Storm reports

Seems like Missouri missed most of the bad stuff yesterday. We saw several wall clouds and funnels but only one actual touched-down tornado - just west of Joplin.

Unfortunately, the hills and trees and houses kept us from getting good pictures on this one. Also, it was a short-lived tornado. A quick reposition after that fell apart got a beautiful wall cloud that started to drop a funnel but didn't make contact with the ground... but was very photogenic:

We tried for a few more intercepts but didn't get a whole lot - some very black clouds, and hints of funnels and walls forming, but nothing solid enough to sit on and watch. With about 90 minutes of daylight left, we started heading north towards home, and were gifted with these views:

Long day - 400 miles in the back seat of a Chevy Silverado over about 13 hours - but well worth it and I'll happily do it again.

13 I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. 14 It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; 15 and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.

Gen. 9:13-16

Thoughts and prayers with the folks in Vilonia, Arkansas and the other places that got damaged yesterday... these storms really aren't anything to fool around with.

Stormchase

Working tonight. Get out at 0700. Zoom home, grab a shower and some clean clothes, a power nap, then meeting up with a couple friends to go stormchasing.

The current hotspot according to the NOAA SPC (and planned destination) is southwest Missouri - down Springfield/Joplin way. That may change between now and the morning, but I'm game for most anything. I'll crap out in the back seat while they drive, and wake up when we get there.

My bag is packed and ready to go - both my Baofeng portable radios with charged batteries, a change of clothes, handful of snacks, camera with fresh batteries and memory card... the portable radio box is sitting in the truck waiting.

We're going to catch a storm tomorrow - no question about that. My friend/guide is cautiously optimistic that we'll catch a twister, too.

Pics in a day or two... :-D

Living Vicariously...

... through the posts and pictures of others.

Linoge posted pictures without much in the way of descriptions, and the first one is a "M1911P (POLY)".

A quick google found that this is a new thing from Rock River Arms.

Government-sized 1911 at 2.0lb, instead of the 2.5lb of a (f'rex) Springfield Mil-Spec. That's a noticeable drop, and brings a full-size 1911 into spitting distance of things like the M&P-series pistols (M&P45: 27oz) and GLOCKs (G21: 29oz).

I'm not going to get into the single-stack/double-stack argument. If you shoot, you know what you like. They all have their place. I'd like to get my hands on one to see how it handles and shoots. The specs say there's a "steel frame insert" which should provide good rigidity...

Interesting, that's for sure.

NRAAM

To all my tribe in Indy this week: have a ball. I wish I could be there with you; I had a wonderful time meeting many of you in Pittsburgh and would love to see you again. It wasn't in the cards for this year. Perhaps Nashville '15 - it's an 8-hour drive which is entirely reasonable. Perhaps. :-)

I'll be eagerly looking for pictures and stories!

A bit of gun stuff

GfZ ordered a scope the other night: a Nikon ProStaff 3-9x40. I am pleased with the choice; I think Nikon's scopes are an excellent value... I have several in my safe already.

For those that suggested iron sights and learning fundamentals: there is nothing wrong with that at all. But I believe a newer shooter should have FUN above all - and if they are being frustrated by their iron sights, they're not having fun.

She'll be taking the rifle to an Appleseed next month and learning how to really run it.

I'm starting to evaluate my next AR build ... I've got at least one complete lower lacking an upper, and one stripped lower lacking most everything. I desperately miss my A2 arrangement and plan to make that a priority. The other ... I may do a pistol, or an SBR. Not sure yet.

I've picked up a few things here and there that I hope to review or comment on in the next couple weeks. Nothing earth-shattering, but amusing nonetheless. Stay tuned on that.

New citizen...

GfZ is waiting on the perp walk for her first rifle. A pretty little 10/22 stainless. When we're home I'll plunk her down in front of Midway or Brownell's for an optic. 

BAG Day...

It actually wasn't Buy A Gun Day for me ... there's plenty on my "want" list but not a lot on the "have to have" list. So I bought ammo instead.

Yep. A crate of 7.62x54R. I didn't own a Mosin when the stuff was $120. I didn't have the disposable funds when it was $160. I didn't click the "add to cart" fast enough when it was $180... So now it's $200 for a crate, plus shipping, and it's still the cheapest centerfire stuff out there. (About $0.27/round after shipping. The cheapest .223 is still running $0.30+.)

I realize a wooden crate isn't much to look at, but then again, neither is a green metal can. And I'm definitely not opening those up - don't want to lose that precious 1970s ComBloc air!

Random thought of the morning...

I wonder what kind of reach I could get with a portable Yagi and my storm radio?

It punched out a full 50W on battery the other night, although I don't think I could do it for too awful long... but then again, with a decent Yagi I shouldn't need to punch out max power for solid range.

The closest SOTA region is down around Springfield, so not exactly a day trip.

Something to consider... and I may acquire a Yagi for storm stuff anyways.

Stamp time

I have the clear to start a trust and get a can. Planning on a .22 because... Well, .22. 

All my digging thus far says Silencerco Sparrow. Any opposing thoughts?