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I thought I'd show off some work that I had done to a spare grip module for my Staccato C2. A gentleman named Zach, who posts as "Grip-It-Customs_" on Instagram (do note the trailing underscore in his name) did this for me last week and I couldn't be happier. Not only is the texture that he laid down perfect for EDC use, but a byproduct of removing the factory grip texture is that the overall circumference of the grip is slightly reduced. Since I'm a size-medium glove wearer, this translates into making the gun really fit my hand better than it already did. And for comparison, this is an old photo of what the gun comes with from the factory... I really couldn't be happier. And since the grip modules on these, while not exactly inexpensive, are replaceable it's not like I have permanently altered the gun in any way. Anyway, I feel like this is an example of plastic surgery gone RIGHT. Lord knows we've seen some stipple jobs on TGO that, no offense meant to the owners of those guns, looked like someone's dog had chewed on them for a few hours.

This handgun dates to 1985. It has a 2 power Leupold on it and is sighted in at 50 yards with 190 gr hard cast. Included are 2 speed loaders from 5 Star and the original rear sight. I am using the 10 mm for hogs so this one doesn't get any exercise $800 I made a very bad decision years ago and let a Bisley in 44 mag go with a bear hunting friend. He will not even think about replacing it. Always interested in one, Just in case. Open to trade offers, just don't know what I think I need

It is sad we have been conditioned to hate anyone who took risks, worked hard, made sound decisions, and became successful. Every political speech and every newscast now seem to lump us into separate groups and urge us to hate one another. I’m about ready for us all to become Americans again.

They actually owned quite a bit. They didn't starve and recovered, but they sure didn't get richer. Nothing personal, but I just get tired of 'the rich" whoever that is, generically being the boogeyman. There are people who would probably think you and I are rich.

And be better off.

Think about it like this. Let’s assume a borrower wants to buy a house with a traditional 30-year fixed mortgage and 20% down. They’d like to keep their payment to $2000/month. A year and a half ago before rates started rising, that couple could have gotten a mortgage at 2.25% and would have been shopping for a $520k house. Today, at 7.09% that same buyer with the same fundamentals is looking for a $330k house to keep their payment at something they can afford. So that couple’s budget has been cut to around 63% of what it was before rates started rising. That same kind of math applies in a different way when banks bundle up big packages of mortgage and sell them as mortgage backed securities. They’re suddenly holding something that was worth less than it was last year. Importantly for this story they have it on their books and this have to account for losses in value. For the average homeowner, it really doesn’t matter so long as you’re not planning on moving anytime soon. If you bought a house in late 2021 and then needed to sell it because your job got transferred or whatever - then you might well find yourself underwater.

Restored classic light upland shotgun. Made in 1936. Modified Choke. $450 Face to face in Franklin.

This is a VERY limited-edition commemorative. Remington produced only 1500 copies in 1981. The rifle is almost flawless - it does have a small nick on the right front of the pistol grip. Fancy-grade walnut, gold-filled and gold inlaid engraving and a high-polished deep blue finish. There is a .30-06 case head inlaid in front of the magazine on the bottom. Built on Remington's well-known semi-auto action, this custom-shop edition would look good in any collection. $1500 cash, no trades. FTF in Murfreesboro

I though I’d post this here just to put a stake in the sand, because this may turn out to be one of the most important charts we’ll see this year: What you’re basically looking at on this chart is unrealized losses in the hundreds of billions. Mortgage backed securities (remember the other time in recent memory where you heard/learned this term) are trading way lower. The underlying cause is essentially that mortgages closed in 2020 and 2021 are now basically trading at 65 cents on the dollar. It turns out that interest rates go up, too. And, a lot of our venture backed business models simply don’t work when money isn’t free. There are a few “bloggers” who have been talking about this. A lot of people read their newsletters. You probably saw Thursday that a a few venture capitalists told their portfolio companies to move their money from one of these banks and caused a bank run that wound up collapsing the 18th largest bank in the country - Silicon Valley Bank. Panics are a funny thing - and I think there’s a non-zero chance of seeing some much larger collapses this week. Ought to be an awfully interesting week. I hope I’m wrong.

SIL and G-son, they sent me movies yesterday where they went to indoor range and burned 400 rounds of ammo. Had a Glock 19 gen 3, a new max 9 Ruger SIL just purchased last weekend, and a practically new Remington 1911R1. Said nothing burped and all went well. I gave grandson the new 1911 and Glock last year. They had trouble with the 1911 first time they took it out. Told them to clean and lube it good and take it back. They live in Mt Pleasant S Carolina and mom was out of town. Them boys are really getting into hunting, fishing, guns and the outdoors. Grandson has his own boat, 16' flat bottom fiberglass, with a 50 HP Honda motor. Mom's boss gave it to Parker. Said he did not use it any longer. Dad has a 27' sea worthy Carolina fiberglass w/ a 150 HP Yamaha. Doing it together. You gotta love it. They fish Charleston Harbor for the giant RED Fish. Grandson caught a 38-pounder last season. Makes me wish I was young again. Got 5 more visits with Cardiac Rehab for me. Will have finished 36 visits. Looking forward to getting finished. Really sapping my energy, for sure, since I am on a no carb diet. Lost 8 pounds so far and need to loose 40 pounds. Edited to add; grandson is 14 now. Being bullied in school because his ears are large. Wouldn't want to be a kid now.

Tell your grandson to ignore the haters. My kid got called fat a lot. Anyone who has met my kid knows that he's anything but fat. One day he'll be their manager somewhere. life has a way of doing that to jackholes

I read this kinda like the walking dead meme, but got: "Cheating Garage, Wife Sale"

It's a common theme on TGO.

It's certainly not perfect, but the alternative absolutely sucks.

Quite possibly. I don't consider myself rich, but I am comfortable. Sadly, lots of folks can't manage that these days. We have the best government money can buy. Its just out of most of our price range. Those that can afford it make the most of it. And yes, they are the boogeyman.

Looks like the same ol speech. Dementia patients do that ya know

Frank was on the board of the other bank that went under late last week, Signature Bank. Not sure about any Chinese firms at either, but wouldn't shock me. They have to bank somewhere for their interests in the US. https://apnews.com/article/signature-bank-fdic-barney-frank-silicon-valley-6ad86262d9945675a42d735b66ace4f2 Frank said this was meant as a warning to crypto banks. While I'm guessing the Fed and Treasury weren't sad to see a bank that changed its focus to crypto customers go under, this doesn't appear to be anything besides a normal bank run. It seems Bitcoin does not "fix this" just yet. The FDIC also guaranteed deposits in excess of $250k, once again changing that limit to infinity. No tax dollars at work...yet. The FDIC funding can still cover things since the assets of the bank aren't junk.

I saw good ole Barney Frank (of Dodd Frank fame) sits on the board. Allegedly, SVB was also favored by Chinese tech firms as a source of capital. Tax payer dollars soon to be at work for the greater good?

There are some peculiarities to a bank where a lot of equity investors keep bringing in dump trucks of cash and they’re not lending a bunch out. Matt Levine (whose newsletter you should probably read) put it really well:

Talent

The problem is: The bank borrowed money from depositors at 1% with a 2 year CD. They then loaned the money to you for 30 years at 3%. That gives them a 2% profit for two years. The catch is now they have to return the money from that two year CD and borrow the balance owed on your 30 year mortgage from a new CD investor that they will have to pay more than 3% for. Now they are in the hole and it will get deeper as rates rise.

The key word is trading here. The real number value of the mortgage payments are still what it was closed at. But in 2020 and 2021, a lot of people buying homes did so under some very favorable interest rates, and more people were on their heels to refinance. That's a lot of money locked in a the low end of the spectrum, the value of that money having gone for a roller-coaster ride in three years. With inflation eating away the value of the dollar and interest rates going up, holding those assets is at best money in a tar pit, and at worst, seen as a loss when adjusted in real terms (ie: after inflation). So, if a financial organization wants to get them off the books and free up capital for better use, they sell them at a discount to entice a buyer and move on. After all, who would buy a mortgage no matter how secure returning 3% when you can buy a T-Bill that is the safest investment on the planet returning 5%, or a corporate bond above that even. They're doing this because money isn't essentially free to borrow anymore, so they have to gin it up from their own assets and returns. Think of it as selling a gun you bought during a Republican administration that was cheap, but you're not using it anymore, to get money that partially funds your next purchase when a Democrat is in the White House, and guns are more expensive. That's about as TGO friendly a parable I can use for this situation, but it's a bit imperfect. Last year the big deal was inflation gut punching the consumer. For at least now, the big deal is inflation gut punching the financial institutions. Corporate bonds are probably on deck for valuation hits.

If you don’t have eggs, it doesn’t matter what happens to the basket!!!!

Rausch is neither a lawyer, a good police chief, a scholar, nor a student of the Second Amendment... He is, however, a boot licking opportunist, hoisted on us all via the Haslam Enterprise. David Rausch's only discernable talent ( . To me, at least .) is being bought n paid for by Bill Haslam and rewarded a KPD chief's job; and later with the directorship of the TBI. He is in the same class as McNally; only a bit below, as he was never elected to any office. He is, however, very adept at bootlicking n saying "Yousah Boss"... The citizens of the State of Tennessee deserve far better than this " civil servant "... despisin leroy... Watcher of the foxes in the henhouse...

SOLD

Capable of taking all plains game in Africa and any game in North America, the .300 Weatherby is one of the most powerful .30 caliber rifles in existence. This example has been on many hunts in the Western US and has a few marks to show for it. Some minor scratches in the bluing and stock, and a larger blemish on the rear right buttstock. It still presents very well, and you have to be close to notice. On the plus side this rifle was built in Germany @1973 by J.P. Sauer & Sohn, arguably the best of Weatherby's production. Most German rifles have 24" barrels but this one is the unusual and desirable 26" version. Capacity is 3+1, and it's topped by one of Weatherby's excellent 3x9 Japanese scopes. The finish is deep blue and the high-grade walnut and skip-line checkering are very fancy. Includes +/- 80 rounds of factory ammo. German precision, Weatherby design, accuracy and power add up to make this one a keeper. $1900 cash, no trades. FTF in Murfreesboro

Used but very nice Browning Automatic Rifle, made in Belgium in 1970. Deep blue is almost perfect, walnut stock and forearm have a number of scratches but no gouges or unsightly blemishes - from 3 ft. away they're almost unnoticeable. I tried to get good photos. 3x9 BSA scope mounted in weaver rings, factory iron sights also. Caliber .270 Win makes it a very versatile piece. includes 1 spare magazine, about 40 rounds of factory ammo. $1200. FTF in Murfreesboro

12 gauge, side by side, in the best condition I have ever seen on one of these. Don't get me wrong, it is used, but still has some case colors present and is in good original condition for its grade and age ~120 years old. Have inspected by gunsmith before firing, but I have shot RST low pressure loads through it without issue. This one is for the collectors. SOLD

Selling my Ed Brown Alpha Carry in 45acp. Has less than 500 rounds through it, the gun was purchased probably 8 to 10 years ago I cant remember exactly. If you know about Ed Browns they are a top tier 1911 that are tried and true. It has an aftermarket G10 "grenade" style grip from VZ grips. Not interested in any trades. Looking for $2200.

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SOLD Started this cool build about the same time I picked up a Wilson Combat upper and lower and finished that one first and really don't need two AR platforms so.... Here is your chance to pick up a solid start to an AR with ability to finish out caliber and accessories of your choice. So here you have it SilencerCo bare upper SilencerCo lower built with, CMMG parts kit, CMC 3.5# flat face trigger Palmetto buffer tube and spring, and Magpul grip and stock. (Total in parts with no tax - $700) Lower was attached to the WC upper for one mag to function test, zero issue. Feel free to PM with questions. $550

I have put a couple of scratches on this rifle. It was not meant to ride in the buggy with me. I am looking to trade for an experienced truck/buggy gun. I really would rather not beat this rifle up. It likes the CCI 36 gr vs the Winchester 40gr. I am sorry if I wasn't clear, trade for another 22 mag that I won't cry about if it gets scratched and muddy chasing pigs.

Off topic.... I'm reading this book and finding it very informative on this subject.... Love Your Enemies: How Decent People Can Save America from the Culture of Contempt https://a.co/d/4osIqsg

The issue is that when we’re talking about the people in our financial system, like those who got bailed out and all of this, what you describe, doesn’t apply to them. We’re not talking about industrialists. We’re not talking about people who make things or put up their own money to take a risk to make peoples lives better. The finance industry is more about extracting as much wealth out of nothing, and creating an ever more fragile house of cards to accomplish those ends that in the process puts all of us at risk. The two videos that I linked help layout the kind of rigging of the system that goes on. These folks have done a very good job of privatizing the profits while socializing the risks.

Eggs is something I'm qualified to speak on, since I buy them all the time. I got 18 large for $2.97 at Kroger on Friday. Picked up another 18 large today for the same price. They are coming back down!

how about

Those are some Mad Max looking lobster armor I agree with Leroy, the more i think on it, Dexterity is the way to go for my use case.

Looks sharp, nicely done

Picked up a new to me Victorinox Lock Blade Hunter knife on Sunday, while antiquing with my wife and youngest. It’s been carried, but never sharpened and the toothpick is missing. But I thought it was a good deal for $20. Looks like this. https://www.ebay.com/itm/374402881544?hash=item572c269808:g:dZ0AAOSwcwRjl3us&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA8LL5h%2B3RGt21oqhTVRzbVqe45v0Twb5ICSTayGWWW%2FZYGvNbx%2B8avDZe1UioEBi4XrvGZTlJGQeYrq2OZqzIOgx7dNK6WRt0mu4Oq0pVJfWZpPYfd%2Bd0SUKKzGVlfzJw8d7jXbovjuwBxB4gY3QaSXVwtmJRjEXnPnnEAHskwDhC%2B7BbgYSmNtabqg8odGrnaAOkUGkmp5HKpMEn1eigeaehimXd99gmocq8bk88%2FrChlBV3qAgUFncpvoVrqNIxUbfCDSwJ3zO5aI2KVv8SDU6PF2%2Btqb7A1oDyx4vcF934Rl5htgz8lHds0A2SMDEq6Q%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR47Js4bcYQ

-No issues, roughly 100 rounds shot through it. -Comes with 80 rounds of .22LR, semi-soft HG carrying case and 1 magazine. Asking $400.00 Located in Oak Ridge

I literally have $600 Titanium armored, reinforced leather gloves that are supposed to protect me from ludicrous levels of impact & unforeseeable drama. I have $350 reinforced leather rechargeable heated gloves that are supposed to provide insane abrasion protection. I have & actually use daily $5 goatskin gloves that fit my medium sized hands with fantastic comfort and as Leroy said- Dexterity. I’ve met Leroy and can tell you that he is the man when it comes down to his body of knowledge. No matter the glove, they are a sacrificial garment, an expendable commodity that you can’t design or price your way out of. (BTW, that’s my second set of titaniums-even that doesn’t outlast everything and $5 goatskins in medium on up are available at harbor freight -including the hardy brand ones in my photo).

I'll repeat what has been said and expand a little. A lot of their capital was tied up in low interest rate mortgage backed securities. Due to the nature of their clientele, they're going through a period of unusually high withdrawal activity. That normally safe asset (while still producing the expected income) is worth less than face value because newer mortgage bundles are paying more interest. That higher than normal withdrawal activity triggered a need to raise more capital. They announced they were going to raise more capital by issuing more shares of stock, and that spooked the market--so no one wanted to buy those share--and their customers. That show of weakness caused the run that "pushed them over the edge". I think there are also some accounting rules that would have created a different problem if they started selling those mortgage backed securities. Someone with a stronger accounting background than me would need to expound on that.

Excellent

Everyone except .gov. It always seems to emerge bigger and stronger after such an event.

As a general rule, with the excessive financialization of our economy, only a select few benefit when things are on the way up. The real problem is that everyone, and I mean everyone gets hurt on the way down.

Believe Wednesday is their standard day of maintenance on the site. I have never been able to log in on wednesday and file anything. Yesterday I heard several people say the site was down as well, which doesn't surprise me as a ton of extra people are trying to file the braces as an SBR for free. I wont be filing anything