What's New!
Housekeeping...
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
I've streamlined the tags
(to the left) for the blog entries. Having a gazillion different
tags was neat, but it was a pain just to remember which tags I had,
let alone how to actually categorize any one article! The
consolidation, I hope, will leave everyone a bit less
confused.
I've also alphabetized the tags, with the exception of the first two, for easier scanning. That's something I should have done a long time ago, and thanks to the reader who pointed out the issue.
Also, another reader suggested that I put pictures of recent work in the blog. I do have a page for "Recent Projects" on the site, but it's a pretty formal page and updating it takes considerable time and effort. A blog, on the other hand, is supposed to be sort of a "right now" affair, and it makes sense to put some quick pics and notes about recent projects here. Why I didn't make that connection myself will remain a mystery, but thanks for spurring me to action!
-=[ Grant ]=-
I've also alphabetized the tags, with the exception of the first two, for easier scanning. That's something I should have done a long time ago, and thanks to the reader who pointed out the issue.
Also, another reader suggested that I put pictures of recent work in the blog. I do have a page for "Recent Projects" on the site, but it's a pretty formal page and updating it takes considerable time and effort. A blog, on the other hand, is supposed to be sort of a "right now" affair, and it makes sense to put some quick pics and notes about recent projects here. Why I didn't make that connection myself will remain a mystery, but thanks for spurring me to action!
-=[ Grant ]=-
|
My muckraking safety articles
Monday, July 21, 2008
I've been asked to provide a
permanent link to my articles on the failings of gun safety rules.
Happy to oblige; I've added them to the Library as well.
The original article: "On Safety"
Followup article: "Following the safety rules religiously"
Please read them and consider them carefully. Of course, I'm always happy to hear comments from readers!
-=[ Grant ]=-
The original article: "On Safety"
Followup article: "Following the safety rules religiously"
Please read them and consider them carefully. Of course, I'm always happy to hear comments from readers!
-=[ Grant ]=-
The stopping power series
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
I've added a link to
my
"Stopping Power" series to the Library. I have no idea why I
didn't think of doing so earlier!
-=[ Grant ]=-
-=[ Grant ]=-
Whew!
Friday, December 21, 2007
On Wednesday I managed to
ship out all of the work I'd promised for Christmas. It was the
largest FedEx shipment I've done, measured in both units and
dollars. Lots and lots of dollars.
Somewhere in the ivory tower of FedEx management there is rejoicing: "new LandRovers for everyone!"
Now I'm going to begin a short vacation. I may (or may not, depending on my mood) make blog posts during the next couple of weeks.
-=[ Grant ]=-
Somewhere in the ivory tower of FedEx management there is rejoicing: "new LandRovers for everyone!"
Now I'm going to begin a short vacation. I may (or may not, depending on my mood) make blog posts during the next couple of weeks.
-=[ Grant ]=-
I'm going to be scarce for a while...
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
...because I'm desperately
trying to get all of the work promised for Xmas out the door.
Apologies in advance if I'm not around as much as usual.
Oh, by the way: I'm going to take a short vacation after this is all over! Don't expect many (if any at all) blog entries from the 22nd 'til after New Year's. If you send an email during that time, expect to wait a while for a reply.
-=[ Grant ]=-
Oh, by the way: I'm going to take a short vacation after this is all over! Don't expect many (if any at all) blog entries from the 22nd 'til after New Year's. If you send an email during that time, expect to wait a while for a reply.
-=[ Grant ]=-
Update on the waiting list
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
I've gotten a number of
emails and calls regarding the waiting list closure, and I
appreciate the positive thoughts! I didn't think I'd ever get to
the point that I had to do that, and I hope that when the list
opens again people will still remember me!
(The only thing worse than being talked about, is NOT being talked about!)
Now I have to get back to work; the last couple of weeks of injury-related work slowdown have left me even further behind than I already was!
-=[ Grant ]=-
P.S.: I thought about starting up a collection to buy Tam a Python, just so she'd have a non-flat Colt. Then I thought "hey, what am I thinking? If I'm going to solicit contributions for a Python for someone, that someone is gonna be ME! I'm my own favorite charity! If she wants one, she can buy it for herself!" I then cackled maniacally until my wife hit me with a frying pan. I'm recovering nicely, thank you.
Anyhow, Tam, I just hope you're not too disappointed...about the Python, I mean.
(The only thing worse than being talked about, is NOT being talked about!)
Now I have to get back to work; the last couple of weeks of injury-related work slowdown have left me even further behind than I already was!
-=[ Grant ]=-
P.S.: I thought about starting up a collection to buy Tam a Python, just so she'd have a non-flat Colt. Then I thought "hey, what am I thinking? If I'm going to solicit contributions for a Python for someone, that someone is gonna be ME! I'm my own favorite charity! If she wants one, she can buy it for herself!" I then cackled maniacally until my wife hit me with a frying pan. I'm recovering nicely, thank you.
Anyhow, Tam, I just hope you're not too disappointed...about the Python, I mean.
AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
Monday, November 12, 2007
Thanks to the many people
who have entrusted me with their guns, I am enjoying a surplus of
requests for work. In fact, for reasons that are not entirely clear
the requests keep increasing, especially in the last number of
weeks. This is both gratifying and concerning.
Up until this point, I've taken everyone's name and put them on a waiting list. This worked nicely when I was only a month or two backlogged, but now I'm up to a year behind - and the list keeps growing with no end in sight. The management of the list (answering inquiries, etc.) has now become a time-consuming endeavor unto itself.
To tell you the truth, when I first started in this endeavor I sort of harbored the dream of being able to casually say "oh, I'm so-many-years backlogged", accompanied by a flippant wave of the hand. Now that I'm at that point, it's not as pleasant as I thought it would be, because I'm more concerned with the positions of my clients than with my own. I have so much work to do that guns anticipated for holiday gifts won't make the date, and mostly not even the season - and that bothers me.
I'm sure that some other 'smiths are in the same situation, but I've come to the conclusion that it is unconscionable to continue to accept "reservations" which are so far out, I can't possibly predict whether or not I'll be able to make the date. I'm acutely aware that my skills at time estimation are not as good as they should be, and I find my chronological errors growing in scope as the length of the list increases. That's not fair to you, my clients and prospective clients.
So, as of today I am no longer accepting new clients until I've worked the waiting list down to a more reasonable level. Those who are on the list are, of course, still on the list - I just won't be adding to that list for a while.
If you have wanted to have me work on your guns, but are not on the list, I apologize for my unavailability. As soon as the list has shrunk to the point that I feel comfortable putting people on it, I'll make an announcement and open the list for new work.
Of course, the Blog will still be here to amuse and - hopefully - inform you.
-=[ Grant ]=-
Up until this point, I've taken everyone's name and put them on a waiting list. This worked nicely when I was only a month or two backlogged, but now I'm up to a year behind - and the list keeps growing with no end in sight. The management of the list (answering inquiries, etc.) has now become a time-consuming endeavor unto itself.
To tell you the truth, when I first started in this endeavor I sort of harbored the dream of being able to casually say "oh, I'm so-many-years backlogged", accompanied by a flippant wave of the hand. Now that I'm at that point, it's not as pleasant as I thought it would be, because I'm more concerned with the positions of my clients than with my own. I have so much work to do that guns anticipated for holiday gifts won't make the date, and mostly not even the season - and that bothers me.
I'm sure that some other 'smiths are in the same situation, but I've come to the conclusion that it is unconscionable to continue to accept "reservations" which are so far out, I can't possibly predict whether or not I'll be able to make the date. I'm acutely aware that my skills at time estimation are not as good as they should be, and I find my chronological errors growing in scope as the length of the list increases. That's not fair to you, my clients and prospective clients.
So, as of today I am no longer accepting new clients until I've worked the waiting list down to a more reasonable level. Those who are on the list are, of course, still on the list - I just won't be adding to that list for a while.
If you have wanted to have me work on your guns, but are not on the list, I apologize for my unavailability. As soon as the list has shrunk to the point that I feel comfortable putting people on it, I'll make an announcement and open the list for new work.
Of course, the Blog will still be here to amuse and - hopefully - inform you.
-=[ Grant ]=-
On the injured list
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Light blogging today, owing
to a nasty recurrence of the tendonitis in my right arm. A
combination of hard work and shooting way too many lightweight,
heavy recoil revolvers is starting to take its toll!
It hurts to type or hold tools firmly, and work in the shop has slowed to a crawl in the last few days. I've decided to take it easy the rest of the week, which (in my experience) should allow enough healing to enable me to "hit it hard" again next week.
Sigh.
I never thought I'd get old enough to complain about getting old enough to complain!
-=[ Grant ]=-
It hurts to type or hold tools firmly, and work in the shop has slowed to a crawl in the last few days. I've decided to take it easy the rest of the week, which (in my experience) should allow enough healing to enable me to "hit it hard" again next week.
Sigh.
I never thought I'd get old enough to complain about getting old enough to complain!
-=[ Grant ]=-
You'd think it was Friday the 13th!
Friday, August 17, 2007
You've probably noticed that
there wasn't a Friday Surprise waiting for you this morning. Well,
it's not my fault!
The company that hosts www.grantcunningham.com had an outage, which lasted from roughly 9pm PDT Thursday to about 1:pm PDT today (Friday.) During that time, I couldn't post anything to the site, you couldn't get to the site, and no emails got through.
So, if you sent an email during that time period, I didn't get it - and it looks like I never will. Please resend, and I'll respond as soon as possible.
Thanks!
-=[ Grant ]=-
The company that hosts www.grantcunningham.com had an outage, which lasted from roughly 9pm PDT Thursday to about 1:pm PDT today (Friday.) During that time, I couldn't post anything to the site, you couldn't get to the site, and no emails got through.
So, if you sent an email during that time period, I didn't get it - and it looks like I never will. Please resend, and I'll respond as soon as possible.
Thanks!
-=[ Grant ]=-
Wednesday mind dump
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Let's clean out the ol'
noggin:
-- Neat little "preaching to the choir" site called What kind of person supports gun control?
-- I've been thinking that the reason revolvers don't seem to capture much attention any more is because no "high speed low drag" kind of people use them. Unfortunately, pointing out that France's GIGN used to issue revolvers probably isn't going to have the desired effect!
-- Ruger's QC continues to be hit-and-miss. Just this week, I got in a new 3" GP100 with the barrel screwed in too far (canted to one side), and a 4" example that didn't time correctly. I continue to recommend them as good base guns for custom projects, because once they're sorted out they make a superb custom - and you'll never wear one out. Probably best, though, to buy in person, and inspect carefully.
-- I get an unexpectedly large number of inquiries as to what I use as a bore cleaner. I've used the homebrew Ed's Red formula for years, and have found nothing else that I like more. (I do use Hoppe's 7.62 formula for jacket fouling removal, however.)
-- The number of Detective Specials that are still in use as police backup and off-duty guns amazes me. Hardly a week goes by that I don't get at least one email or call from a LEO who is still using one in a secondary role. I've said it before, I'll say it again: S&W is missing a big market for the small 6-shot revolver. (Colt, of course, is missing out too - after all, they hold the designs for the Magnum Carry, but they don't want to make revolvers any more.)
-- I'm working on pictures for a new entry on the Recent Projects page. I won't divulge any more than it is, for once, not stainless. Stay tuned.
-- A non-relevant entry: got the latest versions of iLife and iWork last week. Verdict: Pages is finally a heavy hitter, Numbers is really cool, and the latest version of iPhoto is worth the cost all by itself. It's a great time to be a Mac user!
That's it for today. Boy, am I glad to get all of that out of my head!
-=[ Grant ]=-
-- Neat little "preaching to the choir" site called What kind of person supports gun control?
-- I've been thinking that the reason revolvers don't seem to capture much attention any more is because no "high speed low drag" kind of people use them. Unfortunately, pointing out that France's GIGN used to issue revolvers probably isn't going to have the desired effect!
-- Ruger's QC continues to be hit-and-miss. Just this week, I got in a new 3" GP100 with the barrel screwed in too far (canted to one side), and a 4" example that didn't time correctly. I continue to recommend them as good base guns for custom projects, because once they're sorted out they make a superb custom - and you'll never wear one out. Probably best, though, to buy in person, and inspect carefully.
-- I get an unexpectedly large number of inquiries as to what I use as a bore cleaner. I've used the homebrew Ed's Red formula for years, and have found nothing else that I like more. (I do use Hoppe's 7.62 formula for jacket fouling removal, however.)
-- The number of Detective Specials that are still in use as police backup and off-duty guns amazes me. Hardly a week goes by that I don't get at least one email or call from a LEO who is still using one in a secondary role. I've said it before, I'll say it again: S&W is missing a big market for the small 6-shot revolver. (Colt, of course, is missing out too - after all, they hold the designs for the Magnum Carry, but they don't want to make revolvers any more.)
-- I'm working on pictures for a new entry on the Recent Projects page. I won't divulge any more than it is, for once, not stainless. Stay tuned.
-- A non-relevant entry: got the latest versions of iLife and iWork last week. Verdict: Pages is finally a heavy hitter, Numbers is really cool, and the latest version of iPhoto is worth the cost all by itself. It's a great time to be a Mac user!
That's it for today. Boy, am I glad to get all of that out of my head!
-=[ Grant ]=-
More good press!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
I recently finished a Ruger
SP101 for Michael Bane, host of "Shooting Gallery", "DownrangeTV",
and well known for his many years of involvement in the shooting
sports.
He's posted a review of his new toy on his weekly podcast. Listen to it here.
Glad you like it, Michael, and thanks for the kind words!
-=[ Grant ]=-
He's posted a review of his new toy on his weekly podcast. Listen to it here.
Glad you like it, Michael, and thanks for the kind words!
-=[ Grant ]=-
Blog Stuff: Technical problems
Friday, June 29, 2007
This has been a bad week for
me, internet-wise. The mail servers at the company that hosts
grantcunningham.com have been experiencing slowdowns and failures,
and my own internet connection (comcast.com) has been on-again,
off-again all week. I'm typing this on Thursday evening, about
11:00pm Pacific time, and the connection just came back on. It has
been off all day, except for a few hours this morning.
So, if you've emailed me and haven't gotten a reply, that's why. I just downloaded a whole pile of emails, and I'll try to get through them in the next couple of days.
Thanks for your patience!
-=[ Grant ]=-
So, if you've emailed me and haven't gotten a reply, that's why. I just downloaded a whole pile of emails, and I'll try to get through them in the next couple of days.
Thanks for your patience!
-=[ Grant ]=-
Notice anything different??
Friday, June 22, 2007
Sorry, but there's no Friday
Surprise this week...the surprise, instead, is the site remodel!
(Hey, I remodeled my kitchen - why not my website??)
I've never been totally happy with the layout of either this blog or the website; they just didn't look like what I'd envisioned. This new layout is much closer to what I wanted, and introduces some new features as well.
You'll notice that the main site is now better organized, more logically laid out, and easier to navigate. (I hope that you'll think it's better looking, too!)
The Blog, aside from having the new layout, now has many more categories (on the left) so you can read more of what you're interested in. The date archives have returned as well, in case you're a chronological kind of reader.
Have a look around the redesigned grantcunningham.com. If you find something that doesn't work, or doesn't seem to display properly, please email me so that the problem can be fixed!
-=[ Grant ]=-
I've never been totally happy with the layout of either this blog or the website; they just didn't look like what I'd envisioned. This new layout is much closer to what I wanted, and introduces some new features as well.
You'll notice that the main site is now better organized, more logically laid out, and easier to navigate. (I hope that you'll think it's better looking, too!)
The Blog, aside from having the new layout, now has many more categories (on the left) so you can read more of what you're interested in. The date archives have returned as well, in case you're a chronological kind of reader.
Have a look around the redesigned grantcunningham.com. If you find something that doesn't work, or doesn't seem to display properly, please email me so that the problem can be fixed!
-=[ Grant ]=-
A new entry to my "Recent Projects" page: S&W Model 66
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
I've updated the
"Recent
Projects"
page with an unusual item: a S&W Model 66.
Not that unusual, you say? What if I told you it was one of the rare 3" models? Would that pique your interest? I thought so - because it sure excited me when the owner asked me to work on it!
Check it out!
-=[ Grant ]=-
Not that unusual, you say? What if I told you it was one of the rare 3" models? Would that pique your interest? I thought so - because it sure excited me when the owner asked me to work on it!
Check it out!
-=[ Grant ]=-
You're gonna love the new Revolver Liberation Alliance t-shirt!
Monday, November 20, 2006
There's a new t-shirt for you, and
this may be my favorite so far!
Since the original Revolver Liberation Alliance t-shirt took a pot shot at the venerable 1911, I thought it only fair that the Glock (and its polymer progeny) come in for some well-deserved ridicule. After much consideration, I decided that a play on the famous line from the movie "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" was in order:
Available in both short and long sleeve versions, and - for the first time - both white and ash grey! See and order the new shirt here!
-=[ Grant ]=-
Since the original Revolver Liberation Alliance t-shirt took a pot shot at the venerable 1911, I thought it only fair that the Glock (and its polymer progeny) come in for some well-deserved ridicule. After much consideration, I decided that a play on the famous line from the movie "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" was in order:
Available in both short and long sleeve versions, and - for the first time - both white and ash grey! See and order the new shirt here!
-=[ Grant ]=-
You asked for it - more t-shirt options!
Monday, October 23, 2006
Several people sent me emails
about the Original Revolver Liberation Alliance
t-shirt.
Everyone loves them, but many expressed desire for a long-sleeve
version. At the same time, I got some emails about the new
"The earth isn't flat..." shirt, and those folks wanted a
short-sleeve version!
Well, all of your wishes have been granted! I now have both shirts in short and long sleeve versions! Go to the store and check them out!
-=[ Grant ]=-
Well, all of your wishes have been granted! I now have both shirts in short and long sleeve versions! Go to the store and check them out!
-=[ Grant ]=-
A new website feature: "Recent Projects"
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
I've put a new page up on the
site! Called "Recent Projects", it is just what the name
implies: a place for me to share some information about recent
revolvers that I've built.
This page is intended to be a bit different than most other such pages on your average gunsmith's site. You may have noticed that I like to give my clients and potential clients as much information as possible, and this page continues that tradition. I've browsed around a lot of custom handgun sites, and frequently all I see are a few (usually bad) pictures of a gun - and nothing more. I always want to know more about the gun: what kind of work was done, what kind of unusual features were added, the gunsmith's intent and philosophy, and perhaps a bit about how the gun performs. In other words, I want to know if that would be a gun I'd like to have for myself!
On my Recent Projects page, you'll see the gun, learn about how it was built (and why it was built that way), and much more. The first entry is already up: a nice Ruger GP-100 that I recently finished for a client. I started with a gun that was slightly "ratty", and...well, take a look and see how it came out!
-=[ Grant ]=-
This page is intended to be a bit different than most other such pages on your average gunsmith's site. You may have noticed that I like to give my clients and potential clients as much information as possible, and this page continues that tradition. I've browsed around a lot of custom handgun sites, and frequently all I see are a few (usually bad) pictures of a gun - and nothing more. I always want to know more about the gun: what kind of work was done, what kind of unusual features were added, the gunsmith's intent and philosophy, and perhaps a bit about how the gun performs. In other words, I want to know if that would be a gun I'd like to have for myself!
On my Recent Projects page, you'll see the gun, learn about how it was built (and why it was built that way), and much more. The first entry is already up: a nice Ruger GP-100 that I recently finished for a client. I started with a gun that was slightly "ratty", and...well, take a look and see how it came out!
-=[ Grant ]=-
Another Revolver Liberation Alliance t-shirt is available!
Monday, October 09, 2006
When I reissued
the famous Revolver Liberation Alliance
t-shirt recently, I
was forced to search through my old computer archives to find the
graphics. Along the way I ran across a number of other designs that
I'd done, but which hadn't seen the light of day. I decided to redo
those graphics to modern formats and resolutions and make them
available.
Today I'm pleased to announce the second exclusive Revolver Liberation Alliance shirt: "The earth isn't flat, your gun shouldn't be either!"
The shirt features the custom graphic and RLA logo on the back (so you can annoy the autoloader people even while you're shooting) and my (small) logo on the front.
Since winter is coming I decided to make this is a long-sleeved shirt; I ordered mine one size larger so that I could layer it over a contrasting turtleneck for a recent rainy-day range appearance.
It's a great shirt - order one today!
-=[ Grant ]=-
Today I'm pleased to announce the second exclusive Revolver Liberation Alliance shirt: "The earth isn't flat, your gun shouldn't be either!"
The shirt features the custom graphic and RLA logo on the back (so you can annoy the autoloader people even while you're shooting) and my (small) logo on the front.
Since winter is coming I decided to make this is a long-sleeved shirt; I ordered mine one size larger so that I could layer it over a contrasting turtleneck for a recent rainy-day range appearance.
It's a great shirt - order one today!
-=[ Grant ]=-
The famous Revolver Liberation Alliance t-shirts are available again!
Friday, September 08, 2006
Imagine my amazement...
A few years back, I made up some t-shirts that had a picture of a 1911 with a stovepipe stoppage, and the legend "The west wasn't won...with a jammed-up gun!" I also invented the fictitious organization "Revolver Liberation Alliance" to take "responsibility" for the shirts. (And you wondered where my blog's name came from!)
I made up a few of them, and sent one to Massad Ayoob, one to Jerry Miculek, kept one for myself, and gave the remaining few to some revolver shooters that braved to shoot in our club matches. They really got the "goat" of the local autoloader owners!
Fast-forward a half-decade or so, and I start getting emails from around the country about those shirts! It took me a while to find out where they heard of the things, and it turns out that someone (*cough*Massad Ayoob*cough*) mentioned his in an article. Apparently he struck a chord with revolver owners, because they started asking me for the shirts!
So, in order to accommodate the requests, I've made them available at my CafePress store. Click here to see and order the shirt.
Buy one for yourself, a spare in case it gets dirty, and then go out and annoy flatgun shooters everywhere!
-=[ Grant ]=-
A few years back, I made up some t-shirts that had a picture of a 1911 with a stovepipe stoppage, and the legend "The west wasn't won...with a jammed-up gun!" I also invented the fictitious organization "Revolver Liberation Alliance" to take "responsibility" for the shirts. (And you wondered where my blog's name came from!)
I made up a few of them, and sent one to Massad Ayoob, one to Jerry Miculek, kept one for myself, and gave the remaining few to some revolver shooters that braved to shoot in our club matches. They really got the "goat" of the local autoloader owners!
Fast-forward a half-decade or so, and I start getting emails from around the country about those shirts! It took me a while to find out where they heard of the things, and it turns out that someone (*cough*Massad Ayoob*cough*) mentioned his in an article. Apparently he struck a chord with revolver owners, because they started asking me for the shirts!
So, in order to accommodate the requests, I've made them available at my CafePress store. Click here to see and order the shirt.
Buy one for yourself, a spare in case it gets dirty, and then go out and annoy flatgun shooters everywhere!
-=[ Grant ]=-