It's on Federal's website here. I haven't had a chance to run more than a few loads through it but it looks pretty good. It'll give me some good data to work with as I start working up some long range 3 Gun loads as the year proceeds.
Six
28 February 2014
24 February 2014
For Brigid And Barkley
Brigid's beloved companion Barkley has passed and the world is a bit darker and less friendly. But we shall celebrate with her a life well lived. A dog who loved his Person with every fiber of his being. Who existed only to protect her, comfort her and bring joy to her life. As pet owners we are all too aware of what Brigid is enduring and our hearts go out to her in the hope that a shared grief is a lighter burden.
Brigid, you did good by Barkley. He was loved, warm, fed and happy. And in the end you did the only thing you could. The bargain we make when we bring them into our lives to love. You let him go when he so desperately needed you to do just that.
Thank you for sharing him with us. It was a gift, one we shall always treasure. Barkley was a part of all our lives and will live on in our hearts and memories as if he was one of our own.
Lu and I send you our prayers and the sure and certain knowledge that someday you will once again be reunited in joy with the one you loved so dearly.
Farewell Barkley. May the grass be green, the treats tasty and the squirrels slow as you wait in the cool shade beside the Bridge for the one you loved best.
Six, Lu and Angus
Dedicated to Barkley.
Brigid, you did good by Barkley. He was loved, warm, fed and happy. And in the end you did the only thing you could. The bargain we make when we bring them into our lives to love. You let him go when he so desperately needed you to do just that.
Thank you for sharing him with us. It was a gift, one we shall always treasure. Barkley was a part of all our lives and will live on in our hearts and memories as if he was one of our own.
Lu and I send you our prayers and the sure and certain knowledge that someday you will once again be reunited in joy with the one you loved so dearly.
Farewell Barkley. May the grass be green, the treats tasty and the squirrels slow as you wait in the cool shade beside the Bridge for the one you loved best.
Six, Lu and Angus
Dedicated to Barkley.
His Apologies
1932Master, this is Thy Servant. He is rising eight weeks old. He is mainly Head and Tummy. His legs are uncontrolled. But Thou hast forgiven his ugliness, and settled him on Thy knee... Art Thou content with Thy Servant? He is very comfy with Thee. Master, behold a Sinner! He hath committed a wrong. He hath defiled Thy Premises through being kept in too long. Wherefore his nose has been rubbed in the dirt,
and his self-respect has been bruised. Master, pardon Thy Sinner, and see he is properly loosed. Master-again Thy Sinner! This that was once Thy Shoe, He has found and taken and carried aside, as fitting matter to chew. Now there is neither blacking nor tongue, and the Housemaid has us in tow. Master, remember Thy Servant is young, and tell her to let him go! Master, extol Thy Servant, he has met a most Worthy Foe! There has been fighting all over the Shop – and into the Shop also! Till cruel umbrellas parted the strife
(or I might have been choking him yet), But Thy Servant has had the Time of his Life
and now shall we call on the vet? Master, behold Thy Servant! Strange children came to play, And because they fought to caress him, Thy Servant wentest away. But now that the Little Beasts have gone, he has returned to see (Brushed – with his Sunday collar on) what they left over from tea. Master, pity Thy Servant! He is deaf and three parts blind. He cannot catch Thy Commandments. He cannot read Thy Mind. Oh, leave him not to his loneliness; nor make him that kitten's scorn. He hath had none other God than Thee since the year that he was born. Lord, look down on Thy Servant! Bad things have come to pass. There is no heat in the midday sun, nor health in the wayside grass. His bones are full of an old disease – his torments run and increase. Lord, make haste with Thy Lightnings and grant him a quick release!
23 February 2014
Sunday Kipling
Late, late I am so LATE! Got up this morning and just plain forgot. Shame on me.
I have a big pistol match coming up. Berry's Bullets is sponsoring a steel shoot first week of April. They're a local company so it's really great to see them stepping up and sponsoring a big match. I should also have a 3 Gun coming up first Saturday of March. I hope. I'm starting to get the shakes and seeing pink elephants. I need to shoot.
Lu and Angus are good. We went to the range yesterday and shot about 500 rounds or .22 through her Ruger SR22 and our M&P 15-22s. She gets a little closer to competing all the time. She's starting to equate it to running a race and that's a positive development. Angus is just as goofy and loveable as ever.
We've been working on the new bathroom. The water supply is in, main floor is tiled and most of the sheetrock is up. I have to finish up the walls and ceiling, tape and mud all the joints and then we'll be ready for sanding, texture and paint. I'm doing the main bathroom first, then I'll finish the shower in Part II. Look for a post this coming week.
I hope you are all having a fine Sunday. Know that you are always in our thoughts and prayers.
Six
I have a big pistol match coming up. Berry's Bullets is sponsoring a steel shoot first week of April. They're a local company so it's really great to see them stepping up and sponsoring a big match. I should also have a 3 Gun coming up first Saturday of March. I hope. I'm starting to get the shakes and seeing pink elephants. I need to shoot.
Lu and Angus are good. We went to the range yesterday and shot about 500 rounds or .22 through her Ruger SR22 and our M&P 15-22s. She gets a little closer to competing all the time. She's starting to equate it to running a race and that's a positive development. Angus is just as goofy and loveable as ever.
We've been working on the new bathroom. The water supply is in, main floor is tiled and most of the sheetrock is up. I have to finish up the walls and ceiling, tape and mud all the joints and then we'll be ready for sanding, texture and paint. I'm doing the main bathroom first, then I'll finish the shower in Part II. Look for a post this coming week.
I hope you are all having a fine Sunday. Know that you are always in our thoughts and prayers.
Six
A Ballad of Jakkko Hill
One moment bid the horses wait,
Since tiffin is not laid till three,
Below the upward path and strait
You climbed a year ago with me.
Love came upon us suddenly
And loosed -- an idle hour to kill --
A headless, harmless armory
That smote us both on Jakko Hill.
Ah, Heaven! we would wait and wait
Through Time and to Eternity!
Ah, Heaven! we could conquer Fate
With more than Godlike constancy
I cut the date upon a tree --
Here stand the clumsy figures still:
"10-7-85, A.D."
Damp in the mists on Jakko Hill.
What came of high resolve and great,
And until Death fidelity?
Whose horse is waiting at your gate?
Whose 'rickshaw-wheels ride over me?
No Saint's, I swear; and -- let me see
To-night what names your programme fill --
We drift asunder merrily,
As drifts the mist on Jakko Hill.
L'ENVOI.
Princess, behold our ancient state
Has clean departed; and we see
'Twas Idleness we took for Fate
That bound light bonds on you and me.
Amen! Here ends the comedy
Where it began in all good will,
Since Love and Leave together flee
As driven mist on Jakko Hill!
16 February 2014
DPMS 3G2 Evaluation
I've now had the chance to shoot this rifle a bit and have run 2 matches with it. So far I am very much in love with the gun. Lu is too but more on that later.
For those who missed my first post here's the DPMS description:
Following in the tradition of the successful DPMS 3G1, the 3G2 offers accuracy and versatility in a shorter, lighter package. A 16” stainless lightweight barrel with Miculek compensator provides quick handling and shot placement. The full length M111 handguard allows for the placement of back-up sights either on the top rail or on a 45-degree angle for rapid close-range target acquisition. Ergo grip and Magpul STR stock round out this range-ready carbine.
Specs:
5.56 NATO (also .223) caliber
7.1 pounds
37.5 inches (with extended stock)
16 inch 1 in 9 twist barrel
Forged 7075 T6 A3 upper receiver
Forged 7075 T6 lower receiver
DPMS 2 Stage trigger
DPMS M111 free float modular handguard
ERGO Grip
BCM charging handle
Magpul Gen II MBUIS offset iron sights
Miculek Compensator
Magpul STR adjustable stock
Cost $1100 out the door
Sight Vortex Viper PST 1x4
Scope mount Burris P.E.P.R.
Cost $600 out the door.
Total rifle package $1700
Initial impression is that's it's just flat out a gorgeous rifle. I like the mix of features and the way the handguard fits the barrel. Everything flows nicely resulting in a very handsome package. The MBUIS sights tuck in nicely, ready to flip up should the need arise. The cantilever mount puts the scope in exactly the right place with adjustments to get on zero taking up essentially none of the optic's internal adjustments. It fits both Lu and me very well (think Frick and Frack). Compared to my Budget Bushmaster the DPMS wins hands down. Not even close. ERGO grip, BCM charging handle, Vortex Viper PST 1x4 optic and a cheap nylon sling round out the package. I had my RS2 on it but Rifleslinger tells me he's got a tactical one in the works so I took it off for the nonce. I'll buy one as soon as it's available but for now this will do. Maybe I can be a beta tester (he asked hopefully)? The quality of parts, materials and build are unmistakable and excellent.
A closer look at those MBUIS back up iron sights. They're mostly plastic so how they'll hold up is anyone's guess but as is they work extremely well. I shot them today and was able to ring 16"x18" steel plates out to 100 yards with ease. I put Lu on them and she was just as accurate once she got used to them and the offset position. It is a little weird at first. They're firmly mounted to the forearm and fold down out of the way for storage.
The ERGO grip. I don't have a lot of experience beyond A2 grips but I like it. Easy on my strong hand middle finger. Feels pretty good to the hand. I'd like to experiment a little here but I'm completely happy with this grip. Soft without being mushy. Firm enough for a good grip.
The Magpul STR stock. I am honestly not a huge fan of collapsible stocks. The more things you have that can fail the more chances you have that something will fail. Usually at the worst time. In that vein I tend toward Fixed stocks. I like the STR, don't get me wrong here, but I'll probably eventually replace it with something like the Ace Skeletonized stock. That's not set in stone however and while I'm deciding the STR will do nicely. It is actually pretty comfy. It's wide enough to get a good cheek weld. It adjusts positively and has a lock (I'm pointing at it in the pic) that really firms it up. Very little movement when it's locked down. Lu is a big fan. For a collapsible it's a good one. Much better than those el cheapos you find on so many mid priced carbines. It even has storage. It hasn't yet caught on my clothing and shoulders quickly. If I was stuck with it forever I'd be satisfied.
Miculek Compensator. I installed one on the budget Bushmaster as much for cost as anything else. I have since discovered that I (inadvertently or not) did good on that selection. It just works. It's tunable but other than positioning it for right handed recoil (turned slightly to the right) I haven't touched either of them. I'm sure you can get better comps out there but for the money the Miculek is darned hard to beat. I'll be leaving this one alone. It really lightens the recoil and keeps the muzzle (and your sights) on target for fast follow up shots and quick splits. Important in both the competition and self defense arenas.
A closer look at the barrel. You can just see the low profile gas block behind the forearm. The barrel steps down from medium weight to light weight in 3 steps. The mid size is under the gas block. The light weight barrel ahead of the gas block makes the rifle swing very quickly and keeps the overall weight down. In comparison to the Budget Bushmaster the DPMS is noticeably lighter. Lu loves the weight (are you noticing a theme here?). The DPMS M111 forearm is free floating and has a whole bunch of attachment points for accessory rails for just about anything you can think of to add to the rifle. Aluminum, it's flex free and the smooth sides (I haven't added any rails to it as of yet) make for a comfortable forward grip. Nearly perfect in my opinion.
The DPMS 3G2 has their own 2 stage trigger. It is not top of the line for 3 Gun but I do think it's more than adequate for a defense carbine. Perhaps ideal. Here's my thoughts on triggers. None of my guns (now or ever will) have a "competition only" trigger. That is a trigger that is suitable for competition but borderline or outright unsuitable for daily or duty carry. There's a really fine line there, one I'll approach but will not cross. 2 pound triggers on a rifle are fine for a competition only gun but, as I said, all of my guns are subject to multiple duties. For that reason I'll do lighter triggers without resorting to 'breathe on it and it'll go bang' switches. I don't have a trigger gauge but my experienced finger says this one is in the 4.5 pound range. That's about as light as I'm willing to go. Much better than a stock battle trigger (in the 7.5 pound range) but entirely reasonable on a rifle I may have to tote and bang around in a loaded condition. You may disagree but for me this trigger is probably as good a balance as I could hope for. Compared side by side to the Budget Bushmaster the trigger is noticeably lighter and crisper without any fear of inadvertently lighting off of a round. It is not 3 Gun only perfect like JP, Hiperfire and others but for me it's exactly what I want. I will not change it though I will change the Budget Bushmaster to something close.
Nothing exceptional about the bolt. Just a standard Milspec piece, nitride coated and entirely unremarkable. It works very well and is getting better as I shoot the gun in. I have a couple hundred rounds through it since the last cleaning and the bolt will snap forward in the BCG with a flip of the wrist easy as pie. I did it when I took it out for this picture, dirty and all.
All that's well and good but how does it shoot? I've shot 2 matches with it recently and it performed as well as I could run it. I had one instance where my scope turrets turned without me knowing it which caused me no end of troubles hitting the 180 yard steel but I fixed it on the next stage and it ran fine. The next match I shot the same steel and I rang them one shot per. I have a 225 yard zero on the rifle which means than for most targets between point blank and 300 yards I can center hold (compensating for mechanical offset of course). I took it out and shot this target at 100 yards today. In the interest of looking good I held at 6 o'clock on the target to get center hits. The difference is 4 inches high at that range. On normal sized targets I'd aim center of mass and get good hits. But for head shots you must know your mechanical offset and ballistics holdover for various ranges. For my zero 100 yards is pretty much max ord (highest elevation during flight).
This was fired standing in a pit with a sandbag rest for the forearm. Not quite a bench but better than shooting offhand. That one at the top is a called flyer. I missed timed my heart beat and shot on the uptick. The other 4 are a 1 inch group centered around the bull. With the flyer it's 2 inches. Rifleslinger has more thoughts on group shooting over at his place. I highly recommend going over and perusing his offerings. The man is chock full of really good thoughts, ideas and information. For my purposes a one inch 4 shot group is entirely satisfactory and shows the rifle's capabilities if not the rifleman's. I think it's capable of better from a bench. I was also able to ring the gongs out to 300 yards with center holds with ease. That's a 16 inch carbine with a lightweight barrel and a 4 power optic. Ammunition was 5.56, 55 grain FMJ loaded to near XM193 specs by Western Arms and Ammo. They're a very good ammunition maker and distributor BTW. The owner has become a good friend and he supports the 2A and shooting sports with his time and money.
The free float forearm is something new to me but I am now convinced it's an absolute necessity for accurate and consistent distance shooting. Say, anything 100 yards and further. Take a look at this string I shot as part of a post on optics I'm putting together. This was shot with the Budget Bushmaster which has a non free floated, medium weight, 16 inch barrel. This was the third 5 shot string and you can see the vertical stringing typical for non free floated carbine barrels. As the barrel heats up point of impact changes and tends to move up and down. The DPMS was dead on all day. I'll be modifying the BB with a free float soonest. Look for a post on that down the road. I think the BB can get close to being a 1 MOA rifle, at least out to 300 yards or so. For consistent accuracy a free float is the only way to go and the 3G2's is excellent.
My bottom line for this gun was that it had to pull double duty. It had to be an excellent competition rifle while still being able to serve as a self defense gun. And it had to do both or either with equal competence. I think it passed both marks with flying colors. There are absolutely better 3 Guns on the market. Likewise there are rifles better suited for the rigors of combat. But there are very few that are equally at home in both venues and can operate at the high tempos both demand. With a few additions I can hang as many accessories on it as I desire (and my Tactical Timmy side will allow). Stripped down to the essentials it is a rifle that, in more competent hands than I, is capable of winning 3 Gun matches. It has run without a hiccup for more than a thousand rounds so far and with minimal fussing or cleaning. It's price is comparable to most any mid line carbine but with a host of excellent features. What more could anyone ask?
I have about a thousand rounds through it so far and have yet to have a failure of any kind. It just runs and runs and runs. Doesn't seem to care about ammo though I have yet to try steel cased. I love my chambers so that may never happen. I do tend to keep my guns kinda clean and sorta well lubed but for Sunday's range session I left it dirty and gunked up. No issues of any kind. I may let it go for a bit and see what happens. Then again, seeing as how I'm mostly shooting in competitions at the moment and I want to win, I may not take the chance. We'll see. I'm also going to load up some 62 grainers (and maybe as heavy as 69) and see how they perform in the 1x9 twist barrel.
I mentioned Lu a few times. She shot the DPMS yesterday along side the Budget Bushmaster. She loved the DPMS, especially with the Vortex Optic. She shot it like a champ, including the offset irons. So much so that it's been decided. Instead of passing along the BB to her I'll be keeping and modifying it as a backup for me (and truck gun) and we'll be purchasing a new 3G2 for Lu. She's really getting into AR shooting and after a range session with the DPMS she's certain. If I don't buy her one of her very own she'll be taking mine. I'm a giver but not that much of one! Its light, accurate, comfortable and dependable.
I'm now of the opinion that a 3 Gun capable rifle can make for an excellent self defense gun. They have many of the same capabilities and strengths. Good accuracy, quality components, dead nuts dependability and shooting comfort. Just be careful of the features you get, especially rails and triggers. In my humble opinion the DPMS succeeds on both fronts. If I need a rifle for any kind of serious duty it's the first one I'll reach for. Long term testing is ongoing but I'm now able to concentrate more on improving my shooting skills and less on the shortcomings of my rifle. That is very much a goodness thing.
I can't think of a better recommendation for a rifle than that I'm confident enough in it to arm my wife with one. I really like my new DPMS 3G2!
Six
FCC weasel words (and aren't we all just sick and tired of this?). I bought this rifle with my very own money, even after some folks recommended against it. This was a bit of a leap in the dark for me. Car Guy and a buddy who is a very good 3 Gunner both said go for it so I did but nothing was certain beforehand. DPMS doesn't know or (probably) care that I bought it and love it. They certainly don't know or (probably) care that I wrote about it. And no one, especially DPMS, suggested or paid for a single word I wrote. It's all just my opinion and I am still free to express it. YMMV.
For those who missed my first post here's the DPMS description:
Following in the tradition of the successful DPMS 3G1, the 3G2 offers accuracy and versatility in a shorter, lighter package. A 16” stainless lightweight barrel with Miculek compensator provides quick handling and shot placement. The full length M111 handguard allows for the placement of back-up sights either on the top rail or on a 45-degree angle for rapid close-range target acquisition. Ergo grip and Magpul STR stock round out this range-ready carbine.
Specs:
5.56 NATO (also .223) caliber
7.1 pounds
37.5 inches (with extended stock)
16 inch 1 in 9 twist barrel
Forged 7075 T6 A3 upper receiver
Forged 7075 T6 lower receiver
DPMS 2 Stage trigger
DPMS M111 free float modular handguard
ERGO Grip
BCM charging handle
Magpul Gen II MBUIS offset iron sights
Miculek Compensator
Magpul STR adjustable stock
Cost $1100 out the door
Sight Vortex Viper PST 1x4
Scope mount Burris P.E.P.R.
Cost $600 out the door.
Total rifle package $1700
Initial impression is that's it's just flat out a gorgeous rifle. I like the mix of features and the way the handguard fits the barrel. Everything flows nicely resulting in a very handsome package. The MBUIS sights tuck in nicely, ready to flip up should the need arise. The cantilever mount puts the scope in exactly the right place with adjustments to get on zero taking up essentially none of the optic's internal adjustments. It fits both Lu and me very well (think Frick and Frack). Compared to my Budget Bushmaster the DPMS wins hands down. Not even close. ERGO grip, BCM charging handle, Vortex Viper PST 1x4 optic and a cheap nylon sling round out the package. I had my RS2 on it but Rifleslinger tells me he's got a tactical one in the works so I took it off for the nonce. I'll buy one as soon as it's available but for now this will do. Maybe I can be a beta tester (he asked hopefully)? The quality of parts, materials and build are unmistakable and excellent.
A closer look at those MBUIS back up iron sights. They're mostly plastic so how they'll hold up is anyone's guess but as is they work extremely well. I shot them today and was able to ring 16"x18" steel plates out to 100 yards with ease. I put Lu on them and she was just as accurate once she got used to them and the offset position. It is a little weird at first. They're firmly mounted to the forearm and fold down out of the way for storage.
The ERGO grip. I don't have a lot of experience beyond A2 grips but I like it. Easy on my strong hand middle finger. Feels pretty good to the hand. I'd like to experiment a little here but I'm completely happy with this grip. Soft without being mushy. Firm enough for a good grip.
The Magpul STR stock. I am honestly not a huge fan of collapsible stocks. The more things you have that can fail the more chances you have that something will fail. Usually at the worst time. In that vein I tend toward Fixed stocks. I like the STR, don't get me wrong here, but I'll probably eventually replace it with something like the Ace Skeletonized stock. That's not set in stone however and while I'm deciding the STR will do nicely. It is actually pretty comfy. It's wide enough to get a good cheek weld. It adjusts positively and has a lock (I'm pointing at it in the pic) that really firms it up. Very little movement when it's locked down. Lu is a big fan. For a collapsible it's a good one. Much better than those el cheapos you find on so many mid priced carbines. It even has storage. It hasn't yet caught on my clothing and shoulders quickly. If I was stuck with it forever I'd be satisfied.
Miculek Compensator. I installed one on the budget Bushmaster as much for cost as anything else. I have since discovered that I (inadvertently or not) did good on that selection. It just works. It's tunable but other than positioning it for right handed recoil (turned slightly to the right) I haven't touched either of them. I'm sure you can get better comps out there but for the money the Miculek is darned hard to beat. I'll be leaving this one alone. It really lightens the recoil and keeps the muzzle (and your sights) on target for fast follow up shots and quick splits. Important in both the competition and self defense arenas.
A closer look at the barrel. You can just see the low profile gas block behind the forearm. The barrel steps down from medium weight to light weight in 3 steps. The mid size is under the gas block. The light weight barrel ahead of the gas block makes the rifle swing very quickly and keeps the overall weight down. In comparison to the Budget Bushmaster the DPMS is noticeably lighter. Lu loves the weight (are you noticing a theme here?). The DPMS M111 forearm is free floating and has a whole bunch of attachment points for accessory rails for just about anything you can think of to add to the rifle. Aluminum, it's flex free and the smooth sides (I haven't added any rails to it as of yet) make for a comfortable forward grip. Nearly perfect in my opinion.
The DPMS 3G2 has their own 2 stage trigger. It is not top of the line for 3 Gun but I do think it's more than adequate for a defense carbine. Perhaps ideal. Here's my thoughts on triggers. None of my guns (now or ever will) have a "competition only" trigger. That is a trigger that is suitable for competition but borderline or outright unsuitable for daily or duty carry. There's a really fine line there, one I'll approach but will not cross. 2 pound triggers on a rifle are fine for a competition only gun but, as I said, all of my guns are subject to multiple duties. For that reason I'll do lighter triggers without resorting to 'breathe on it and it'll go bang' switches. I don't have a trigger gauge but my experienced finger says this one is in the 4.5 pound range. That's about as light as I'm willing to go. Much better than a stock battle trigger (in the 7.5 pound range) but entirely reasonable on a rifle I may have to tote and bang around in a loaded condition. You may disagree but for me this trigger is probably as good a balance as I could hope for. Compared side by side to the Budget Bushmaster the trigger is noticeably lighter and crisper without any fear of inadvertently lighting off of a round. It is not 3 Gun only perfect like JP, Hiperfire and others but for me it's exactly what I want. I will not change it though I will change the Budget Bushmaster to something close.
Nothing exceptional about the bolt. Just a standard Milspec piece, nitride coated and entirely unremarkable. It works very well and is getting better as I shoot the gun in. I have a couple hundred rounds through it since the last cleaning and the bolt will snap forward in the BCG with a flip of the wrist easy as pie. I did it when I took it out for this picture, dirty and all.
All that's well and good but how does it shoot? I've shot 2 matches with it recently and it performed as well as I could run it. I had one instance where my scope turrets turned without me knowing it which caused me no end of troubles hitting the 180 yard steel but I fixed it on the next stage and it ran fine. The next match I shot the same steel and I rang them one shot per. I have a 225 yard zero on the rifle which means than for most targets between point blank and 300 yards I can center hold (compensating for mechanical offset of course). I took it out and shot this target at 100 yards today. In the interest of looking good I held at 6 o'clock on the target to get center hits. The difference is 4 inches high at that range. On normal sized targets I'd aim center of mass and get good hits. But for head shots you must know your mechanical offset and ballistics holdover for various ranges. For my zero 100 yards is pretty much max ord (highest elevation during flight).
This was fired standing in a pit with a sandbag rest for the forearm. Not quite a bench but better than shooting offhand. That one at the top is a called flyer. I missed timed my heart beat and shot on the uptick. The other 4 are a 1 inch group centered around the bull. With the flyer it's 2 inches. Rifleslinger has more thoughts on group shooting over at his place. I highly recommend going over and perusing his offerings. The man is chock full of really good thoughts, ideas and information. For my purposes a one inch 4 shot group is entirely satisfactory and shows the rifle's capabilities if not the rifleman's. I think it's capable of better from a bench. I was also able to ring the gongs out to 300 yards with center holds with ease. That's a 16 inch carbine with a lightweight barrel and a 4 power optic. Ammunition was 5.56, 55 grain FMJ loaded to near XM193 specs by Western Arms and Ammo. They're a very good ammunition maker and distributor BTW. The owner has become a good friend and he supports the 2A and shooting sports with his time and money.
The free float forearm is something new to me but I am now convinced it's an absolute necessity for accurate and consistent distance shooting. Say, anything 100 yards and further. Take a look at this string I shot as part of a post on optics I'm putting together. This was shot with the Budget Bushmaster which has a non free floated, medium weight, 16 inch barrel. This was the third 5 shot string and you can see the vertical stringing typical for non free floated carbine barrels. As the barrel heats up point of impact changes and tends to move up and down. The DPMS was dead on all day. I'll be modifying the BB with a free float soonest. Look for a post on that down the road. I think the BB can get close to being a 1 MOA rifle, at least out to 300 yards or so. For consistent accuracy a free float is the only way to go and the 3G2's is excellent.
My bottom line for this gun was that it had to pull double duty. It had to be an excellent competition rifle while still being able to serve as a self defense gun. And it had to do both or either with equal competence. I think it passed both marks with flying colors. There are absolutely better 3 Guns on the market. Likewise there are rifles better suited for the rigors of combat. But there are very few that are equally at home in both venues and can operate at the high tempos both demand. With a few additions I can hang as many accessories on it as I desire (and my Tactical Timmy side will allow). Stripped down to the essentials it is a rifle that, in more competent hands than I, is capable of winning 3 Gun matches. It has run without a hiccup for more than a thousand rounds so far and with minimal fussing or cleaning. It's price is comparable to most any mid line carbine but with a host of excellent features. What more could anyone ask?
I have about a thousand rounds through it so far and have yet to have a failure of any kind. It just runs and runs and runs. Doesn't seem to care about ammo though I have yet to try steel cased. I love my chambers so that may never happen. I do tend to keep my guns kinda clean and sorta well lubed but for Sunday's range session I left it dirty and gunked up. No issues of any kind. I may let it go for a bit and see what happens. Then again, seeing as how I'm mostly shooting in competitions at the moment and I want to win, I may not take the chance. We'll see. I'm also going to load up some 62 grainers (and maybe as heavy as 69) and see how they perform in the 1x9 twist barrel.
I mentioned Lu a few times. She shot the DPMS yesterday along side the Budget Bushmaster. She loved the DPMS, especially with the Vortex Optic. She shot it like a champ, including the offset irons. So much so that it's been decided. Instead of passing along the BB to her I'll be keeping and modifying it as a backup for me (and truck gun) and we'll be purchasing a new 3G2 for Lu. She's really getting into AR shooting and after a range session with the DPMS she's certain. If I don't buy her one of her very own she'll be taking mine. I'm a giver but not that much of one! Its light, accurate, comfortable and dependable.
I'm now of the opinion that a 3 Gun capable rifle can make for an excellent self defense gun. They have many of the same capabilities and strengths. Good accuracy, quality components, dead nuts dependability and shooting comfort. Just be careful of the features you get, especially rails and triggers. In my humble opinion the DPMS succeeds on both fronts. If I need a rifle for any kind of serious duty it's the first one I'll reach for. Long term testing is ongoing but I'm now able to concentrate more on improving my shooting skills and less on the shortcomings of my rifle. That is very much a goodness thing.
I can't think of a better recommendation for a rifle than that I'm confident enough in it to arm my wife with one. I really like my new DPMS 3G2!
Six
FCC weasel words (and aren't we all just sick and tired of this?). I bought this rifle with my very own money, even after some folks recommended against it. This was a bit of a leap in the dark for me. Car Guy and a buddy who is a very good 3 Gunner both said go for it so I did but nothing was certain beforehand. DPMS doesn't know or (probably) care that I bought it and love it. They certainly don't know or (probably) care that I wrote about it. And no one, especially DPMS, suggested or paid for a single word I wrote. It's all just my opinion and I am still free to express it. YMMV.
15 February 2014
Sunday Kipling
A very good Sunday to you all. I hope you are all safe and sound. Weather for an awful lot of you has been...well, awful. Be careful out there.
Lu's birthday was fine and she wanted me to make sure you all know how much she treasured all your well wishes. And she never once threatened me with a blunt object. Well, maybe just once. She had a ball at the range and even ran Stage 5 twice. The only problem is now she's started eyeballing my new rifle. I foresee another addition to the gun safe in the near future.
Scheduled for the coming week is a more in depth look at the new DPMS 3G2 and some tests and thoughts on gun lubrication. I did try the new stuff I got but I have mixed feelings. I'm also shopping for a 3 Gun cart though I may build one. Next match is the last Saturday in February. I think it's a 2 Gun but we'll see.
Six
Something 18th century humorous today I think.
Lu's birthday was fine and she wanted me to make sure you all know how much she treasured all your well wishes. And she never once threatened me with a blunt object. Well, maybe just once. She had a ball at the range and even ran Stage 5 twice. The only problem is now she's started eyeballing my new rifle. I foresee another addition to the gun safe in the near future.
Scheduled for the coming week is a more in depth look at the new DPMS 3G2 and some tests and thoughts on gun lubrication. I did try the new stuff I got but I have mixed feelings. I'm also shopping for a 3 Gun cart though I may build one. Next match is the last Saturday in February. I think it's a 2 Gun but we'll see.
Six
Something 18th century humorous today I think.
The Post That Fitted
Though tangled and twisted the course of true love This ditty explains, No tangle's so tangled it cannot improve If the Lover has brains. Ere the seamer bore him Eastward, Sleary was engaged to marry An attractive girl at Tunbridge, whom he called "my little Carrie." Sleary's pay was very modest; Sleary was the other way. Who can cook a two-plate dinner on eight poor rupees a day? Long he pondered o'er the question in his scantly furnished quarters -- Then proposed to Minnie Boffkin, eldest of Judge Boffkin's daughters. Certainly an impecunious Subaltern was not a catch, But the Boffkins knew that Minnie mightn't make another match. So they recognised the business and, to feed and clothe the bride, Got him made a Something Something somewhere on the Bombay side. Anyhow, the billet carried pay enough for him to marry -- As the artless Sleary put it: -- "Just the thing for me and Carrie." Did he, therefore, jilt Miss Boffkin -- impulse of a baser mind? No! He started epileptic fits of an appalling kind. [Of his modus operandi only this much I could gather: -- "Pears's shaving sticks will give you little taste and lots of lather."] Frequently in public places his affliction used to smite Sleary with distressing vigour -- always in the Boffkins' sight. Ere a week was over Minnie weepingly returned his ring, Told him his "unhappy weakness" stopped all thought of marrying. Sleary bore the information with a chastened holy joy, -- Epileptic fits don't matter in Political employ, -- Wired three short words to Carrie -- took his ticket, packed his kit -- Bade farewell to Minnie Boffkin in one last, long, lingering fit. Four weeks later, Carrie Sleary read -- and laughed until she wept -- Mrs. Boffkin's warning letter on the "wretched epilept." . . . Year by year, in pious patience, vengeful Mrs. Boffkin sits Waiting for the Sleary babies to develop Sleary's fits.
14 February 2014
Happy Birthday Lu
Yep, she's a Valentine baby. My sweetheart. No, I'm not going to tell you how old she is but I will say that we had to have her carbon dated to be sure. Heh heh. Just kidding honey. Please put down the rolling pin.
I'm taking her out shooting (she's beginning to express an interest in the AR and even perhaps some 3 Gun. Yay!!), Skype with the grandkids and then dinner. It's going to be a good day.
So Happy Birthday to the love of my life and the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me. All the best things in my life flowed from the day The Good Lord brought you and me together and I am eternally grateful.
I love you.
Six
I'm taking her out shooting (she's beginning to express an interest in the AR and even perhaps some 3 Gun. Yay!!), Skype with the grandkids and then dinner. It's going to be a good day.
So Happy Birthday to the love of my life and the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me. All the best things in my life flowed from the day The Good Lord brought you and me together and I am eternally grateful.
I love you.
Six
11 February 2014
Now With More Angus
A little intermission so we can bring you some more Angus pictures. 'Cause nothing drives hits like pics of a cute dog. None of that here so you'll have to settle for Angus. Kidding. I keed.
He's doing very well. He had an abscess on his surgery scar that was giving him trouble but the Vet put him on antibiotics and it finally burst. We treated it and it seems to have stopped hurting.
"Grab the rope. Grab the rope. Ohpleaseohpleaseohplease!"
One of my favorite breakfasts, Lu's pancakes and eggs.
Apparently Angus agrees. "Man that looks good!"
"Look how cute I am. Can I have a bite?"
"No? Awww shucks."
His favorite place in all the world, curled up next to Mama in her chair.
He's become such a Mama's Boy. When she leaves him home he sits by the front door, staring at it and whining softly. In the evening he snivels at her until she sits in her chair so he can cuddle up and sleep. I don't know what I'm going to do when Lu goes out to Florida to pick up the kids in a few months. Probably hire a hooker. Wait, did I say that out loud? I meant I'll comfort him in some other way. By myself. No hookers at all. I swear.
Six
He's doing very well. He had an abscess on his surgery scar that was giving him trouble but the Vet put him on antibiotics and it finally burst. We treated it and it seems to have stopped hurting.
"Grab the rope. Grab the rope. Ohpleaseohpleaseohplease!"
One of my favorite breakfasts, Lu's pancakes and eggs.
Apparently Angus agrees. "Man that looks good!"
"Look how cute I am. Can I have a bite?"
"No? Awww shucks."
His favorite place in all the world, curled up next to Mama in her chair.
He's become such a Mama's Boy. When she leaves him home he sits by the front door, staring at it and whining softly. In the evening he snivels at her until she sits in her chair so he can cuddle up and sleep. I don't know what I'm going to do when Lu goes out to Florida to pick up the kids in a few months. Probably hire a hooker. Wait, did I say that out loud? I meant I'll comfort him in some other way. By myself. No hookers at all. I swear.
Six
10 February 2014
A New Look
The DO and I have been discussing sprucing the place up a bit and today she did. On things like this we might as well be sharing a brain. What she thinks I do as well. She called me today and said in essence "Guess what?" Well, I love the new look even if that guy up top there is a gigantic goober.
As many of you know I have committed myself to shooting 3 Gun this year and have dedicated my results to The Sarge. I also made a mildly bold guarantee of a top half finish in Hard As Hell 2014 edition. In that vein the blog is moving a bit toward being a more shooting oriented place, at least for 2014. New guns, gear, equipment and training. I'll be shooting about as many matches as I can reach and as often as the budget (and work on the house) will allow. I'll be covering training and as many new products as I can afford. I think the new look reflects that as well as our original intent of representing what we see as The Warrior Class.
There will still be other stuff as well. The house, Angus, Lu and the occasional rant because I'm nothing if not unfocused. I also have a couple of other writing projects in the works.
I hope you like the new digs. I certainly do. Thanks DO. The place looks great.
Six
As many of you know I have committed myself to shooting 3 Gun this year and have dedicated my results to The Sarge. I also made a mildly bold guarantee of a top half finish in Hard As Hell 2014 edition. In that vein the blog is moving a bit toward being a more shooting oriented place, at least for 2014. New guns, gear, equipment and training. I'll be shooting about as many matches as I can reach and as often as the budget (and work on the house) will allow. I'll be covering training and as many new products as I can afford. I think the new look reflects that as well as our original intent of representing what we see as The Warrior Class.
There will still be other stuff as well. The house, Angus, Lu and the occasional rant because I'm nothing if not unfocused. I also have a couple of other writing projects in the works.
I hope you like the new digs. I certainly do. Thanks DO. The place looks great.
Six
09 February 2014
Sunday Kipling
Another Sunday is upon us. January is gone and February is fleeing. Where does the time go?
Angus is in fine fettle. It's been warm enough for swimming at the pond. The duck chasing is sublime.
Lu is feeling good. She's become the best range monkey ever, ever. If it wasn't for her I'd have to buy one of those electric golf carts and all the other shooters would laugh at me. As it is they cast jealous eyes and wish they had a woman as wonderful as she. I am a lucky man indeed.
I am better. I shot another 3 Gun match yesterday and managed to find some consistency. I'm not winning mind you but I am getting better. My best match yet. No failures (just two small hiccups) and a satisfactory finish. There may be hope for me yet.
Bathroom this week. My excuses are gone and Lu will tolerate no more nonsense. Pics and a write up.
Today is a recovery day. Two matches this week have left my feet hurting and my guns dirty. Clean up and a hot soak in the tub are indicated. I hope this day finds you all hale and in good spirits. Kiss your own range monkey and give a special treat to your best friend. Love is all around us. It's up to each of us to recognize and treasure it. Have a great day my friends.
Six
Angus is in fine fettle. It's been warm enough for swimming at the pond. The duck chasing is sublime.
Lu is feeling good. She's become the best range monkey ever, ever. If it wasn't for her I'd have to buy one of those electric golf carts and all the other shooters would laugh at me. As it is they cast jealous eyes and wish they had a woman as wonderful as she. I am a lucky man indeed.
I am better. I shot another 3 Gun match yesterday and managed to find some consistency. I'm not winning mind you but I am getting better. My best match yet. No failures (just two small hiccups) and a satisfactory finish. There may be hope for me yet.
Bathroom this week. My excuses are gone and Lu will tolerate no more nonsense. Pics and a write up.
Today is a recovery day. Two matches this week have left my feet hurting and my guns dirty. Clean up and a hot soak in the tub are indicated. I hope this day finds you all hale and in good spirits. Kiss your own range monkey and give a special treat to your best friend. Love is all around us. It's up to each of us to recognize and treasure it. Have a great day my friends.
Six
The Instructor
(Non-commissioned Officers of the Line) At times when under cover I 'ave said, To keep my spirits up an' raise a laugh, 'Earin 'im pass so busy over-'ead Old Nickel-Neck, 'oo isn't on the Staff "There's one above is greater than us all" Before 'im I 'ave seen my Colonel fall, An 'watched 'im write my Captain's epitaph, So that a long way off it could be read He 'as the knack o' makin' men feel small Old Whistle Tip, 'oo isn't on the Staff. There is no sense in fleein' (I 'ave fled), Better go on an' do the belly-crawl, An' 'ope' 'e'1l 'it some other man instead Of you 'e seems to 'unt so speshual Fitzy van Spitz, 'oo isn't on the Staff. An' thus in mem'ry's cinematograph, Now that the show is over, I recall The peevish voice an' 'oary mushroom 'ead Of 'im we owned was greater than us all, 'Oo give instruction to the quick an' the dead The Shudderin' Beggar--not upon the Staff!
05 February 2014
UPOA 3 Gun
I shot the Utah Peace Officer's Association 3 Gun match today. I did Ok but that consistency bugaboo I'm fighting bit me again. I finished 24th, which is a really nice jump up from where I've been, but I tanked one stage which cost me. I lost probably a minute and a half in lost times and penalties which pushed me out of the top 20. Not a complete loss but still painful. I did do something I've never done before. I won something.
In some of these matches sponsors provide prizes which are laid out on a table. If you finish high enough you get a turn at the table to pick something out. Today I got this;
It's a Safariland Rapid Light System. List price is $150.00 though Amazon has them for $81.41. Pretty neat and the first thing I've ever won (other than the odd trophy here and there) for shooting. I'll give it a try and post about how the thing works.
Plus, after the table was done there were a few certificates from MGM Targets for one of their Switchviews. I happened to be right there so I snagged one. It's valued at $59.95. The great thing is I really need one of these.
There was also a swag bag with some interesting items I'll also be testing out and reporting on.
In that pile, among other things, is some Prolix Lubricant and a Hera Arms magazine. I have no experience with either so I'm excited to see what they are made of. I'll post on them as I try them out.
All in all it was a pretty good day. I'm improving little by little and working on my issues. What's frustrating is that as I fix one thing something else jumps up and bites me on the butt. I seem to have worked out my shotgun issues from Hard as Hell. Right now the shotgun is flat working for me. My pistol was down last week but up this match. The rifle bit me twice today where I've previously had zero problems. I need to get a better zero and work on my reloads. Tomorrow night I'm taking a class on those exact things from a 3 Gun master so I'm hoping to get some answers. There's a 2 Gun match on Saturday I was going to skip but now I'll probably shoot it. One thing I have learned for certain is that there's absolutely no substitute for trigger time under the shot clock.
Consistency, Consistency, Consistency. I haz none and need some badly.
Six
In some of these matches sponsors provide prizes which are laid out on a table. If you finish high enough you get a turn at the table to pick something out. Today I got this;
It's a Safariland Rapid Light System. List price is $150.00 though Amazon has them for $81.41. Pretty neat and the first thing I've ever won (other than the odd trophy here and there) for shooting. I'll give it a try and post about how the thing works.
Plus, after the table was done there were a few certificates from MGM Targets for one of their Switchviews. I happened to be right there so I snagged one. It's valued at $59.95. The great thing is I really need one of these.
There was also a swag bag with some interesting items I'll also be testing out and reporting on.
In that pile, among other things, is some Prolix Lubricant and a Hera Arms magazine. I have no experience with either so I'm excited to see what they are made of. I'll post on them as I try them out.
All in all it was a pretty good day. I'm improving little by little and working on my issues. What's frustrating is that as I fix one thing something else jumps up and bites me on the butt. I seem to have worked out my shotgun issues from Hard as Hell. Right now the shotgun is flat working for me. My pistol was down last week but up this match. The rifle bit me twice today where I've previously had zero problems. I need to get a better zero and work on my reloads. Tomorrow night I'm taking a class on those exact things from a 3 Gun master so I'm hoping to get some answers. There's a 2 Gun match on Saturday I was going to skip but now I'll probably shoot it. One thing I have learned for certain is that there's absolutely no substitute for trigger time under the shot clock.
Consistency, Consistency, Consistency. I haz none and need some badly.
Six
03 February 2014
I'm Back
You may have noticed I haven't been around for a while. Nothing bad I just completely lost my mojo. Doctor Evil has been seen in the area though I'm not making any accusations. Just saying is all.
What have I been doing? Well, I finished the coat closet and framed in the short wall for the laundry room. I shot another 3 Gun match. Somehow I managed to squeeze in some schoolin'.
I'm now a certified USPSA Range Officer. That just means my club will now abuse me and ask me to work pretty near every match that comes up. It's all good, I may even take the next step and become a Nationals level RO. That way I can get abused outside of Utah.
I also bought a new gun. Remember my posts on Budget 3 Gun? Yeah, that didn't last long. Sunday I picked up this:
That's a DPMS 3G2. DPMS M111 free float handguard, Magpul stock and 45 degree offset backup sights, Ergo grip, Miculek compensator and a 2-stage trigger. I shot it today to sight it in and it's sweet. Light and very accurate. Not gonna say how much I paid but it's fair to say it pretty much blew my budget to Pluto. I'm shooting the Utah Peace Officers Association (UPOA) 3 Gun on Wednesday. Pics and a write up after the match.
I'm hoping to get back to blogging but I'm also writing other stuff so my posts may be decidedly shooting oriented for a while. My brain cells are limited so I must use them judiciously. Something about not being able to chew gum and walk at the same time.
Six
What have I been doing? Well, I finished the coat closet and framed in the short wall for the laundry room. I shot another 3 Gun match. Somehow I managed to squeeze in some schoolin'.
I'm now a certified USPSA Range Officer. That just means my club will now abuse me and ask me to work pretty near every match that comes up. It's all good, I may even take the next step and become a Nationals level RO. That way I can get abused outside of Utah.
I also bought a new gun. Remember my posts on Budget 3 Gun? Yeah, that didn't last long. Sunday I picked up this:
That's a DPMS 3G2. DPMS M111 free float handguard, Magpul stock and 45 degree offset backup sights, Ergo grip, Miculek compensator and a 2-stage trigger. I shot it today to sight it in and it's sweet. Light and very accurate. Not gonna say how much I paid but it's fair to say it pretty much blew my budget to Pluto. I'm shooting the Utah Peace Officers Association (UPOA) 3 Gun on Wednesday. Pics and a write up after the match.
I'm hoping to get back to blogging but I'm also writing other stuff so my posts may be decidedly shooting oriented for a while. My brain cells are limited so I must use them judiciously. Something about not being able to chew gum and walk at the same time.
Six
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