Tweet Of The Day

This has to be the tweet of the day.

.@shannonrwatts @Everytown @momsdemand The Al Sharptons of #Gunsense nonsense.
— Peter J. Carr (@CarrforGovofCO) November 29, 2014

That is so true!

Happy Thanksgiving

Hurry! There's only three pieces of pie left!

I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. If you are driving today or this weekend, be safe.

And if you need suggestions on how to get through all the family occasions especially if surrounded by those who take Shannon Watts seriously, I might suggest going to this blog. Blake has suggestions on the five (or more) bourbons you'll need for Thanksgiving Day.

Finally, if you are in the market for anything firearm related, check out my Doing My Part To Stimulate The (Gun) Economy - 2014 Edition.

Doing My Part To Stimulate The (Gun) Economy - 2014 Edition (Updated)

Herewith my annual listing of Black Friday or pre-Black Friday deals that are gun, knife, outdoor, tactical, or prep related. In the past I've posted this list later in the week but it seems that a number of retailers aren't waiting to Friday or even Thursday. I will be doing updates through the week as more of the deals are released.

I have included any coupon codes if needed. If you find others, please share them in the comments section.

Think of this as a first draft. I have a lot more to add but wanted to get this part out.

The Old Grouch's Military Surplus

I like the idea of supporting friends and buying local. Tim told me the prices go live on Thanksgiving and he has some great prices. The reporters camped out in Ferguson ought to give it a look as he even will have some gas masks.

MidwayUSA

Begins Monday, Nov. 24th at Midnight CST and last for eight days. $20 off a $100 purchase with code 14BLKFRI.

Brownells

The sale starts at 12:01 AM on Black Friday, November 28. Customers can also enter the code "J2Y" at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount on all orders for any products totaling $150 or more. It runs through midnight on Monday, Dec. 1st.

Stag Arms

Sale is effective 12:01AM EST November 28, 2014 to 11:59PM EST November 30, 2014. Most items are limited quantity. They will be selling a number of Stag Arms uppers including the 1H, 1HL, 3H, and 3HL. The doorbuster price on the 3H is $345.

Walmart

All in-stock firearms are 20% off Friday through Sunday.

 Bass Pro Shops

The in-store event starts at Bass Pro on Friday at 5am. Their 6-hour sale includes a brick of Winchester .22 LR for $25. Ruger 10/22 carbines will be $229 for the five-day sale.

Cabelas

Black Friday starts at 5am on Nov. 28th. Doorbusters include a Sig Sauer 1911 with Crimson Trace grips for $899, a Ruger American Rimfire for $259, and a Rock Island 1911 9mm/.22 TCM combon for $499. Just in time for the winter weather are Danner insulated Pronghorn boots for $89. Their pre-Black Friday deals are here and change daily. You can see their entire Black Friday flyer here.

Dick's Sporting Goods

Given their wimpy response post-Newtown, I would not shop there if they were given away bricks of .22 LR and Colt ARs for free. You are on your own for them.

MilitaryGear.com

10% off and free shipping. Use promo code "SAVE". Starts on 11/24 and ends on 12/1.

Tactical Distributors

Starting November 26th, and running through Sunday, November 30th, Tactical Distributors is offering 20% off site wide in honor of Black Friday. Additionally, all orders over $79 qualify for free shipping. Use promo code FREAKOUT20 to apply the discount.

OP Tactical

OP Tactical will be running a Black Friday Sale from Nov. 24th through Nov. 28th. Use promo code "BF2014".

SORD-USA

Receive 25% off ALL products from SORD. Use promo code "BLACKFRIDAY14".

TacticalGear.com

 10% off and free shipping. Use promo code "SAVEBIG". Starts on 11/23 and ends on 11/30. Some doorbusters depending upon purchase.

Tractor Supply Co.

On Friday only, they will be selling the Cannon wide body safe for $699. Also of interest to hunters would be their Masterbuilt Electric Digital Smoker. They open at 6am.

TNVC - Tactical Night Vision Company

The TNVC Christmas Sale is going on now through the end of the year. Use promo code "XMAS14" at checkout for substantial discounts on their TNV/PVS-14, IR Hunter Thermal Scope, and TNV Sentinel Night Vision Goggle.

Gander Mountain

Gander Mountain will be open from 8am until Midnight on Thanksgiving and then re-opens at 8am on Friday. Among the Thanksgiving Day specials are the S&W M&P Shield for $399 and the Liberty Fatboy 64 safe for $1,999.

Academy Sports and Outdoor

Academy Sports opens at 5am on Friday and their on-line store opens at 10pm CST on Wednesday. Doorbusters include a Windham Weaponry AR for $579.99, a Taurus PT111 Milennium for $259, and 325 round packs of Federal Match .22LR for $17.99.

Sportsman's Warehouse

Their Black Friday sale starts at 6am. Included in their doorbusters is a Bushmaster Carbon 15 for $499. The Ruger American Rimfire goes for $199, the SIG P238 is $489, and the Para 1911 Expert is $299 after a $100 rebate. All 5.11 gear is 25% off.

Dunham Sports

Their Black Friday sale starts at 6pm on Thanksgiving and goes to 3pm on Friday. Among the early bird items listed are a Bushmaster Optics Ready Carbine for $549 (after rebate) and a Canon 48 gun safe for $649. That same carbine was $799 last year.

Big 5 Sporting Goods

Their Black Friday sale starts at 5am and goes to 4pm on Friday. Among their doorbusters is a Mossberg 500 2-barrel combon (12 or 20 ga) for $295 and a Ruger Mini-14 Ranch rifle for $739

LaRue Tactical

Now through Christmas, they are holding their PolymAR sale. This is to celebrate the finishing of their polymer production facility. They are offering 25% off all individual polymer items and 35% off combo items.

MC Sports

Their stores open at 5am on Black Friday. Among their Friday specials are a M&P-15 Sport for $619, a Mossberg 500 Field/Slug Combo for $289, and a Glock 19 for $499.

5.11 Tactical Online Store

Thru Sunday! 25% Off Store Wide. Use Promo Code BLK25

LaRue Tactical Black Rifle Days

Free shipping on all orders over $200 when placed on Nov 27th and 28th. 50% off on all LaRue Polymer including grips, stocks, etc.

Sig Sauer

Black Friday offer is free shipping on all items with no minimum from Nov. 25th to Dec. 2nd.

London Bridge Trading

Save on the LBT 6094 Modular & Low VIS Slick Carriers. Sale starts November 27th at Noon, and runs to December 2nd at Noon. Normally $400 or more, they will be $300 for this sale.

Springfield Armory

30% off on all items in their store including magazines. Now through 12/12/14.

Galco Gunleather

20% off everything in their on-line store. No code needed. Nov. 28-30.

Gun Digest Books

50% off all Gun Digest books and CD-ROMs now through 12/3/14

Comp-Tac

20% off all items now through midnight, Dec. 1st. Use code "THANKS-2020".
Apex Tactical
Free shipping on all orders now through Cyber Monday, Dec. 1st. No code needed. Free patch for orders over $100.

Stark Grips

All of their AK and AR grips are 30% off through midnight, Sunday, Nov. 30th. Use code "Friday".

Maxpedition

All regularly priced items are now 25% off now through Dec. 1st. Use code "XXVBFR".

Wing Supply

30% off all items and 40% off of turkey calls through Nov. 29th. No code needed.

American Built Arms Company

Big savings from November 24th through December 8th on metal and polymer items. Click on their Deal of the Day tab. Their handguards look kinda interesting to me.

Bravo Company

Their Black Friday sale includes demo/scratched uppers for $65, basic M4 buttstocks for $12.48, DPMS lower parts kits for $49.95, and a whole lot more.

LA Police Gear

November 27th through November 29th: 25% Off 5.11 Tactical & Maxpedition, 10% off everything else. Free bottle opener with every order. Use coupon code: BF2014

UPDATE:

L.T. Wright Handcrafted Knives

Instead of Black Friday they will be having Stag Friday. They will be offering three of their knives with stag handles at very nice prices. The sale goes from 9am to 3pm EST on Friday. These knives will also be offered by their authorized dealers. Go to the website for a list.

Vermont's Barre Army Navy

Free ground shipping on orders above $30 until 12/1/14 plus 15% off all Condor, Alpha, and Eberlestock items. If you live in the Barre, Vermont area, everything is 30% off on Friday for walk-in customers.

Blade Magazine

Up to 50% off all books, DVDs, etc. through Dec. 3rd.  Downloads are $1.99 through 11/30.

Red State Tactical

 They are taking pre-orders through Cyber Monday for the Vickers "Adapt or Die" T-shirt. The price is $13.95. Also get 15% off a Vickers Sling by signing up for their email list.

Bud's Gunshop

Opens at 8am on Friday and 8am on Saturday. Deals include a CZ-USA P-07 for $349 (with threaded barrel), an Adams Arms piston AR-15 for $699, and a Mossberg Tactical 22 with a free brick of .22LR ammo for $219.00. More of their Cyber Week specials can be found here including Canik 9mm pistols for $99.

U.S. Cavalry

15% off for all new customers with code HPBF2014, 25% to email subscribers (coupon in the mail), and more starting 12:01am Nov. 28th.

Armalite

Cyber Monday special is 20% off any in-stock firearm. Must call 1-800-336-0184 to order.

Core Rifle Systems

Starts at noon on Thanksgiving. Free shipping for the first 48 hours with code BFSHIP. Other discounts using code BFSAVE until Dec. 5th. 10% off all rifles plus 3 free PMags.

DSG Arms

Complete railed uppers in either .223 or .300 Blackout only $399 plus $5 UPS shipping. These are assembled by Seekins Precision. Prices good through Dec. 1. You can see details in this video.

Panteao Productions

All DVDs and yearly subscriptions are 25% off through Dec. 2nd. I have a number of their DVDs and they are highly recommended.

Nosler

Black Friday deal is 15% off when you spend $150 or more through midnight PST Dec. 1st. Also the final run of Trophy Grade Nosler 48 rifles are $1,499

JoeBob Outfitters

Black Friday deals now through midnight CST 12/1/14. Use code "BLACKFRIDAY".

Gunsite

They call this Black Raven Friday. Deals include $200 off any 5-day class registered for on the 28th. Registration and deposit must be sent to Karen@gunsite.com. Their proshop sale will run Nov. 28-30.

UPDATE II:

Wilson Combat

Sale runs Black Friday through Christmas. Includes everything from 1911 magazines to .300 AAC Blackout match grade barrels.

Barrett Rifles

Black Friday sales include package deals with soft case, your choice of ARMS or Daniel Defense rails, MOE stock and pistol grip, and a Barrett cap.

G-Code

All products are 15% off from Nov. 26th through Dec. 1st. Use code thanks2014.

IDF Holsters

Beginning at 12:01 am on Thanksgiving morning, until 11:59 pm Cyber Monday night, IDF Holsters is having a Black Friday Sale, with special 30% off discounts on every item in stock. Use promo code TAKE30.

AIM Surplus

They are calling these deals Black Friday-ish. These deals from now through Nov. 30th or while supplies last.


Soldier Systems also has an extensive listing of tactically oriented Black Friday specials. They are too numerous to copy. You can access them here. Also check the listings from SlickGuns.com.

Smith & Wesson Does Their Own Bit Of Shopping

Smith and Wesson Holdings Corporation (SWHC), the parent company of Smith & Wesson, got started early on their Black Friday shopping. They are reported to have purchased Battenfield Technologies for approximately $130 million. Battenfield Technologies is a Columbia, Missouri-based maker of firearms accessories.

Smith & Wesson Chief Executive James Debney said the acquisition “fits perfectly within our core firearm business. It also allows us to move more strongly into the hunting vertical as well as establish a strong platform for growth in our existing firearm accessories business, which has been a small but highly profitable part of our company.”

Smith & Wesson expects the deal, set to close in mid-to-late December, to boost the company’s margins, earnings and cash generation in its business year ending in April 2016. The move is also expected to contribute incremental revenue of more than $55 million for the 2016 business year.

Battenfeld Chief Executive Jim Gianladis will serve as the president of Battenfeld Technologies and will report directly to Mr. Debney.

Battenfeld was acquired by private-equity firm Clearview Capital in June 2012.

Battenfield's brands include Caldwell, Wheeler Engineering, Tipton Cleaning Supplies, Frankford Arsenal, Bog-Pod, Lockdown, Golden Rod Moisture Control, and Non-Typical Wildlife Solutions.

Battenfield was owned until 2012 by Larry Porterfield of MidwayUSA and his family. They sold their interest in the company to Clearview Capital and to members of the Battenfield management team.

I Think They Confuse Myth With Fact And Fact With Myth

Shannon Watts and her crowd at Everytown Moms for Illegal Mayors are fanatics and not in a good way. They want to take a joyous family gathering and impose their specious ideology on the occasion.

They readily confuse fact with myth and myth with fact.

Greg Hickok - Hickok45 on YouTube - has some excellent suggestions on talking about guns over Thanksgiving. From a post of his on Facebook:

I agree with Emperor-Wannabe Bloomberg; we SHOULD talk about guns at Thanksgiving dinner. Some suggestions:

1. Ask your relatives if anybody has recently purchased any cool new firearms and if they brought them to share.
2. Suggest that your relatives who are afraid of firearms that they might want to consider some basic firearms training in order to overcome their irrational fears of inanimate objects.
3. Double check that your firearms-owning relatives are observing proper gun safety and seem to be taking it as seriously as they should. Maybe pass around one of your own unloaded firearms and observe how your folks treat it: muzzle discipline, chamber checking, etc.
4. Remind your relatives to read John Lott so that they are much less likely to fall for the myths about firearms that the "Control Freaks" continue to spread in the attempt to give their bogus little emotional narratives validity.
5. Be certain to share with relatives all the fun and enjoyment you've had with firearms since you saw them last.
6. Maybe ask the youngsters about how much anti-gun drivel they are hearing from the clueless adults in their schools. Maybe give them some advice about how to handle it without jeopardizing their grades or being kicked out of school.
7. Lastly, just smile really big when the talk turns to the wonderful hobby of firearms!

You can also share with them my Black Friday compilation of gun, tactical, and hunting sales.


H/T Bitter

My Only Comment On Ferguson

This tweet by Jonah Goldberg of National Review characterizes my feelings about what the whole Ferguson situation has become. The only reason I've even given Ferguson a passing thought is that my step-daughter and her husband, my mother-in-law, and my sister-in-law and her family all live and work in St. Louis.

All right, I'm going to bed. I've had enough of cable TV enjoying itself while acting like it hates covering riots.
— Jonah Goldberg (@JonahNRO) November 25, 2014

A Partnership That Makes Sense

Smith & Wesson and General Dynamics announced today that they would be partnering on a submission for the Army's Modular Handgun System. This is the Army's plan to upgrade their sidearm's from the Beretta M9 which is getting a little long in the tooth.

When you think about it, this partnership makes a lot of sense. Smith & Wesson knows handguns and has done very well with their polymer striker-fired M&P platform. General Dynamics knows defense contracting and they are one of the largest defense contractors making everything from nuclear submarines to Gatling guns.

It will be interesting to see what they come up with. Other handgun manufacturers would be smart to follow their lead in approaching this as a joint project.

Below is the joint press release from Smith & Wesson and General Dynamics:

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems and Smith &Wesson Holding Corp. are partnering to pursue the U.S. Army's Modular Handgun System (MHS) solicitation to replace the M9 standard Army sidearm.

The strategic partnership's Modular Handgun System will be based on the Smith &Wesson M&P Polymer Pistol platform. Designed with a reinforced polymer chassis, superior ergonomics, ambidextrous controls, and proven safety features, the M&P is used by U.S. and law enforcement agencies worldwide. The M&P's features make it well suited for the MHS requirement by providing sidearms that exceed the military's expectations for a future modular handgun in terms of performance, reliability and durability. The M&P pistol has been in production since 2005.

"This partnership combines General Dynamics' proven legacy in manufacturing military armaments with Smith &Wesson's extensive experience in designing and manufacturing firearms for commercial applications," said Tim McAuliffe, vice president and general manager of medium caliber ammunition and weapons for General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems. "General Dynamics' extensive background in winning and managing military contracts brings proven leadership to the venture and by joining together, we will use our combined knowledge and expertise to bring this unique capability to the U.S. military to better equip the warfighter."

Smith &Wesson President and CEO, James Debney, said, "The strategic partnership between our two companies provides us with a tremendous opportunity to support our military with a state-of-the-art sidearm, namely our M&P pistol. General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems brings us a wealth of experience and resource in federal government contracting and that capability is an ideal match with our knowledge in handgun manufacturing technology. We look forward to working together to pursue this exciting opportunity to support our military."

The Army's draft MHS solicitation identifies design and performance requirements for a new modular handgun system that can be easily adjusted to fit all hand sizes and is optimized for improved gun, ammunition and magazine performance. The Army's stated plan is to commence the competition in January 2015, with delivery of the first new handgun systems in 2017.

Incoming Speaker of NC House Is Good On Guns

The Republican majority in the North Carolina House of Representatives elected Rep. Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) to replace Senator-elect Thom Tillis as Speaker. Moore, a Kings Mountain attorney, was selected on the first ballot by House Republicans as they met in Asheboro.

Moore won a majority of votes from the 73 GOP lawmakers that met at Randolph Community College. He beat Reps. Justin Burr of Albemarle, Mitchell Setzer of Catawba, John Blust of Greensboro, Leo Daughtry of Smithfield and Bryan Holloway of King.

Rep. Paul “Skip” Stam of Wake County was nominated as speaker pro tem. Rep. Mike Hager of Rutherford County was elected majority leader and John Bell from Wayne County, majority whip.

Huntersville Republican Charles Jeter was unopposed for conference chair, a post in which he’ll oversee campaigns and fundraising.

Moore was ranked second in the NC House in terms of effectiveness by the North Carolina Center for Public Policy Research. He had chaired the House Rules Committee.

So what does this mean for gun rights in North Carolina?

Moore was recommended by Grass Roots North Carolina-PVF where he was ranked 4 stars. He was endorsed by the NRA Political Victory Fund and rated as A+.  That's a good start. It does get better as Rep. Moore was one of the speakers at a gun rights rally in 2013 organized by GRNC. Given their reputation as a "no compromise" organization, the fact that Moore would be one of the speakers says volumes about him.

It was through the efforts of Moore as head of the Rules Committee that Durham County's 80 year old gun registry was scrapped.

What about the rest of the Republicans in the House leadership?

Rep. Skip Stam (R-Wake) who will be Speaker Pro Tem is, at best, mediocre. He was rated B- by the NRA-PVF and did not receive an endorsement. Stam was not recommended by GRNC-PVF and was rated a mere 2 stars. He was characterized as a "weasel" by GRNC for his efforts to weaken some of the gun rights laws that passed the General Assembly in the last two sessions.

Rep. Mike Hager (R-Rutherford) who will be the House Majority Leader is much better. He received both a recommendation and 4 stars from the GRNC-PVF while also getting an A and the endorsement from the NRA-PVF. Hager was one of the sponsors of the bill that made the names of NC CHP and pistol permit applicants private.

Rep. John Bell (R-Wayne) is slated to be the House Majority Whip. He was rated as 4 stars by GRNC-PVF and was recommended. The NRA-PVF graded him an "A" and gave him their endorsement. His website points out the fallacy of gun-free zones and says they put innocent lives at risk. He sponsored HB937 which increased the number of places firearms would be permitted.

Rep. Charles Jeter (R-Mecklenburg) is the Republican Conference Chair. He was rated 3 stars by GRNC-PVF but was recommended. The NRA-PVF graded him an "A" and gave him their endorsement. His position on the Second Amendment post-Newtown was not to be reactionary like legislators on New York and Connecticut.

One thing I think should be pointed about this House leadership is their relative youth. Speaker-elect Tim Moore is 44, Conference Chair Charles Jeter is 41, and while I don't have the exact age for Majority Whip John Bell, he appears to be in his late 30s to early 40s. House Majority Leader Mike Hager is a little older at age 52. Speaker Pro Tem Skip Stam is the old guy of the bunch at 64 but, then again, the position traditionally is held by older legislators.

To conclude, with the exception of Skip Stam, the Republican House leadership for the upcoming session is good on guns. This is good news for gun rights bills that will be presented in the new session.