After waking up this morning, I headed out to the kitchen to pour myself a cup of coffee. I looked out the window and saw that snow was on the ground (not unexpectedly).
I flipped on the floodlights and it looked like about an inch came down overnight. Currently, it is about 28° outside. It's a good thing that I got my snow shovel out of the garage yesterday.
As my coffee was heating up, I got my phone and took the two pictures below.
UPDATE:
People are reporting snowpacked and icy conditions on Interstate 40:
From Dancing Eagles Casino to the New Mexico state line the road was snowpacked and icy.
Westbound is worse than Eastbound. Almost to Grants coming from Flagstaff. Slow traffic! Roads are pretty bad.
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
327 AM MST Fri Nov 24 2023
NMZ204-206-221-223-241800-
/O.EXA.KABQ.WW.Y.0024.231125T0000Z-231125T2000Z/
Northwest Highlands-West Central Mountains-Sandia/Manzano
Mountains Including Edgewood-Central Highlands-
327 AM MST Fri Nov 24 2023
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 1
PM MST SATURDAY...
* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of generally 1 to 4
inches.
* WHERE...Sandia and Manzano Mountains including Edgewood, Northwest
Highlands, West Central Mountains, and Central Highlands.
* WHEN...From 5 PM this afternoon to 1 PM MST Saturday.
* IMPACTS...Plan on snow packed or icy road conditions. This
includes higher elevation portions of I-40. The hazardous
conditions could impact holiday travelers.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Slow down and use caution while traveling. For the latest road
conditions, dial 511 or 1.800.432.4269, or visit http://nmroads.com.
Last night's Thanksgiving dinner was an enjoyable one.
We started the evening by popping open a large bottle of Barefoot Pinot Noir wine from California. Larry Lucier, Russell Azbill and I probably haven't consumed so much wine in years and we ended up getting good buzzes from it. It was quite good, enough so that I will likely buy more in the future.
The turkey dinner was also quite good, courtesy of Greg Lucier. Larry made some excellent pumpkin pies that were excellent at well. I was going to try a cherry pie he also made but didn't get around to it.
The New Mexico Supreme Court has set a hearing date on the lawsuit against Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's unconstitutional "health order" suspending Second Amendment rights in Bernalillo County and Albuquerque.
The Piñon Post reported:
In New Mexico, the state Supreme Court is preparing to hear arguments concerning the scope of the governor’s authority to issue public health orders.
The petition initiating this legal scrutiny has been filed by entities including the National Rifle Association (NRA), the Republican Party of New Mexico, and every Republican state legislator. The legal filing came after Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a public health emergency order stripping Bernalillo County and Albuquerque residents of their right to concealed or open carry a firearm.
During the signing of the blatantly illegal order, Lujan Grisham claimed that no constitutional right, in her view, including her oath, “is intended to be absolute.”
Alongside questioning the governor’s authority, the petition seeks clarity from the court on whether drug abuse and gun violence can be considered valid grounds for declaring a public health emergency. The New Mexico Supreme Court has slated the arguments for January 8, where these issues will be thoroughly examined.
Above, a double waterfall on the Big Island from a Blue Hawaiian Helicopters aerial tour. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Since many mainlanders of the U.S. will be in the midst of snowy and cold conditions, it might be a good idea to take a look at places that are tropical and warmer.
Travel Noire has posted an article on six of the "best" islands to visit in Hawaii.
They begin it with:
Hawaii is home to some of the most sought-after tropical waters in the world. The islands of Hawaii have lush rainforests, world-class beaches, and stunning volcanoes that attract millions of visitors every year. Marked by clear turquoise waters and vibrant green mountains, these islands provide picturesque views that are unparalleled.
Along with the many environmental attractions and attributes of Hawaii, its culture is one of the most incredible features that travelers can experience. The Aloha Spirit, which many travelers get to experience as soon as they land, is a significant aspect of Hawaiian culture derived from Polynesian heritage. The term comes from the greeting “aloha,” which means the coordination of both the mind and heart (or compassion and harmony with mankind). This spirit exists across each of the islands of Hawaii.
Hawaii’s many different islands offer unique features and gorgeous views. Travelers can have many different types of vacations, depending on their preferred island. While there are a total of eight main Hawaiian islands, only some of them are accessible to visitors. Check out these six Hawaiian islands that are the best to visit; whether a bustling tropical paradise or secluded getaway sounds ideal.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
347 AM MST Thu Nov 23 2023
NMZ201>207-211>219-221>223-227>234-237-232300-
Northwest Plateau-Chuska Mountains-Far Northwest Highlands-
Northwest Highlands-West Central Plateau-West Central Mountains-
West Central Highlands-Jemez Mountains-
Glorieta Mesa Including Glorieta Pass-
Northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains-
Southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains-
East Slopes Sangre de Cristo Mountains-Upper Rio Grande Valley-
Espanola Valley-Santa Fe Metro Area-
Middle Rio Grande Valley/Albuquerque Metro Area-
Sandia/Manzano Mountains Including Edgewood-Estancia Valley-
Central Highlands-Johnson and Bartlett Mesas Including Raton Pass-
Far Northeast Highlands-Northeast Highlands-Union County-
Harding County-Eastern San Miguel County-Guadalupe County-
Quay County-De Baca County-
347 AM MST Thu Nov 23 2023
...COLDER TEMPERATURES AND AREAS OF RAIN AND SNOW FORECAST FOR
THE NORTHERN HALF OF NEW MEXICO FRIDAY AND SATURDAY...
An Arctic airmass will slide down the plains and advance westward
today into Friday. Meanwhile, an upper level disturbance will
slowly approach Colorado during the day Friday before crossing
eastward on Saturday. This scenario will lead to much colder air
arriving into New Mexico before rain and snow expand into northern
parts of the state Friday through early Saturday.
Temperatures on Friday will run 15 to 25 degrees below normal over
much of eastern New Mexico with most areas struggling to reach
the upper 20`s and 30`s for daytime highs. The colder air will
expand over more of western and central New Mexico on Saturday
with highs in the 30`s and 40`s being common.
Rain and snow will develop over far northern New Mexico Friday
morning, expanding south toward Interstate 40 late Friday into
Friday night. Showers will continue Saturday morning before
tapering off and eventually ending into the afternoon.
Snow accumulations will be concentrated over the northern
mountains where high peaks will receive around 3 to 6 inches with
locally higher amounts possible. Surrounding areas within north
central and northeastern New Mexico will generally observe lesser
snowfall amounts closer to 1 to 3 inches, mostly Friday night.
Holiday travelers should stay tuned to forecast updates as this
storm system approaches. Hazards such as snow accumulations and
rapidly changing visibility may create travel difficulties and
create slowdowns, particularly over north central and northeastern
New Mexico.
It looks like Black Friday may become White Friday in New Mexico.
A storm system is coming into New Mexico Friday that may produce rain and snow.
According KRQE:
Changes begin Friday when high elevation snow starts moving into northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. By Friday afternoon, mountain snow and valley rain will move farther into the state, down to the I-40 corridor by the later afternoon/early evening. At the same time, a backdoor cold front will move into eastern New Mexico, bringing colder air behind it.
Snow and rain picks up Friday night through Saturday morning. As colder air moves into the state, snow levels will fall to valley floors by Saturday morning. This will bring a chance for light snowfall accumulations to the lower elevations of areas along and north of I-40, including the Albuquerque Metro. Isolated showers will be possible for lower elevations south of I-40 through Saturday morning. There may be slushy, wet and icy roads for parts of northern New Mexico by Saturday morning. 4″ to 12″ of snow will be possible for areas above 7,500′ in northern New Mexico!
Above, the Winchester 1894 after I got home. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
About a half hour ago, I returned home from Grants to pick up my Winchester 1894 from the gunsmith at Loeffler's Guns, Etc.
I received a call from them at around 10:00 this morning telling me that the rifle is ready for pick up. Since I had nothing else to do, I jumped in the car and headed over to Grants.
Above, Loeffler's Guns, Etc. in Grants, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
When I got there, they told me that all it needed was to be disassembled and deep cleaned. No parts were needed. The cocking and hammer mechanisms are working just fine now. I'm glad they did the deep cleaning anyway, who knows when it last had a thorough cleaning.
It was a nice drive and I would use Loeffler's Guns, Etc. in the future.
It looks like Thanksgiving Day tomorrow will have some cool temperatures, around 53° and partly cloudy in Jamestown, New Mexico. We may get more rain and snow showers Friday and Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.
Today
Sunny, with a high near 53. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 25. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thanksgiving Day
Partly sunny, with a high near 53. Light south wind becoming southwest 10 to 15 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph.
Friday
A 40 percent chance of showers after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 48. South wind 15 to 20 mph.
Friday Night
A chance of rain showers before 11pm, then rain and snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday
Rain and snow showers likely, mainly before 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 41. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 18.
Yesterday was not too bad. It was around the 50s.
I almost didn't go to Grants to drop off my Winchester 1894 rifle at a gunsmith. The Mustang wouldn't start. It might have been due to the freezing temperatures (in the 20s) causing any moisture in the fuel system to freeze. After coffee at Denny's, I got home and it fired up. The temperature was in the upper 40s by then.
Just in case it was due to the cold, I put in a bottle of Heet that dissipates moisture in fuel systems and cleans fuel injectors. I filled up the gas tank and headed to Grants. The Mustang ran fine during the 90-mile round-trip. I had to hold it back on Interstate 40 as it loves the open highway and the speed crept up into the 80s at times. This happens frequently since I got new tires and a wheel alignment.
After the gunsmith, I went to the Grants Walmart and picked up a few things, including wine for Thanksgiving dinner at the Lucier's.
Above, a view of Elm Street in Dealey Plaza two windows away from Oswald's sniper's window. Photo by Armand Vaquer
Sixty years is a long time. I can still remember that day almost as if it were yesterday.
Today marks the 60th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination on November 22, 1963 in Dallas, Texas. I was in fourth grade at the time at Woodcrest Elementary School in Los Angeles.
Above, a view of Elm Street and the former Texas School Book Depository Building. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
I had just finished lunch in the school cafeteria and got up to bring my tray and dishes to the busboy window. It was there at the window I was told that Kennedy was assassinated, and the school’s flag had been lowered to half-staff. I left the cafeteria and went outside and saw that the flag was indeed at half-staff.
I then went to the playground for the remainder of the lunch hour.
Minutes later, the bell rang for everyone to return to class.
Above, a view of Elm Street from Main Street in 1984. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
There, in class, our teacher tearfully confirmed what had happened. Everyone was in stunned silence. Then, a fire drill bell started ringing and we all headed out to the playground. There, outside of the auditorium at the top of a stairway, the school principal, over a public address system, also told everyone the news and had everyone sing patriotic songs.
He also announced that school would be dismissed for the day following the program.
Above, Oswald's sniper's nest recreated in the Sixth Floor Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
I then headed home (I only lived across the street from the school) with a friend from the Cub Scouts. His mother wasn’t at home so he came home with me. After getting home, we watched the television coverage with my mom. All programming on all television stations were preempted by the assassination coverage. This would ultimately be the case throughout the weekend until after Kennedy’s funeral on Monday, November 25.
Much of what was repeatedly shown was the Kennedys at the breakfast in Fort Worth, their arrival at Love Field and some footage of the motorcade. Later, a live feed from Andrews Air Force Base showing the arrival of Air Force One was shown and Lee Harvey Oswald under arrest.
Above, a view of Elm Street from the grassy knoll area. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
As this was a Friday, my family usually went out for dinner. But, for the life of me, I cannot remember if we did or ate at home.
Nobody who was alive at the time would ever forget, just like other generations who remember what they were doing and how they learned about Pearl Harbor and September 11.
Above, the Kennedy limousine after it passed under the triple underpass from a display in the Sixth Floor Museum.
Since then, I have visited Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas twice, being a history buff. The first was during the 1984 Republican National Convention and the second was in January 2021. A visit to the Sixth Floor Museum in the former Texas School Book Depository Building is well worth a visit.
For those who wish to delve further into the Kennedy assassination, these DVDs are recommended:
Above, this DVD by the History Channel is the best one. It covers the assassination and what transpired since, including conspiracy theories.
Above, this National Geographic DVD covers much of the same as the History Channel DVD.
Above, this DVD shows the Zapruder film from sharp photographic copies made from the original camera film.
Below is a video I took of former Secret Service Agent Clint Hill, now 91, giving a talk on the assassination at Book Passage in Corte Madera, California on June 11, 2016.
My order of shotgun shells (12 Gauge and 410 Bore) arrived this morning.
I came across the Mossberg 500E .410 Pump Shotgun last week, I didn't have the ammunition to try it out. So I ordered some along with some 12 Gauge shells.
To compare the sizes of them, here's a photo. A bit of a difference, eh?
Above, at Campland On The Bay during the San Diego recall trip. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Since I bought my 2015 Winnebago Minnie Winnie 22R, I had to deal with two recalls with it.
The first one was a possible defect with the house door lock. I took the motorhome down to La Mesa RV in San Diego (where I bought it) for an inspection and/or needed repairs. We made the trip into a fun one. We stayed at Campland On The Bay (it was a disappointment) the night before the appointment time. The matter at La Mesa RV was done before we even finished breakfast, so we headed over to Sea World for the rest of the day. That wasn't a disappointment.
The other recall I had to deal with was with the Kidde fire extinguisher that came with the RV. It was one of the recalled models and it was replaced. No muss, no fuss.
The topic of recalls is covered in an article at RV Travel.
They begin it with:
FOMO stands for Fear of Missing Out. The world of recalls is one place where missing out is a real risk.
Recalls of any product can be a pain in the neck as well as a pain in the pocketbook. Yet to RV travelers, these notifications are also an important warning that your travels, and even your life, might be in danger.
It’s always good to know that the product is defective before you find out the hard way. It’s also a nuisance that takes a bite out of your RV timetable. If you’re lucky, you get an email or letter telling you that something you own has been recalled. If you’re diligent, you check for recall information on a regular basis of your choice and learn of recalls that might apply to you.
What comes next can be a real headache. When Kidde fire extinguishers were recalled a few years back, I spent an hour rounding up all my fire extinguishers from the house, car, RV, garage, and boat. It took hours to find and copy off the model and serial numbers, and then fill out forms online. With foods, you have to go to the pantry and freezer to check dates, UPC’s and other codes. It’s better-safe-than-sorry time. It may also be an opportunity to get a full refund, a replacement, a coupon for a discount on your next purchase, or even a settlement in dollars.
Vehicle recalls can mean hours in a dealership’s waiting room while repairs are being made. Recalls of smaller items might require shipping the product to a special address. Even if shipping is at the manufacturer’s expense, you have to go online to print out paperwork and a shipping label, then box up the product and return it. In the case of some foods and other small items, it’s easier just to throw it away, chalk it up to experience, and be satisfied that you were prevented from using a defective food or product.
These days, just about every line of business and merchandising has their share of scammers.
A year ago, a couple of friends and I purchased some supposedly silver coins from an ad on Facebook. I thought that the prices of the coins were "too good to be true," but I took a chance and bought a couple.
Sure enough, they were counterfeit. They were not silver as they were magnetic. Silver is not a magnetic metal. I notified Facebook, the police and the Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation (ACEF) along with my credit card company. The credit card company reversed the charge and the police now possess the coins. The scam originated from China.
I now only buy coins and bullion from dealers I trust.
GOBankingRates has an article on "red flags" to look out for when buying gold and silver coins or bars.
They begin it with:
Although coin collecting is intended to be a fun, interesting and potentially lucrative hobby, it’s also a big business — and like any form of trade, there’s always someone out there who’ll try to scam you. A recent report from Transparency Market Research estimated the value of the global coin collection market at $8.7 billion in 2022 and projected that it could surpass $20 billion by 2031.
With all that money at stake, you can be sure that scammers and shady dealers are already figuring out new ways to bilk you out of your money. Thousands of consumers fall victim to rare coin investment schemes every year, according to the Florida Attorney General’s office, and it’s “not uncommon” for individual victims of coin scams to lose more than $100,000 in a single transaction.
Amateur coin collectors are especially vulnerable to scams because they lack the expertise to determine whether the coin being sold or promoted is legitimate. In fact, as the Florida Attorney General’s office noted, few consumers ever profit from investing in rare coins because they “do not know enough information” to make smart investment decisions.
Your chances of being scammed increase when you are dealing in gold and silver coins or bars because those precious metals hold so much potential value — and scam artists know it.
It looks like the weather here in Jamestown, New Mexico will clear this afternoon. According to the National Weather Service, the next chance for precipitation will come on Friday.
Overnight
A slight chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Northwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Monday
A slight chance of rain and snow showers before 8am. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 45. North wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 23. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.
Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 49. Light and variable wind becoming north 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
This works out good for me as I have to go to Thoreau (45 miles east) to a gunsmith with my Winchester 1894 rifle tomorrow. The lever, when cocked, does not push the hammer to firing position. It worked fine during the last target shoot (before last Friday). I had to pull the hammer back into firing position manually.
Reading up on Winchester 1894s, I see this is an issue that crops up with them. Usually, it is caused by wear & tear. Since my Winchester is a pre-1964 one (made in 1962), hopefully parts can be obtained (if needed). I don't know if post-1964 Winchester 1894 rifle parts are compatible. The current ones are made in Japan.
When I cleaned the rifle last Saturday, I paid extra cleaning attention to the hammer and oiled it good. But it didn't help. So, to the gunsmith it goes.
A few minutes ago, I took a gander from the front door and saw that we had some overnight snow showers. We just got a little dusting. It isn't much, but it is cold enough outside for it to stick for awhile.
I grabbed my phone and snapped these pictures.
I was supposed to take Larry Lucier to his doctor appointment in his bus this morning, but it was decided that his brother Greg will take him instead in his Subaru. The Subaru has all-wheel drive, which will make driving on snowy/icy roads safer.
The stuff that now passes as "music", particularly rock 'n roll, leaves me cold. So, to start off the week, here's a video of a classic rock artist.
This week spotlights Boz Scaggs. He first caught my attention in 1972 with his single, "Dinah Flo" from his 1972 album, My Time. He achieved bigger singles success in 1977 with "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle". Although he's now 79, Scaggs is still active.
William Royce "Boz" Scaggs (born June 8, 1944) is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He was a bandmate of Steve Miller in The Ardells in the early 1960s and the Steve Miller Band from 1967 to 1968.
Scaggs began his solo career in 1969, though he lacked a major hit until his 1976 album, Silk Degrees, peaked at number 2 on the Billboard 200, and produced the hit singles "Lido Shuffle" and "Lowdown". Scaggs produced two more platinum-certified albums in Down Two Then Left and Middle Man, the latter of which produced two top-40 singles "Breakdown Dead Ahead" and "Jojo".
After a hiatus for most of the 1980s, he returned to recording and touring in 1988, releasing Other Roads and later joining The New York Rock and Soul Revue. Scaggs opened the nightclub Slim's, a popular San Francisco music venue until it closed in 2020. He has continued to record and tour throughout the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s, with his most recent album being 2018's Out of the Blues.
Above, the deck with some snow. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Finally, at long last, we had our first snow of the season.
It had been raining off and on for the better part of the day. Then, we got a somewhat intense hail storm. That lasted for several minutes.
Then, maybe about 10-20 minutes later, snow began to fall. That lasted about an hour. It didn't stay long on the ground, but it did add moisture to the ground, which the trees needed.
Now the door's open for snow, we'll probably be getting more in no time.
Since I was holed up inside the house during the afternoon yesterday by the rain, after cleaning the guns used during Friday's shoot, I went through my ammo box to inspect the rounds to make sure I had no more old and corroded bullets.
Happily, none were corroded.
Above, I ordered a table like this one. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Later, I ordered a table to use in future shoots at the shooting area near our subdivision. It is like the one Larry Lucier used last Friday. It was stable and the right size. I checked around for shooting tables and benches but found they were expensive. The ones that were not expensive were not to my liking. The table will be delivered sometime next week. This was made necessary as some "Adam Henry"* decided to demolish the big wooden spools we used for tables at the shooting area.
*Law enforcement slang for anyone who is an asshole. This term would be used within civilians' earshot so they wouldn't know swearing was going down. (Source: Urban Dictionary)
Above, the Lawrence and Smith Saloon on Main Street in Boise, Idaho, circa 1890. How many Morgan silver dollars are in each gent's pockets?
Whenever I get some Morgan silver dollars (minted 1878 - 1904, 1921), I often think about where each coin has been and who held it, particularly when I see late 19th Century photos of western towns and people. When I see photos of men in saloons, one has to wonder how many Morgan silver dollars are in their pockets or in the saloon keeper's cash box.
Numismatic News has posted an article on how coin collecting is "holding history in your hands."
They begin it with:
A fun part of numismatics is holding a coin or note in your hands and being able to dream about who might have touched it at one time. That is not something you can experience by looking at pictures in books or online.
An even better part of being able to hold history in your own hands is that you don’t necessarily have to put out funds to own it. I have had the privilege of holding in my hands multiple coins that have sold or are insured for more than a million dollars, including the 1787 Brasher doubloon with “EB” stamped on the eagle’s breast, an 1804 Bust dollar and the unique 1844-O proof $10 Liberty. Some of these coins are so notorious you can view pictures of them in reference catalogs. I also now own some distinctive West African Kissi pennies that my father received in change when he worked in Liberia in the 1960s (as I wrote last year).
Above, this is what I may see today. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
According to the forecast for Jamestown, New Mexico by the National Weather Service:
Overnight
Scattered rain and snow showers before 5am, then scattered snow showers. Patchy fog after 5am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Sunday
Rain and snow showers likely before 2pm, then rain showers between 2pm and 3pm, then rain, possibly mixed with snow showers after 3pm. Some thunder is also possible. Patchy fog before 8am. High near 44. West wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Sunday Night
Rain and snow showers likely before 11pm, then scattered snow showers between 11pm and 2am, then a slight chance of rain and snow showers after 2am. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. West wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
I just took a gander outside with my floodlight between the house and garage (it is still dark here) and saw no evidence of either rain or snow showers. We'll see if any starts this morning, but, so far, nothing yet.
Above, at Brown's Town Campgrounds in Bishop, California. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Either I have been lucky over the years or I have practiced choosing a campsite with the tips by Chuck Woodbury in RV Travel as second nature already. I have not had any problems thus far.
The topic of Woodbury's article is on how to choose the best campsite with things to consider while doing so.
It begins with:
Here are some tips about choosing a campsite based on my many years of RVing. I urge you to add your own suggestions to this list after reading it. You can thank me for this advice next time we meet.
Above, cleaning and oiling the Winchester 1894. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
It's a good thing that I waited until today to clean my guns.
Since this morning, we've had our real sustained rain in Jamestown, New Mexico. It has been a dry autumn and we've only had very little precipitation. This storm has given the ground and, most importantly, the trees, a good soaking.
So, I stayed inside since we had breakfast this morning at Denny's and cleaned the guns I used yesterday. What a difference a day makes.
Yesterday's outing told me that we need to go shooting more often. It had been a couple of years since the last time I went shooting at the shooting range near our subdivision. The shooting area is on Cibola National Forest land. I used three guns yesterday.
Here's some takeaways from yesterday:
I started with my Winchester 1894 .30-30 lever-action rifle. It worked great. One thing that helped was a few days ago, I watched a YouTube video on the correct way of loading and unloading the 1894. That helped quite a bit. I was fighting the loading gate and the video showed how avoid this. It is a fun rifle to shoot.
Here's the video:
Next was the Ruger 10-22. The rifle operated fine, but the ammo apparently was old and starting to corrode. Twice a round got stuck. The first one had the bullet partially detach from the brass casing. I had to use Larry Lucier's knife to dig them out. I am going to go through my ammo and check to see if any more bullets are corroding. The ones I had yesterday were Fiochi .22 rounds. I was using my 25-round magazine with the bad bullets. I then switched to a 10-round magazine that had newer bullets already loaded and those were smooth as silk when shooting. The scope I have on the rifle was a great aid and the body shots on the target's silhouette hit their mark.
After that, I tried out the new Remington 870 Express 12 gauge shotgun. I fired three shells. The gun worked nicely. It was comfortable to shoot, despite the kick from the shells. But it was easier to use than the heavier shotgun I used last month in Lake Havasu while skeet shooting.
One thing that was apparent during yesterday's shoot: I need a shooting bench/table. Some idiot smashed up the two big wooden spools we used as tables. I shot freehanded. I am going to look around for a table to use.
After this morning's coffee and breakfast with the gang at Denny's, I will be cleaning the guns. Nothing like the smell of Hoppe's No. 9 gun solvent cleaner in the afternoon. Smells of victory!
Above, the Mossberg 500E shotgun. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Yesterday, while getting a gun case for one of my rifles to go to our shooting range, I found one with something inside.
It was a Mossberg 500E pump .410 shotgun. I don't remember having it. It was one of my dad's. I did some checking and this one is a pre-1968 gun since it is without a serial number. It was first introduced in 1961. It is said to be a good varmint gun.
Friends are amazed that I manage to find guns in gun cases I inherited from my dad.
Since I don't have any .410 gauge shotgun shells, I ordered a box so I can try out the gun.
