Amateur Gunsmithing II: 1911 complete

    So a while ago I wrote about amateur gunsmithing and mentioned a 1911 build. Whelp, I finished it recently and took it out for a test fire. And I still have all my fingers, so it didn't blow up on me which is nice.  So that being the result I'll go a little in depth about the process of completing a build like this. Again as with my AR-15 build I garnered everything I needed to know from the internet, Youtube videos, and various forums online were overflowing with knowledge.
     To start it wasn't that difficult, just a few places that took some patience and a little elbow grease.
I began with a stripped Rock Island Armory frame and Para Ordnance P14.45 slide from Sarco, both at a respectable price of about $120 each.

     These are the two main pieces of the build which house all the moving and make go bang parts. The frame, according to the BATFE, being the actual firearm I had shipped to a local FFL dealer so all the legal paper work could be done and have it registered to me. The slide itself, as well as all the other parts, were able to be shipped straight to the house. The slide to frame fit was a bit too tight for my liking so with a little bit of fine grain sanding on the top of the frame rails I was able to obtain a nice smooth, yet still tight fit with no wobble. This consisted of a few strokes on the sandpaper, brush off the dust, and test fit over and over again until I got it to where I wanted it. 

     Then came the frame internals, sear, trigger, disconnector, mainspring hammer safety and all the associated springs and pins. Some of these parts required minor fitting, a little light filing or sanding here and there but it all worked smooth like butter. I unfortunately didn't take pictures of this process as I was to engrossed in the process and lazy. I really need to get better at documenting these things as I go along, but it's hard to break concentration once I get going. 

     Still missing at this point are the grips, plunger tube, slide release, barrel, grip safety, and the rest of the slide internals. After receiving these parts it was probably the easiest part of the build as I've played with 1911's a little in the past and was familiar with how to take them apart. the barrel link pin needed a bit of fitting as well, and a little light hammering to get it in place but it fit nice and tight and pivots without any binding. The same can be said for the barrel bushing which I admit that I may have over done a little as it fits and functions just fine but a little looser than you would expect on a new 1911, more like one with a few hundred rounds through it. And at this point I'm pretty much done, aside from the rear sight, which being a Para Ordnance slide (the dovetail cut they use is a bit different from other slides) can be a bit difficult to source, and or pricey.  So this is what I ended up with. and I love it. It's mine, I made this to my liking and I probably have a much better appreciation for it than I would having gotten one off the shelf. 

     So, there you are, a second entry into amateur gunsmithing. With hopefully more to come. Still in the works is a .300 AAC Blackout upper for my AR-15, which admittedly won't be difficult at all but still fun. Again for those of you out there that are looking to get a 1911 at some point I would highly recommend doing a build, the outcome is very satisfying. 

                   Mr. Angry Beard

The issue with education in this country

     Today's education system in the US seems to be a bit lacking. From some brief research I was able to learn the we are pretty low on the totem pole when it comes to overall education when compared to the rest of the developed world. I'm sure partially due to the fact that while other nations have increased their spending on education the US has actually cut spending. This aspect alone could prompt a long diatribe on the national budget and federal spending in general, but I won't go down that path today. I'm more focused on the 'how' of the current system. The methods of teaching and the stick and carrot methods used to encourage better results.
     It seems today, and even when I was in school it was already headed this way, that students are being taught to the test. Which is an absolute horrible way to teach. In effect giving the students only the instruction that will be covered in the test, and drilled in memorizing dates and snippets of facts. And in the science based classes memorizing formulas and not really worrying about the actual application of them, just enough to figure out the correct answer. In an age now, when all these things are available to damn near anyone on a whim, wouldn't it be more prudent to not have students memorizing? But show them how to apply these things and stimulate critical thinking and problem solving. The availability of knowledge is only gong to become more and more easy to come by as time goes on. Hell, at this point I'm pretty certain that you could gain a decent grasp of  advanced math, world history, and even electrical engineering from Youtube.  

     The point is that we're stuck in a mode of instruction that severely limits the potential of today's youth. And the current model of schools being rewarded or punished financially based on standardized testing. Leading to students being taught only what is on the test to try to bring those scores up. That's not saying that there are not teachers out there that try to go beyond and actually instruct students on the how and why of their specific subjects, but those teachers are few and far between. 

     Do I have the answers on how to shift things to provide a better education to the students of today? No. But I'm sure that there are people out there who have put the relative thought into it and have some damn good plans on how to implement it. 

The bravest man I ever knew.

     Ten years ago SFC Alwyn Cashe took action during an ambush in Iraq that would cost him his own life in an attempt to save the lives of others. He knowingly rushed headlong, under and on fire into a burning vehicle to rescue his soldiers who were trapped inside. An act of complete selflessness that was definitive of who he was as a soldier and a leader. A man of courage and quick thinking, placing the needs of those he led before himself. A man, I had the privilege and honor, of serving with during my time in  A Co. 1-15. He was the platoon sergeant of first platoon, while I was a team leader in third platoon. While I never fell directly under him in the chain of command, after a short time in the company I knew that he was a hell of an NCO. In fact he was the first person that I met when I was transfered from HHC of 1-15 to Alpha company, having had my sergeant stripes pinned on at the final formation the Friday before with orders to report to Alpha company on that Monday.  Monday morning before PT I went to the CQ desk to report and SFC Cashe was the first person I ran into, he was waiting to talk to the 1SG about some unrelated issue, but he greeted me all the same. I can't recall his exact words to this day but it was something along the lines of  'good to see a young new hard charging NCO'.
     The following is taken directly from his silver star citation, which is currently being worked on to be upgraded to the Medal of Honor, documenting his actions that night:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant First Class Alwyn C. Cashe, United States Army, for exceptionally valorous achievement following an improvised explosive device explosion on 17 October 2005, while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, during combat operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. 

Sergeant First Class Cashe's disregard for his own safety proved evident when he saved the lives of six fellow soldiers despite his serious injuries. His bravery is in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflect distinct credit upon himself, Task Force DRAGON, the SLEDGEHAMMER Brigade, Task Force LIBERTY, and the United States Army. 

Sergeant First Class Alwyn Cashe heroically distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous conduct in the face of the enemy of the United States as a Platoon Sergeant in 1st Platoon, Alpha Company (HARDOCK), 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment stationed at Forward Operating Base MACKENZIE, Iraq, on 17 October 2005. 

On the evening of 17 October 2005, Sergeant First Class Cashe's heroic actions saved the lives of six of his fellow soldiers. At approximately 1920 hours, 1st Platoon of Alpha Company, 1-15 Infantry departed FOB MACKENZIE to conduct a route clearance in the city of Daliaya, Iraq. 

Along Route JAIME, the lead Bradley Fighting Vehicle, of which Sergeant First Class Cashe was gunner having just moved from a NMC vehicle, struck a victim detonated pressure-switch IED at grid MC 25357243. The blast ignited the fuel cell on the vehicle causing fuel to spew everywhere. The vehicle came to a stop and immediately erupted in flames. 

Sergeant First Class Cashe was initially slightly injured and drenched with fuel. Despite his condition, he bravely managed to get out of the gunner's hatch, crawl down the BFV and assist the driver out of the driver's hatch. 

The driver had been burned and Sergeant First Class Cashe extinguished his flames. The following minutes were crucial. Six soldiers and a translator were in the back of the Bradley. Flames had engulfed the entire vehicle from the bottom and were coming out of every portal. The squad leader inside the vehicle managed to open the troop hatch door to help the soldiers escape. 

Without regard for his personal safety, Sergeant First Class Cashe rushed to the back of the vehicle, reaching into the hot flames and started pulling out his soldiers. The flames gripped his fuel soaked uniform. Flames quickly spread all over his body. 
Despite the terrible pain, Sergeant First Class Cashe placed the injured soldier on the ground and returned to the burning vehicle to retrieve another burning soldier; all the while, he was still on fire. A crew from a trail Bradley arrived within moments and assisted with CASEVAC. 

During all this and with severe burns, Sergeant First Class Cashe bravely continued to take control of the chaos. Within minutes, the company First Sergeant was on the scene and began to evacuate the seriously injured soldiers. One of which was Sergeant First Class Cashe. 
In the end, the national translator was killed in action, and 10 soldiers were injured. Seven of the ten were very seriously injured. 

Sergeant First Class Cashe stayed a hero through it all. His injuries were the worst as he suffered from 2d and 3d degree burns over 72% of his body. Sergeant First Class Cashe's heroic actions saved the lives of six of his beloved soldiers. He is truly deserving of this award. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflect distinct credit upon himself, Task Force LIBERTY and the United States Army.

Who the fuck am I?

      Hey there again random readers on the internet. It dawned on me that before I took a that long break for no reason that I had planned to do an about me post. To kind of let you all know who I am and how I view things. Give you a little step inside my mind as it were. And I never actually got around to writing it. So strap on your stupid and let's get at it.
      Well, let's start off with the basics I'm a 33 year old guy who lives in a rural area of Indiana near somewhat close to Chicago. As well as being a medic who currently works in an ER. I am also a U.S. Army veteran, (infantry for those who care), with two tours in Iraq, once in '03 for the invasion and again in '05. Current hobbies and fun ways to pass the time include some PC gaming, amateur gunsmithing, shooting, and general tinkering with shit. I'm also a big fan of sci-fi books and TV, a giant Star Wars fan, a passable Star Trek fan. As far as TV goes I really don't watch a lot, it's usually on as background noise while I do other shit on the computer. But for the shows I do watch boils down to a pretty short list, to include The Walking Dead, Archer, and the now defunct British Top Gear (although I look forward to the new Amazon show with Clarkson). As far as movies, I dig a lot of sci-fi stuff, action, comedies, and the comic book adaptations (really waiting for Deadpool), although not too big a fan of horror flicks, they tend to bore me. That previously mentioned PC gaming usually consists of Diablo III, WoW (although I haven't played in months), DayZ, and maybe a shooter or two.
     On a more personal level I am divorced, I got married when I was young and stupid at 19, and after being cheated on while in Iraq well, that was the end of that. I have been more or less single since that time, me and relationships don't work to well apparently. Most recently I'm not too sure why it ended although I have some ideas. I'm mostly sure that it has to do with the fact that I am an unapologetic atheist. I can't fault her for it as her religion is important to her, and I abhor religion in all forms.  But oh well, I'll get by like I always do. I tend to keep a small circle of friends, a lot of which I work with.
     I also have a pretty damn twisted sense of humor, I hold nothing sacred and nothing is out of bounds to me, although I am aware of those around me and hold back a bit for them. As I am aware that humor is subjective and not everyone will find the same shit I do hilarious. On the subject of humor some of the best comedians for me are Louis C.K., Bill Burr, Patton Oswalt, and Lewis Black, among others.
      Politically, I wouldn't consider myself a member of either the Republicans or Democrats, or even a Libertarian for that matter. I tend to have leanings to either side of the aisle depending on the subject. To me a lot of the issues plaguing this country are more complex than the hard lines drawn by the two major parties.  A lot of things are not black and white, but large swaths of gray that consist of multiple smaller aspects that each side tend to overlook. Like gun control, there are many different aspects that need to be addressed individually and not as one issue, I personally think gun control should fall under a federal jurisdiction alone and the entire set of laws needs to be thrown out and redone, although that's for another post by itself. Then again there are some that are, for me, easy to decide on, like marriage equality. If two consenting adults want to get married, let them.
      When it comes to music I'm a bit stuck in the past, a huge fan of mid '90s to early 2000s rock and alternative, with a little hip hip/rap sprinkled in there. Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Seven Mary Three, is where I tend to live. The majority of new music I just cannot get into, not sure what it is but I don't like it. That being said there are a few artists that I like but it's a very short list. I'm a huge fan of great vocalists like Layne Staley, Chris Cornell, Brandon Boyd, and Aaron Lewis. Something about how they pour themselves into the art is amazing. That being said, get off my lawn!
     I'm not to big a sports guy, I mean I root for the Cubs, Bears, and Blackhawks, but I couldn't tell you shit about other teams. I've never really been into even playing sports, as a kid and up until I graduated high school I studied Tae Kwan Do, but that was about the extent of it.
     Well, that's me in a nutshell, if you want to know more ask away in the comments. Oh, and those that do read this and other posts please leave some comments, or questions. I would like some feedback, or some ideas for future posts. Just some general discussion, but I won't be dragged into an internet argument or flame war so try to be civil, so if you want to use profanity feel free, but not as an attack on someone else.

                                         Until Next time,
                                        Mr. Angry Beard

Why I'm an atheist.

     From time to time I get asked why I am an atheist. I am in no way in the closet about it, but neither am I outspoken or confrontational about it. Although the reaction I get when people find out that I am an atheist is almost always the same. A bit of shock at first but then they usually just go about their day.  

     Now as for the answer to that question, it's just usually a quick "religion never really stuck" and I move on. Now while that's true it's not the complete story. as it would take entirely too much of my time and would probably piss off people way more than it would satisfy their curiosity. The longer answer revolves around logic and reason. 

     We'll start with Christianity, in all it's forms, as that is the one that was taught to me. Catholicism to be more specific. The Bible is probably one of the most horrific books in existence, but touted by its adherents as beautiful. How that's possible I'm not too sure, a book that not only allows for but endorses  murder, rape, genocide, slavery, and misogyny is somehow described as an inspiration for a good way to live.  Then we take into account all of the things that just plain wrong scientifically wrong, rabbits that chew cud, the sun being different that other stars, a geocentric universe, the list goes on and on. 

     But the biggest reason is the events of the world on a daily basis. Natural disasters, mass murders, starvation. All under the watch of a supposedly omniscient, omnipotent, and all loving god. Much of the time the victims are those that are his followers in some form or another. It leads me to wonder how such a being can allow events like this to happen. Not only happen, if everything that happens is according to his great plan and he knows everything that is going to happen long before it ever does, he is directly responsible for every horrible thing on the planet. Now even if you were to say that those things are the work of the devil, you would have to ask who is responsible for the devil's creation. Yep, that same all knowing, powerful and loving god, who knew well before his creation all the things he would do and made him anyway. Thousands of starving children daily, cancer slowly and painfully turning peoples own cells against the body. Thousands killed in natural disasters for the supposed sin of a small percentage of the population, you would think, being all powerful, would be able to eliminate them in a more precise manner. 

     Ah well, the origin of all this sin goes back to Adam and Eve, when they ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. The two original people kicked it all off by doing something wrong that they couldn't possibly have known was wrong until they did it. Kind of a catch 22 isn't it, almost as if the whole thing was intended to be based off of initial failure, that again due to that pesky all knowingness had to have been forseen. So it's either all a bunch of bullshit, or if that god is real he is either amazingly incompetent or a complete psychopath. 

     Or we can look at logic and reason, which brings us science, which has the ability to explain all we see. From the formation of the universe billions of years ago to me sitting here typing this blog entry. A way of thinking that doesn't require us to think that we are broken imperfect beings that need to beg a creator for forgiveness for not being perfect because he made us incapable of being so.