The FrankenGun.

  To build or buy, that is the question that preoccupies our people, or something like that. I have had so many  tell me that they will only run "X" maker of rifle, they buy said high dollar rifle shoot it then a year later it looks nothing like the rifle they bought. With all the "swaps" they made to the rifle they are no longer running that "X'' maker's rifle anymore. My first thought after seeing the change is usually, "So why did you buy and not build?"

  I get the fact that "X" makes a great rifle, even bone stock it runs fantastic. The onslaught of aftermarket gadgets and whizbangs for the AR, no wonder humans have a hard time keeping their rifles in a stock configuration. Most manufacturers run components as well as complete rifles, so getting a matched upper and lower can be done without buying the rest of the parts you will be replacing in a year.

  Of course there are the tacticool gimmicks on the market. The replacement stock that allows for the "full-auto" effect. the magwell grip attachment, the bipod foregrip, etc. Don't worry I have had my fair share of these items. Lets not forget the smaller bits and pieces that have been engineered with speed and ease of use by every manufacturer out there, the ambi safety, mag release, charging handles, etc. Though these are not technically gimmicks, everyone makes the most durable on the market. Depending on the circles you run in not having certain makes of these items gets you laughs and derogatory comments from the local "operators." Each of these items where built to fill a niche in the market, as hoakie as it might be, someone thought it a great idea. For those of us not running rampant through the sand, and wholly depending on the quality of equipment to keep us alive. There is nothing wrong with running a particular "gimmick" item. That is if you can handle the ounces added and it functions as needed when needed.

  A guy I know bought a frankengun from a small company in his area and paid a decent penny for the rifle. It had all the names attached to it, right out of the box it had some issues with reliability. Yes, mixing manufacturers can pose an issue in one form or another but with a little finagling and a rotary tool we had it running like the well oiled machine it was designed to be. The price paid for that frankengun out weighs the price of another local frankengun I know of. Just because it was built with "name brand" items did not allow for it to run or be more accurate than the cheaper made rifle. On the other hand one can create a highly accurate frankengun with the right amount of knowledge of parts. Be mindful that there are items in your build that need not be expensive and will not hinder the accuracy or reliability of the rifle. Knowledge on the subject is plentiful, though whether or not it is complete truth or someones personal preference is another matter.

  With all the information rattling around in the webiverse and products-a-plenty online you do have the ability to build that AR pattern rifle with exactly what you want without paying extra for the parts you will be swapping out later. As of this post we are seeing prices of complete rifles dropping like rocks, one should still do their homework to get the best bang for the buck, either building or buy and swap. Either way you go make it what you want, don't be intimidated by the social media operators out there.

Veritas Aequitas, Truth and Justice.

As much as I hate to say it, we live in a grey world; more so, today I think than ever before. With social norms changing and the advent of social media our world has expanded rapidly to include many people we may not have met through what I consider traditional means. Though this for the most part is not a bad thing it challenges us to accept things we may not have considered before. We receive news from so many different sources today it is difficult to weed out what is truth and what is not. So much so that "truth" has become relative. Suffice it to say, truth has become what you make it. This suggestion tears at me to no end, without due process on our part we hear words that tickle our ears and agree that that is now our truth. 

I am a history buff, My collection of books on history almost fills an entire bookshelf. But they are not just any history books. When I decide on a book to purchase or read to give me as accurate "truth" as possible I turn to the back of the book. For me the Index or works cited section needs to be about the same size as a chapter in the book. But it's more than just size, those cited works need to be from the source in the form of personal writings, letters, published works from the subject and so on. depending solely on anothers commentary is really reading that persons opinion on the matter and not what we should be calling truth. I am even skeptical of so-called "experts" in the field that do not cite actual facts from the source itself. May I remind you we are speaking History. Yes, there is their own opinion in their writing of the history, I am not a fool to think otherwise. There is an saying floating around, "opinions are like armpits, we all have a couple and they all stink." 

Today I feel the art of investigation is lost. We depend on others searching out the truth and accepting it as such. Needless to say, I trust very few to bring me a story touting it as truth and myself believing it without my own hunt for what is actually fact vs. opinion. Creating an opinion based upon someones own commentary is foolish and makes us look so when the truth is finally revealed, though in today's society this rarely matters anymore. This is not something that just plagues the news media of today but most aspects of our lives, even in our own circles.

we have become so enamored with answers at our fingertips we have forgotten that everyone has an angle they are willing to use you to exploit it. Either we see what we want or the opposite and jump to defend our positions regardless. Yes, we have a right to our own opinion, lets just make sure ours stink less than the other persons, A.K.A. use facts.

If you are willing to attach your name to something, please keep an eye on your interest. Others will say they are trying to help advance your business or name yet may not have your truest intention in mind. This has been a controversy that has popped up recently in the firearms world. Not the first and I am sure not the last. But before you become that keyboard warrior or die hard supporter get the Truth so Justice may prevail.





 

A lefty view of a revolver. The Ruger LCR

Ruger LCR video here.

Watching me run a revolver is like watching a fish breathe out of water. I have not been a huge fan of them but I do see their usefulness. At some point I should really try to familiarize myself with them more, but I am into speed and function for a left handed shooter in the case of CCW. I have read many stories of lefties running right handed revolvers with a good amount of competency, so it is possible.

A history of Sturm & Ruger from their own site. Quote:

"When Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. opened for business in 1949 with a meager $50,000 investment, the Company faced serious doubts from industry insiders. The "it can't be done" remarks of the experts reflected the widespread view that the manufacture of guns had likely peaked, and was in a state of decline. There seemed to be few new ideas, and the apparent trend was that the large, established-name gunmakers would continue to dominate the market.
But this fledgling company was guided by several well-thought-out concepts, not the least of which was founder William B. Ruger's intent to build each product "to a standard so I would want one even if it was made by our competitors." This fundamental concept, this deceptively simple touchstone of the underlying principles of innovation, quality and value, has proved so compelling that over 60 years later there is no question which company is preeminent in the American firearms industry. Ruger's rise to its present well-earned position has made it a respected company on the New York Stock Exchange since 1990. Ruger produces millions of firearms each year for hunting, target shooting, collecting, self-defense, law enforcement, and government agencies."

Noticeably Ruger has been there for the older generations and has a rich history in hunting. It can be seen in their, for a lack of better terms, stubbornness when it comes to latching on to new technology. Not that a firearm manufacturer needs to delete a thumb safety from their pistols but that is the new trend and Ruger has been slow to adopt the concept. I respect Ruger and have shot many of their firearms over the years.

If you are in the market for a Ruger or any other firearm you can contact Color Country Firearms here. Thank you again for visiting us here at Left Hand Right Gun.