#12 gauge specialty rounds

[peashooter85]

The Perfect Shotgun for Action Movies --- The Franchi SPAS 12

Franchi is an Italian company famous for making civilian shotguns for hunting and sporting purposes. In 1979 Franchi attempted to enter the military and law enforcement market with a combat shotgun called the SPAS 12, SPAS standing for Special Purpose Automatic Shotgun. Like the name suggests, the SPAS 12 was a semi automatic shotgun chambered for 12 gauge. However, it could also be quickly converted to pump action mode in order to fire specialty ammunition such as bean bag rounds, tear gas shells, and other less than lethal ammunition. Often such ammunition lacks the pressures and power needed to operate a semi automatic action, hence why the SPAS 12 had a pump action conversion option.

The SPAS 12 featured a folding stock made from stamped sheet metal. At the end of the stock was a metal hook with a particularly odd purpose; to loop around the arm so that the shotgun could be held and fired with a single hand. Now if this sounds silly, don’t worry because it is silly. Fortunately the hook could be removed, and most likely it was. 

Sights consisted of a ghost ring rear sight and a simple blade front sight. The barrel is surrounded by a vented heat shield for cooling. When fired in semi automatic mode the forearm is locked forward an immobile. Pressing a button underneath the forearm unlocks it, turning the forearm into a slide for pump action mode. Depending on model, the SPAS 12 had a 5, 6, 7, or 8 round tubular magazine.

 The SPAS 12 was marketed to law enforcement in particular, however it failed to garner many sales. Some law enforcement and military organizations purchased the shotgun, however most gave it a pass due to it’s $1,500 retail price. Most police organizations saw no need to pony up that much money when a simple pump shotgun could be bought for a quarter of that price, yet be just as effective for law enforcement purposes. A few military organizations purchased the weapon, but only in small quantities as military shotguns have a very narrow and limited purpose. In an attempt to garner more sales, Franchi introduced the shotgun to the civilian market, renaming it the “Special Purpose Automatic Sporting” shotgun in order to attract the attention of sport shooters and trick governments into thinking it was just another civilian sporting shotgun. However, this bid failed when most governments banned the shotgun as an assault weapon, and in countries where it was legal it attracted little interest from civilians. After manufacturing 36,000 shotguns, the SPAS 12 was discontinued in 2004.

While the SPAS 12 was unsuccessful on the law enforcement, military, and civilian markets, it would become famous because of the entertainment industry. Due to it’s “tacticool” design and aesthetics it became a common staple of action movies and video games. It first made it’s way onto film in the hands of Arnold Schwarzeneggar with the movie “The Terminator” in 1984, and ever since then has been featured countless times in movies, TV, and video games.Perhaps it’s most memorable role was as the standard issue firearm of InGen personnel working at Jurassic Park, a must have weapon should the dinosaurs happen to escape. One of my favorite scenes from the movie features Jurassic Park gamekeeper Robert Muldoon stalking a raptor. The tension rises as he slowly and deliberately unfolds the stock of his SPAS 12 shotgun, then carefully takes aim...

[pelusoart]

As a baby watercolorist, please tell me everything about your painting setup: Lighting! Paper! Paints! Opinion on New Sap Green vs Original Sap Green! Brushes! Preliminary sketching! How the heck do you stop using watercolor like it's gouache! Your TRANSPARENCIES OMG WTFBBQ??? you have the beautiful glowing quality watercolor is known for DOWN and I am AMAZED. What's your favorite size paper and brush? Seriously, anything you want to talk about re: watercolor I want to hear it (notice me senpai)

2/2 and when do you know that you need to Stop Messing With It and let the painting *be*?

I was gonna say I'm no one's senpai, but then I remembered I've been working almost exclusively in watercolors for 15 years now and had to lay down for a bit.

But yes, senpai has noticed. She's just a little slow to respond because she wanted to give clear answers and has a tendency to ramble when she doesn't edit herself. Still rambled here but with more purpose.  

and before we begin: ask box is always open for more questions should you have any.  

Lighting!

I keep the room super well lit. I've got multiple lamps in the room I use to paint, not including the clamp lamp that's attached to the art desk, and I open the blinds on the windows whenever I have daylight. Light bulbs that have a much more pure white glow are the best, as the yellow-ish ones will affect your perception of the colors.

Paper!

I use Arches 300lb Hot Press paper these days.  I used to use Fabriano 300lb Soft Press, but they changed the formula/process a few years back and the quality just hasn't been the same.

The weight of your paper is something to keep an eye on. The heavier the paper, the more water it can handle. As such, anything under 140lb is scrap paper. Under 140lb really can't handle water particularly well for anything of quality, and has a tendency to warp badly on top of not absorbing the pigments and thus killing your colors

Side note: Press is how the paper is made, using hot water vs cold water and such. Cold Press is the traditional method, which gives the paper it's classic texture while Hot is a more modern process that gives the paper a smoother texture. Soft is a specialty of Fabriano that is the point between the two. There is also Rough which is extra textured, though I personally do not care for it.

Paints!

There is no perfect brand, so don't buy into any notion of “brand loyalty” and only buy from one company.  I buy several brands since I find they each do certain colors better than others.  Most of my cools (blues, greens, purples) are from Winsor & Newton (Artist Grade) where as my warms (reds, oranges, yellows) are Senneiler. I have a few from Holbien as well, but those are specifically colors I need that are super bright. There's no hard rule on who does what better though, one of my most used yellows (Naples Yellow) is the W&N version for example.

You can buy watercolors in either little tubes of paint or in dried little pallets called cakes.  I use tubes almost exclusively as I find they're easier to adjust the ratio of paint to water, not to mention easier to find in store. Cakes are often what you get in sets, and they’re decent, I just find them a pain to use.

Opinion on New Sap Green vs Original Sap Green!

I wasn't sure what you meant by this, but google results mentioned there was a recipe change for Daniel Smith in the past few years, so I'm assuming you mean that! Personally, I have no opinion on this exact color situation as I don't use DS, but I can weigh in on the concept of altering recipes.

It sucks. Watercolor is a set up of pigment : gum arabic : preservatives : water ratios, and is at the end of the day a chemical equation/reaction that can vary wildly with minimal alterations.  While it's entirely possible the new recipe works better, such things are an ultimately subjective matter. Changing without warning can also massively screw a person over, because they're expecting one result and getting something completely different.

Brushes!

A mix of natural fiber ans synthetic fiber brushes, and a decent range of size and shape.

Princeton Neptune (synthetic) and the Silver Brush Black Velvet (natural squirrel fur) are the brands I've found that work best for me. Winsor & Newton are famous for their sable watercolor brushes, but I haven't used them in a while as all of mine are older and need to be replaced. I mostly use round brushes, but flats are excellent for filling in large spaces or sharp angles. Size range usually goes from 1 through 12 depending on what your doing, though I do have a few super small 0 sizes for detail work.

Preliminary sketching!

Do it on other paper. Pencils can damage watercolor paper super easily. Erasers are instant death. I have seen people essentially maul a piece of watercolor paper trying to erase a line.

But seriously. I am super messy when I do prelim sketching so I work on a separate piece of paper first, clean up the sketch, then transfer the completed linework to the watercolor paper with my light box.

How the heck do you stop using watercolor like it's gouache!

How much water are you using when you paint? Use more. No, more. I said use more.

I think a lot of people forget that your paper is a key part of your piece when working with watercolors. Other paints have a white you use to cover the canvas, where as with watercolor your paper IS your white. Think about how it is when you're shading a pencil sketch. Do you also shade in white on the highlights? Of course not, the white of the paper is your highlight, you just need to make the shadows. Same thing applies to watercolor.

(one day I’ll cobble together a video to actually show this properly because I don’t word good with this one, it’s honestly instinct for me at this point)

What's your favorite size paper and brush?

No real favorite size of paper honestly, I buy the large sheets and cut tot he size I need/want to work in.  On average most of my pieces come out to around 11″ by 17″ though.  As for brushes I have a pair of size 4 and size 6 brushes that are used constantly.

When do you know that you need to Stop Messing With It and let the painting *be*?

That's one of those irritating "you learn to gauge it over time" situations. You'll start to naturally tell when a painting is done the more you make.

What does help though, is when you get to a point that makes you question if you're done, is to get up and walk away.  Just go do something else, something that keeps you away from your art setup for a while. Giving yourself some space to rest your eyes is important. When you get back to it after your break, ask yourself then how you feel about the piece. 

hope this all helps ❤

[satoshi-mochida]

Project Sakura Wars will launch for PlayStation 4 on December 12 in Japan for 8,800 yen, Sega announced.

First-print copies will include a PlayStation 4 theme featuring the game’s main visual and theme song.

A 14,800 yen limited edition and digital deluxe edition will also be available. The limited edition includes a Sakura Wars Series Song and Art Collection, which consists of a soundtrack CD featuring over 60 songs from the series’ six titles, and an A4-size, 72-page art book featuring illustrations from the series. The digital deluxe edition includes the same content in data form.

Sega will host a hands-on event for Project Sakura Wars at Hanayashiki Amusement Park in Tokyo on August 31 from 18:30 JST to 21:00 JST where fans can go hands-on with the game for the first time. Applications are available here.

Sega also shared new information on the game, including the announcement of Sakura Amamiya’s theme song and the reveal of two new characters:

■ Sakura Amamiya Theme Song

Title: “Shoujo Nandesu Yo”

Singer: Sakura Amamiya (voiced by Ayane Sakura)

Writer: Jirou Ishii

Composer: Kouhei Tanaka

Arrangement: Akifumi Tada

■ New Characters

Yang Xiaolong (voiced by Yuuichirou Umehara) Shanghai Combat Revue “Wu Shenglong” Captain.

“Shanghai Combat Revue “Wu Shenglong”… now is the time we start the fight!”

A young man who serves as the captain of the Shanghai Combat Revue: Floral Division. He is a hot-blooded young man who hates dishonesty and often says things straight from his heart. Therefore his words are seldom taken as vile even if he talks ill of someone. He boasts strong blows from his martial art attacks in battle. Outside of battle, his nickname is “The Rice Chef of Fire,” as he serves as a skilled chef with his specialty Chinese-style fried rice.

Huang Yui (voiced by Sumire Uesaka) Shanghai Combat Revue “Wu Shenglong” member.

“Your potential is going to be spoiled in the Imperial Combat Revue… Hey, why not come to the Shanghai Combat Revue?”

A bright energetic girl with an unyielding spirit. She is the best acrobat in the team. While she is generally easygoing, her love for the Shanghai Combat Reveue sometimes causes her to be harsh on the Imperial Combat Revue and their shortcomings. Although she seems to like Sakura Amamiya for her grit, despite the state of the Imperial Combat Revue, and advises her as someone who has been in the business for a longer time.

■ Battle Suits

Seijuurou Kamiyama

Sakura Amamiya

■ Shanghai Combat Revue

A Combat Revue formed following the establishment of the “World Combat Revue Federation (WLOF).” Based in Shanghai, they protect the city and concurrently served as defense for the Imperial capital until the Imperial Combat Revue was re-established. Even the Gouma (monster) Kamamiya encounters at the station when he is appointed to the Imperial Capital is repelled by the Shanghai Combat Revue. During the battle, he worked under Shanghai Combat Revue “Wu Shenglong” captain Yang Xiaolong.

■ Mecha

Wanglong

A Spiricle Fighter operated by the Shanghai Combat Revue. It has an aggressive exterior reminiscent of a dragon, and is characterized by its flame-clad martial arts unleashed by the operator’s agile movements.

■ Locations

Shenlong Xuan

During peacetime, Xiaolong cooks here as the head chef, and people often lineup to have his Chinese-style fried rice.

■ Exhilarating Action Battles: Basics of Battle

Project Sakura Wars cycles between adventure and battle sequences, through which you will progress through the story and strengthen your bond with the heroines.

Battle parts use an action combat system in which you take control of the leader Kamiyama and the other members’ mechs. Utilize each character’s unique abilities and defeat enemies with exhilarating combos and special attacks.

The more you strengthen your bond with teammates, the stronger they become during battle parts. Experience dramatic battles, and even let the story unfold within them.

Flashy, Three-Dimensional Action with Simple Controls

Use a combination of the Square and Triangle buttons to unleash a flurry of standard attacks. Use your jumps and dashes to move freely throughout the battlefield, and use many other actions such as wall running and just-dodges to defeat enemies.

—Standard Attack

—Dash

—Step

—Jump

—Wall Run

Places that you can wall run can be found at specific points on the map. Use this to move around dynamically.

Finish the Enemy with Special Attacks! Familiar Scenes from the Sereies Return!

Collect Spirit Power during battles to use special attacks to finish off your enemies. When you use a special attack, scenes specific to that character will play out. Spirit Power can be amassed by defeating enemies and gathering Spirit recovery items. Also, by fulfilling certain special conditions, you can perform joint attacks with other members. Please look forward to how Kamiyama and the members’ attacks will play out!

Use Just-Dodges to Turn the Tide of Battle!

When you take a step while an enemy is attacking, a just-dodge will trigger. Use this to turn the tide of battle and strike back. During just-dodges you can even cut an enemy in two. When doing so, a dynamic effect will play out.

Charge the Bond Gauge and Boost your Members’ Abilities!

During battle parts, when the bonds between Kamiyama and each member gets stronger, their abilities also get a boost. The starting value of the gauge can be increased through the actions you take during adventure parts, as well as further boosted depending on the play contents of battle mode.

Dramatic Scenes Make Events and Battles Exciting!

Even during battle, the story will progress via event scenes and communications. Cooperate with your allies to come out in victory.

■ Unique Personal Mechs: Each Mech Has its Own Unique Abilities

Seijuurou Kamiyama – Spiricle Fighter: Mugen

The “Spiricle Fighter: Mugen” operated by Seijuurou Kamiyama is characterized by its variety of attacks unleashed from its dual swords. In close combat, it runs around the battlefield with its almighty fighting strength. Its special attack is called “Juuou Mujin: Arashi.” It overpowers the enemies in its vicinity with overwhelming combo attacks.

Sakura Amamiya – Spiricle Armor: Sanshiki Koubu

The “Spiricle Armor: Sanshiki Koubu” operated by Sakura Amamiya is an older-style mech, but it can unleash steady attacks one hit after the other. Its special attack is called “Tenken: Sakura Fubuki.” It rounds up the enemies in front of it and unleashes an attack, and has the power to clear an entire front of the battlefield.

Watch the latest trailer and first battle gameplay below. View a new set of screenshots at the gallery.

Trailer

Gameplay

10:01 to 13:06 – Anastasia Palma and Azami Mochizuki Cutscenes

22:18 to 23:15 – Yang Xiaolong and Huang Yui Cutscene

33:04 to 33:46 – Cutscene

34:34 to 35:52 – Bathhouse Cutscene

39:36 to 40:45 – Battle Gameplay

49:57 to 54:50 – Battle Gameplay

[skeletonscribbles]

Wishes - Chapter 12

there was really no getting around including Star Wars Weekend.

Disney folks  - I KNOW you can't get specialty drinks at Starring Rolls but I'm too lazy to make them go to a kiosk, okay? also I haven't been to SWW in a minute. they probably have different food now, but all the Disney Food Blog entries I looked at were back from like 2015 so I'm operating under the assumption that the novelty shit doesn't change.

Anyways.

Chapter Title: “Cantina Song” (Stan)

Warnings: unintelligible memeing, “Luke Skywalker is gay” discourse, some discussion of discrimination

meme references: I Have The High Ground Now THIS is Podracing That's....why I'm here....  (Comment your fave prequel meme if you have one - mine’s Obi Wan’s “Hello There” but I couldn’t figure out how to fit it in to the chapter RIP)

READ ON AO3

Tag List:  @roobarrtrashmouth @jem-carstairs-is-perfection @tozier-club @aizeninlefox @stanheartsbill @imrichie @softeds @pretzelstoday @melancholypurple @wheezygreens @ayyyymichele @loser-marsh

STANLEY URIS FRONT DESK COORDINATOR, YACHT CLUB RESORT but more immediately DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS MAY 4TH 11 A.M.

“It’s not that I don’t think Star Wars looks interesting,” Stan explained for what felt like the zillionth time that day. “Aesthetically, I’m all about it. I saw a PBS special one time about how they painted some of the sets - that was really cool.”

“So the reason you haven’t seen any of the films is…”

“Purely meme-related, yes.” Stan sighed and rubbed at his eyes. “I don’t understand what’s so hard to grasp about that.”

“Everything, Stan!” Mike all but shouted (though there was a tell-tale wobbliness to his voice that suggested he was on the verge of laughter). “Everything!”

Star Wars Weekend was one of the more baffling annual events on property for Stan. Aside from his never having seen the movies, Stan also wasn’t sure why the entire shebang took place in Hollywood Studios (his least favorite park), especially because the Star Wars Land expansion wasn’t even finished yet. All Studios had to offer for the event was boring old motion-simulator Star Tours and the giant stomp robot it was housed in (“the AT-AT, Stan,” Mike had sighed at least 15 times in the past hour alone). That said, though, Mike loved Star Wars and had apparently been looking forward to getting his picture taken with the round rolling robot (“he has a name, Stan, call him BB-8!”) for quite some time now. Since February and the veritable relationship shitstorm they’d weathered, Stan had been extra determined to compromise wherever he could to show Mike that he was in this for the long run, and as compromises ran, Star Wars Weekend wasn’t a bad one by any means.

“Do you want me to watch the movies, Mike?” he asked, resigned.

Mike laughed and pulled up the bottom of his Rebel Alliance shirt to mop the sweat off of his face. Stan didn’t even bother to hide the way his eyes slid down to Mike’s newly exposed stomach, and made a mental note to ask a Cast Member how long Star Tours was so he could gauge whether or not it was feasible to fool around on the ride. (So far, they’d managed some light groping on the 11 minute ride through the Haunted Mansion, and would have gotten even farther on Pirates except that Stan had Richie’s voice in his head the whole time reminding him of “all the fuckin’ shit I’ve seen on those cameras, Stan, I swear to whatever Jewish God you pray to”.)

“I should have asked if you liked Star Wars, like...weeks ago,” Mike said sadly. “I guess I just assumed. I’m sorry.”

“No worries,” Stan assured him, putting a comforting and not at all lascivious hand on his bicep. “I love Star Wars Weekend. It’s like living in another country for two days. I don’t understand shit about what’s going on, but the food is good and it’s pretty fucking funny if you play your cards right.”

“Another country?” Mike smiled. “Another planet, more like.”

Stan laughed. “Now you’re getting it. Speaking of miscommunications, do we have word from Richie and Eddie?”

“Operation double date is a go,” Mike confirmed, pulling out his phone to double check his texts. “Eddie said they’d be here in like twenty minutes.”

“Cool,” Stan said, and was surprised to find that he meant it. Richie had been in the apartment less and less as his relationship with Eddie had gotten more and more serious, which had culminated in Stan seeing Richie maybe twice over the entirety of the past two weeks. (Stan hoped that meant that they were finally having sex. It would be such a relief to know that Richie had built himself back up to a place where he was finally ready to make that happen.) Stan would never admit it to Richie’s face, but he was starting to miss having Richie around. He was running out of things to clean in the apartment, because no one was around to leave dishes in the sink or leave toothpaste smeared across the bathroom counter. It should have been a relief, but instead it was weird. He’d had Richie around for so long that the idiot had become a central part of his daily routines, and while he was happy that his friend was finally getting his shit together, it was going to be tough to reimagine his life with less Richie.

But. That was a problem for Later Stan.

“So,” Mike continued, “I was thinking maybe we grab food and then head for character meet-and-greets once they arrive? I’ve been waiting to eat chocolate Darth Vader cake all day, and if we don’t do that before Richie shows up, he’ll try to steal off of our plates.”

“True!” Stan brightened at the idea of food. He’d seen people walking around with some kind of blue drink that he’d been dying to try all day. “I think they’ve got cupcakes and stuff at that bakery over by Sunset?”

Mike shrugged. “Sounds right. It’ll be deserted over there, too - no one wants to ride Tower of Terror during Star Wars Weekend. Wanna walk?”

“I do,” Stan said, taking up a brisk pace towards the Sunset Boulevard themed area of the park. “I might be wrong about the cupcakes, though. I really don’t know this park at all. I only come here with Richie.”

“Let me guess,” Mike said knowingly, following Stan across the park, “he takes you here because he likes to feel like he’s doing better than someone at the Toy Story Midway Mania game.”

Stan almost stopped in his tracks. “How did you know?”

“He took me here the first time we hung out solo, too,” Mike said, catching up with Stan during his momentary lull and taking his hand. Stan couldn’t help but smile a little bit at the gesture, even though he was sure he’d drop Mike’s hand sooner rather than later - May in Florida meant that things were already almost unbearably muggy. “I think he takes everyone here so that he can gauge their Toy Story shooting skills.”

“And you were better than him?” Stan guessed.

“I wasn’t worse,” Mike agreed. “His hand-eye coordination needs some serious work.”

“No, my hand-eye coordination needs some serious work,” Stan sighed, spotting the bakery he was thinking of and making a beeline for it with Mike in tow. “Richie just can’t see. He has to wear the 3D glasses on top of his regular glasses.”

“Well, if we ever ride that ride together, I’ll let you win, sweetheart,” Mike promised, and Stan reached up to pull his curls desperately down over his ears so as to hide how red they’d just gotten. Mike really was the least selfish person on Earth. How had he, Stanley Uris, gotten so lucky?

But...now wasn’t the time to reflect on selfishness, because that would just make both of them a little bit sad. Neither of them had reached out to Bill at all since early March, and while they’d admitted to one another that they felt a little bit like they hadn’t given him enough of a chance (although Mike still felt worse about it than Stan did - it was in Mike’s nature to hope for change, and it was in Stan’s nature to know that things were going to stay the same), their residual guilt hadn’t been enough to warrant a check-in with their ex-partner just yet.

It would have to be soon, though - they both knew that. The seven of them were booked to visit Anaheim in just two short months, and if they weren’t amiable by then, Bev would kill them.

Soon wasn’t now, though. They’d be ready when they were ready.

“Let’s just never ride that ride together, okay?” Stan suggested, stopping in front of the bakery and checking out the menu signs out front. “Is this the cupcake you wanted?”

“Are these the droids I’m looking for?” Mike joked, but it fell on deaf ears. Stan knew a fair amount of Star Wars jokes as a result of his longtime dedication to r/funny (and he was absolutely positive that they’d be made less funny by his actually having seen the films, he just knew it, which was the real, core reason why he hadn’t bitten the bullet and watched the goddamn movies), but he had long since resigned himself to the fact that there were some references he was just never going to get.

“Chocolate Darth Vader,” Stan continued, trying to save them both some embarrassment. “Or was it this Jabba the Hutt….thing?”

Mike squinted at the menu, paying special attention to what was apparently a new item as of this year’s Star Wars Weekend. “That is the ugliest fucking cupcake I’ve ever seen in my life.”

“Can’t be uglier than Eddie’s mom!”

Fuck. Eddie’s stupid homing beacon brain had obviously struck again. Sighing heavily, Stan smoothed down his navy polo and turned around to greet his roommate.

“Hello Stan!” Eddie was three steps ahead of Richie, beaming as he bounded across the red concrete towards them. The shirt he was wearing had really obviously belonged to Richie at some point - the first clue was that it was white with Han Solo silhouetted in black on the front (Eddie didn’t know shit about Star Wars), and the second was that Eddie was absolutely swimming in it. In spite of both of those things, Eddie was in better spirits than Stan had maybe ever seen him, to the point where Stan was almost afraid that Eddie was going to hug him when he got close enough.

“Eddie,” Stan greeted, raising a hand slowly to wave cordially at their two friends as Mike slowly shifted his attention away from the cupcake selection. “Richie.”

“Stanakin Skywalker,” Richie grinned, coming up behind Eddie and sliding a hand easily onto Eddie’s shoulder, “here with Pad-Mike Amidala.”

Stan stared at him, wondering vaguely if he’d actually forgotten that Stan had zero knowledge of the Star Wars films. “Who?”

“Never mind.” Richie waved a conceding hand. The motion of his wave drew Stan’s eyes to his shirt, which was the most hideous brown monstrosity Stan had maybe ever seen (modeled after that creature that was always with Han Solo whose name Stan always forgot), and he wondered: had he actually missed Richie Tozier, or had his mind just gone soft and nostalgic from being alone in the apartment?

“How’d you find us, Eddie?” Mike asked, smiling warily down at the top of Eddie’s head. “I didn’t text you that we were getting food, did I?”

Eddie shrugged. “Had a hunch. Richie saw one of those blue drinks and thought that Stan would like that, and I know you can get those here, so.”

Stan looked at Richie, who was smiling at his giant, converse-clad feet, and felt a little bit sad all over again. His empty apartment nostalgia brain had nothing to do with how big of a hole Richie’s semi-departure had actually left in his life.

But again - that was a problem for Later Stan.

“Come on, Rich,” Stan said, moving towards the doors of the Starring Rolls Cafe and beckoning to his friend. “I’ll buy you a cupcake.”

Richie’s resulting smile was enough to make Stan consider skipping the fireworks show - it was that much of a spectacle. “He does care!”

“I always have, dipshit,” Stan muttered, walking pointedly away from Richie and into the air-conditioned cafe. Immediately, he let out a sigh of relief - the Florida heat fucking sucked, and he could practically feel his hair going nuts with it at this point in the day. Behind him, he heard Richie following along and chattering enthusiastically, but he tuned that out in favor of locating the blue drink he wanted on the menu. Once he found it, he couldn’t help but scowl...there was no way he was going to be able to pronounce the name of that cocktail well enough to order it. Reluctantly, he turned back to Mike.

“Hey sweetheart,” he began slowly, “the blue drink....”

Mike glanced at the menu, and then he threw his head back and let out a long laugh. Embarrassed, Stan tightened his shoulders and turned around.

“Never mind, I don’t--”

“Alderaan,” Mike said, still wheezing with laughter. “It’s pronounced All - deh - rahn...although if you want to pay homage to that meme you like about the high ground, you should get the red Mustafar thing--”

Stan considered that. On the one hand, he was mortified enough at this point to be seriously considering just skipping the drink altogether, but on the other...he did love that meme...

“Richie?” He glanced off to the right, scanning the room for Richie, who had become suspiciously quiet since they’d entered the bakery. “Tell me what you want so I can ge--”

The sentence dried up in Stan’s mouth as he locked eyes with one Bill Denbrough, who was standing next to a sheepish looking Richie. Stan vaguely registered the presence of Eddie, Beverly, and Ben behind Bill, but it didn’t matter that they were there, not really.

Well, it did, kind of. He tore his eyes from Bill and quickly scanned each of their faces - Richie looked uncomfortable, Eddie looked kind of sick, Ben looked embarrassed, and Bev...Bev looked…

Stan turned back to the left to glance at Mike, and when Mike met his gaze, a small nod confirmed Stan’s suspicions: this was Beverly Marsh’s doing, most definitely.

Bill himself looked more gaunt than Stan remembered - as if someone had taken the face that Stan remembered and stretched it thinner, made it longer, made it sadder, almost. His blue eyes stood in stark contrast to the circles around them, and they looked scared.

Bizarrely, that detail was almost comforting to Stan. It was good that Bill was a little frightened. That was better than Bill being indignant, or having that Denbrough fiery conviction in his eyes. No...frightened, Stan could work with. It gave him leverage, at the very least.

Mike would feel bad about it, though - and Stan could see him already starting to feel bad about it, guilt was creeping across his face and sinking his shoulders. Damn it.

Bill spoke first. “You didn’t t-tell me they were going to be here, Bev.”

Oh. That was new. Stan knew that Bill had stuttered in his youth, but he hadn’t ever actually heard him do it. Was it a ploy, or was it legitimate? Was it shitty of Stan to even be thinking that question?

“You guys were never going to get here on your own,” Bev said cooly, and Stan felt a little spike of anger at her - who was she to dictate the terms of this revisitation? They weren’t ready. None of them were ready, and Hollywood Studios was the wrong venue for any kind of confrontation.

Before he could collect his thoughts well enough to voice his displeasure, though, Eddie was speaking. “Should we go, then?” he asked, twisting the hem of his shirt in his hands nervously. “We could get in line for Star Tours, maybe? Or the Luke Skywalker meet-and-greet?”

“Do you know the names of any Star Wars characters that aren’t Luke Skywalker?” Richie asked fondly, re-situating his hand on Eddie’s shoulder. Eddie leaned into the touch, smiling quietly to himself.

“I like Luke Skywalker.” Eddie defended himself without any real heat, sliding a hand up to cover Richie’s. “He’s gay.”

Ben half-covered his face with his hand. “Oh, Eddie…”

“We’ll go,” Bev decided loudly, grabbing for Ben’s hand and leading him towards the door. “Text me when you’re ready to join us, boys. We’ll be in line for something or other, probably.”

Bev, Ben, Richie, and Eddie swept out of the restaurant together, and all of Stan’s angry words were left to fester as the four of them disappeared into the crowd, chattering about the merits of meeting Princess Leia (Bev’s choice) versus meeting Luke Skywalker (Eddie’s choice).

For the first time since February, Stan, Mike, and Bill were alone together. It was almost funny that they were reconciling in a restaurant, Stan thought, except that it was really not funny at all. None of them had moved, so they weren’t even set up to have a private conversation - they were stuck just staring at each other across the bakery as patrons entered and exited.

After a long thirty seconds, Mike strode forward, and gestured to Stan to follow him. Stan clenched his fists and entertained the idea of resisting - he didn’t want either of them to be drawn back into the vortex they’d been in before, the last two months had been so good - but in the end, he followed, because this wasn’t about going back, not really. It was about moving forward.

How have you been, Bill?” Mike asked softly, offering out a hand for Bill to shake.

Bill stared at Mike’s hand as if it were going to bite him, but Mike held firm, and after an excruciating moment, Bill relented. Stan was surprised at how visibly Bill relaxed when his brain finally processed that Mike and Stan weren’t going to be hostile. He deflated like a balloon, sagging his shoulders and sliding his hand into Mike’s.

“Okay,” Bill said, and Stan could almost feel the way his face immediately synched up with Mike’s as they raised their eyebrows at Bill skeptically. Bill stared at them for a second, and then choked out a laugh, eyes widening incredulously. “Okay, not great, not really even okay, actually. Holy shit, you guys.”

“Sorry,” Mike said, at the same time that Stan said, “Now THIS is podracing,” and Bill let out another hoarse laugh.

“Is that a meme?” he asked, smiling up at Stan, and Stan felt his stomach clench upon seeing the little crinkly smile lines around Bill’s eyes. How fucking odd, to remember the things that you were attracted to in a person without experiencing the actual attraction.

“Yes,” Stan said, and found that his voice wasn’t nearly as sharp as he’d anticipated it being. “Of course it’s a meme. You know me.”

Bill looked like he had something to say on that point, but to Stan’s great surprise, he kept it to himself.

“Guest Relations still going okay? I never see you in the tunnels,” Mike continued, already grasping for straws as far as small talk topics were concerned. The conversation was going to have to get serious soon - Stan wasn’t sure why Mike was delaying the inevitable.

“It’s fine,” Bill shrugged. “Kind of boring. I see Richie and Eddie sometimes, but mostly it’s just the usual sitting at the window and fielding complaints. How’s Splash? And Yacht?”

“Splash is great, actually,” Mike said, smiling slowly. “I’m glad I transferred there. I’m having a lot of fun.”

If Bill was upset about that, he was doing a good job of not showing it. “I’m glad. And you, Stan?”

Stan nodded, trying to be as agreeable as possible. “We’ve got wings closed for renovation, so it’s pretty quiet. Once we’re full steam ahead again, though, I’m going to put in for Manager.”

Bill swung his eyes over to meet Stan’s, and Stan was surprised by how open his expression was. “Good. Sounds like you’re both doing well.”

Mike and Stan exchanged a nervous glance. “We’re fine, yeah.”

There was an awkward silence, exacerbated by Bill turning away for a few seconds to look at the cupcake case. Once he turned back, Mike spoke again.

“I’m sorry for what happened in February,” he said, and Stan straightened up. Finally, finally, finally they had reached the meat of the conversation - and the sooner they got through it, the sooner this terrible interaction would be finished. “I know I wasn’t fair.”

Mike turned his head after he was finished speaking and fixed Stan with a look that indicated that he expected Stan to apologize too...but Stan wasn’t quite there yet.

“Have you thought about what we said?” he asked instead, and he felt rather than saw Mike’s cringe.

Bill didn’t seem upset, though. In fact, he looked as though he had expected that line of questioning. “If I said yes, Stan, would you believe me?”

Stan didn’t really know what his answer to that question was. Fortunately, Mike was able to make a quicker judgement call.

“I would,” said Mike. “February Bill would have been pretty mad that we were doing well without him, I think, and you seem….you seem calm, Bill. Have you been talking to someone?”

“Just Bev,” he said, cutting eye contact with both of them and looking at the ground sheepishly. “We still live together for the moment, but I think she’s looking at moving in with Ben? Is that true?” He looked specifically at Mike for that question, and Mike nodded carefully.

“I think so? I’m pretty evenly split between my place and Stan’s, so I don’t know for sure,” he said, and Stan’s eyes snapped back to Bill’s face, trying to gauge his reaction about Stan and Mike spending time together. To his credit, he didn’t seem fazed at all.

Fuck. Maybe things had changed over the past few months. Maybe Bill was trying to self-improve after all.

“But I’m thinking about seeing a therapist,” Bill continued, shuffling his feet a little bit, “just to like, talk to someone, you know? And I’ve been thinking about what you guys were saying about the not listening, because...well, Bev said it too, and I’m not...I’m working on it.”

Mike smiled sweetly. “I can tell.”

“Me too,” Stan admitted, and Bill’s eyes snapped up at that. He had obviously not expected Stan to be kind.

“I have a question, though,” Bill asked, in a tone that quietly indicated that he only half-wanted to ask his question.

“Shoot,” Mike and Stan said in unison, and Bill shuddered.

“Fucking weird, you guys. Anyways,” he said, taking his time as if trying to word it perfectly in his head. “I just...what happened? Why me? I know that’s probably like...ignorant or something? Maybe? I don’t know, but...I deserve to know that, I think.”

Stan smiled thinly. The old Bill - the “deserve” Bill - was not quite dead, after all.

Mike, as always, was kinder than Stan, and launched quickly into an explanation.

“Well, the minority versus non-minority thing was bigger than you thought it was, I think,” Mike said thoughtfully, and Stan nodded.

“Yeah, ditto that. There are some things you just can’t understand unless you’ve lived them.”

Bill frowned and shoved his hands into his pockets. “But Stan’s white.”

Stan exhaled lowly. “Yeah, and that’s not the same as Mike and all the shit he deals with, I know...but the Jewishness, Bill. It’s a thing, even if I haven’t really practiced in a minute...it’s a thing.”

Sighing, Bill inelegantly pushed a hand back through his hair. “Okay, I guess. Was that it?”

Stan looked at Mike, and Mike nodded back at him, giving him the non-verbal green light.

“The dynamic was weird,” Stan said, willing Bill to look him in the eyes for this part. It wasn’t happening, but it felt like it was important to try, so Stan persisted. “You like to be in charge, and the two of us aren’t really people that like having people in charge of us.”

“Yeah,” Mike agreed. “We’re not Richie and Eddie, Bill - heck, we’re not even Ben and Bev. We’ve got a whole different thing going on, you know?”

Bill’s eyes were all but glued to the floor. “That makes sense, I guess.”

“You don’t like it,” Mike said flatly, and Bill hesitated for a moment before nodding.

“I don’t,” Bill agreed. “But. It helps to know.”

“We should have explained it better,” Mike said, and Stan nodded shortly - almost indecipherably, because part of him was still resistant to apologizing, but he nodded all the same. “It’s just so fucking frustrating in the moment, you know?”

Bill barked out a laugh. “Yeah, I definitely know.”

Another silence fell upon them, but it was more comfortable now. Stan could practically see the other side of the conversation, and he was desperate to get there. The staff was starting to be weirded out by their continued presence.

“Are we going to be okay, then?” he asked, trying to drive the other two to a more practical place.

They both looked up at him with matching fond smiles, and he felt heat curl in his gut. Fuck, that was...something else.

“I don’t know about hanging today, if I’m honest,” Mike said, more blunt than usual (and Stan knew that was for his sake), “but we could try another day and see? That’ll give us time to prepare.”

Bill nodded thoughtfully. “Time to prepare sounds good. Bev really threw us under the bus today, huh.”

“She really fucking did,” Stan agreed sourly. “Which day?”

“I’m pretty tied up this month,” Bill admitted, “but maybe beginning of June? Do you guys have Universal Studios Season Passes? I haven’t been on Kong yet.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Mike smiled. “Cool. You staying for the rest of this Star Wars crazy, Bill?”

“Nah,” Bill said, waving a hand dismissively across his face. “I’m more of a Star Trek guy. Bev knows that, so I was a little confused about why she asked me to come today...I guess I know now. Anyways. I’ll probably go home and watch reruns of Arrested Development.”

Stan nodded, feeling light. “Well, godspeed, then.”

Bill looked between the two of them, looking half pleased and half exasperated. “God, Stan, you’re so--”

“I know,” Stan said, reaching for Mike’s hand. To his great relief, Mike took it immediately. “I know.”

There was still more to say - the air was thick with conversation they weren’t having, but it was time for Bill to go, and he knew it.

“Goodbye, then,” he finally said, backing towards the doors of the restaurant.

“Goodbye,” Mike and Stan chorused, waving him away until he pushed his way out and back into the Florida sun.

They stood there like that for a moment, hands clasped, and then looked back at each other.

“How do you say the name of that drink again?” Stan finally asked, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

Mike opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, someone tapped Stan on the shoulder.

It was one of the Starring Rolls employees, holding his blue, blue drink.

“Couldn’t help but overhear,” she said quickly as Stan read her nametag (‘Patricia’, and she looked like one, too, all dark curls and dimples). “This is on the house. Sorry about your friend.”

Stan blinked back at her, too surprised to speak, and Mike clapped a hand on his shoulder, laughing softly.

“In another life, he’d be considering asking you to marry him right about now,” Mike informed the girl, who laughed in response.

“Sounds like it would be nice,” she said, beaming at the two of them. “Alternate universe Patty Blum is pretty lucky. But for now, enjoy, okay? May the fourth be with you.”

“Thank you,” Stan said, thirty seconds too late - she was already headed back to her post.

“Pull yourself together, sweetheart,” Mike chided jokingly, holding up his phone, which was lit up with new text notifications. “Bev’s wondering where we are. You up for doing more shit? I know that was a lot to handle.”

Stan looked down at his drink, and then up at Mike, and felt his face split into a huge, crazy grin.

“That’s...why I’m here.”

Mike’s responding groan propelled them out of Starring Rolls and all the way back to where Bev, Ben, Richie, and Eddie were waiting for them.

[muscle-cars-aesthetics]

1970 Plymouth Duster Facts ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Engine: ’70 340 block with X heads. The head’s have been opened up to accept 2.08-inch intake and 2.02-inch exhaust valves. Up top is a Mopar M1 intake with a Holley 850-cfm carburetor. 13.5:1 compression pistons, and a Mopar Performance camshaft (with .598 lift and 312-degree duration). A MSD 6AL ignition module and billet distributor, plus a four-inch Spin Tech exhaust. Transmission: a 727 TorqueFlite with a Trans Specialties 5,500-rpm stall converter and Hurst shifter. Rearend: narrowed FoMoCo 9-inch rearend with a 4.88-geared center section and Moser axles. Horsepower & Performance: Estimated horsepower: 580-600. Estimated quarter-mile performance: better than the 11-second runs it made before it was tubbed. Frame: Round-tube chrome-moly K-frame, installed (includes 12-point rollcage and back-halving) Suspension: Front: double wishbone with coilovers; Rear: Four-link with coilovers. Brakes: Wilwood four-wheel disc brakes. Wheels: Center Line Warriors: 15×4 up front and a street-friendly 15×10 inches on the rear. Rubber: Front: Mickey Thompson front Runners; Rear: Hoosier Quick-Time Pros, 33×22.5 inches. Body: Original steel ’70 Valiant Duster body with ’71-’72 Duster 340 grille, stretched rear quarter-panel openings, Pentastar-shaped hood pins, and a US Body Source fiberglass Six Pack hood. Paint: FM3 Moulin Rouge (car’s original color, per fender tag), with ’73-style side stripes and ’71-’72-style rear stripe. Interior: Dash: Mopar Performance gauges and OEM-style heater/defroster controls mounted in aluminum insert designed and hand-fabricated. Front seats: Kirkey Drag Buckets. Rear seat: Custom rear “sidekick” seat. Door panels: Custom designed/fabricated. Upholstery: Black tweed with black leather inserts. 🌪🌪🌪🌪🌪🌪🌪🌪🌪🌪🌪 #mopar #plymouth #dodge #cuda #roadrunner #duster #charger #challenger #hotrod #musclecar #v8 #ford #chevy #pink #girl #drag #race #follow #instagood #panther #lipstick

[buygunsus]

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[dailynewswebsite]

Surprise medical bills increase costs for everyone, not just for the people who get them

About 12% of insurers’ U.S. spending on in- and out-of-network medical care goes to 6 kinds of suppliers that generally submit shock payments. Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Publish by way of Getty Photographs

Shock medical billing is among the most pressing subjects in well being care.

Too typically after a hospital process or go to to an emergency room sufferers get hit with sudden payments from out-of-network medical doctors that they had no position in selecting. These embody assistant surgeons, emergency room medical doctors and anesthesiologists.

Most analysis and media protection focuses on how burdensome these payments are for the sufferers who obtain them. As well being economists and coverage analysts, we predict there’s a broader affect of shock billing that deserves to share the highlight.

Proof from our current examine suggests that everybody with business medical health insurance is paying larger premiums right this moment as a result of lawmakers permit the apply of shock billing to persist. Fixing shock billing gained’t simply assist the sufferers being billed; it affords the potential to decrease medical health insurance premiums for everybody.

About one in 5 commercially insured sufferers handled at an in-network emergency room is seen by out-of-network physicians. Common Photographs Group by way of Getty Photographs

No selection, no competitors

Sufferers can usually select their medical doctors earlier than they get handled. For instance, they may choose a major care physician or the hospital and surgeon for a deliberate process based mostly on status and whether or not these suppliers are of their insurance coverage community. Selecting a physician who’s of their insurance coverage supplier’s community usually comes with decrease prices for the affected person.

When the system works properly, a affected person finally ends up with a supplier they like at a value negotiated by their insurer.

However sufferers don’t all the time have the chance to make this knowledgeable selection. In an emergency, a affected person accepts the ambulance that arrives on the scene and the physicians who deal with them within the emergency room. For elective procedures, though the affected person chooses the hospital and lead surgeon, they don’t select the radiologists, pathologists and anesthesiologists who’re integral to their care.

About one in 5 commercially insured sufferers handled at an in-network emergency room is seen by an out-of-network doctor. In about one in 10 elective procedures at an in-network hospital with an in-network surgeon, the anesthesiologist, assistant surgeon or related doctor is out-of-network.

This isn’t the way in which a market usually works. In a functioning market, customers can select service suppliers based mostly on high quality and value.

At its core, market failure arises as a result of this method permits the subset of hospital-based physicians whom sufferers don’t select to barter with insurance coverage firms impartial of the hospital at which they apply. Due to this fact, ambulance firms, emergency services and hospital-based physicians can nonetheless obtain a considerable quantity of sufferers whether or not they’re in- or out-of-network. They’re assured a gradual stream of sufferers, partially, by the character of their work. They don’t want to affix networks to get sufferers. And, as out-of-network suppliers, they will set their very own costs.

If the insurer pays lower than their full prices, the out-of-network supplier can ship the affected person a shock invoice for the stability.

Utilizing Medicare as a benchmark reveals the markup

With this out-of-network choice to submit shock payments, these distinctive suppliers have a useful various to becoming a member of networks. This offers them bargaining leverage once they negotiate with insurers, permitting them to barter larger costs than they in any other case may have.

In consequence, these suppliers are out-of-network extra typically, set larger prices and have larger in-network costs than different kinds of suppliers who depend on being in-network to generate affected person quantity.

To gauge simply how a lot larger costs are, researchers typically use Medicare as a benchmark for comparability. Medicare doesn’t negotiate with suppliers. It as a substitute units costs administratively in an try to replicate environment friendly prices.

The numbers are telling.

Radiologists, or those that view MRIs, CT scans and different diagnostic photos, receives a commission roughly twice as a lot by business insurers as Medicare pays, on common, for in-network providers.

Emergency room physicians obtain in-network funds which are triple the Medicare reimbursement.

Anesthesiologists and pathologists obtain in-network funds three and a half instances the Medicare reimbursement.

The common funds for different specialties have an higher sure of round 150% of Medicare.

This implies that the flexibility to submit shock payments generates a considerable markup in negotiated costs paid by business insurers.

Along with excessive in-network costs, we have now noticed in our analysis that insurance coverage pay out-of-network suppliers full prices one-quarter of the time. This prevents sufferers from getting shock payments, however it’s pricey for insurers.

It’s not simply the sufferers getting these providers who bear the inflated prices. Everybody enrolled in business insurance coverage additionally pays. When insurers or employers pay suppliers excessive costs, these prices are handed on to enrollees by way of larger premiums.

Plenty of insurer spending goes to providers for which shock billing is widespread

This may not be so essential if these distinctive suppliers accounted for under a really small share of well being care spending. However we discovered that’s not the case.

In our current examine, we discovered that about 12% of insurers’ spending on medical care goes to suppliers who generally concern shock payments: anesthesiologists, radiologists, pathologists, emergency medication physicians, emergency services and emergency floor ambulance providers.

Eliminating the flexibility to submit shock payments for these distinctive suppliers would cut back their capability to gather massive out-of-network funds. This is able to deliver their leverage in value negotiations with insurers according to these of different specialties through which sufferers are ready to decide on their suppliers. In flip, much less insurer spending would end in decrease premiums.

Two attainable fixes

We checked out two potential federal coverage approaches to handle how shock billing would possibly have an effect on insurance coverage premiums. In each approaches, we assume that shock billing is banned, however the particulars of out-of-network funds are dealt with in a different way.

Within the first strategy, as a substitute of charging what they want, out-of-network suppliers would obtain the common quantity that insurers presently pay to related in-network suppliers within the native space. This strategy may scale back common funds for providers the place shock billing is widespread by about 15%, in keeping with the Congressional Finances Workplace.

A second strategy would cap prices from out-of-network emergency services and lead hospital-based medical doctors to barter how a lot they receives a commission with the hospital. The hospital would negotiate cost with the insurer for this mixed service.

With out the choice to deal with sufferers who didn’t select them on an out-of-network foundation, bargaining leverage for these distinctive suppliers ought to fall according to specialties that can’t submit shock payments. The exact impacts are troublesome to foretell, however we assume that costs shift to about half once more the price of Medicare – the excessive finish of what these different specialties are paid.

This implies financial savings for the well being care shopper and the well being care system typically, not simply the folks unlucky sufficient to get a shock invoice.

We estimate that premiums would drop by US$67 per member-year – or 1.6% – beneath the primary state of affairs. Below the second state of affairs, premiums would drop $212 per member-year, or 5.1%.

[You’re too busy to read everything. We get it. That’s why we’ve got a weekly newsletter. Sign up for good Sunday reading. ]

Utilized to the U.S. commercially insured inhabitants – about 177 million folks – we estimate that these reductions would save $12 billion and $38 billion, respectively.

Our analysis suggests {that a} federal coverage eliminating shock medical payments would cut back premiums for everybody with business insurance coverage, along with sparing particular person sufferers from these burdensome payments.

Erin Duffy has obtained grants to review shock medical billing from Arnold Ventures.

Erin Trish has obtained grants to review shock medical billing from Arnold Ventures. She has consulted for the Blue Cross Blue Defend Affiliation, Premera, and Cedars Sinai Well being System.

Loren Adler receives funding grants to review shock medical billing from Arnold Ventures.

from Growth News https://growthnews.in/surprise-medical-bills-increase-costs-for-everyone-not-just-for-the-people-who-get-them/ via https://growthnews.in

[0122358]

                   Insertion will be at 2200 local standard time with departure from passing container ship via zodiac watercraft. This will be a 72 hour mission. Team will cut engine once one mile out and then paddle to the north side of the island near “Pole Point” and come ashore setting up security and hiding the boat. Current estimates have local population at 30-60 people. Local infrastructure is wooden palm huts and sheltered pits into the ground. Local vegetation is thick single and double canopy jungle. Elevation is generally flat. with the highest point being 98 meters above sea level. 

Team will recon the area just off the coast with a FLIR equipped drone to locate the local inhabitants. Team will then move into potion around the camp and attempt to locate the hostages, spending the next 24-36 hours gathering intelligence on movements and routines. The night of the third day if required intel levels are met, team will strike when there are the least amount of population awake, dispatching sentry’s with distance suppressed fire and retrieving the bodies if possible. Entry will be quick and quiet, only shooting if absolutely necessary. Non-lethal and diversion devices are to be used in a emergency capacity if team is compromised. Once HVTs are grabbed, team will extract to the zodiac and meet up with another passing container ship as scheduled. 

             Four man fire team with a team leader. All team members minus one will have LWRC IC-PSD with 10.5 .300BLK barrels installed. Geissle Super Select Fire triggers and SilencerCo Omega suppressors. Steiner DBAL-L2 LADs, Surefire M600 scouts with IR filters, and Aimpoint Micro T2s will also be installed. Magazines will be 40 round Magpul PMAGs in a coupler for 80 rounds on tap. Gorilla Ammunition’s Silverback subsonic 205 grain will be what is loaded into the gun and the two additional magazines worn on the belt-line. Sidearms will be Sig Sauer MK25s with 20 round Mec-Gar magazines loaded with Hornady 135 Flexlok Plus-P 9x19mm worn in Safariland ALS with a Surefire X300U attached. Only one pistol magazine will be carried and used as a last resort.

            Last remaining member will have a SCAR17 suppressed with the same Omega suppressor. Hornady 164 grain TAP .308 Winchester ammunition in 20 round magazines. ATN Day/Thermal optic with Steiner DBAL for IR designation. Harris Bipod as well as a 45 degree RMR for close in work.

         Team members will all wear US Armor level 3 stab vests and Ops-Core non-ballistic helmets. Helmets will be carrying PVS7 NODs, Streamlight IR lights, go-pro cameras, and M2000 strobes on the back. Multicam Tropic Crye pants/assault shirts will be worn with Solomon Forces GTX boots. HSGI battlebelts/suspenders will be worn to carry first line equipment. This includes two additional 40 round PMAGS, one RAT-5 knife, OMEGA-9suppressor for the MK25, IFAK, dump pouch, two M84 flashbang grenades, one M18 smoke grenade and specialty ammunition (either 12 guage shotshells or 40mm non-leathal grenades).

           Special purpose weapons include two Benelli M1014 Short Barrel 12 Gauge Shotguns for breaching/diversion/CQC and two M320 General Purpose Grenade Launcher for breaching/diversion.

            Fieldpacks will be Mystery Ranch Mountain Rucks loaded for a five day mission to give team extra capability incase HVTs are unable to located the first night or the situation turns south and extraction ship doesn’t arrive.

            Food will consist of MREs and cold-water dehydrated meals such as Mountain-House’s chicken salad or granola with blueberries. Individual snack items such clif-bars/power bars will be left up to individual discretion. 10 liters of water will be carried by each member in two 3 liter bladders and four 1 liter bottles.

     Additional clothing will be polypro silkskin base layers, four pairs of smartwool light crew hiker socks, two pairs of ex-officio boxers, shemagh, nomex flight gloves, multicam poncho, boonie hat, and a Mutlicam Tropic blouse. 

           Other individual equipment consists of various survival and mission equipment in various pouches/sacks. This includes, paracord, trip-wire, 100mph tape, electrical tape, zip-ties, extra batteries, weapons cleaning kits, binoculars, additional medical supplies (TQs/Quickclot/izzy bandages) signal mirror, VS17 signal panel, signal mirror, USGI casualty blanket, Kifaru Woobie, bug spray, bug netting, personal and field communications, GPS, multi-tool, knife sharpener, pen flare kit, wet suit, and emergency survival equipment.

Mission will be fast and light, minimize casualties and our presence on the island. 

@celtic-tactical

[itsworn]

1929 Ford roadster pickup equipped with a Four-Banger has V-8 Punch

If you’ve been a reader of STREET RODDER for the past decade or so you’ve probably seen the name Jeff Eischen pop up every couple of years. He’s certainly not a “household name” like some of the star hot rod builders who have their own TV shows nor does he have the big 50-foot car hauler parked at events across the country. Jeff has taken an almost opposite approach: he keeps a low profile (that’s his personality), and he turns out some truly spectacular cars (that’s his immense talent).

STREET RODDER first found Jeff at a Goodguys event in 2005 when it gave him a Top 10 award (since rebranded as the Painless Performance Products/STREET RODDER Top 100 program) for a little track-nose roadster he brought to the show. We found him again two years later with a Garage Scene profile on a 1929 roadster pickup he was working on.

Then, from 2008-2011, his cars started being featured annually in the magazine (Feb. ’08 a 1931 Ford tub; Jun. ’09 a T roadster; Sep. ’10 a 1932 roadster pickup; Sep. ’11 a 1929 Ford coupe), with a small break before reappearing in the Aug. ’14 issue with another 1929 Ford coupe.

After the first Model A coupe debuted, hot rodder and ex-IMSA Porsche 962 racer Bruce Leven started paying attention to what Jeff was doing and soon thereafter began a relationship with Jeff where Leven would underwrite the build with the stipulation Bruce’s Garage in Washington would become the eventual resting spot for the cars. The pair do work well together, as they have similar tastes, and there is a lot of discussion and back-and-forth when the cars are going together. The two first produced a 1929 Ford roadster pickup, then the second Model A coupe Jeff built in 2014, and now the pair’s latest effort: the Gemsa/Leven Ford Special.

The moniker may be a bit misleading as Joe Gemsa, the brilliant machinist from the ’50s until his death in 1995 (and who developed single- and dual-overhead cam conversions for the Model B engine), didn’t own or work on this car, but one of his rare and wonderful cylinder head configurations is one of the car’s highlights—of which there are many.

Much of what you see on this vehicle, and nearly everything you don’t see, was scratch-built by Jeff in his home garage, located a few miles outside Columbus, Ohio. For this roadster, he started with a computer-aided chassis design, which he then fab’d out of 2×4 boxed steel. He added a crossmember and X-member from Pinkee’s, and set the suspension up out back with a one-off hairpin design that bends inboard when it gets close to the bells of the Winters’ quick-change (4.11:1).

A pair of Andre Hartford 506 friction shocks (from London, England) connect with a set of quarter-elliptic leaf springs from Posies, and a Panhard bar keeps the quickie centered. Up front, a tube axle features another set of transverse-mounted Posies quarter-elliptic springs, another pair of Hartford friction shocks, plus another Panhard bar. Magnum spindles hang off the ends of the axle where a set of faux-Buick disc brake drums (from Alan Johnson) give off a vintage appearance but with contemporary stopping power.

Steering is accomplished with a TrackMaster Products’ side steer box (available in 16:1 or 24:1 ratios) aided by a steering column, Pitman arm, and an engine-turned, three-spoke, stainless steering wheel all fab’d by Jeff. The wire road wheels from Dayton (16×4 and 16×6) certainly evoke the look found on racing cars from a century earlier, but are shod with present-day Excelsior 500 and 750 rubber.

With the chassis out of the way, attention gets turned toward the drivetrain. Being the racer that he is, Leven picks the type of motor for his projects and, though Jeff’s own history is extensive (including stints with the racing programs of IMSA, SCCA, CART Indy, as well as a team member at the endurance races at Sebring and Daytona) and his penchant for using really unique engines in his rides (such as a Miller-equipped Model B banger), getting the motor working in this car required some outside help.

The 210-inch four-cylinder is from 1923 and was built and tuned by Dan Brewer at Shaver Specialties Racing Engines in Torrance, California. As the name implies, Shavers does build racing engines, both in crate form for any use as well as ones used (and abused) in off-road, circle track, and roundy-round tracks across the country, and they’ve been doing so for nearly four decades.

Internally, counterweights were added to the crank, and the assembly was built using Carrillo rods and JE pistons (0.060 over). The dual-overhead Gemsa camshaft configuration is pretty rare, and the head (set up with a 9:1 compression ratio) is fed by a pair of S&S Super G Shorty sidedraft carbs. Originally designed for the 1980-1990 Harley V-Twins and Sportster motorcycles, Jeff adapted the carbs by fab’ing his own log-type intake manifold.

Located throughout the engine compartment you’ll notice small (about the size of a stick of gum) sticker strips made by Thermax attached to temperature-critical parts (such as the radiator, intake manifold, or backside of the electric water pump) that gives the driver instant pinpoint analysis of the drivetrain’s operating temps.

Externally you’ll find a Meziere electric water pump, a Derale Performance fan for the Walker radiator, an ignition system that utilizes a Vertex ignition and solid cotton-wrapped wires, and an Eischen-designed and built exhaust system that starts with 2-inch stainless steel headers that work back down the passenger side of the roadster into 3-inch stainless tubing outfitted with a Stainless Works muffler insert. The ultraclean and tidy engine mounts to a 1939 Ford box (with a truck tailshaft), outfitted with a Ford tractor clutch, an aluminum flywheel, all operated by a Pinkee’s pedal assembly, modified by Jeff. Both the 12-gallon gas tank (made by Jeff) and the driveshaft (from Coleman Machine) are aluminum.

Like the engine, the design of the car featured input from several sources, including Brookville Roadsters (supplied the steel 1929 Ford roadster pickup body), Moal Coachbuilders (the bulbous track nose and its grille), and more of Jeff’s handiwork (such as the four-piece hood that features stainless steel mesh grilles in each of the pieces). And much of what attaches one item to another on this ride is secured with stainless steel safety wire.

Once Jeff was satisfied with the fit of all the body parts, everything was sent to Petar Brown of Brown Restorations, who has painted the last few cars for Jeff (though normally they’re black). This time British Racing Green was the preferred color, and Brown used PPG products to get the job done.

The headlights, which might be easily confused with a modern-day, flat-face, off-road type lens, are actually Ryan-Lite lamps, which were used on high-end cars back in the ’20s (think Stutz or Lincoln phaetons). The 3-in-1 stop/taillight, mounted above the exposed gas tank, is your average 1916 Cadillac unit.

Mike Barr, from Metal Brite in Dayton, Ohio, was responsible for the car’s nickel plating, which includes the subtle roll bar (bent by Tubular Technologies in Hilliard, Ohio) just barely poking up from behind the cockpit. Jeff also fab’d the windshield frame, which follows the top edge of the cowl and flows into integral posts, with tabs every 9 inches or so to help secure the Plexiglas windshield as well as the side glass at the door tops.

Inside the cockpit Jeff opted for a Brookville 1932 Ford roadster dash, which he finished in crinkle black paint before adding a pair of Classic Instruments gauges in a panel Jeff made. To their right another panel holds twin Meylan stopwatches—typically used by the navigator in a timed road course. Jeff tapped Robert McCarter, whom he’d used on previous builds, to complete the simple-looking interior. McCarter used square-weave carpet, complemented by custom speedster-type bucket seats covered in brown leather—the same material used to line the cockpit and doors.

Once the car was finished, it debuted at the 2017 Grand National Roadster Show in Southern California. It was perhaps unfortunate where it was placed—in the shadow of the other car Bruce Leven had entered: a spectacular 1951 Ford Gran Turismo with a stunning road racing chassis. Most folks didn’t get a chance to study the incredible work that went into the little roadster but, if they had, they’d have come away with a new appreciation for how hard it must be to make something so simple look so damn good!

The post 1929 Ford roadster pickup equipped with a Four-Banger has V-8 Punch appeared first on Hot Rod Network.

from Hot Rod Network http://www.hotrod.com/articles/1929-ford-roadster-pickup-equipped-four-banger-v-8-punch/ via IFTTT

[breakingnewsalert1]

Mossberg’s First .410 Gobbler Getter: The Baby Model 500 Turkey (VIDEO)

The Mossberg 500 just got smaller, lighter, and puts some serious challenge and excitement in the 2019 spring turkey woods. When Federal Premium announced their legitimate TSS Heavyweight .410 turkey rounds, it was only a short matter of time before gun manufacturers joined the fray, and Mossberg is ready with bad baby-bore intentions.

Mossberg’s First Dedicated .410 Turkey

We’ve harvested gobblers with an old single shot .410 as well as an O/U, but never a dedicated, specialized turkey guns in the baby bore. Until Spring 2019 that is, when not one, but two such tailored scatterguns have hit the market with Mossberg’s 500 pump and the Stevens-by-Savage 301 single shot. Who doesn’t appreciate the firepower of a proven platform like the 500? Here’s what you get.

The slide action Mossberg 500 Turkey .410 is fitted with a 26 inch ventilated rib barrel that ends in a fixed full choke optimized for tight patterns on gobblers. A red fiber optic front sight dresses up the business end, while the three-inch chamber is a must for hunting loads.  The 5+1 capacity means ample rounds should a quick follow-up, or double-down, shot be needed.

With a synthetic stock and full Mossy Oak Bottomland camo coverage, the gun practically begs to be taken to the turkey woods. A standard Model 500 tang safety is ambidextrous-friendly.  Though the .410 chambering is naturally lighter recoiling, this 500 is certainly not a youth gun. The LOP measures just over 13.75 inches, a full-size tool for all shooters, yet weighs in at a wieldy six-and-a-half pounds. Sling swivels round out the list of hunter-friendly options on a basic, get-the-job-done turkey specialist. MSRP on the new baby bore is set at an even $500, the same price as both the 12- and 20-gauge Turkey models, with online retailers already listing it around four bills.

Less is More with Hard Hittin’ .410 TSS

Sure, you can fire any ammunition through the Mossberg 500, and many of them will successfully bag turkeys as well.  However, if you truly want to put out a dense, lethal, extended pattern from the baby bore .410 for bagging gobblers, there is–hands down–no better specialized ammunition on the market than Federal Premium’s Heavyweight TSS. Tungsten is all the rage for hunting shot these days, and the .410 TSS makes use of #9 Tungsten Super Shot, which is a tungsten alloy that is 22-percent more dense than standard tungsten and 56-percent greater than lead, with a much greater pellet count as well. Check out our article on the benefits of TSS, but suffice it to say, you’ll want some for your new Mossberg 500 Turkey 410. Less really is more with TSS.

The new-for-2019 Mossberg Model 500 Turkey 410 shotgun rides the wave of baby bore specialties for bagging big gobblers. (Photo: Kristin Alberts/Guns.com)

For testing purposes, we fired a mix of the Federal Premium TSS, Federal Premium #6 Game Loads, Winchester #4 Super-X, and some reloads as well.  It should go without saying that a Mossberg 500 in any version cycles and fires with complete reliability, and the 410 Turkey is no exception.  These pump action scatterguns have been around for over 50 years and number 10 million strong. Their simplicity and price make them one of the most accessible shotguns on the hunter’s market.

Best of all, when we patterned the new .410 with TSS, even 30-35 yards is no great stretch for the sub-gauge. For comparison’s sake, I have always limited my years-earlier .410 gobbler hunting to sub-20-yard shots, with 15 yards being ideal with the limitations of both gun and ammo. Federal Premium and Mossberg, among others, have just turned those limitations upside down.

Lightweight Field Impressions

Naysayers will always claim the .410 is not enough gun for turkey hunting, but from firsthand experience, we can vouch that it is plenty for a responsible, practiced hunter, especially when paired with Federal Premium’s Heavyweight TSS loads.  The Mossberg 500 Turkey 410 offers all the firepower of a repeater with five in the tube and a full choke.  The tang safety is familiar to 500 fans.  The two biggest benefits to the 500 in .410–and the baby bore in general–is a lighter weight, more wieldy shotgun. With its slim, downsized frame, this shotgun is a pleasure to carry afield.

Mossberg’s Model 500 Turkey 410 goes old-school with full coverage of Mossy Oak’s Bottomland camouflage, a solid pattern for both spring and fall gobbler woods.  The bottom line is, the design is simple, it works, and in this particular model, is one of the first to market a specialty .410 turkey gun. Mossberg allows the hunters to focus on the hunting with zero concerns about reliability or function. Where the duo of earlier Model 500 Turkey shotguns in both 20- and 12-gauge also retail for the same dollar amount, the .410 is the only one of the three without an adjustable rear fiber optic sight.  That’ s just fine with us, though, as that allows the .410 to double as a small game or bird buster.

Full Choke for Days

Though there’s not much not to like about a proven platform, there are a few points of which hunters must take note.  Our only real sticking point with the new 500 Turkey 410 is the fixed full choke.  Sure, we fully expect a full, or even an extra full on their line of specialty turkey guns, but it’s tough to tout a scattergun these days without the option of interchangeable chokes.  Heck, even the Stevens-by-Savage single shot includes an extended extra full turkey choke on their new Model 301. This is in no way a game-breaker for the Mossberg, but threads would have been a welcome addition.

We liked the fiber optic front sight, but when an optic is needed, the Aimpoint Micro S-1 red dot mounts directly to the vent rib, eliminating the need for a drilled-and-tapped receiver. (Photo: Kristin Alberts/Guns.com)

The only potential issue affects optic-favoring hunters.  We were very pleased with the front fiber optic sight, without a doubt.  However, because of the growing demographic of hunters wanting either red dots or turkey scopes, it is noteworthy that the 500’s receiver is not drilled and tapped. This should not be a deal-breaker, however, as work-arounds exist, even for those demanding easy optics mounting.

Aimpoint Micro S-1

The quickest—and highest quality—workaround for mounting an optic on the Model 500 Turkey 410 is the Micro S-1 from Aimpoint.  This low-profile red dot optic was designed specifically for use on shotguns. The Micro S-1 is ideal for this application, as it attaches directly to the ventilated rib of most any scattergun.  Interchangeable, carbon fiber-reinforced adapter plates accommodate most popular shotgun rib sizes. The 6 MOA dot size is plenty large, though the 12 brightness settings mean hunters make the sight adaptable for any kind of lighting. The 50,000-hour battery life from a single CR2032 is staggering, making reliability in the field a given. This compact optic weighs only 3.5-ounces and allows hunters to keep both eyes open, for a more complete view of those gobblers approaching from the periphery. The Aimpoint Micro S-1’s windage and elevation adjustments made it easy to get on target at the patterning board and can add to confidence in shot placement for hunters in the field.

Spurs Up!

The best turkey hunts end up with a grand ol’ gobbler on the ground, spurs and beards, and memories of a successful hunt.  Few hunts are as memorable as those completed with the challenge of a small gauge like the .410.  Partner the low recoil of the round with the light weight and durability of the platform, and the Mossberg 500 Turkey 410 is sure to please Spring gobbler hunters.  When partnered with Federal Premium’s Heavyweight TSS loads and a little practice, we guarantee your next turkey season will be one of the best yet.

The post Mossberg’s First .410 Gobbler Getter: The Baby Model 500 Turkey (VIDEO) appeared first on Guns.com.

from Guns.com http://bit.ly/2LgcNzj from Blogger http://bit.ly/2IWK801

[lifealert1blog-blog]

Hair Secrets

When it comes to gauging your health, you probably don’t think about your hair much. However, recent research has shown that changes in your hair’s texture, look or thickness can be signs of underlying health conditions[1]. Keep reading below to learn about what signs to look for and how you can tell whether your hair changes are health, genetic, stress or nutrition related.

Does the thought of experiencing a home invasion, a home fire or even a serious fall make your hair stand up on ends? Of course it does! But, with the right personal protection, you can turn that crazy hair day into a great hair day. Simply slip on Life Alert’s emergency pendant around your neck or wrist and in the event of a life threatening emergency, push the button on your pendant and summon an emergency medical response fast. Plus, with 24/7 service you’ll never have to worry about when danger may strike. Don’t pull your hair out trying to find an emergency medical device that will offer you the personal protection and independence you deserve; get Life Alert Protection and let your hair down.

Your hair may be the window to your health. Let the experts at Everyday Health1 help you determine if you’re too stressed, have a nutritional deficiency or a whole host of other health issues. Keep reading below to learn more about your locks.

1.       Stress (and Genes) Can Make You Go Gray: Anyone who has watched presidential hair change from campaign to campaign has noticed that stress seems to make hair turn gray, and a study on mice published in the journal Nature suggested that chronic stress may indeed contribute to graying hair by causing DNA damage and reducing the supply of pigment-producing cells in hair follicles. Stress can also cause your hair to fall out. Another type of stress, known as oxidative stress, may also play a role in gray hair. "Oxidative stress (when cell-damaging free radicals inhibit the body’s repair processes) may affect pigment-producing cells," says Paradi Mirmirani, MD, a dermatologist. Going gray is actually a totally natural part of aging, as your hair follicles produce less color as you get older. Your genes also play a role in when your hair turns gray, adds Dr. Mirmirani — ask your parents how old they were when they saw the first sign of silver, and you might follow suit. In fact, a study published in March 2016 in the journal Nature Communications was the first to identify the gene responsible for gray hair.

2.       Brittle Hair Could Be a Sign of Cushing's Syndrome: Brittle hair is one symptom of Cushing's syndrome, which is a rare condition caused by too much cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. But, notes Mirmirani, there are many other more obvious symptoms of Cushing's syndrome, including high blood pressure, fatigue, and back pain. Treatment for Cushing's syndrome may include changing the dose of medication that could be causing the condition, such as glucocorticoids, which are steroids used to treat inflammation caused by a variety of illnesses. Other people might need surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy to correct the adrenal gland's overproduction of cortisol.

3.       Hair Thinning Could Be a Sign of Thyroid Disease: People who have hypothyroidism, a condition that occurs when your thyroid gland doesn't produce enough thyroid hormones, might notice increased hair shedding and a change in hair appearance, says Mirmirani. About 4.6 percent of the U.S. population ages 12 and older has hypothyroidism, although most cases are mild. It can cause thinning hair and other symptoms, such as tiredness, cold intolerance, joint pain, muscle pain, a puffy face, and weight gain. A thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test will diagnose the condition, and treatment entails taking thyroid medication. In addition to thinning hair, certain thyroid disorders put you at risk for an autoimmune hair-loss condition called alopecia areata. This type of hair loss causes round patches of sudden hair loss and is caused by the immune system attacking the hair follicles.

4.       Hair Shedding Could Be a Sign of Anemia: If you're suddenly noticing a lot more hair in your hairbrush or on your shower floor, this could be a sign that your body has low iron stores, or anemia, and may warrant testing. "This is another blood test we do when you complain of hair changes," says Mirmirani. She says she is particularly likely to order this blood test for people who are vegetarian or for women who have heavy periods, both of which increase the chance that hair changes are due to low iron. It’s not completely known why low iron can cause hair loss, but iron is critical for many biological and chemical reactions, perhaps including hair growth, says Rebecca Baxt, MD, a dermatologist. If your doctor determines that you are truly iron deficient, eating more foods that are high in iron, or taking an iron supplement, might help with hair loss, she adds. Hair shedding can also happen (temporarily) with sudden changes in estrogen levels and is often noticed after pregnancy or stopping birth control pills.

5.       Hair Loss Could Indicate a Protein Deficiency: Protein is essential for hair health and growth (a lack of protein has been linked to hair thinning and loss). Protein deficiency isn't a problem for most Americans, says Mirmirani — most adults need 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. Good sources of protein include nonfat Greek yogurt, tilapia, chickpeas, and chicken breast. People who have gastrointestinal difficulties or who just had gastric bypass surgery may have problems digesting protein. These specialized situations will have to be managed with your doctor's help. But most hair thinning, even in women, is likely due to genetics.

6.       White or Yellow Flakes Could Mean You Have Dandruff: Yellow or white flakes in your hair, on your shoulders, and even in your eyebrows are a sign of dandruff, a chronic scalp condition. Dandruff doesn’t usually indicate a serious health problem, and it can usually be treated with over-the-counter specialty hair shampoos or a prescription shampoo. One of the most common causes of dandruff is a condition called seborrheic dermatitis, according to the Mayo Clinic. Those with seborrheic dermatitis have red, greasy skin covered with flaky white or yellow scales. A yeast-like fungus called malassezia can also irritate the scalp. Not shampooing enough, sensitivity to hair care products, and dry skin can also cause dandruff. (Dandruff is usually worse in winter, when indoor heating can make skin drier.)

7.       Damaged Hair Can Mask Other Health Problems: Although hair can tattle on your health conditions, Mirmirani says that patients more commonly complain about the damage done by coloring and heat-treating hair to within an inch of its life. Too much heat, from daily flat iron use or daily blowouts, can certainly damage your hair, making it dry, brittle, and hard to maintain, says Tania Moran, a licensed hairstylist. Moran recommends using no more than one hot tool per day (infrequent double heat processes are okay, but not daily). Whenever you’re applying heat to your hair, always use products with protective ingredients, she adds. “Serums and shine drops tend to have qualities that preserve the hair when using direct and indirect heat,” she explains. Getting your hair professionally colored is unlikely to cause much damage, Moran says, but bleaching your hair and using boxed hair color at home can have adverse effects. You can mitigate any damage to your hair by using the right products. “Post-color treatment, use proper color-preserving and moisturizing shampoo,” Moran recommends. Perhaps most importantly, highly treated hair may mask certain problems and make it difficult to see or feel what your hair can tell you about your health.

You hair is trying to tell you something, so listen to it. It could be telling you that a better personal protection plan is necessary for a healthier lifestyle. So how can you facilitate that? With Life Alert Protection! While wearing their emergency pendant, you can summon an emergency medical response fast with just one touch of a button. Simply slip the pendant discreetly around your neck or wrist and immediately harness the power to 24/7 personal protection. Never find yourself in a hairy situation again without the right at-home safety you deserve; get Life Alert today! Call 1-800-513-2934 for a free Life Alert brochure.

Works Cited:

1.       Vann, Madeline R. “7 Things Your Hair Says About Your Health.” Everyday Health. 2 April 2019. <https://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-and-beauty-pictures/things-your-hair-says-about-your-health.aspx >.

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[pinguinalakadabra]

how to install a tachometer

How to Install a Tachometer.

A tachometer is used to indicate the revolutions per minute (RPM) being performed by a car engine. Most cars with automatic transmissions are not equipped with a tachometer, since a tachometer is mostly used to indicate visually when it's time to shift gears. If your car doesn't have one, it's a good way to keep an eye on your engine speed. See Step 1 for more information.

Part 1 Getting Started. 1. Get a tachometer and splicing connectors. You can either buy a tachometer new, which usually run somewhere between $30 and $50, or salvage on old one for relatively cheap and install it into your car. The only other specialty item you'll need to complete the job is a package of quick-splice connectors, which are usually only a few dollars at the auto part store. The wires are about 16-18 gauge usually, so get connectors of the appropriate size. 2. Adjust the tachometer for the number of cylinders in your engine. New tachometers may be set to work on 4-, 6- or 8- cylinder engines by removing the back cap of the tachometer to reveal the cylinder setting switches inside. Set the cylinder switches to match the number of cylinders in your engine. Replace the end cap of the tachometer carefully to avoid pinching any of the internal tachometer wires. Use a screwdriver to refasten the end cap if necessary. Generally, there will be two switches--a 1 and a 2. Most of the time, both switches should be down for a 4 cylinder engine, while both should be up for an 8 cylinder. In a 6 cylinder engine, most of the time the 2 switch should be up and the 1 should be down. If you get a new tachometer, read the instructions to be sure. 3. Locate the output wire from your distributor. Depending on your engine, there may be a constant-flow wire and a pulse wire to the tach, as well as the additional wires for the ignition, lights, and other components. It's important to make sure you've got the correct wire for the tachometer, which means you might need to use a multimeter with a tach setting to test the wires correctly, and consult the shop manual for your engine. It's also important to note that some new tachometers are incompatible with solid-core spark plug wires and can be dangerous to connect without following the proper installation instructions for the tach. 4. Test the connection. Before you mount it in the steering column, it's a good idea to hook up the wiring and and test it out while you rev the engine, to make sure it works. You don't want to go drilling holes in your steering column before you're sure you've got the wiring figured out. After you hook it up to the proper wires from the distributor and ground it correctly, it should give you an accurate reading of your RPMs as you rev the engine. Ground the tachometer. Attach the tachometer ground wire to an engine ground of the car. This need not be directly on the battery. Much of the car frame is grounded to the battery by sturdy wires. Trace those wires to find a suitable attachment point. Attach the tachometer pickup wire. The tachometer wire must be fed through a grommet in the passenger compartment to reach the engine compartment. This attachment point will vary from engine to engine.

Part 2 Installing the Tachometer. 1. Choose a mounting location for the tachometer. Most cars won't have an in-dash mounting location available, so it's usually best to mount your tach on the steering column. Drill holes in the steering column and use the mounting bracket supplied with the tachometer, or rig your own. Directions for mounting typically are provided with new tachometers, as well as any necessary pieces. Bracket mount the tachometer on the steering column. Fabricate or find a secure mounting bracket that will support the tachometer mounting points. Attach the bracket to the steering column. A simple U bracket would suffice for this. 2. Install the tachometer. Apply power to the tachometer by attaching the power input wire of the tachometer to the 12-volt dashboard lighting supply of the car. Provide power to the tachometer backlighting. Locate the 12-volt switched dash lighting supply for the dashboard on the car fuse box. Attach the tachometer backlighting wire. 3. Install a grommet in the firewall. It's a good idea to install a rubber grommet where the wire(s) pass through the firewall as part of your installation. If the wires rub up against the bare metal, it can cause a fire hazard or at least a short. It's best to be on the safe side and work a grommet in, which will only cost a few dollars and take a few minutes at the most. 4. Set the shift light on the tachometer if applicable. This light will remind you that it is recommended to change gears at the current RPM. Not all tachometers have the shift light feature. If your chosen tachometer does, follow the installation instructions to properly set the shift light. The shift light cannot be set if the engine is running.

Community Q&A. Question : Where do the three wires, red, green and black, connect for my electronic tachometer? Answer : Green is tach signal wire, red is power (typically ignition-related), black is ground. Question : My needle has gone all the way round to the stopper, how do I get it back to 0? Answer : It should go back automatically to a low RPM if idle, and zero if off. If these do not occur, you may have a faulty tachometer. Question : I have a '99 Saturn motor, fuel injected, no coil. Where do I hook up the green wire? Answer : You can hook it to the ignition module on most any fuel injected vehicle. Question : There are 3 wires on my meter -- red, black, and green. Where does each wire go? Answer : Red- 12 volt power -- usually switched power from the ignition circuit. Black -- ground. Green -- signal wire, usually the (-) side of the coil or the "tach" lead on the distributer or ignition box. Question : Where can I find out how to install a tachometer in a Toyota? Answer : All tachs come with manuals, or you can search on their home websites for information on your specific model car. It's a fairly basic project relative to engine tuning or suspension work. Question : What gauge do I need to use to extend the wires on my tachometer? Answer : A 16 gauge is a good idea. These are more robust than the minimum gauge needed, but actually not much current is used by a tachometer.

Warnings. If you choose to mount the tachometer directly to the steering column, plan the drill hole mounting points carefully. Avoid drilling in a way that will damage the interior steering column wiring or supports. Things You'll Need : Power drill, Screwdriver.

[thegunsource]

Best Shotguns Reviewed

The Ultimate Guide for the Best Shotguns

TheGunSource.com is proud to bring you the #1 guide to shotguns available on the internet.  We’ve reviewed countless shotguns and brought you the best of the best.  Pump action shotguns, semi-auto, lever action shotguns, and more – all reviewed right here!

Browse Shotguns Now

An Introduction and History to Shotguns

Shotguns: An Overview

A shotgun is a powerful firearm that is usually fired from the shoulder. It fires a fixed shell containing numerous small, spherical pellets (called shot) that spread out over a relatively short distance. It may also fire a solid slug.

Shotguns are designed with a wide range of bore sizes and cartridge gauges. Some shotguns are small enough to hold with one hand and others are so massive that they need to be stabilized by a mount because they are longer or heavier than the operator.

There are also numerous shotgun types (with varying operating mechanisms or fire actions) such as double-barrelled (break-action), breech loading, lever-action, pump-action (slide-action), revolver, semi-automatic (autoloading), or fully automatic. Several of these design factors are discussed in subsequent articles.

Some History

Modern shotguns descended from smoothbore firearms of the 15th to 18th centuries such as the arquebus, blunderbuss, fowling piece, and musket.

These ancestor firearms were able to fire shot or solid balls due to their large diameter barrels and were commonly used in hunting, sport shooting, and military combat.

A blunderbuss is a firearm with a short, large caliber barrel and flared muzzle that is loaded with shot or random projectiles. It is widely considered to be the direct ancestor of the modern shotgun. The classic muzzle-loading ‘Brown Bess’ smoothbore flintlock musket used by the British army from 1722 to 1838 had a barrel roughly the same size as a 10 gauge shotgun.

Musketeers also started to deploy a “buck and ball” loading tactic with the Brown Bess during the 18th century in which a musket ball was loaded down the barrel along with three to six buckshot. This allowed the musket to produce an effect similar to a shotgun.

Evolution Of The Modern Shotgun

Eventually, smaller bores and rifled barrels were adopted in firearms and shotguns began to emerge as a separate entity from rifles and muskets.

This categorical separation brought about many modifications and advancements to the shotgun’s overall design and operating mechanisms. For example, breech loading shotguns and hammerless shotguns (no exposed firing hammer) were introduced by the mid-19th century.

These archetypes paved the way for what most people perceive as a contemporary shotgun: a medium length firearm that is cartridge-loaded by hand from the top-rear (closer to the backstock and trigger hand) and without needing a hammer or exterior mechanism to be pulled before firing. However, the main characteristics that distinguish a shotgun from other firearms are those that describe the firing shot.

A typical shotgun shell must be relatively short and wide, with straight walls and operate at low pressure (this is partly why smoothbore shotgun shells travel slower and shorter than pistol and rifle rounds). However, rifled shotguns fire solid slugs that travel farther and more accurately than the typical spread shot from smooth bore barrels.

Modern Use

As previously mentioned, shotguns usually fire shells filled with shot (tiny pellets) that spread out after leaving the barrel. This spread shot is arguably the firearm’s most defining characteristic.

The efficacy of shotguns in the civilian and military spheres has been apparent since adoption of the firearm began in the 19th century.

Although shotguns were mostly used for hunting and sport prior to the 20th century, the World Wars saw a significant reintroduction of shotguns for military use — especially during the trench warfare of WW1 and the jungle combat of the Pacific War during WWII.

Since then, the shotgun has remained a specialty weapon for modern military units. Many effective uses have been associated with all types of shotguns. For example, shotguns are an immensely popular firearm for hunting, sport shooting, and self-defense (especially at short range).

They have immense stopping power (more than most pistols and rifles) and outstanding offensive capabilities, thus making them a favorite tactical weapon for law enforcement agencies and military units.

The spreading of the firing shot makes the firearm an excellent choice for inexperienced shooters because they do not have to aim a shotgun as precisely as other firearms to hit their target. Shotgun shells are ideal for small and fast moving targets which is why shotguns are popular in hunting and competitive sport shooting.

The following articles will describe in detail various shotgun design types and operating mechanisms as well as offer superior products that you can purchase for your own needs.

The Best Pump Action Shotguns Reviewed

A pump-action (or slide-action) shotgun is one of the fastest firing variants of shotguns. Its fire action operating mechanism is characterized by a movable forend that is manually slid backward and forward for cartridge ejection and chamber loading.

The first slide-action shotgun was patented in the 1850’s. Interestingly enough, some older pump-action shotguns are faster than modern semi-auto shotguns because they lacked a trigger disconnector. This allowed the operator to hold the trigger down and fire rounds as fast the pump-action could be cycled.

This aggressive technique is called “slamfiring” and was first used in the trench warfare of WW1. Today, proficient shooters can easily fire a pump-action faster than a semi-automatic. Generally speaking, pump-action shotguns have short cycling times and can be fired faster than almost any other type of shotgun (e.g. lever, break-action). They also allow the shooter to use rounds of varying power unlike a gas or recoil operated system that may fail to cycle specific types of rounds.

Pump-actions are ambidextrous, comfortable, and feel intuitive thus making them easy to operate in any firing position. They are hugely popular for a variety of uses such as hunting, sport shooting, self-defense, law enforcement, and military combat.

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Mossberg Model 500 Centennial Limited Edition

This proudly American favorite is built as rugged and dependable as they get. The Centennial Limited edition represents the 100 years that Mossberg International has been manufacturing high-quality firearms.

It has a finely checkered high-gloss walnut stock finish, a beautiful blued 28” barrel, and a nickel finished receiver. It is essentially a special edition of the Mossberg 500 Hunting family of pump-action shotguns.

The 500 series represents some of the most versatile and reliable shotguns on the market. Its innovative tool-less locking system allows for a remarkably adaptable platform that accommodates every kind of user application from military to household. The system consists of a series of connectors that allow users to easily switch stocks, forends, recoil pads, and various accessories to create amazing cross-platform flexibility.

Other features include dual extractors, twin action bars, an anti-jam elevator, and a top-mounted safety. This special 12 gauge edition has an overall length of 47.5” and weighs 7.5 lb.

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Mossberg 835 Ulti-Mag – All-Purpose Field

This awesome firearm is part of the 835 hunting family and features the world’s first 3.5” chamber designed in a pump-action shotgun allowing the user to unload the most powerful magnum shells.

The 835 has a specially overbored barrel to 10 gauge dimensions that creates exceptionally dense, uniform shot patterns. A reduced felt recoil and muzzle jump allows the shooter to fire quick and accurate follow-up shots. This All-Purpose Field variant has a “Mossy Oak New Bottomland” camouflage finish and a synthetic stock.

It is a rugged piece of work that is ideal for hunting deer, turkey, and waterfowl. Additional specs: 12 Gauge with a round capacity of 5+1, front fiber optic sight, overall length of 46.75”, barrel length of 26”, and weighs 7.5 lbs.

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Winchester SXP Waterfowl Hunter – Moss Oaks Shadow Grass Blades

The Winchester SXP (Super-X Pump) is one of the fastest pump-action shotguns in the world and a highly popular choice among speed clay shooters and upland bird hunters.

The inertia-assisted slide-action, found in all SXP variants, allows the user to fire three shots in half a second. This incredible performance feature means the SXP is one of the fastest shotguns for follow-up firing that you will find, if not the fastest. A unique rotatory bolt action allows the shooter to reload with virtually no delay after shooting. The Winchester SXP is also extremely reliable – a result of over 50 years of perfecting firearm designs.

It is revered for being easy to point and shoot because of its light weight and superbly center-balanced design. These features make this SXP variant perfect for waterfowl hunting. It is back-bored (with Invector-Plus choke tube system) for optimally consistent shot patterns with a hard chrome barrel/chamber, TRUGLO front fiber optic sight, and Moss Oaks Shadow Grass blades camouflage (a favorite pattern with top waterfowlers). 3” and 3 ½” chamber for loading magnums capable of downing long-range fowl with ease. Synthetic stock with textured, non-slip grip surfaces.

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Browning BPS Field Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Blades

For those preparing for hunting season, this full-coverage camouflage bad boy is the bane of waterfowls everywhere. The Browning BPS pump-action field shotgun is ideal for the marshes.

The 2020 edition comes with a brand new stock and forearm design for superior grip and feel, a larger trigger guard, an Invector-Plus choke system, and Inflex recoil pad system for trigger pull flexibility.

Many pump-action shotguns are designed for novice shooters. This new BPS is designed for everyone including the most serious and extreme waterfowlers. It has been favored by seasoned veterans for over 50 years because of its exceptional quality, reliability and durability.

The floating rib design prevents point of impact shifting due to overheated barrels. A bottom ejection expends shells down and out of sight. This model is available in 20 Gauge, with a 26” barrel and 3” chamber.

  Pump Action Shotguns – Conclusion

Pump-action shotguns and their predecessors have been around for over 150 years. They began seeing widespread use by hunters, sport shooters, and backcountry folk simply needing a simple and powerful firearm for self-defense.

Ultimately, pump-action shotguns began to evolve to serve many uses by law enforcement and military units worldwide. They are highly respected for being easy to aim and quick to fire. Major technological advancements in operating cycle mechanisms, trigger suppression systems, and overall component designs have greatly increased the speed and accuracy of pump-action shotguns.

This has positioned the firearm as a premier option for hunters, speed shooters, and law enforcement.

  The Best Lever-Action Shotguns Reviewed

Lever-action firearms use a lever situated around the trigger guard area (or the lever forms part of the trigger guard itself) to load rounds into the barrel chamber when the lever is cycled. It is a type of repeating firearm such as a bolt-action rifle or pump-action shotgun.

Although the lever-action is usually associated with rifles, there are some lever-action shotguns in production today that are mainly used for hunting and sport shooting. The first types of repeating firearms were lever-action rifles, so when shotguns started to emerge as a distinct entity they naturally followed the design trend of using a lever fire action.

Shotguns had to be repeating in order to compete with rifles at the time so the first successful repeating shotgun was a lever-action Winchester Model 1887, probably the most famous lever-action shotgun of all time.

Around the time that the Winchester Repeating Arms Company (famous for its lever-action rifles) had plans to develop a shotgun, it was suggested by certain firearms designers that a pump-action or bolt-action would be the most appropriate type of loading mechanism. However, because Winchester was known as a “lever-action firearm company” they decided on developing a lever-action shotgun to maintain their brand recognition.

Generally speaking, lever-action shotguns aim easily and are faster than bolt-actions but slower than pump-actions. They tend to have sleek designs mimicking the looks of rifles and are usually shorter than pump-action shotguns, often by up to 10 inches.

Check out these most classic looking models:

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Henry Repeating Arms Lever Action .410 Shotgun

Part of a new introduction of sleek .410 bore models, this Henry Repeating Arms lever-action shotgun is a small gauge, blued steel-framed beauty designed to be quick-handling and similar to more powerful rimfire and centerfire field versions.

This .410 is ideal for small game hunting or camping. It is simple, rugged, and beautiful. This variant has a stock and forearm made of dark straight-grained American walnut, a pistol grip wrist, sling swivel studs, and a robust non-slip rubber recoil pad.

Additional specs: 24” round barrel for longer ranges (shorter version is a 20”), removable invector-style full choke, and a 5-shot tube-loading mag chambered for 2.5” shells.

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Henry Repeating Arms Side Gate Lever Action .410 Bore Shotgun

This beauty combines the best features of Henry Repeating Arms’ Lever Action .410 shotgun and its brass-framed Side Gate Lever Action rifle.

The result is one of the most perfect lever-action shotguns in the world. The Side Gate Lever Action .410 has a 5-shot removable tube mag and a rifle-inspired side loading gate for loading up to six 2.5” .410 shells. This model also includes a rifle ivory bead frontsight with an adjustable semi-buckhorn rear. A cylinder choked smoothbore barrel provides a controlled shot pattern.

Perfect for clay shooting or close-range hunting where swift point-and-shoot is required. It will definitely draw attention from your camping peers.

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Chiappa 1887 Lever-Action Shotgun 12GA/22″BBL

The Ciappa 1887 Lever-Action is a faithful reproduction of the classic Winchester Model 1887 from the late 19th century.

If this vintage looking model seems familiar to you it may be because it is the iconic shotgun from Terminator 2: Judgement Day. That film, in which Arnold Schwarzenegger expertly operates the lever-action, is probably the best showcase of the awesome effectiveness of this firearm.

The Model 1887 was the first successful repeating shotgun in the world. This reproduction utilizes the original solid lever design and includes an innovative internal safety mechanism. A beautiful European Hand Oiled Walnut finish on the stock and forearm, along with a color case finished receiver, compliments the beautiful form of this highly functional firearm.

Additional specs: 12 Gauge, 2.75” chamber, 22” barrel length, 39” overall length, Beretta/Benelli Mobil Choke Thread MC-3, overall weight of 9 lbs.

  Lever-Action Shotguns – Conclusion

Lever-action shotguns are popular because of their graceful and classic designs that provide the shooter with a relatively lightweight, easy-to-aim, and robust feeling firearm.

They are portable and reliable as well. They may not be as fast as pump-action types but they are adequate enough for those who carry them over their shoulder.

Lever-action shotguns were among the first repeating firearms and this legacy is attractive to recreational shooters, hunters, and those wanting an accurate, well-balanced firearm that offers the right amount of firepower and practicality.

  The Best Semi-Automatic Shotguns Reviewed

Semi-automatic shotguns (aka autoloading) are among the fastest types of shotguns because they are able to fire a shell after every trigger pull without the operator needing to manually chamber a follow-up round or manually cycle a fire action mechanism (like a slide or lever).

You simply pull the trigger as fast as possible and let the shotgun unload shells with no remorse. This semi-automatic cycling mechanism is due to a gas, blowback, or recoil operation that loads and ejects shells one after another.

Additionally, semi-automatic shotguns provide operating flexibility by including a pump-action firing mode. Many law enforcement and military units deploy the semi-automatic shotgun in the field (often modified with tactical improvements) because of the firearm’s superb efficiency, versatility, and firepower. They are also popular for hunting and target shooting.

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Mossberg International SA-20 Youth Bantam

The Mossberg SA-20 Youth is a great semi-automatic shotgun for serious novices or seasoned youth. It is a lightweight, low-recoil 20 gauge sporting autoloader that is a perfect fit for young wingshooters looking to hunt small game or shoot up clay targets.

It features a smooth gas-operated cycling system, a range of cylinder bore or interchangeable choke systems, and an optional Picatinny accessory rail. This soft-shooting autoloader has exceptional balance and easy-handling characteristics that will turn any youngster into a competent and effective shooter.

The SA-20 Youth is 20 gauge with a 24”, vent rib barrel with front bead sight, offers 5-round total capacity and is showcased in a black synthetic finish.

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Beretta A300 Outlander 12 Gauge

The Beretta A300 is the latest and greatest model in the 300 series of gas-operated autoloading shotguns. It has been sold to millions of hunters and sportsmen around the globe who trust in the style and quality of Beretta firearms.

This is a durable and high-performing semi-automatic shotgun with great out-of-the-box value (one of the best values of any semi-auto). It has a 3” chamber, 28” Mobilchoke barrel and self-cleaning piston.

The A300 Outlander is light, tough and made from proprietary steel blends which are designed to handle heavy shooting loads. It will work as hard as you can use it — in the toughest field conditions — without compromising performance or shot quality. Moreover, it is very simple to maintain and represents Beretta’s philosophy of “easy, quick and tool-free.” You can disassemble it fast and clean it anywhere.

Put it back together and it will shoot just as clean as any other action type firearm. Its lightness and low-profile action allows it to effortlessly follow your aim as you point and shoot.

The A300 is regulated by a magazine reducer with a 2-shot capacity that restricts the firearm to only 3 rounds (1 in the chamber).

If you operate in a less restrictive hunting region you can remove the mag reducer and fire up to 4 shots with 2.75” cartridges or 3 shots with 3” cartridges.

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Mossberg 930 Hunting/Field – Mossy Oak Bottomland 12 Gauge

The Mossberg 930 platform series offers a rugged reliability and ease of use that enables the shooter to engage in various field hunting situations like deer camping, turkey woods, duck blinds, and goose hunts.

It features a dual gas-vent system, quick-empty magazine release for quick unloading, drilled and tapped receiver, and stock drop spacer system (which adjusts the vertical angle of the stock to improve sightlines) for synthetic models.

This version has a perfect Mossy Oak Bottomland hunting camouflage finish. Overall, the Mossberg 930 delivers speed, durability, and reliability for a range of applications.

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Remington V3 Field Sport Waterfowl Pro

Remington shotguns have been setting the standard for innovation and reliability for decades and that is why they have been an iconic brand for Americans nationwide.

The Remington V3 Waterfowl Pro is part of the V3 Field Sport family of autoloading shotguns. The V3 series are some of the finest semi-automatic shotguns in the world and are designed and built in the USA.

The V3 Waterfowl Pro, like its sisters in the family, has been proven to be one of the softest recoiling autoloaders on the market with even force distribution across the recoil timeframe.

The patented Versaport gas-operated cycling system (which self-regulates gas pressure based on shell length) is celebrated for its cutting-edge technological innovation that offers uncompromising reliability, consistency, and super-soft recoil. The Waterfowl Pro has a sleek platform with superior pointability and athletic handling characteristics.

Lightweight 2.75” to powerful 3” magnum loads are cycled with consistent ease. The V3 Sport Waterfowl Pro is perfectly designed to accommodate any kind of hunting or shooting passion.

  Semi-Automatic Shotguns – Conclusion

Semi-automatic shotguns, commonly known as autoloaders in the field, are versatile and reliable shotguns celebrated for their balance of power, consistency, and practicality.

They are routinely used in fields and waterways as well as the frontlines of law enforcement — acting as ideal hunting, shooting or self-defense firearms that deliver firepower where it is most needed.

  The Best Over-Under Shotguns Reviewed

An over-under (O/U) is one of two types of barrel configurations found in double-barreled shotguns (the other being the side-by-side or SxS).

Double-barreled shotguns (aka doubles) feature break-open fire action mechanisms (break-action) in which both barrels are tilted upwards at the rear to expose the breeches for loading and ejecting shells. This simple design makes doubles smaller and more compact than single-barreled lever-action or pump-action shotguns.

Early double-barreled models incorporated two triggers for firing each barrel separately. They were located front to back inside the trigger guard so that the operator would pull each trigger one at a time and not discharge both barrels simultaneously, which would cause insurmountable recoil force.

Modern doubles use a selective trigger system in which a single trigger alternately fires each barrel (the single trigger must be pulled twice). One of the main advantages that doubles have over singles is the ability to utilize two different barrel choke systems. This is a major preference in competitive shotgun sports and why doubles are widely used in trap/skeet shooting.

For example, one barrel may have an open choke for near targets and the other barrel would have a tighter choke for distant targets. The main difference between an O/U and SxS configuration is shown in the position of the barrels and the effect that that positioning has on the range and shot string of discharged loads.

O/U barrels are placed one on top of the other. SxS barrels are placed side-by-side. Both configs position the barrels at slight angles parallel to each other. This important specification means that discharges from either barrel will eventually cross each other at a convergence point that is usually 40 yards out.

For example, in O/U configs both discharges will stay dead center until the “under” barrel discharge starts traveling higher than the “over” discharge.

Check out these popular brands of O/U shotguns:

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TriStar TT-15 Trap DT Adjustable (DTA)

This specially designed trap gun is part of a dedicated line of shotguns built specifically for competitive trap and skeet shooters.

The TT-15 DTA over-under shotgun is the perfect combination of precision, performance, and beauty. This adjustable double trap version features a raised target rib with three adjustment points, an adjustable comb, palm swell, fiber optic sight, and extended Beretta/Benelli Mobil choke tubes (e.g. CT-5X Skeet, Modified, Improved Cylinder, Improved Modified, Full).

The TT-15 is a highly functional and reliable O/U double trap shooter that will do all the hard work you expect it to do and more.

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TriStar Setter S/T Over-Under

Durability and strength describe this solid-framed O/U workhorse. This is another great sport shooting shotgun by TriStar that has strength and safety in mind.

The Setter S/T has a 3” chamber in 12ga or 20ga. Sealed actions keep dirt out. Other features include self-adjusting locking lugs, top tang barrel selector and safety, a steel mono-block barrel construction, and a gorgeous Turkish Walnut high-gloss finish on the stock and forearm.

Five interchangeable Beretta/Benelli Mobil chokes (Skeet, Modified, Improved Modified, Improved Cylinder, Full) are available. The primary safety is positioned on the top tang and designed to block the trigger, hammer level and hammer when it is engaged.

The safety slides backward and forward. The operator may move the safety left or right when it is engaged to select which barrel to fire first.

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Browning Citori White Lightning

This “left in the white” beauty is one of the latest double-barreled O/U shotguns by legendary firearms manufacturer Browning.

It’s signature steel receiver, with intricate engraving, has been left all-natural in its original polished condition. This creates a luxurious contrast between the receiver’s components and the high-grade walnut finish of the stock and forearm (the barrel is polished blued with Invector-Plus chokes).

The Citori White Lightning carries on Browning’s legacy of remarkable durability in a timeless design. Available in 20ga, 28ga, .410 bore, and features a well-rounded knob or pistol grip for superior aiming and control. This performance grip is ideal for fast-moving waterfowl, upland game, and sporting clays.

The trigger guard is coated with a nitrided finish to prevent corrosion. The sleek and elegant design of this O/U shotgun is truly represented in its name — the “White Lightning.”

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Mossberg International Silver Reserve II Field w/ Shell Extractors

Mossberg International produces some of the highest quality break-action shotguns on the market. This Silver Reserve II version is beautifully showcased with a “left in the white” all-natural steel receiver with an intricate wrap-around scroll engraving that contrasts with the Black Walnut stock finish, giving the firearm a timeless and elegant look.

It comes with a variety of shell extractors and ejectors, corrosion resistant chrome-lined chambers and barrels, tang-mounted safety with barrel selector, and dual locking lugs for solid lock-up.

These features give the Mossberg Silver Reserve II Over/Under unmatched long term reliability and durability. This model has a .410 Bore gauge with 2-shot capacity and overall barrel length of 26”.

Overall, the Mossberg Silver Reserve II is a great field gun best suited for waterfowling and upland game hunting.

  Over-Under Shotguns – Conclusion

Generally speaking, double-barrelled shotguns are unique break-action firearms that offer power, durability, strength, and practicality with sleek and elegant designs.

They fulfill the needs of specific individuals. In some parts of the world, doubles are held in prestige and authority. In other parts they are used mainly for sporting purposes.

They are usually smaller and more compact than other shotgun types and look very cool when being loaded and unloaded.

They are preferred by clay/trap/skeet shooters but are also used in waterfowling and upland game hunting. Over/Unders, and double-barrels in general, offer unique advantages such as shot selection versatility and access to variable choke tubes for shooting fast, widely dispersed targets. They are characterized by a unique blend of style, nostalgia, and practical advantage.

  The post Best Shotguns Reviewed appeared first on The Gun Source.

from http://www.thegunsource.com/best-shotgun-reviews

[muscle-cars-aesthetics]

1957 Chevrolet Bel Air ---------------------------------- Facts ⚪️🔴🔵⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ Frame and suspension : Art Morrison Enterprises frame and stout Kugel Komponents front and rear independent suspension. The rear includes heavy duty round tube control arms, a four-link, panhard bar, and anti-roll bar, plus dual coilovers on each end. frontend is suspended with tubular A-arms and coilovers, with an anti-roll bar. Rearend: 3.55:1 gears in a limited slip differential with aftermarket Corvette axles. Brakes: J.V. Enterprises brake assembly. Wilwood 13-inch vented front rotors with 6-piston calipers and Corvette 12-inch drilled and slotted rear rotors with 4-piston calipers are controlled by an ABS electric power master cylinder and booster. Wheels/tires: 20- and 18-inch Turbines from the SLC Series—wrapped with 255/45R20 and 235/45R18 Goodyear Eagle LS2 tires. Engine: LS376/480 crate engine with an aluminum block, aluminum L92-style heads, 10.7:1 aluminum Hypereutectic pistons, and long-duration LS Hot Cam. the engine show peak horsepower of 495 peak torque at 473 lbs-ft. Exhaust: 3/8-inch headers to 2 1/2-inch exhaust pipes with MagnaFlow mufflers. Transmission: 700R4 transmission with a driveshaft from General Driveshaft Service. Interior: The gauges are from Classic Instruments’ Nostalgia VT series. A Vin Tec steering wheel from Billet Specialties and a tilt shifter column from Racing Power Company. J.V. Enterprises used three tones of leather to upholster the BMW X5 seats, panels, and custom console. Climate control is managed by a complete Vintage Air system, and audio is provided via a Kenwood. ---------------------------------- #chevy #custom #belair #chevrolet #camaro #chevelle #corvette #impala #hotrod #v8 #musclecar #car #classic #vintage

[itsworn]

1940 Ford Pickup with a Modern Twist

We are in a day and age where both parts makers and builders are going to new heights in the automotive world. If you want to make a big splash with your vehicle, you will need to be creative and use new ideas that others have not conjured. Yes, there are a number of aftermarket companies that help us modernize these vintage haulers but you will need to add your own special touches in order to create a unique ride that will get noticed.

Chris Church knows this all too well as he was raised with a wrench in his hand. Growing up, his uncle lived two blocks away and Chris would ride his bike to help him work on his 1968 Mustang. Chris’ uncle was such a gearhead that his house was filled to the brim with car parts. The kitchen cabinets were a place to store oil and air filters rather than dishes. He was the kind of guy who lived and breathed cars. Having a mentor like this, Chris was hooked on customizing vehicles.

Continuing to round out his skills, Chris built VW engines at a corner service station by the age of 15. Then, at his high school auto shop, he swapped a small-block Ford into a vintage Austin Healey. By the time he was 18, Chris had also completed a frame-off build of a 1970 Ford Bronco. Chris further honed in his skills as a fabricator and even dabbled in custom car audio as well. Over the years, Chris has had many experiences being around many types of vehicles, and all have brought inspirations.

While Chris had been busy working on his own rides, his wife, Angela, was eagerly waiting for her turn to own a custom vehicle. She is also a fan of early Ford trucks and when they came across a 1940 Ford pickup at a swap meet they had to snag it. There were big plans for the truck and to get it to do what they wanted the foundation needed updating. Schroeder Speed & Custom was called upon to create a beefed-up version of the original frame. The front features a Mustang II–style IFS system with Wilwood dropped pro spindles and a set of Slam Specialties SS6 airbags. The rear utilizes a pair of Slam SS8 ’bags and a four-link suspension to hold the Moser-fabricated 9-inch rearend in place. This was all set up for a set of two-piece forged VF498 American Racing Wheels with Toyo Proxes R888R tires, all backed by 12.9-inch Wilwood disc brakes to bring this truck to a halt.

Giving the brakes a reason to work hard is the Wegner Motorsports–built 376ci LS3 engine with a Whipple 2.9 supercharger. Utilizing all forged internals and a Holley Terminator management system, this engine is a complete beast that puts out 935 hp and 800 torque. Delivering that power to the rear wheels is an A-1 Performance Transmission–built 4L80E transmission with billet torque converter. Controlling the transmission is done with a combination of the push button and paddle shifters from Powertrain Control Solutions.

Ensuring that this truck is something worthy of stopping crowds in their tracks, Chris looked again to the capable team at Carolina Kustoms in Portland, Oregon, to help bring his vision into reality. There the 1940 sheetmetal was worked straight and shaved of a few items, like the door handles and driprails. Up front, 1939 Ford coupe headlights were attached to the fenders and new bumper sections were formed from raw steel. The center hood seam was welded and the front grille was made from aluminum stock and honeycomb-shaped material. The cab was modified to fit a single-piece custom windshield and a big back window from a 1952 F-1 pickup. New bed pieces were resourced along with the Mar-K bed floor that was customized to open in the center. The rear was topped off with a race-inspired fuel filler and Throwback Designs custom taillights that were frenched in. Finishing the exterior is a paintjob that was inspired by a classic Porsche that Chris and Angela drove on an exotic vacation.

Modernizing the interior is a host of red leather and carbon-fiber inserts. Jim’s Custom Upholstery customized a set of TMI Products seats and covered them in leather with stitching to tie in the honeycomb design. For improved functions, an ididit steering column with Billet Specialties wheel was installed. The dash has been enhanced with a custom bezel that holds the Dakota Digital HDX gauges and Restomod Air A/C vents. For Chris, no interior is complete without a kickin’ sound system and the one in this truck is no different. Being a bit of an audiophile, he equipped this truck with a Rockford Fosgate system controlled by an Alpine Halo9 touch-screen head unit.

The combination of custom and modern parts on this 1940 Ford makes it a real stunner. This truck is not just a showpiece either as it has all the right goods to leave the rest in its dust. Lucky for Angela, her husband has many years of building experience that he was able to craft one wicked ride for her.

1940 Ford Pickup Chris & Angela Church

Chassis Shop: Schroeder Speed & Custom Frame: Boxed reproduction for the original with laser-cut pieces and braces Rearend / Ratio: Moser fabricated 9-inch / 32-spline axles / Eaton Tru Trac limited-slip differential / 3.73:1 gears Modifications: Notched rear Front Suspension: No Limit Engineering Mustang II IFS / Slam Specialties SS6 airbags / Wilwood ProSpindles / Hotchkis antiroll bar / RideTech Q-series shocks Rear Suspension: AVS heavy-duty four-link / Michigan Metal Works Watts link / Slam Specialties SS8 airbags / RideTech Q-series shocks / Brakes: Wilwood 12.9-inch slotted and drilled discs with six-piston calipers / Wilwood aluminum tandem master cylinder / Wilwood forward swing brake pedal / Lokar performance products emergency brake handle Steering: Rack-and-pinion / QA1 bumpsteer rods Front Wheels: 19×8 American Racing Wheels VF498 with 5 inches of backspacing Rear Wheels: 20×12 American Racing Wheels VF498 with 5.25 inches of backspacing Front Tires: 245/30R19 Toyo Tires Proxes R88R Rear Tires: 305/35R20 Toyo Tires Proxes R88R Gas Tank: Custom 17-gallon aluminum by Carolina Kustoms / Aeromotive Phantom 1000 dual fuel pump Accessories: ViAir compressors / AccuAir management system

Drivetrain Make: Chevrolet Performance LS3 Displacement: 376 ci Machining / Assembly: Wegner Motorsports Crankshaft: Forged 8-bolt Rods: Forged 4340 Pistons: Wegner machined Camshaft: Bullet SC 0.660 lift Heads: Aluminum ported LS3/LSA Valvesprings: Inconel exhaust / HD stainless intake Rockers: Upgraded Trunnion kit Valve Covers: Wegner Motorsports with hidden coils Ignition: Holley Dominator engine management system Headers: Custom Ultimate Headers Accessory Drive: Wegner WAK-040 Exhaust / Mufflers: 3-inch stainless / Borla XR-1 mufflers / DEI titanium heat wrap Manifold / Induction: Whipple 2.9L supercharger / Nick Williams DBW 103mm throttle body and 1.750 spacer / K&N filter Cooling: C&R Racing radiator, heat exchanger, oil and transmission coolers / SPAL electric fans Transmission: A-1 Performance Transmission–built 4L80E / Alto Red Eagle clutches / Billet torque converter Shifter: Powertrain Control Solutions paddles and push-button Driveshaft: QA1 carbon fiber

Body Style: Shortbed resourced from Dennis Carpenter Ford Restoration Parts / Mar-K wood floor and strips / Custom opening floor center Modifications: Shaved driprails, door handles, cowl, stake pockets, and bed bracing / Custom one-piece windshield from Sanders Reproduction Glass / 1952 F-1 big back window / EVOD Industries custom billet badges / Custom fuel filler in tailgate Fenders: Stock Hood: Shaved of center seam Grille: Custom aluminum with honeycomb inserts built by Carolina Kustoms Bodywork and Paint by: Mike Purcell and Chad Espinoza with Carolina Kustoms Paint Type /Color: PPG Porsche Sport Classic Gray Headlights / Taillights: 1939 Ford coupe buckets customized with carbon fiber and aluminum / Morimoto dual LED projectors / hand-fabricated LED halos by Church Built Customs / Throwback Designs sand-casted custom 1960 Pontiac Outside Mirrors: Modified motorcycle mirrors Bumpers: Hand-fabricated front bumpers / flattened, clipped, and coved rear

Interior Dashboard: Custom fabricated by Church Built Customs Gauges: Dakota Digital HDX-2060-S-Custom Air Conditioning: Restomod Air with Diablo Mini Smooth helix vents and Stealth hex controller Wiring Harness: Painless Performance Products Stereo: Alpine Halo9 touch-screen head unit / Rockford Fosgate T1000X5AD five-channel 1,000-watt amp, Punch P3S subwoofer, and power 6.5-inch T5 speakers / Installation by Church Built Customs Steering Wheel: Billet Specialties BC29409 D-shaped 14-inch Formula with leather Steering Column: ididit 30-inch Seating: TMI Products buckets / Crow Enterprises cam-lock four-point blackbird driver restraints / six-point rollbar Upholstery by: Jim’s Custom Upholstery / Church Built Customs Material / Color: Top grain “Burnt Orange” Coach leather Door Panels: Custom with leather, PVC and carbon-fiber inserts Carpet: Daytona weave in charcoal Pedals: Lokar Performance Products Insolation: Kilmat

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Federal TSS Turkey Blends Pack Bigger Payload, Less Weight

A five-round box of the new-for-2019 Federal Premium Blended Heavyweight TSS sits atop the extended extra full turkey choke on the Savage 220 bolt action shotgun. This one packs both #8 and #10 shot into the same shell. (Photo: Kristin Alberts/Guns.com)

Tungsten shot is dominating the specialty turkey load market. Most manufacturers are now fully on board with the potent, albeit pricey, gobbler loads. While straight tungsten hits much harder than comparable lead all while using smaller and greater numbers of pellets, Heavyweight TSS rounds take things a step further. The patterns and killing power are devastating.

TSS makes use of a tungsten alloy with a density 22 percent higher than standard tungsten and 56 percent greater than lead. Federal Premium stocks TSS loads from 12 gauge on down to the baby. 410 bore, increasing the range and power of each chambering.

A cutaway view of Federal Premium’s 3rd Degree shell shows the three different shot types and sizes packed inside each. The premise is to deliver a quality pattern at all distances, from extremely close to long range. (Photo: Vista Outdoor)

Federal shot shell Product Line Manager Dan Compton explained the physics behind the material’s effectiveness. “An object with higher density will maintain its energy longer in flight than a less-dense object,” he said. “In pellets, the increased density will extend the lethal range of the payload. Denser pellets fly farther and penetrate deeper.”

A full-length FliteControl wad protects the barrel from the extra-hard tungsten pellets. Also, those FliteControl wads essentially open from the rear, allowing them to hold tighter patterns downrange and to perform well through both ported and standard chokes. A roll crimp and clear card wad holds the buffering material in place.

Federal Premium’s Heavyweight TSS makes use of a tungsten alloy that is more dense than the already popular tungsten loads from other companies. TSS is available in 12, 20, and 410 bores. (Photo: Kristin Alberts/Guns.com)

The new “Blended” Heavyweight loads combine two micro sizes of Tungsten Super Shot in each shell.  “This means you can greatly increase the pellet count of a payload by using a smaller shot size, but penetrate as much or more because of the increased density,” Compton said. “Overall patterns densities are increased, so there are more hits on the target.”

The proof is in the pudding, or in this case, on the wall. I took down multiple trophy gobblers at distances from 16 to 53 yards using 20-gauge medicine using both the #7/#9 loads and the #8/#10 blends. The patterns at 40 yards were incredibly dense and no gobbler took a step. Quality comes at a premium though, with five round Blended 20’s boxes retailing for $46.95. As an added bonus, Federal donates a portion of the profits from every box of their turkey loads support the National Wild Turkey Federation.

Heavyweight TSS Options

Though Federal Premium’s Heavyweight TSS has only been around since 2018, new additions in 2019 have cranked up the lineup to a full gamut of .410 bore, 20- and 12-gauge turkey thumping rounds.

Heavyweight TSS

12-gauge, 3.5”, 2-1/4”, 9-shot

12-gauge, 3.5”, 2-1/4”, 7-shot

12-gauge, 3”, 1-3/4”, 7-shot

20-gauge, 3”, 1-1/2 ounce, 9-shot

20-gauge, 3”, 1-1/2 ounce, 7-shot

410 bore, 3”, 13/16 ounce, 9-shot

BLENDED Heavyweight TSS

12-gauge, 3.5”, 2-1/2 ounce, #7/#9, 1000 FPS

12-gauge, 3.5” 2-1/2 ounce, #8/#10, 1000 FPS

20-gauge, 3”, 1-5/8 ounce, #7/#9, 1000 FPS

20-gauge, 3”, 1-5/8 ounce, #8/#10, 1000 FPS

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