Saturday, August 11, 2007

AMMUNITION PRICES GOING UP SEPT. 1 st.

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GUN, AMMO SALES UP 14 PERCENT
National Shooting Sports Foundation ^ | 8/6/07 | staff

Posted on 08/07/2007 5:45:57 AM PDT

GUN, AMMO SALES UP 14 PERCENT; $70 MILLION FOR CONSERVATION . . .

Sales by gun and ammunition manufacturers grew by 14 percent in the first quarter of 2007 compared to the same period a year earlier, according to one of the firearm industry's best economic indicators. The statistics are taken from the latest Pittman-Robertson federal excise tax collection report. Excise taxes are calculated as a percentage of wholesale receipts, paid quarterly by firearm and ammunition manufacturers, and earmarked for state wildlife conservation and habitat restoration programs.

From January through March, $70 million was generated for conservation, compared to $61 million in 2006. The latest tax collections suggest overall sales of $653.9 million during the quarter, not including retail markup or final retail sales. The increase was seen across the board in sales of handguns, long guns and ammunition.




Get 'em while you still can, if Hillobama or RudyMittCain is elected along with a Democrat Congress they may not be available much longer.
1 posted on 08/07/2007 5:46:00 AM PDT



According to a post yesterday, there’s a “shortage” of ammo in New Hampshire.............But I think it was bs..........


2 posted on 08/07/2007 5:47:05 AM PDT (All I know about Minnesota, I learned from Garrison Keilor.............)



midway*usa always seems to have the ammo you need and ships quickly... even to NY.
(and has one heck of a catalog)
3 posted on 08/07/2007 5:47:57 AM PDT ("It's Talk Thompson Time!" irc://irc.freenode.net/fredthompson)



4 posted on 08/07/2007 5:48:09 AM PDT (All I know about Minnesota, I learned from Garrison Keilor.............)



Link is to web site, not the article. What is the reason suggested for the supposed shortage?


5 posted on 08/07/2007 5:48:51 AM (Nothing says, "Get off my lawn" like the inscription of a claymore - THIS SIDE TOWARDS THE ENEMY.)



--prices on ammo are going up, folks--same reason as oil and milk--supply and demand.

Check the copper and lead markets for the last couple of years for confirmation---

6 posted on 08/07/2007 5:50:22 AM PDT(-don't believe anything the MSM states about firearms or explosives--NRA Benefactor)



I bought some 7.62 tracers and some SS-109 from them about 2 years ago. You’re right. Fast and inexpensive.


7 posted on 08/07/2007 5:50:50 AM PDT



The article came to me via email. I'm on the NSSF mailing list because I used to have an FFL (Federal Firearms License). The email content isn’t shown on the linked website page, but posting an article on FR requires posting a link to a website. The entire brief text of the email is posted.
8 posted on 08/07/2007 5:55:51 AM PDT



“What is the reason suggested for the supposed shortage?”

People are getting nervous about a possible “Democratic” administration (regime), a Democratic gun ban, mosques and Islamofascists appearing in their neighborhoods, Islamofascist nukes going off in American cities and the total chaos that would bring.

Gosh, it’d be worse than Katrina. A nationwide Katrina. An outright armed revolution.

Apparently some people in the US think that they’re going to be on their own and have to take care of themselves.

9 posted on 08/07/2007 6:00:03 AM PDT (It's World War IV, right here, right now, courtesy of Islam.)



midway*usa always seems to have the ammo you need and ships quickly

Midway is a good company run by good folks. I used to order all my reloading tools and components from Midway, but when they changed their flat rate shipping charge policy it became less expensive for me to drive 20 miles over to Georgia Arms in Villa Rica to get my supplies. But with $3 gas now days I may have to reconsider. Anyway, I have a reasonably good supply of components and loaded ammo stored in my basement.

10 posted on 08/07/2007 6:03:55 AM PDT



But, the reality here isn’t that the quantity of ammo sold has increased — the truth is that ammo prices have more than doubled in the past year in reflection of rapid increases in the cost of component materials.
11 posted on 08/07/2007 6:05:20 AM PDT



Maybe sales $ are up because prices, especially AMMO prices are up?

Wal-Mart just jumped their 100rnd “white box” prices up by about 30% in my local store and good luck finding any commercial 5.56mm out there for a reasonable price.


12 posted on 08/07/2007 6:06:53 AM PDT



Yep.

I used to spend about $2500 a year at Midway, but their shipping charges made me buy local. And it seems that nearly every popular reloading component, like 5.56mm 55gr FMJ, is out of stock lately.


13 posted on 08/07/2007 6:08:35 AM PDT by



the truth is that ammo prices have more than doubled in the past year in reflection of rapid increases in the cost of component materials.

I hadn't thought of that, but you're right. Ammo prices have gone through the roof lately, along with the price of reloading components for those of us who roll our own. Fortunately for me I still have a lot of components that I bought back before the prices shot up, and I recycle most of the lead that I shoot at my backyard firing range. (Yeah, I live out in the sticks)

14 posted on 08/07/2007 6:12:27 AM PDT



And it seems that nearly every popular reloading component, like 5.56mm 55gr FMJ, is out of stock lately.

Yeah, I just checked the website of Georgia Arms where I usually buy and they aren't even showing any components on their price lists. That could mean that they're out of stock on practically everything, but their website has always been an amateurish mess and I'm hoping it's just an oversight.

15 posted on 08/07/2007 6:21:36 AM PDT



I just reloaded my last batch of 1000 55gr FMJ and now I can’t find any replacements. None of my dealers can confirm when they’ll have primers, powder or bullets in stock.

The good news is the ammo industry is expecting a price slump in the near future (to hear defense industry analysts speak of it).

If prices drop, I’m stocking up (and driving prices back up ;)


16 posted on 08/07/2007 6:26:15 AM PDT



What is the reason suggested for the supposed shortage?

i finally got the .44mag i've always wanted, ammo manufacturers have slowed production on everything else to keep up with my demand.


17 posted on 08/07/2007 6:30:57 AM PDT



Exactly. Ammo prices are up, therefore tax receipts are up. Duh.

And, there is no ammo shortage in NH, at least in the common calibers, though I have heard some of the less common cartridges like 10mm are tough to get.

I wasn’t there, but the Machine Gun Shoot Republican fundraiser at Pelham last weekend was well attended, and no one reported that they ran out of ammo.


18 posted on 08/07/2007 6:33:53 AM PDT



I bet magazine sales are up too. Got have some place to keep it ready. LOL.


19 posted on 08/07/2007 6:35:39 AM PDT



It’s hard to get the .45LC/225 gr and .410 #4 shot for my taurus tracker/judge locally.


20 posted on 08/07/2007 6:38:29 AM PDT




I looked for some .410 shells with #7-1/2 shot for my wife’s shotgun the other day (a shell size that I don’t reload) and even Wallyworld was out of stock on .410 shells.

22 posted on 08/07/2007 6:56:40 AM PDT



even Wallyworld was out of stock on .410 shells.

Correction: Wallyworld did have a few boxes of Winchester .410 3 inch shells loaded with 3- 000 buckshot pellets in stock, but my wife keeps some .410 slugs on hand for repelling boarders.

The little .410 doesn't get much respect as a defensive weapon, but IMHO an 88 grain .410 slug at 1800 fps muzzle velocity would probably ruin a BG's entire day. Or night, as the case may be.

23 posted on 08/07/2007 7:05:42 AM PDT



The increase in revenue is probably not due increased sales quantities but due to increased ammo costs.


24 posted on 08/07/2007 7:36:31 AM PDT



Try the bigger on-line ammo retailers (ammoman, cole, etc.) and the stuff we really need to see (Q3131/Q3131A, XM193, etc.) is out of stock or obscenely priced.

I’m still kicking myself for only picking up one case (2700 rnds) of South African .223 battlepacks. I paid around $35 a pack (300 rounds) and now I’m seeing dealers pricing it at $105 a pack (which is really out of whack and probably isn’t moving).

Even 20rnd commercial boxes are over $5 and they used to be around $2.50 a box.


25 posted on 08/07/2007 7:57:58 AM PDT



"The little .410 doesn't get much respect as a defensive weapon, but IMHO an 88 grain .410 slug at 1800 fps muzzle velocity would probably ruin a BG's entire day."<

If you're limited to 2.5 inch shells, Winchester has an excellent load (XB41000)which uses three 000 Buckshot. My wife handles it easily and it seems very adequate for "homeland security" in our Winchester 9410. They are available from most of the internet sales operations. I've bought them from Natchez.

Also keep in mind that at short ranges, even birdshot, by not having had much room to expand it's shot swarm is very dense, and will pack a much bigger punch than most people realize. Also, while devastating at close range, birdshot loads will minimize the hazard of overpenetration.

26 posted on 08/07/2007 8:49:17 AM PDT




Switch to black powder - all you need is charcoal, sulfur and nitrates.


28 posted on 08/07/2007 9:30:12 AM PDT



It'll be easy to test that theory - watch what happens as the election approaches. If the price of black rifles rises exactly as Hillary's numbers do I'd be a little suspicious...


29 posted on 08/07/2007 9:41:20 AM PDT



Yeah, ammo purchases these days can be considered a good investment.

I’ve heard some predict prices will start dropping, but I’m still loading up on the stuff that I shoot whenever I see a good buy.

I’ll check ammoman. Midway has been pretty good for me.


30 posted on 08/07/2007 9:53:11 AM PDT





the truth is that ammo prices have more than doubled in the past year in reflection of rapid increases in the cost of component materials.


I own some copper stocks and the price of copper has increased quite a bit the last few years. Not only is there increased demand for brass, bullets, and powder, there's increased demand in emerging markets (China, India) for copper because of the explosion of infrastucture needed to fuel their growth.
31 posted on 08/07/2007 11:58:43 AM PDT



I’m doing my part!! :)


32 posted on 08/07/2007 12:43:19 PM PDT



Where are you getting your .223 55gr fmj in NH?
33 posted on 08/07/2007 1:10:07 PM PDT



... I recycle most of the lead that I shoot at my backyard firing range. (Yeah, I live out in the sticks)

I was going to invite myself over but I don't think I can squeeze the 4,000 mile round trip in this week.

34 posted on 08/07/2007 1:13:24 PM PDT



Hey, bring it on over guy, the shootin weather's just fine around these parts this time of year.

Actually my "range" is just an informal homemade outfit with a couple of firing benches, some target stands, and a backstop made of logs. The maximum range is only 50 yards, but that's far enough for my watery old eyes anyway.

It's nothing fancy, but it beats the heck out of driving an hour each way to a commercial range and paying 5 bucks per 1/2 hour for range time. The retiree neighbors from FL who live about 150 yds away aren't real happy about the noise, but OTOH I'm not too thrilled with their thweet widdle poodle dog who yips and yaps half the night either. I'm not saying I would like to see the big black Heinz 57 dog that lives down the road a piece make a midnight snack out of the poodle some night, but I wouldn't get all broke up about it if he did.

35 posted on 08/07/2007 2:05:09 PM PDT



Well, I read that article too. It said a shortage in police handgun ammo. Not good for me as I carry both a .38 and .40 S&W !

I’m not sure if I believe it either. I know there is a shortage of 7.62x39 but I think that’s nationwide as we try to outfit the Iraqi army.

So basically, my tax dollars go to pay for AK’s and ammo for some goons in Iraq while my own AK sits in my closet because ammo is artificially 1.5 times more expensive than normal. And I read another article a few days ago that said 190,000 AK47’s in Iraq are stolen/missing/otherwise unaccounted for.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1876918/posts


36 posted on 08/07/2007 2:13:40 PM PDT



The law of Supply and Demand will not be broken. When the Iraqis are self sufficient in ammo, the prices will come down, barring a Arab Lead Embargo..........


37 posted on 08/07/2007 2:16:07 PM PDT



The .410 can be tough to find cartridges for. You might consider getting your wife a 1200 Remington in 20 gauge. The 1200 is a great shotgun to introduce newbies to the shooting sports with. It is simple and has relatively low recoil. The .410 is generally classified as an “experts” shotgun. Maybe your wife is an expert with a shotgun.


38 posted on 08/07/2007 2:25:42 PM PDT



even birdshot, by not having had much room to expand it's shot swarm is very dense, and will pack a much bigger punch than most people realize

About 30 years or more ago when I was living in FL an aggressively hostile drunk tried to break down the front door of an older couple's house in the wee hours of the morning for some unknown reason. After warning the guy to back off several times (according to the old guy's testimony that is) the homeowner fired a round of .410 birdshot through the wooden door and took off most of the lower part of the drunk's face. He survived after a long stay in the hospital at the taxpayer's expense, but his face was a real mess as long as I knew anything about him.

Don't take a .410 lightly, at close range it can be deadly even with small shot, and as you said, triple ought buckshot is also available in the .410, and 3- .36" diameter lead balls moseying along at 1200 fps is nothing to sneeze at. Wild Bill Hickock put down quite a few men with a .36 caliber Navy Colt that fired just one .36" round lead ball at a lot lower velocity than the .410 buckshot load.

39 posted on 08/07/2007 2:26:41 PM PDT



Thanks. Sounds like my kind of range. If I'm ever in your neck of the woods you can count on a visitor.

In the meantime, '... make plans and prepare. You never have trouble if you're ready for it.' T.R.

40 posted on 08/07/2007 2:36:47 PM PDT



Apparently some people in the US think that they’re going to be on their own and have to take care of themselves

And why not?

Cherthoff cannot FIND the border w/Mexico, much less protect it.

41 posted on 08/07/2007 2:55:25 PM PDT



You might consider getting your wife a 1200 Remington in 20 gauge.

We have a Remington 870 pump, it hangs with buckshot rounds in the magazine in a gun rack over the bedside nightstand where my S&W .38 revolver lies. If I have time enough in an emergency situation I would grab the pumpgun and rack a shell into the chamber, but if not I would grab the .38 loaded with Gold Saber hollow points while my wife gets to her Stevens .410 standing in the corner on her side of the bed.

If all else fails there is still the Winchester .30-30 and two other long guns in the gun rack, more centerfire rifles standing in the bedroom closet including an SKS, and 6 other handguns that are stashed out of sight around the house.

Unless an intruder can find a way to get into my log home without tripping an alarm and setting off a few floodlights, I think we could handle most hostile situations ourselves before the deputy can drive the 17 miles out here from town if I call 911. And that's providing my hard phone line hasn't been cut, because my cellphone doesn't work out here where we live.

All that may sound like overkill and/or paranoia on my part, but we have had a rash of home invasions in this general area since the illegal immigrants have moved in a few years ago and are doing most of the home maintenance and yard work around here. Their work gives them an opportunity to size up a place and it's occupants, and if they see a plum ripe for the taking they will take it or tell another crew about it and they take it. Ten years ago the local bi-weekly paper reported a half dozen arrests for DUI or other traffic violations in each edition along with perhaps a breaking and entering or assault and battery arrest now and then. Now almost every edition carries a big headline about the latest armed robbery, meth lab find, attempted murder, sexual assault, etc, etc. A local single lady was recently molested and murdered in her home not too far from here by an intruder, and an older couple's home was invaded and they were robbed and badly beaten by two Hispanic men and an anglo girl in that same general area. They haven't been caught yet AFAIK, and I don't want to be the next victim on their hit list.

42 posted on 08/07/2007 3:37:40 PM PDT



Apparently some people in the US think that they’re going to be on their own and have to take care of themselves.

Those people are right. The govt sure won't be there for us.
43 posted on 08/07/2007 6:09:54 PM PDT



This has all been forseen, as well as where it's headed. You're right...BLOAT!!!

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

44 posted on 08/07/2007 8:12:41 PM PDT



I know what you’re saying about the home maintenance guys. I have the same concerns about them scouting the place.

Whenever I have work done, I make sure there are a few conspicuous shot-up targets that just happen to be laying around. I just had some tree work done and, even though the owner assured me when I hired him that he didn’t use illegals, a few guys showed up who didn’t speak English (or pretended they didn’t).

I had on my “Right Wing Gun Nut” t-shirt, some blown up IDPA targets on the garage floor, and a Gun Owners of New Hampshire sticker on the inside of my garage door. Plus some .40 brass laying around. I think they understood what all that stuff meant. ;-)


45 posted on 08/08/2007 6:02:34 AM PDT



Whenever I have work done, I make sure there are a few conspicuous shot-up targets that just happen to be laying around.

Good idea. I save my old shot-up targets whenever I get a few decent groups in a row on one. I could leave some of those lying around next time a Hispanic crew comes around asking if I need any yard work done. I don't hire anything done around here that I can do myself, and that includes almost everything I have needed up to now except a re-staining job on the logs. But who knows if they are really looking for work or just casing the joint.

A neighbor down the road left his expensive custom built utility trailer unchained one day and when he got home that evening it was gone. Another neighbor told him a Hispanic man had gone by his house earlier that day pulling his trailer behind a pickup. At least the thief was a friendly sort, he waved and gave a big smile to the neighbor as he drove by with the other neighbor's trailer in tow.

I guess I come off sounding like I'm picking on Hispanics, but I'm not. My BIL is a builder and he uses a lot of Hispanic subcontractors and their Hispanic workers. I have met and talked with a lot of those guys and they are not all bad people by any means. It's just that a lot of the bad stuff going on around here lately seems to be being done by Hispanics who often turn out to be illegals when they are caught.

46 posted on 08/08/2007 7:04:04 AM PDT



I have done the same thing. I have an Ithica Model 37 riot shotgun loaded w/ #4 buckshot near the bed. I also have a .357 mag close at hand. I live in NE Bernalillo county, NM where a 911 call is a waste of time.


47 posted on 08/08/2007 2:14:29 PM PDT



One of my neighbors has a sign at the edge of his property. It reads “if you can read this, you are in range” in both English and Spanish.


48 posted on 08/08/2007 2:16:23 PM PDT



Oh man, an Ithaca mod 37. Talk about your classic pump shotgun, that's it.

Winchester mod 12 fans would argue that point but I'll stick by my statement, that Ithaca 37 with bottom ejection was a one of a kind pump gun. I'm not sure if Ithaca ever made a comeback or not. I seem to remember that it was sold to somebody after it was shut down the last time but I haven't heard anything else about it.

49 posted on 08/08/2007 3:23:43 PM PDT



I heard that Ithica was bought by Remington awhile ago. I think they are only making over-and-under doubles now. I have three Model 37's. One is a standard 12 gauge, one is a 20 and the third is a 12 gauge riot gun that formerly belonged to the NM State Police. The State Police decided to replace the model 37's with Remington 870's because the 37's were "old". I bought mine from a local gun shop. The gun was made in the late 50's and is still in excellent shape.

I like the Ithica better than either the Winchester 12 or the Remington 870 because of the bottom eject feature. An Ithica pump is almost impossible to jamb.
50 posted on 08/08/2007 4:14:44 PM PDT

*************************************************************************************
The baby needs milk. The car needs gas. The gun needs bullets.





Rising dairy and oil prices grab the attention of shoppers and motorists. But
the increasing price of ammunition – a consumer product the government
considers when calculating the rate of inflation – has largely gone unnoticed.

The price increases began after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, then
were compounded by a double whammy: the war in Iraq, which pushed up overall
demand, and growing industrial powers such as China, which bid up the cost of
needed raw materials.

The impact is widespread:

•Ammunition dealers complain of declining sales as they are forced to pass
along rising costs to consumers.

•Hunters and gun enthusiasts, who initially stockpiled ammunition when prices
spiked, are now making more of their own or shooting less.

•And police departments in the Dallas area are experiencing long delays in
shipments and having to adjust training schedules accordingly.

"It's no good to have the gun without the ammunition," said Ken Mitchell, an
ammunition dealer in Justin.

Manufacturers dramatically ramped up production after the U.S. invasion of
Afghanistan in 2001, producing about 1.5 billion rounds last year – more than 3
½ times the number manufactured in 2001, said Gale Smith, a spokeswoman for
the Army's Joint Munitions Command Center in Rock Island, Ill.

But they struggle to keep up with the demand as troop deployments continue in
the Middle East. Military spending on small-caliber ammunition increased from
$242 million in 2001 to $688 million in 2006.

The ammunition business is also feeling the pinch because of the rising price
of global commodities such as copper, brass, nickel, steel and lead.

For instance, China's torrent of construction has added to its manufacturing
capacity. And the country is hungry for resources to feed its growth. The
components needed to manufacture ammunition are also used for laying power lines
and adding buildings to wider skylines.

"We were paying $1 a pound for copper two years ago. Now we're paying $3 per
pound," said Brian Grace, a spokesman for Minnesota-based Alliant Techsystems,
the military's biggest producer of small-caliber ammunition. "Not all the
costs are being passed on. We've tried to soften the blow with supply chain
management and improved efficiency."

Despite those efforts, dealers, hunters and law enforcement officers are
feeling squeezed.

Stockpiling

Mr. Mitchell estimates that the volume of his ammo sales, which make up about
half of his business, has dropped by more than half in the past two years.

Certain rounds, such as .223-caliber, used in the Army's M-16 and law
enforcement's AR-15, have become increasingly difficult to find in the civilian
market. Supplies of the .308 cartridge, the standard round for NATO and a favorite
of hunters for its deadly effectiveness, have also tightened.

Some calibers cost only 10 percent more than a year ago; other varieties have
more than doubled in price.

When prices started to rise, savvy gun owners stockpiled all they could get,
sending prices even higher. Now dealers say that as soon as new supplies come
in, customers snap them up.

"It doesn't matter if it's 50 cents or $3, whatever's cheapest gets bought up
quick," said Robby Rucker, a manager at Southwest Ammunition Supply in
Mesquite.

He said his wholesalers raise their prices from 3 percent to 10 percent each
quarter. He expects more price increases in September.

That's a problem for Karl Pifer of Granbury, who specializes in manufacturing
designer ammunition that costs more but performs better.

"The market is moving toward lower-quality and lower-cost ammunition that
gets mass produced," said Mr. Pifer, owner of KC Precision Ballistics. "I try to
stick with the prices I've got, but when they go up, it's hard. It hits me
before it hits the customers."

When Mr. Pifer received a catalog in the mail last month for materials, he
rushed online to place orders on the good deals. But he was too late. An e-mail
in his inbox alerted him that prices had gone up since the catalog was
distributed. It was, he said, the fourth increase in eight months.

Prices of factory-produced ammunition – and increased surcharges for shipping
and handling – have gotten so high that more hunters are making their own in
a process called hand loading.

"Guys on a budget are going back to hand loading with the price of ammo doing
what it is," said Dallas resident Noel Hutcheson, 71, a retired stockbroker
who hunts quail and ducks.

Sales of ammunition components such as empty cartridges and primers have
grown at Mr. Rucker's family-run store each time retail prices for ready-to-use
ammunition have gone up.

But do-it-yourself ammunition production isn't cheap either. Someone making
his own shotgun shells is going to spend roughly a third more than last year on
supplies, said Don Snyder, executive director of the National Skeet Shooting
Association and the National Sporting Clays Association.

"There are some people who are shooting less," said Mr. Snyder of San
Antonio, whose two groups have about 3,000 members in Texas. "It's just an additional
cost to compete and enjoy our sport. There are a lot of people that jump in
and pay the tariff and do it."

Must-have item

No matter what the cost, the police need to pay. Law enforcement demand for
ammunition grew after 9/11 as departments increased their officers' live fire
training.

Several police officials said they are paying more for ammunition and
experiencing delays for shipments.

But everyone from Fort Worth to Carrollton insists that public safety has not
been compromised. Of eight departments surveyed, none has resorted to giving
deputies fewer bullets or pulling guns out of service.

The Dallas Police Department, which spends roughly $500,000 annually on
ammunition for about 3,000 officers, used to have orders filled in six weeks. Now
it takes six to nine months, said Sgt. Paul Stanford, range master for the
department.

The ammunition used in patrol rifles, identical to what the military needs,
costs 35 percent more than two years ago, Sgt. Stanford said, rising from $84 a
case to $114 a case.

And a case of 9 mm rounds, the standard for Dallas Police Department service
weapons, costs 10 percent more than two years ago – going from $98.75 in 2005
to $108.15.

The impact on smaller departments, which often don't have a special
relationship with wholesalers, can be even greater.

In Hurst, which has 72 officers, Assistant Chief Richard Winstanley needs to
plan a year or more ahead for what his staff might need. He has to be
especially proactive to keep .223 rounds in stock.

"We have to be patient," Chief Winstanley said. "Some training has to be put
off until we receive the items."

***************************************************************************

BIBLICAL THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

LEVITICUS is the third book of MOSES. It deals mostly with the duties of the Priests and LEVITES. Originally this book was called "TORAT KOHANIM", "The Law of the Priests" ...

Its present Hebrew name is Va-Yikra, the word which it begins and it means "AND HE CALLED (TO MOSES)"...

***************************************************************************
www.yearsofawe.blogspot.com

Saturday, August 11, 2007

A Tornado Grows in Brooklyn

Yes, I believe that the expulsion of two Jewish families from the Shalhevet Pass Hevron market under direct orders from Co. Rice on Tuesday, August 7th is directly related to the tornado in Brooklyn on Wednesday, August 8th. It is the first tornado in Brooklyn ever, at least since the U.S. Weather Service has been keeping records. The tit for tat shakeup of the world associated with Gog UMagog, I sincerely believe has begun. It is a little secret of the prophets of Israel that the world will not escape the wrath of G-d when the Jewish heartland is ripped free of its faithful Jews. From what I can see from the news on the tornado is that the worst damage was in Sunset Park and Bay Ridge neighborhoods, adjacent to Borough Park.

It is a message to the Jewish community that it cannot build its homes in comfort in America, thinking that the destruction of Jewish homes in the Land of Israel is an Israeli problem. Nor can you prosper while the tragedy here becomes more acute. I am in the middle of a major article on this subject as I write this update. The article will concentrate on how the sub-prime mortgage collapse and the attempt to destroy Jewish life in Yesha are intrinsically related to each other. Also since the American president is the one pulling Armilus's (Olmert's and yes Peres's) strings for the pleasure the Saudi royal family, owning an American home is not a kosher way to prosper any longer. It makes no spiritual sense that the value of an American home should rise for the benefit of American Jews as the value of a home in Yesha plummets so that the Saudis will produce abundant amounts of oil to help America prosper.

As Gog W. thickens the plot of American involvement in Jewish life here, the American prosperity machine will sink into its own red ink. You can take that to the bank. It is no accident that we are in the Years of Sukkot, a festival of temporary housing, as this tit for tat tragedy continues. In the end the tat will win over the tit because the tat is brought to you by G-d Almighty.

It is important to understand that throughout all of this that will yet transpire, feeling the pain of your fellow human being is a great repair for the soul. It helps us all become greater people who will, G-d willing, share in the Messianic Era together. We will know through experience how to avoid doing what is hateful to our fellow human being by understanding how it feels to ourselves. Facing financial distress in America because of the crashing of the value of one's home will help us better understand the distress of having one's home taken away from someone in Gush Katif with nothing but a paper shack to replace it.

If you have not yet felt that distress because you have chosen to ignore it, for the benefit of your soul may you soon feel it. If you have felt that distress, experiencing it for yourself will be even a greater tikkun. It would have been more pleasant to learn these lessons on empathy without the suffering, but our lack of merit and our stone hearted ways have seemingly left G-d with no alternative. I hopefully, bli neder, will have this next installment of "The Houses of Lavan" published this coming week.

Thursday, August 09, 2007

HI POWERS AND HANDGUNS

Handgun Review: Rohrbaugh R9 9mm

Text & Photos

by

Aaron L. Brudenell

I remember the first time I actually saw a Smith and Wesson J-frame .38 Special in person. The pictures in gun books were without perspective, and all those movie and television appearances never seemed to do the revolver justice. I was amazed (and continue to be impressed) with its fabulous combination of power yet small size. I am pleased to report a similar experience with a new entry into the pocket gun market from a new gun maker.

The Rohrbaugh R9 pistol has only been in steady production since the Spring of 2004, however, its makers have been working on the concept since 1996. They had 4 models on display at the Shot Show in February of 2004 when I ordered mine, and despite the tall price tag I have yet to experience any buyer’s remorse. In short, it’s most of what you’d want and more than you’d expect in a pocket sized semiautomatic pistol.

The version I obtained is the model R9S indicating 9mm Luger with sights (a .380 version is currently in development primarily for export). Initially, the gun was never intended to have sights by its makers who envisioned an ultra compact no-snag weapon that was designed for deep concealment and close range self defense. The accuracy of the pistol as well as overwhelming customer demand now puts the orders for sighted pistols at ~70%. Both the R9 and R9S have a stainless steel slide and each was initially offered in a choice of silver or gray anodized alloy frames. Recent concerns over the cosmetic quality of the silver anodizing have eliminated that option for now but a similar finish may be available in the future.

The R9 is a quality compact automatic that handles full-power 9mm. It would be easy to carry this handgun 24/7 where legal or as a back up gun.

The pistol is recoil-operated. This self-loader has a true double action only trigger. The trigger operates a hammer that sits flush with the slide when not activated. Since there is no need to “partially cock” the hammer by some mechanism of the action prior to firing, a “second strike” is permitted on any chambered cartridge that might fail to fire. The trigger is connected to the firing mechanism by way of a trigger bar that occupies a cutout in the right side of the frame. The trigger return spring is housed in a recess of the right grip just below the trigger bar channel where it’s protected by the frame on one side and the grip on the other. Grip panels are a blue/black carbon fiber, however, newer versions will come with all black grips made from a state of the art polymer known as G-10. The seams of all the moving parts as well as the grip to frame fit are very tight and will resist the intrusion of pocket lint or other undesirable debris.

The guide rails on the frame extend from just ahead of the trigger to the rear of the frame. The dual recoil spring operates with a captive inner spring and a larger outer spring that is held in place by a metal collar at the muzzle end inside the slide. The manufacturer recommends replacing the outer spring every 500 rounds, however, I saw no indications of fatigue in at least as many shots. The magazine holds 6 rounds single file and is held in place by a heel release at the bottom rear of the grip. I am often suspicious of heel releases that may easily be bumped and release the magazine, however, this particular design holds the magazine quite well and I have no such concerns. Since there are no other external controls, no grip/frame checkering, and the rear of the slide (and hammer) angles forward, the gun is literally snag free.

Sights are simple but adequate to the intended task. I’d prefer more front sight visibility, but I’m sure the application of a suitable orange paint will do the trick. The trigger pull is a very manageable 7 pounds with less than 1” of overall travel. For carry in any holster or inside an otherwise empty pocket, this combination seems safe enough. Those who prefer to carry without a round in the chamber will find the slide serrations sufficient to work the action without any problems. The length of the grip will accommodate two small to average size fingers and the trigger guard turns up towards the slide as it meets the grip frame to accomplish this with minimal overall size. The small size and light weight, coupled with full power modern 9mm ammunition, makes for somewhat snappy recoil, however, it’s no worse than a light .38 Special firing +P ammunition. Although not intended for +P 9mm ammunition, the performance of non-+P ammunition from the R9’s 3” barrel is not lacking.

Load Avg. Vel. Ext. Spread

Federal 135 gr. Personal Defense Hydra-Shok JHP 923 fps 22 fps

Federal 124 gr. HST JHP 1054 fps 92 fps

Speer 124 gr. Gold Dot Hollow Point 984 fps 22 fps

Winchester 115 gr. Silver Tip Hollow Point 1047 fps 37 fps

Winchester 115 gr. FMJ (USA brand) 1072 fps 40 fps

Fiocchi 115 gr. FMJ-HP 1046 fps 39 fps

Fiocchi 115 gr. FMJ 978 fps 46 fps

PMC 115 gr. JHP 976 fps 34 fps

PMC 95 gr. Starfire JHP 1166 fps 27 fps

Accuracy with each type of ammunition was also tested with six shot groups at 7 yards. The best of a pair of such groups is listed below. As one would expect the recoil and associated fatigue due to sustained and repeated firing was worse with higher bullet weights. I found all of the test groups to be satisfactory for a gun of the R9’s size and purpose. I picked a some of the better performers and tested them at 15 yards with predictable results: groups were roughly double their 7 yard counterparts but well within the 10.5” paper target and more than sufficient for most defensive applications at that range.

Load 6 shot group size (best of 2) from 7 yards

Federal 135 gr. Personal Defense Hydra-Shok JHP 4 7/8”

Federal 124 gr. HST JHP 3 1/2”

Speer 124 gr. Gold Dot Hollow Point 3 5/8”

Winchester 115 gr. Silver Tip Hollow Point 3 1/4”

Winchester 115 gr. FMJ (USA brand) 2 1/4”

Fiocchi 115 gr. FMJ-HP 3 1/2”

Fiocchi 115 gr. FMJ 4 1/8”

PMC 115 gr. JHP 3 5/8”

PMC 95 gr. Starfire JHP 2”

For a pistol that’s not much bigger than a pack of cigarettes and not much heavier than a can of diet cola (just 1 calorie and no carbs!) I consider these results to be anywhere from adequate to outstanding. It struck me that any gun this size that can make groups smaller than the gun at practical ranges is accurate enough.

Not intended as a target pistol, the R-9 can still deliver "minute of felon" groups at 7 yds.

How small is it? The short answer is that it’s 5” long, 4” tall, and under 0.9” at its widest point. Numerical descriptions like that are often wanting so to paraphrase a college professor I once knew, “Let’s talk geography before we talk geology”. There was a time when the SIG-Sauer 225 was considered a compact pistol. More modern successors are smaller, lighter, or hold more rounds in the magazine—frequently all three! The current state of the art in production pocket pistols is well-populated with revolvers and semiautomatics in a variety of calibers, configurations, sizes, weights, and capacities. Since not everyone’s favorite gun shop will have an R9 on the shelf, I’ve picked 3 that are more common to illustrate where the R9 fits into the list of options. The Kahr arms PM9 is slightly larger than the R9, but very similar in overall size and capacity. The Kel Tec P3AT is slightly smaller and quite a bit lighter than the R9, but only available in .380 ACP. Finally, the aluminum alloy framed Smith and Wesson Airweight .38 Special is a perfect watermark with which to compare these three relatively new pistols.

Firearm Height Length Thickness Capacity Weight (Empty Magazine)

S&W model 442 4 ¼” 6 ¼” 1.31” 5 15.1 oz

Kahr PM9 4 ¼” 5 5/8” 0.92”* 6+1 16.5 oz

Rohrbaugh R9 4” 4 5 1/8” 0.85” 6+1 14.1 oz

Kel Tec P3AT 5 ¼” 3 5/8” 5.14 0.79” 6+1 8.4 oz

(* Figure excludes slide stop, which is 1.15” at its widest part.)

The R9 is a nice synthesis of the best features of both the PM9 and P3AT. It has the more rounded and sloped lines of the P3AT with better sights and a more powerful cartridge.

The R9 is very comparable to other popular pocket automatics, but offers full-power 9x19mm in a quality handgun that is easily concealed.. The R9 is on the right in the picture on the left and in the middle in the other.

Disassembly of the R9 is very straightforward. After removing the magazine and clearing the chamber, simply draw the slide about 3/8” to the rear and push out the retaining pin above the trigger from right to left. A punch is useful for this task, however, a toothpick will suffice given that the pin is not held in place with any tension--the slide will then come forward, off the frame. The remainder of the frame need not be disassembled for routine cleaning and the slide components can be removed from the slide assembly in the same way as most other pistols. The retaining collar of the outer recoil spring is the only unusual feature and it’s function and placement is obvious. The loose end of the outer recoil spring goes towards the muzzle with the flat portion towards the rear of the guide rod assembly. Reassembly is accomplished in the reverse order with some care needed not to insert the rear end of the guide rod assembly too high against the barrel thus obstructing its fit in the frame.

Rohrbaugh's R9 pistol is compact and in a caliber offering a wide selection of ammunition from state-of-the-art defense rounds to inexpensive FMJ for the range.

For more information on these firearms, see their web site at www.rohrbaughfirearms.com. Check out the on-line forum of users at http://www.rohrbaughforum.com, or call at1-800-803-2233. Their mailing address is:

Rohrbaugh Firearms

P.O. Box 785

Bayport, NY 11705

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DEBKAfile


DEBKAfile Exclusive: New Al Qaeda threat of radioactive truck attacks naming New York, Los Angeles, Miami

August 10, 2007, 1:11 AM (GMT+02:00)




The threat was picked up by DEBKAfile’s monitors from a rush of electronic chatter on al Qaeda sites Thursday, Aug. 8.

The al Qaeda communications accuse the Americans of the grave error of failing to take seriously the videotape released by the American al Qaeda spokesman Adam Gaddahn last week. “They will soon realize their mistake when American cities are hit by quality operations,” said one message.

Another said the attacks would be carried out “by means of trucks loaded with radio-active material against America’s biggest city and financial nerve center.”

A third message mentioned New York, Los Angeles and Miami as targets. It drew the answer: “The attack, with Allah’s help, will cause an economic meltdown, many dead, and a financial crisis on a scale that compels the United States to pull its military forces out of many parts of the world, including Iraq, for lack of any other way of cutting down costs.”

There is also a message which speaks obliquely of the approaching attacks easing the heavy pressure America exerts on countries like Japan, Cuba and Venezuela.

DEBKAfile’s counter-terror sources and monitors say there is no way of gauging for sure how serious these threats are, how real, or whether they are part of a war of nerves to give the Gaddahn tape extra mileage. But it is important to note that the exchange of messages took place over al Qaeda’s internal Internet sites and that they contained the threat of radioactive terror and specific American cities for the first time after a long silence on these subjects.

In addition, a growing number of clips has been disseminated of late over al Qaeda sites instructing the faithful how to design remote-controlled gliders, pack them with explosives and launch them against predetermined targets.


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DISCLAIMER: I PERSONALLY HAVE HAD A FEW OF THESE SMALL 9mm PISTOLS IN MY SHOP AND I THINK THE PRICE IS TOO HIGH AND I HAVE MIXED FEELINGS ABOUT THEM. I THINK THEY ARE IDEAL TO BE CARRIED A LOT AND SHOT OCASSIONALLY. THE EARLY VERSIONS DID NOT HAVE A GOOD FINISH ON THE FRAME. OF COURSE IN THE END ITS YOUR CHOICE AND NOT MINE.

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S&W issues recall for PC Model 460XVR revolvers

Smith & Wesson is voluntarily recalling its Performance Center Model 460XVR revolvers. This recall applies only to the Performance Center Model 460 and does not involve Smith & Wesson's standard production Model 460 revolver. The recall applies only to revolvers that contain barrels manufactured for the Performance Center by an outside supplier. No other firearm models within the Smith & Wesson product line are affected by the recall.

The Company is initiating this recall as a result of a few isolated reports of barrel failures limited to the Performance Center 460 revolvers. Investigation has revealed the quality of the steel in some of these barrels did not meet performance requirements.

The recall applies to all Performance Center Model 460 revolvers shipped by Smith & Wesson prior to September 18, 2006. The Company is working diligently with its distributors and dealers to identify affected customers and to provide prompt and timely notice of this recall. Consumers who purchased the Performance Center Model 460 revolvers should not use their revolver until it has been inspected by Smith & Wesson.

The affected revolvers were sold under the following SKUs: 170262; 170263, 170267; 170268; 170280; 170281; and 170287, and are within the following serial number ranges:

EBD0001-EBD0524

EBF0002-EBF0251
................................................................................................................

My question is what third world country are these barrels made and what other S&W parts are made by outside sources ??

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BIBLICAL THOUGHT OF THE DAY :

ISAIAH IS OFTEN REFERRED TO AS THE PROPHET OF HOLINESS. THERE ARE 66 CHAPTERS IN THE BOOK OF ISAIAH. MANY SCHOLARS BELIEVE THAT THE ORIGINAL ISAIAH ONLY WROTE THE FIRST 40 CHAPTERS AND THE REMAINING 26 CHAPTERS WERE WRITTEN BY THE UNKNOWN ISAIAH OR THE EXILED ISAIAH. "ISAIAH OF THE EXILE"

If you have an interest in knowing more about interesting thoughts from the holy bible and its prophets please let me know, you can email me through my website. I have spent a lifetime reading from the Hebrew bible.

Teddy Jacobson

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

STEPHEN CAMP - MASTER GUN WRITER - SEMI AUTOS

Automatics: What Action Type for Me?

By Stephen Camp

www.hipowersandhandguns.com

Perhaps more today than ever before the prospective handgun buyer can be bedazzled by the array of semiautomatic pistols available, and for some these seemingly infinite choices can be confusing. Assuming that our buyer has waded through the endless debates on "stopping power" and had decided on caliber, he or she still has to decide not only on brand, but action type. Sometimes the brand will dictate this; sometimes not. What should he or she get: Single-Action, DA/SA, DAO, "Selective DA", Safe Action, or DAK? For the more seasoned members of the handgunning community, this may not be a problem, but for those just starting out, the same is probably not true. It gets a little more confusing with other options such as exposed hammers vs. striker-fired or the merits for and against spur hammers vs. ring, etc.

Let's take a look at the different categories of semiautomatic pistols available today and visit both their general characteristics as well as perceived good and not so good points. I will do my best to provide objective answers but will also add my own personal observations based on shooting and using each type action. I ask the reader to decide which questions concerning each action type are most important to him. Forget the "everybody knows" this or that is "best." Decide on those factors most important to you. Does this mean that if you do this you're sure to buy just that perfect pistol? Nope, but I think you stand a better chance. This is also why I'm including my personal long-term observations on the different action types as a shooter. The way a handgun is described and its actual shooting characteristics may not be one and the same.

Single-Action: Though some of the early automatics were striker-fired rather than having a separate hammer and firing pin, those with the exposed hammer were almost always single-action. In other words, the trigger performed one function; it dropped the hammer and fired the pistol. Before any shot could be fired, the hammer had to be manually cocked. This could occur by thumbing back the hammer when a live round was already chambered or when retracting and releasing the slide to chamber a round from the magazine.

This 1911 pattern pistol is a prime example of the single-action semiautomatic handgun. The hammer must be cocked manually before the first shot can be fired. After that it is self-cocking. This type action provides for a constant trigger pull from the first to the last shot. With the 1911 it is possible to obtain very light and very crisp trigger pulls. It also has an extremely short reset.

The Hi Power, also known as the P35 to many, is another classic example of the single-action automatic. In original trim, its trigger also only drops the hammer. Because of the shape of its trigger some folks mistakenly believe that it is a double-action pistol though it most certainly is not.

The single-action autopistol remains a favorite with "old" shooters who teethed on it in their beginning days as well as some newer members of the handgunning community. The reason is simple; its design allows for most easily getting accurate hits, be the target paper or something else. The single-action trigger pull can be lighter than any other type. Thus, less pressure is required to fire the shot. This means that it is easier to maintain proper sight alignment when the shot is fired. Particularly with the 1911-type pistol, subsequent shots can be made with extreme speed due to the super-short reset. In other words, the trigger finger doesn't have to let the trigger move forward but a small fraction of an inch before the pistol is ready to fire again.

The traditional type single-action automatic most popular today is without question Mr. Browning's 1911 in one form or another but another is steadily gaining ground. That would be Springfield Armory's XD series. Though striker-fired, the trigger performs but one function. It releases the spring-loaded striker from a fully retracted position to fire the gun, which exactly parallels the traditional single-action's hammer being dropped from full-cock to strike the firing pin. Heckler & Koch's P7 series of handguns can be considered unique among single-actions autos. While they are striker-fired, the striker is safely at rest until the pistol is gripped tightly enough for the "squeeze cocker" on the front strap to retract it. Like all single-actions, the trigger does nothing other than to release the hammer or striker.

In my opinion, the single-action automatic remains the best choice for shooting accurately in both slow and rapid-fire, but does that make it the top choice for all people and all situations? The single-action automatic in 1911 form is often the pick of the litter for such "high speed/low drag" groups as the FBI Hostage Rescue Team, Delta, as well as other specialized military and police groups. Does that mean that the single-action auto is simply the best choice, period? In my opinion, the answer is no. Let's look at that for a few minutes.

The attributes making the single-action automatic especially the 1911-pattern pistol easy to shoot straight and fast in trained hands are a very light trigger pull that is both short and quick to reset. These very same characteristics can work against it, making it more "dangerous" than other action-types. I use "dangerous" in quotes because I believe that while the gun is mechanically safe and a century of use proves that up, when we put the human being into the mix things can change. The single-action auto is very intolerant of incompetent gun handling. A finger on the trigger in a time of stress with the manual safety disengaged, either inadvertently or on purpose, can very easily lead to a negligent discharge. The easier a pistol is to fire, the more care there must be in its being handled properly. Safe gun handling is not an option with the single-action automatic. While this is true with any firearm, inept handling will probably show up sooner with the single-action…sometimes with tragic results.

The (false) perception that a cocked-and-locked single-action auto is unquestionably unsafe is one reason why we do not see more single-action automatics in police and military holsters. Assuming good mechanical condition, the single-action automatic is simply not going to fire unless the safeties are disengaged and the trigger pressed. The problem arises in the short and light trigger's being pressed when not intended. We see this when users who have not learned safe gun handling to the degree that it is second nature. In an absent-minded moment or when in a panic situation, the finger finds its way to the trigger with the safety in the off position.

But, there can be other problems as well and they stem from the fear of "cocked-and-locked" or "Condition One" carry. They are "Condition Two" and "Condition Three" for the single-action auto.

Condition Two describes a single-action autoloader having a chambered round and loaded magazine but with the hammer resting all the way forward against the rear of the firing pin. This is a safe enough condition assuming that the pistol has an inertial firing pin or internal firing pin lock. In this condition, the hammer must be manually brought to full-cock before the pistol can be fired. This is a two-fold problem as I see it. First, lowering the hammer by hand while pressing the trigger can result in the pistol being negligently fired if handler's thumb or fingers slip. That said, I've known more than a few old-time peace officers that managed this relatively simple task with no problems but the potential remains. To get the gun to fire in an emergency situation while under stress can also lead to obvious problems and it is slower than merely disengaging a thumb safety and pressing the trigger to fire.

Condition Three describes a single-action automatic with only the magazine loaded. To get the pistol into firing mode, the slide is retracted and released. If the pistol is not being immediately used in a deadly force scenario, the thumb safety should be engaged. In other words, the gun goes to Condition One. Why not just begin there? A question often asked is whether or not the mainspring is weakened by continually leaving the hammer cocked. The answer is simply no. In a quality spring such as those from the major gun makers, there is no weakening from this. What weakens springs is use. Compressions when the hammer is cocked and decompressions when the hammer springs forward are what weaken springs. Another assumption implicit to Condition Three carry is that the user will always have both hands free when it comes time to activate the pistol. Obviously, this may not be true.

The best case that can be made for this mode of carry is that if the magazine in the pistol is the only one readily available, the gun can be rendered incapable of firing by simply removing and pocketing the magazine. I am not a fan of Condition Three primarily because of its requiring two hands to ready the gun in an unforeseen situation.

Conventional Double-Action: As most will already know, these pistols require a long initial trigger pull to both cock and release the hammer with subsequent shots being fired single-action. This is the type action that Col. Cooper (and others) held in low esteem. I believe that he once referred to it as "the badge of the incompetent." Though I respected Jeff Cooper quite a lot, I do disagree with that last statement but do agree that there definitely is a difference between the first DA shot and the SA shots that follow. At the same time and depending upon the pistol I have not found that transition to be as great as I had initially expected. I believe that this will differ from person to person, but an experienced shooter can probably shoot a DA/SA conventional automatic very well if he finds the right one. Just as felt recoil and beauty are subjective entities, so I think it may be with the conventional double-action's different trigger pulls for double and single-action shots.

I do not believe that firing this type pistol in double-action consistently results in more easily made precise shots as with the light crisp single-action automatic's trigger pull. At the same time I do not believe that one is doomed to having to "throw away the first double-action shot" as some have recommended. With certain conventional double-action pistols, I might not get an "X" with the heavier DA pull but neither will it have to be a miss or near miss. On an IDPA type target that is shot with a balance of both speed and coarser accuracy than slow-fire bullseye shooting, the practiced double-action auto shooter gives up very little if anything in my observations of both experienced police shooters as well as the beginners.

Each of these shots was fired with a SIG-Sauer P220, a conventional DA/SA automatic, and were fired using double-action only. Distance was 15 yards. Now, this will not win any prizes at Camp Perry, but if required to shoot double-action with a quality autoloader, one is not so immediately damned to failure as some might expect…or proclaim. To me it is more difficult to get a tight group or hit a smaller target using double-action in the auto, but there could be other factors to consider than how easily an automatic lends itself to precise target work.

At 10 yards, I performed several "Failure to Stop" drills. Starting from a low ready, I brought the gun to eye level and fired the first shot double-action at the chest. As fast as I could obtain a "flash sight picture" a second shot was fired single-action. A third shot was fired at the head in the single-action mode. While neither this target nor myself are any threat to accomplished IPSC shooters, I think it does show that emergency work can be done with the conventional double-action automatic. If one wants to merely shoot as small a group as he can, the pistol can be thumb-cocked and all shots fired single-action. The same could hold true for the policeman's "rescue shot" fired from concealment if his DA/SA sidearm was all that he had and the shot had to be made. While the manual of arms for the conventional DA/SA auto is necessarily a bit longer than for the single-action, it is not like trying to learn multivariable calculus; it just requires study and the will to practice it. I think that it is a true statement that people not willing to put forth the amount of effort required to at least be competent with a firearm shouldn't count on one for anything more than slow-fire at paper targets…if that!

I know that it is not recommended, but on the relatively rare occasion I simply carry an automatic stuck in my waistband without a holster, I prefer double-action to a cocked-and-locked single-action autopistol.

One advantage that I see to the conventional DA/SA automatic is that usually they have some sort of decocking lever. Sometimes it is incorporated into the thumb safety and sometimes not, but the hammer never has to be lowered by easing the hammer down by pressing the trigger. I have no problem with people easing the hammer forward while using the decocker but consider it unnecessarily foolhardy if the decocking system is not used at all!

Many years ago, I "tested" myself on the difficulty in using the conventional double-action auto compared to the single-action. The pistols used were a Walther P38 for the double-action and a Colt Gov't Model for the single. There was a noticeable difference. About 15 years ago, I repeated this comparison with the same Gov't Model but using a CZ-75 and SIG-Sauer P220 for the double-actions. The difference was marked. Neither of these pistols is as muzzle light as the P38, but I think that the main difference was in the double-actions themselves. The CZ's was light and smooth but longer. The SIG-Sauer's was a little heavier but shorter. In any event, I found it much easier to shoot well in double-action with these two pistols and was surprised at the pleasing results.

For me, a disadvantage of the conventional DA/SA automatic is the exterior thumb safety. Though not all have them, many do and they are awkwardly mounted on the slide and operate in just the opposite directions of the single-action's; i.e. up is to fire and down is safe. Some of these merely act as decockers and are spring-loaded to return to the fire position when released.

There is some debate on whether or not to carry the conventional DA/SA with the safety on or off…if there is a choice. Arguments can be made for either side, but unless the safety is frame-mounted with down for fire and up for safe, I do not engage the safety if carrying such a pistol. Others may feel just the opposite and I have no issue either way other than to strongly suggest that one be proficient enough to disengage the awkward safety quickly and without having to fumble or think about what to do if the firearm is immediately needed.

Selective Double-Action: This term refers to those automatics capable of both double and single-action fire having an external safety that does not drop the hammer. In other words, it doesn't double as a decocking lever. One of these would be the CZ-75 and many of its variants although some are available with decocking levers. Another would be the Taurus PT-92 and 99. These are capable of double-action for the first shot and single-action shots thereafter, but they can also be carried with the hammer fully cocked and the thumb safety engaged. They are usually frame-mounted rather than being on the slide. (The Star Model 28 is a selective DA/SA pistol, but has a slide-mounted thumb safety.) Newer versions of these guns have thumb safeties that when depressed past the fire position, decock the pistol. I have noticed that these guns seem popular with single-action auto fans who just happen to like the DA/SA pistol in question but don't care for DA. They can treat it like a single-action auto.

I do favor some pistols that happen to be of this type. It is more for the gun's mechanical accuracy or feel than having selective double-action. I don't really buy into the "second strike capability" touted by some, much preferring to simply clear the chamber and replace with the next round from the magazine. (This can be done quickly with practice.) With quality ammunition, it is not likely that a round won't fire when hit by the firing pin; it could happen, but it is the exception rather than the rule.

This Taurus PT-92 is an example of a selective double-action automatic. Here it is seen cocked-and-locked ala the 1911 or Hi Power. This particular make and model allows for the hammer to also be lowered for a double-action first shot if required or mandated by policy. The Taurus' frame-mounted thumb safety is very comfortable and "natural" to use and can be engaged with the hammer fully forward. That allows for a double-action first shot requirement but with easy-to-off thumb safety engagement for people concerned with weapon retention.

Some have opined that the selective double-action autopistol is more dangerous than the conventional because it offers more carry variations. True enough, they can be carried with the hammer cocked and thumb safety engaged or hammer down and safety engaged in some models. Others will not allow the thumb safety to be engaged with the hammer forward. I agree that where more variations exist, more confusion can result, but add that the average person who is sharp enough to go by the rules of safe firearm handling and possessing at least average intelligence and the will to learn his firearm, can master this.

I see the selective double-action automatic as a nice compromise pistol for the fellow who likes to shoot targets at the range but is uncomfortable with Condition One for concealed carry or has concerns about leaving a "cocked gun" in the house for home protection.

A downside that I see for most double-action pistols, be they conventional or selective, is that they are more internally complex. As a general rule, they have more small parts and springs than does the single-action automatic. They are therefore more difficult to detail-strip for major cleaning or part replacement. Also, Mr. Murphy never sleeps and it seems logical that where there is more complexity, there is a greater potential for something to go wrong. Having said that, I have not seen very many problems with non-single-action autos in 11 years as a police firearm instructor.

If being able to easily disassemble an automatic to its last part is a major concern, the double-action in any version is going to be less easy than the 1911 or P-35.

Double-Action-Only: These weapons are usually touted as having the same consistent trigger pull first shot to last. I think a more accurate description for some is "the same heavy trigger pull first shot to last." The DAO automatic allows only for double-action shooting and from my own shooting of these, some are almost impossible to shoot well due to gritty, heavy trigger pulls that often add stacking at the end of the pull as a "bonus." I used to rail against DAO but have tempered in more recent years, having seen some DAO pistols that were quite useable. Frankly, with the exception of a couple of types of DAO that I'll mention later, I do not favor the concept at all. If the rules were that I had to carry certain DAO semiautomatics or a DA revolver, I'd go with the latter.

Many DAO pistols do not offer any external thumb safeties, as they are not needed unless one has concerns about losing the pistol to an aggressor in a struggle. Their strong point is that to fire, one simply pulls the trigger. The downside is that on some examples the DAO pull is heavy and poor enough to severely inhibit accurate shooting.

Two DAO systems that I have tried and find imminently useable are the DAK from SIG-Sauer and what Glock calls "Safe Action." Let's take a look at these.

DAK: The initials stand for "Double-Action-Kellerman" in honor of the man who came up with the idea. When the trigger is pressed on the DAK-equipped pistol, the hammer is cocked via a "leg" on the hammer that extends the distance between where the force is applied and the pivot hole of the hammer. This results in a much lighter trigger pull due to improved leverage. The DAK pull on a SIG P229 I measured is just over 6.5 pounds. While reset is nowhere near as short as the single-action 1911, it is not bad at all for real world use. In practiced hands, there is a shorter reset available. This results in a slightly heavier pull, but a shorter one. I am still learning this system and cannot use the shorter reset point with any kind of speed; I'm sure others can.

Though new compared to the conventional or selective double-action and certainly the single-action auto, the DAK system does seem to work. The Texas Department of Public Safety has used it for several years now; it seems to be easy enough for troopers to get the hits with and I'm finding no reports of chronic frailties within the system.

Speaking for myself, were I going to an auto strictly for protection and couldn't use a single-action automatic for whatever reason, at this point I'd cast my lot with SIG-Sauer's DAK pistols.

At this point in time, my only first-hand experience has been with a P229R in 9mm and a P220 SAS (SIG Anti-Snag) in .45 ACP. To say that I have been pleasantly surprised is an understatement. Though I favor the single-stack P220 in .45 ACP, the double-stack P229 in 9mm does have a smoother action, not by much but it is there. I have read that the double-stack guns generally do have smoother DAK actions but I am not sure that I understand why…not at this point anyway. What I do know is that if a person can shoot a double-action revolver accurately, he should be able to do the same with the DAK. Yes, they are that good in my opinion.

Shown (top) is the SIG-Sauer P225, a conventional DA/SA autoloader and the P229R with DAK. The double-action on the DAK-equipped pistol is MUCH easier to use than on the P225. I like both pistols to be sure, but if forced to choose only one of these two, it would be the DAK.

While ParaOrdinance offers an enhanced DA on their 1911 type pistols, I do not have much hands-on experience with these guns. I do know that the trigger pulls on the ones I tried were extremely light. Unlike the true single-action 1911 pistol, the Para equipped with the LDA (Light Double-Action) does allow the thumb safety to be engaged with the hammer down. I have no long-term experience with these pistols and don't know how well they may…or may not hold up. It is my understanding that they are pretty complex internally. This would make detail stripping more difficult, but by how much I do not know. Neither do I have any experience with HK's LEM double-action system.

Using the P229R with DAK, I fired several FTS (Failure to Stop) exercises. They were very easy to do. I would not feel "handicapped" if required to use a DAK-equipped SIG-Sauer for serious purposes. Given a choice, I'll stick with my tried-and-true single-actions, but the DAK would definitely be my second choice and for a shared house gun, I see it as a real winner when different shooters with differing degrees of competence might have to use the pistol.

Glock Safe Action: This is a term used by the company to describe what is essentially an assisted DAO automatic. In other words, pressing the trigger retracts the spring-loaded striker and then releases it. When the slide is cycled to chamber the initial cartridge or in firing, the striker is about 40% "cocked". Pressing the trigger results in a lighter trigger pull.

The Glock line of handguns is extremely popular with some users and held in contempt by others. These pistols seem to polarize pistoleros pretty strongly. Let's try and take a look at them and examine both strong and not so strong points as objectively as we can.

Up front, let me say that these are not my favorite handguns. Let me add that at least in 9mm, I've found them to be utterly reliable, long-lived, and very easy to carry. At distances much beyond 25 yards, I find them more difficult to shoot quite as accurately as most other handguns and especially a tuned single-action automatic, but at closer distances, they can be extremely quick, yielding scores indistinguishable than those from other pistols. I have seen a practiced Glocker spank some "1911 guys" in competitions and a person determined to learn the Glock is very likely to be capable of better shooting than me.

So why do so many disparage the Glock and why is it even germane to a discussion of action type? I think the reason is that a prospective buyer for whom the Glock might be just the thing might never try one if he believes all the negative comments without looking at the "why" of it all. I do not claim to have the definitive answers, but may have some.

First, the Glock is a "plastic pistol". Some people simply prefer handguns of steel and wood; I know that I do. To me the Glock doesn't offer much in grace or artful lines but to others this is not relevant at all and yet others actually think they look good! (Beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder, as the old saying goes.)

To me, one of the main valid complaints is the Glock's grip angle. There is just too much of it for me. It seems too exaggerated. Could it be that to many others and myself the norm is the 1911 or Hi Power grip angle? I have noticed that most of these complaints have come from long-time 1911 shooters. One of Springfield's XD's strong points seems to be its "better" grip angle.

When using the Glock at speed, people who are used to more traditional automatics almost universally report that it doesn't point as well for them. Shooters transitioning from the double-action revolver don't seem to voice these concerns quite as much. I do not find the Glock's grip angle as natural as what I've shot for over 3 decades but neither have I found it impossible (or even close to it) to learn. It took several weeks of daily practice, but was pretty easily done. Though others have reported that when they use the Glock regularly their other handguns then don't point right, I have not found that to be the case. I cannot say if it would be true or not for a specific person.

To me, the biggest concern with the Glock is not the dreaded "kaboom". (I've witnessed two in a Glock 22.) It is the nature of the "safe action" itself. In my opinion, here is where we find out if the Glock is or is not the gun for the individual prospective buyer. We find many concerns voiced over the safety of the Glock pistol in general.

Let's take a long hard look at this issue as objectively as possible.

Out of the box, the trigger pull for the standard Glock is rated at about 5.5 pounds. Other weights can be had, but this is usually the "normal" one. Some single-action automatics have trigger pulls in this range. The Glock's only external safety is mounted on the trigger and is deactivated when the trigger is placed on it. At this point we have a 5.5-pound trigger pull combined with a relatively short pull distance. This is good if we are preparing to shoot but can be disastrous otherwise. The Glock in non-disciplined hands might be considered akin to a cocked-and-locked single-action auto, finger on the trigger, and safety disengaged. A loud noise or about any surprise, particularly if in a deadly force situation, could spark needless tragedy.

I think it might be fair to say that the easier a pistol is to fire, the easier it can be to fire negligently.

Does this mean that the Glock is inherently unsafe? Not to me, but it does underscore the absolute need for safe firearm handling and discipline that is second nature. But a second's carelessness is plenty long enough for a negligent discharge to ruin more than one life, the shooter's and the victim's.

The tough-as-nails Glock combined with its usually superb reliability make it a pistol to be respected. It is certainly a very popular one. When great numbers of people buy the Glocks, it is only natural that we learn of more mishaps with them. That said, I do suspect that if we looked at percentages of unintentional discharges, the Glock would be right up near the top of the list. I do not see this as a fault of the design. I truly believe that the design's safety is less forgiving of improper handling than some other action types. It is my belief that in the vast majority of instances a Glock goes off unexpectedly, human error is the culprit.

If one favors the Glock, fine. These pistols can be loyal, trusted servants, but the user absolutely must practice safe gun handling. It must become second nature. This is true of all firearms, but in spades with the Glock. The pistol is very easy to use under stress due to its point-and-pull design but when coupled with the passive external safety and relatively short and light trigger pull, the human has got to be smarter than the gun!

One must also choose holsters for the pistol that do not have retaining straps, etc that could inadvertently get inside the gun's trigger guard when holstering. This can and has resulted in unexpected loud noises.

As with the single-action auto, the Glock is one that I much prefer not to just stick in my waistband. In fact, I will not carry a Glock unless it is holstered.

For the majority of us, I believe that the Glock possesses plenty of mechanical accuracy. In other words, it is capable of producing nice service gun sized groups. My problem with the Glock is that I have to work harder to get them than with either the single-action or DAK automatics. The Glock is a pretty light handgun due to its polymer frame. This is great for carry but less than ideal for precise shooting. Certainly this design was not intended to compete at formal bullseye matches but this doesn't mean that its users don't want to shoot tight groups in many cases.

I find myself not pushing straight rearward with the trigger unless I pay special attention to it. Being right-handed, I tend to push very slightly to the left rather than straight back. As a result, I frequently find my bullets impacting slightly to the left of POA. This is my fault and when I press the trigger correctly, the groups magically find their way back to center. Something that is not my fault and that I've heard other shooters complain of is that the top of my trigger finger contacts the frame above the trigger guard all the way through the somewhat mushy pull unless I hold it at in a slightly unnatural (for me) position.

In a fast, stress-filled life-or-death fight at close range I don't think that this would have much negative effect on accuracy, but if one is trying to shoot precisely at a smaller target or at distance, it probably would. For me, the Glock has proven a reliable, easy to carry handgun, and is one that I respect highly, but it is one that demands safe handling and is not the easiest to shoot for highest precision. Others may find them easy enough to shoot well.

In my experience, the very common Glock 17 is almost always boringly reliable, easy to carry, and easy to maintain. The gun's "safe action" yields an easy to shoot pistol, but one that absolutely demands proper handling. Of the DAO-type automatics, the Glock is internally less complex than most and easier to completely disassemble. Speaking only for myself, I would trust this gun in a fight or for protection but it would not be my first choice for precise shooting at small targets or at long range. Small groups can be had with the Glocks but I find myself having to really work for them compared to other handguns. How important is this? That depends upon the individual shooter. It may be of no concern for the person interested purely in a defensive arm to be used in compressed time frames and in panic situations to protect life and limb.

Conclusion: Not a comprehensive work detailing each and every action available for automatics today, I have tried to at least present a non-emotional look at the more common choices. Which is best overall? That's hard to say. More than just action type, caliber, shooting skills, or caliber enter into the equation. What might seem a clear picture becomes murky when things like police department regulation, personal experience and competence at arms, and plain old personal preferences are considered.

For me, the single-action automatic remains my first choice for carry and I have no problems with it for home defense either. I have used Condition One for so many years that it is just SOP. So that's what I use for home defense, right? Wrong! Not every member of the household is a diehard dedicated shooter. While my wife believes in having firearms for self-defense, she is not interested in the least in recreational shooting. She is safe with firearms but probably wouldn't remember to disengage the thumb safety on a 9mm Hi Power. Her personal "house gun" is a double-action revolver with a light, smooth action that is loaded with 38 Special +P ammunition. She can also shoot either my Glocks or my DAK SIG-Sauer pistols. Both of these handle like her point-and-pull DA revolver. As this is typed, my Glock 17 is but a few feet away. I do not prefer it to my single-actions but find that it more appropriately meets the combined perceived needs of the household.

When in policing and living alone, a cocked-and-locked Hi Power or 1911 was never far away. Whichever was serving as my duty gun also served as my "house gun."

For strictly self-defense considerations, my personal, subjective preferences are:

Single-action

DAK

Selective Double-Action

Glock Safe Action

Conventional Double-Action

For a defense gun and range pistol:

Single-Action

Selective or Conventional Double-Action (tie)

DAK

Glock Safe Action

For strictly a home defense gun seeing at least some practice and range time:

DAK

Conventional Double-Action

Selective Double Action

Glock Safe Action and Single-Action (tie)

My choices may or may not be yours but I hope that the information presented helps in making the decision that is best for you.

One thing that is right for all of us is staying focused on handgun safety. Let's end with a review of the most essential ones.

  1. All guns are always deemed to be loaded
  2. A gun is loaded unless I have personally unloaded it and it has NOT left my possession. If it is or if I have lost sight of it for even a second, it is considered loaded.
  3. Do not point the gun at anything you are not willing to see destroyed
  4. Always keep the gun pointed in as safe a direction as is possible for the circumstances. Make this second nature. Handguns are particularly easy to carelessly point at another. Do not do it. There is no excuse for this intolerable and inexcusable act.
  5. Do not put your finger on the trigger until ready to fire
  6. This one is so simple yet so hard to do when terrified. It requires much discipline to become second nature, but it must. Combine a violation here with No. 2 and the outcome is not going to be a happy one. It could result in loss of life, one's freedom, and regret that lasts until death. It also reflects poorly on the shooting community and plays into the hands of those who would gut the Second Amendment.
  7. Be sure of your target and what is beyond
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Bankers Planned World Wars to Destroy Germany

By Henry Makow Ph.D.
August 3, 2007

conjuring.gif
By Henry Makow, Ph.D.

We study history because the secret forces that determined the past are still in charge. The past illuminates the present and the future.

In his book "Conjuring Hitler: How Britain and America Made the Third Reich", (2005) economic historian Guido Preparata demonstrates how the two World Wars essentially were traps designed by London-based central bankers to destroy Germany as a national entity.

As one diplomat said in 1914, "the web was spun and Germany entered it like a great buzzing fly." (24)

Later, the Bank of England created the conditions for Nazism and "devoted herself to supporting financially the Nazis and subsequently arming them to the teeth with the prospect of manipulating them." (xvi)

"This game of Anglo American supremacy came at the cost of approximately 70 million lives (two world wars); a holocaust whose nature is beyond words. Both conflicts were willed and set off by Britain.... there is something far worse than Nazism, and that is the hubris of the Anglo-American fraternities, whose routine is to incite indigenous
monsters to war, and steer the pandemonium to further their imperial aims." (xix)

By "fraternities" Preparata, should be referring to lodges. The Masonic "New World Order" is "British" imperialism repackaged. A small degenerate financial elite based in the City of London has always desired to colonize the world. As we have seen, these Illuminati bankers plan a third world war between political Zionism (i.e. Israel and the US) and Islam (i.e. Iran) designed to destroy both sides.

Germany never represented a threat, nor does Iran. The purpose of these wars is to destroy the nation state, slaughter the best of humanity, demoralize, dehumanize, and profit. The ultimate goal is a veiled world dictatorship by the central bankers.


INSIGHTS


Preparata, who has a Ph.D. in Economic History from Southern Cal and teaches at the University of Washington, is not familiar with the Masonic agenda. But he is honest and smart enough to bare its workings.

For example he says nearly all terrorism is state sponsored. "In general the art of terror entails (the state's) underground promotion of a fictitious grouping: say an 'ethnic army of liberation' or a radical militia...[and involving it in] Sabotage either against the state itself
or against the targeted enemy...In the first case, a variety of prearranged ends all congruent in point of social control and surveillance, is swiftly implemented...the evanescent Bin Laden and his lieutenants are from start to finish an invention of the CIA." (21)

The goal is war for its own sake. In the second half of the Nineteenth Century, the bankers built up Germany to rival England, in order to have a war. When Germany was not destroyed in 1914-1918, they built up the Weimar Republic. Weimar was entirely dependent on financial transfusions from the UK/US. The Wall Street Crash of 1929
partly was contrived to elect Hitler.

The bankers also used their Communist puppets as a "threat" to ensure that Hitler was elected as "a bulwark against Communism."

Meanwhile, "The attitude of the Communists toward Hitler's moderate opponents remained undeviatingly hostile and destructive.... this aided the Nazis." (190)

Preparata is remarkably clear about the mechanics of the Second World War. IG Farben, the company that supplied Nazi Germany with its war machine was part of Standard Oil. In exchange for the world rights for the synthetic oil process (outside of Germany), in 1929 Standard Oil transferred $35 billion in stock to I.G. Farben. The two companies were also linked by patent and cartel agreements.

Here is a partial list of the proportion of Nazi war materiel supplied by I.G. Farben/Standard Oil: Synthetic rubber (100%); dyestuffs (100%); poison gas (95%) explosives (84%); gun powder (70%); aviation gas (46%) not to mention Zyklon B.

Preparata sheds light on many of the murkier aspects of inter-war history: the betrayal of the White Russians by the Allies; the 1922 Rapalo Agreement where the future pugilists Russia and Germany actually trained in Blitzkrieg tactics together; the careers of such shadowy operatives as Alexander Helphand (Parvus), Walter Rathenau, Trebitsch
Lincoln, Hjalmar Schacht, and General Kurt Von Schleicher, who finally tried in vain to stop Hitler.

Preparata reports that Montagu Norman (Governor of the Bank of England ,1920-1944) suffered "sudden fits of melancholy, seizures of despondency so unbearable that his nerves would snap..." He had a tendency to "over dramatize, beguile and bamboozle the whole world." (148)

Unfortunately, Preparata overlooks the most important and most mysterious figure of them all, Max Warburg.

Preparata thinks the Anglo Americans were motivated by a fear that Germany and Russia would unite against them. This was not the real concern. But even if the author doesn't see the big picture, he gets many details right.

CONCLUSION

For some time I've been saying that the Nazis were created by the Illuminati to seduce and destroy Germany. See "Illuminati Used Appeasement to Trick Hitler" and "Illuminati Bankers Hired Hitler to Start World War II"

A relatively small clique with power to create money holds mankind hostage. nfortunately its agenda is to destroy and enslave humanity-using war and education/media as its principal instruments.

Therefore, when it comes to war, we can tune out the rhetoric. All wars are against humanity. They are inherent in the organization of society and in the treason of its leadership. Certainly the next one will be aimed at the United States, in much the same way as Germany. The US already has entered the web like a "great buzzing fly."

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British forces failed in Basra, says US official


By Damien McElroy, Foreign Affairs Correspondent
Last Updated: 1:42am BST 08/08/2007

A senior US intelligence official in Baghdad has said British forces lost control of Basra by pulling out troops too quickly.


British forces have failed in Basra
British commanders are preparing to hand over Basra Palace to the Iraqi army later this month

The result has been a security vacuum which has allowed the city's religious, tribal and criminal factions battle it out for control of the streets.

"The British have basically been defeated in the south," the intelligence official told the Washington Post.

In a report to be published tomorrow in the influential American newspaper, the official said that a contingent of 500 British troops based at Basra Palace were "surrounded like cowboys and Indians."

Outside the palace walls, fighters allied to the three biggest Shia Muslim groups wage war with impunity.

British commanders are preparing to hand over Basra Palace to the Iraqi army later this month.

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After that the 5,500 British soldiers in southern Iraq will all be based at Basra airport, which also houses international consulates and reconstruction workers.

The picture at the airport, which stands outside the city, is scarcely any better with 600 mortar and rocket hits recorded in the past four months.

British officials publicly state the timetable for drawing down troops from a peak of 40,000 during the invasion has been dictated by improvements in the Iraqi security forces.

But an ex-British defence official, now based in Baghdad, told the newspaper that America had criticised London's push to withdraw at the "highest levels."

America "has been very concerned for some time now about a) the lawless situation in Basra and b) the political and military impact of the British pullback."

In his meeting with President George W Bush at Camp David last week, Gordon Brown told the US leader that British troops hoped to hand over responsibility for Basra to Iraqi officials in the next few months.

But the process has been hampered by feuding within the Basra provincial government and with Baghdad.

Fadhilah, the ruling party in Basra, has condemned Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's Dawa Party as a reincarnation of Saddam Hussein's Ba'ath regime.

But the city's problems go wider than its dysfunctional politics.

The newspaper quoted from one think tank report that said the legacy of British rule in Basra was: "the systematic misuse of official institutions, political assassinations, tribal vendettas, neighbourhood vigilantism and enforcement of social mores, together with the rise of criminal mafias."

The instability of the area was highlighted by the death of a British soldier in the province last night.

The Ministry of Defence said the soldier, from the 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh, was killed when he came under fire during an operation in the Al Fursi district of the city last night.

The latest death brings the total number of British service personnel who have died in Iraq since the 2003 invasion to 165.

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ISAIAH CHAPTER 34, VERSE 6

ו חֶרֶב לַיהוָה מָלְאָה דָם, הֻדַּשְׁנָה מֵחֵלֶב, מִדַּם כָּרִים וְעַתּוּדִים, מֵחֵלֶב כִּלְיוֹת אֵילִים: כִּי זֶבַח לַיהוָה בְּבָצְרָה, וְטֶבַח גָּדוֹל בְּאֶרֶץ אֱדוֹם. 6 The sword of the LORD is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams; for the LORD hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Edom.