Chris Covert
Rantburg.com
The presiding federal judge in the Bundy Ranch Standoff has declared a mistrial because of government prosecutorial misconduct.
Among the many problems in the government's case, aside from the fact that this is the government's fourth trial, was the "revelation" that the Bureau of Land Management used snipers trained on protesters, which this column reported three years ago. The contractors used by the government as snipers lost their nerve when told that they themselves were under the observation of snipers from one of the militias present. Or so the story goes.
Two years after the standoff this column argued that the entire episode was driven by government snitches, from the false information that a government drone unit was targeting the gathering to the film crew folding a documentary, was operated by the government.
Instead of the law being used to protect everyone, it was applied to the federal government's political enemies, most of whom were paid by the government to begin with.
Calling it Kabuki Theater is too kind of a characterization.
Shifting gears, Hershel Smith featured some information on breaking in a new rifle barrel. And the tips offered by his readers range from cleaning the gun, especially the chamber after each single shot for the first ten, to cleaning it after the first several magazines fired, to cleaning it when you get around to it.
One of the comments mentions that cleaning the chamber helps more than the rest of the barrel. On the AK-74, cleaning the crown of metal fouling is the main thing you will be doing after the 15th magazine you fire. Your experience may vary.
Loads.
Rantburg's summary for arms and ammunition:
Pistol ammunition prices were mostly steady. Rifle ammunition prices were mostly steady.
Prices for used pistols were lower. Prices for used rifles were mostly lower.
New Lows:
Texas: .308 NATO (AR-10 Pattern Semiautomatic): DPMS: $650
Pistol Ammunition
.45 Caliber, 230 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (8 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Red River Reloading, Silver Bear, FMJ, Steel Casing, .22 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: East Carolina trading, Own brand, FMJ, Brass Casing, Reloads, .21 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks))
.40 Caliber Smith & Wesson, 180 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Ammo King, Estate, FMJ, Brass Casing, .21 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: FedArm, Own Brand, TPMJ, Brass Casing, Reloads, .17 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks))
9mm Parabellum, 115 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (3Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Extreme Reloading, Own Brand, FMJ, Brass Casing, Reloads .14 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Fedarm, Own Brand, RN, Brass Casing, Reloads .14 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks))
.357 Magnum, 158 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (3Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .23 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 1,000 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .23 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3Q, 2017))
.38 Special, 158 Grain, From Last Week: -.05 Each
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Own Brand, JSP, Brass Casing, .21 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 1,000 rounds: Defender Ammunition, Own brand, FN, Brass Casing, Reloads, .23 per round (From Last Week: -.01 Each)
Rifle Ammunition
.223 Caliber/5.56mm 55 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (8 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: AmmoMen, Wolf WPA, FMJ, Steel Casing, .20 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Wolf WPA, FMJ, Steel Casing, .20 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (4Q, 2017))
.308 NATO 150 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (3Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .32 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .32 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks))
7.62x39mm AK 123 Grain, From Last Week: +.01 Each After Unchanged (5 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Wolf WPA, FMJ, Steel Casing, .20 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .19 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3Q, 2017))
.30-06 Springfield 145 Grain. From Last Week: Unchanged (6 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .54 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: United Nations Ammo, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .53 per round (From Last week: Unchanged (9 Weeks))
.300 Winchester Magnum 150 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Unchanged (3 Weeks), Brass Casing, SP, .81 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Target Sports USA, Prvi Partizan, Brass Casing, SP, .85 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (5 Weeks)
.338 Lapua Magnum 250 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: LAX Ammunition, Prvi Partizan, Brass Casing, HPBT, 2.50 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 200 rounds: Cabelas, Prvi Partizan, Brass Casing, HPBT, 2.80 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks))
.22 LR 40 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Ammo King, Aguila, RNL, .04 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 5,000 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Aguila, RNL, .04 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (2Q, 2017))
Guns for Private Sale
Rifles
.223/5.56mm (AR Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $453 Last Week Avg: $455(-) ($616 (2Q, 2015), $387 (16 Weeks))
Arizona (201, 3Q, 2017(+3))(121, 120): DPMS: $460 ($625 (18 Weeks), $300 (17 Weeks))
Texas (484, 3Q, 2017(+3))(352, 355): DPMS: $450 ($700 (1Q, 2015), $350 (2Q, 2015))
Pennsylvania (249, 3Q, 2017(+6))(152, 155): American Tactical Imports: $480 ($700 (2Q, 2015), $300 (3Q, 2015))
Virginia (282, 3Q, 2017)(206, 24): Palmetto State Armory: $450 ($750 (1Q, 2015), $300 (4 Weeks))
Florida (679, 3Q, 2017)(461, 447): Smith & Wesson: $425 ($650 (2Q, 2015), $380 (1Q, 2015))
.308 NATO (AR-10 Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $810 Last Week Avg:$980(-) ($1,359 (2Q, 2015), $766 (28 Weeks))
Arizona (49, 3Q, 2017(+6))(46, 44): Palmetto State Armory: $700 ($2,300 (28 Weeks), $500 (11 Weeks))
Texas (178, 3Q, 2017)(95, 92): DPMS: $650 ($1,500 (4Q, 2014), $650(CA: $675 (15 Weeks)))
Pennsylvania (54, 3Q, 2017)(40, 47): Aero Precision: $900 ($1,600 (4Q, 2016), $700 (3Q, 2015))
Virginia (86, 3Q, 2017)(62, 60): Mixed Build: $900 ($2,750 (1Q, 2016), $675 (7 Weeks))
Florida (128, 3Q, 2017(+3))(68, 69): DPMS: $900 ($1,950 (2Q, 1016), $500 (3Q, 2015))
7.62x39mm (AK Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $560 Last Week Avg: $565(-) ($668 (3Q, 2016), $450 (3Q, 2015))
Arizona (34, 3Q, 2017(+3))(24, 27): RAS-47: $700 ($925 (28 Weeks), $400 (33 Weeks))
Texas (141, 3Q, 2017)(64, 68): WASR 10: $650 ($800 (1Q, 2016), $350 (3Q, 2014))
Pennsylvania (75, 3Q, 2017)(52, 55): AMD 65 $550 ($750 (1Q, 2015), $375 (1Q, 2015))
Virginia (72, 3Q, 2017)(58, 59): Romak: $450 ($700 (2Q, 2016), $300 (7 Weeks))
Florida (146, 3Q, 2017)(128, 124): RAS-47: $450 ($700 (1Q, 2016), $300 (4Q, 2014))
30-30 Winchester Lever Action Average Price: $385 Last Week Avg: $370(+) ($495 (4Q, 2016), $296 (3Q, 2015))
Arizona (14, 3Q, 2017)(5, 6): Marlin: $400 ($500 (48 Weeks), $200 (33 Weeks))
Texas (35, 3Q, 2017(+2))(35, 32): Marlin: $400 ($550 (1Q, 2015), $295 (31 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (23, 3Q, 2017)(12, 13): Winchester 94: $400 ($450 (1Q, 2015), $250 (4Q, 2014))
Virginia (19, 3Q, 2017(+3))(12, 13): Marlin: $375 ($670 (2Q, 2016), $250 (4Q, 2015))
Florida (34, 3Q, 2017)(24, 24): Marlin: $350 ($500 (1Q, 2015), $250 (2Q, 2015))
Pistols
.45 caliber ACP (M1911 Pattern Semiautomatic Pistol) Average Price: $461 Last Week Avg: $491(-) ($525 (3Q, 2016), $350 (4Q, 2015))
Arizona (134, 3Q, 2017(+5))(89, 93): Taurus: $450 ($700 (32 Weeks), $325 (18 Weeks))
Texas (361, 3Q, 2017 (+3))(255, 254): Rock Island Armory: $380 ($600 (4Q, 2014), $300 (4Q, 2016))
Pennsylvania (178, 3Q, 2017)(170, 172): Remington R1: $475 ($600 (20 Weeks), $300 (2Q, 2015))
Virginia (204, 3Q, 2017(+3))(168, 199): Springfield: $600 ($775 (20 Weeks), $250 (4Q, 2014))
Florida (440, 3Q, 2017)(335, 338): Taurus: $400 ($500 (1Q, 2016), $250 (1Q, 2015))
9mm (Beretta 92FS or other Semiautomatic) Average Price: $252 Last Week Avg: $256(-) ($358 (1Q, 2016), $207 (33 Weeks))
Arizona (238, 3Q, 2017)(194, 212): EAA Witness: $260 ($400 (39 Weeks), $180 (7 Weeks))
Texas (586, 3Q, 2017(+3))(503, 508): Smith & Wesson SW9VE: $250 ($355 (1Q, 2015), $180 (9 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (368, 3Q, 2017)(332, 337): Diamondback FS9: $250 ($350 (4Q 2014), $150 (45 Weeks))
Virginia (365, 3Q, 2017(+6))(320, 345): Ruger P95: $300 ($425 (4Q, 2016), $189 (2Q, 2016))
Florida (827, 3Q, 2017)(675, 701): Taurus 709: $200 ($400 (1Q, 2016), $160 (33 Weeks))
.40 caliber S&W (Glock or other semiautomatic) Average Price: $303 Last Week Avg: $335(-) ($399 (1Q, 2016), $262 (2Q, 2016))
Arizona (77, 3Q, 2017(+2))(45, 43): Smith & Wesson MP40: $300 ($500 (49 Weeks), $195 (29 Weeks))
Texas (156, 3Q, 2017(+2))(107, 108): Smith & Wesson SD40: $300 ($425 (4Q, 2014), $180 (12 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (115, 3Q, 2017(+5))(95, 99): Smith and Wesson SW40VE: $350 ($450 (2Q, 2016), $200 (3Q, 2016))
Virginia (109, 3Q, 2017(+4))(84, 89): Taurus PT740: $275 ($450 (2Q, 2015), $250 (3 Weeks))
Florida (193, 3Q, 2017(+3))(159, 167): Taurus: $290 ($400 (1Q, 2015), $199 (4Q, 2015))
Used Gun of the Week: (Tennessee)
Colt single action revolver chambered in .357 Magnum