. If that's the case, why do they make gas blocks with more than a top rail?

Would you help me with a few more decisions?