Life - My Gun Culture

Gunfire Erupts In South Carolina From Youth Gang Related Activity

July 25, 2011 By Tom 1 Comment

Scholastic Steel Challenge Gang Activity

Gunfire erupted in a Summerville, SC rural community over the weekend as a gang of teenagers, including some pre-teens according to witnesses, literally sprayed hundreds of bullets over a three hour period. According to some estimates, over 1,400 shots were fired before the shooting spree ended just before 1pm eastern time.

Witnesses claim the hoodlums committing these shannanigans were armed with typical ‘street guns’ including Springfield XD’s, Smith and Wesson M&P’s, and Glocks. “Typical Saturday night specials favored by criminals and thugs,” whined New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. “I can’t believe that gun companies are giving our children access to these things. My people tell me that Smith and Wesson even gave them one free of charge in order to encourage this behavior.”

Gang Member Boasting His Colors

Most of the youth involved exhibited no shame and brazenly walked around with their firearms in full view. Most had exposed belt holsters, belt-mounted magazine carriers, and other tactical equipment.

“These kids were armed to the teeth,” observed a passer by. “They had lots and lots of high capacity magazines. Every one of them had at least five from what I could see.”

On further examination, It turns out that the gang was participating in a Scholastic Steel Challenge Match. A source close to the group explained the gangs colors. “They’re wearing Techwear competition shooting jerseys,” explained a mysterious adult ring leader known as Coach Mike. “They have a really cool ‘Steel Stingers’ logo on the back. Totally bad if you ask me and the kids love ‘em.”

A Teaching Moment

The Palmetto Steel Stingers ~~gang~~ team is based at Palmetto Gun Club in Charleston, South Carolina. In addition to providing a great facility for the youth to practice and hone their skills, club members are exceptionally generous with donations, loaner firearms, and free coaching and instruction. National and local gun related companies have also thrown in their support. Smith and Wesson provided a team M&P 9mm, Winchester Ammunition provided big discounts on ammunition, and local retailer East Coast Guns has donated ammunition.

Safety is the number one priority with each new team member receiving exhaustive classroom training before stepping on to the range. Coach Mike also starts each practice session with a pop quiz on the four rules of gun safety and cold range rules.

Scholastic Steel Challenge is a division of the Steel Challenge Shooting Association designed for ~~hoodlums~~ youth ages 12-20. The basic idea is to hit five steel targets as fast as possible, without missing. A youth match consists of four separate courses of fire, each with a different combination of target shape, size, and range. At each course of fire, competitors shoot five ‘strings’ with the best four times getting logged in the books. As the event is timed, each miss costs precious seconds, thereby placing a premium on accuracy and smoothness over raw speed. It’s challenging, which probably explains the name Steel Challenge.

It’s not hard to see how these kids ended up in gun toting gangs. A look at their collective backgrounds tells the story:

Top of class in a prestigious junior high school
Practices drawing and getting fast sight pictures with a paintball gun and paper plates on the clothesline
Former International Irish Dance Champion
Various members of junior and senior high school cheerleading squads
A recent graduate of a summer Civil Air Patrol program

Dangerous group isn’t it?

Got kids? Know kids? Ever seen a kid? Expose them to something fun, safe and challenging. You’ll also get the joy out of scaring the bejeepers out of any hand-wringing pantywaists nearby. Check out the Scholastic Steel Challenge program and find (or start) a youth shooting team in your area! Please, do it for the children!

Filed Under: Competitive Shooting, Life, News, Shooting 101 Tagged With: competitive shooting, kids, youth

Movie Review: Black Swan

May 15, 2011 By Tom 1 Comment

Black Swan - The Tactical Movie

This is a first for us. Movie reviews. But since a movie called Black Swan just had to be about something tactical or military, I agreed with ‘her’ that we would rent it and post a review.


When ‘she’ said she wanted to watch Black Swan, I was like, awesome! A movie about the Crni Labudovi? 800 brave Bosnian Special Forces soldiers. Reputation for battlefield bravery. Led by “Kapetan Labud” or Captain Swan “en anglais.” How awesome is my wife, wanting to watch a movie about the special forces unit in the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina? Eat my dust other guys out there. You wish you were me. Admit it – it sucks to be you.
	Yeah honey, that’s ‘more or less‘ what its about, so let’s watch it tonight. (Ha! He’s so gullible.) You know, I haven’t seen it yet, but I’m not so sure it’s about the Crni Labudovi. It could be. Ummm, perhaps…
No problem. Got it. I always wanted to know the story of the HMS Black Swan and it’s role in defending Norway in WWII. I’m part Norwegian you know.
	Sure. Just watch and let it be a surprise! Doesn’t that sound fun? I’m not positive, but I don’t remember too much about ships in the previews…
Well, it absolutely must be about Team BlackSwan E-TAC (Elite Tactical Assault Company) which, as everyone already knows, is a high-performance paintball team based out of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It is about them right? Right?
	Remember, movies are always better when the plot’s a surprise!
That wasn’t quite what I expected.
	The dance choreography beautifully complemented Natalie Portman’s stellar performance. The psychological intrigue and constantly twisting plot were fully realized in a redemptively tragic ending. I was moved. A well deserved Oscar for Natalie!
Puke. Honey I’ve got a great chick-flick for our next movie night. It’s called Full Metal Jacket. I think it’s about the newest fashion rage on the Parris runways (and obstacle courses…)
	Ummm. I’m not falling for that. Nice try though.

Who in their right mind would think that Black Swan was about psycho-ballerinas? OK, so maybe the concept of a highly-classified anti-terrorist team traveling the world under cover as a ballet company is a little far-fetched. That would make a great movie idea though…

Filed Under: Life, Viewpoint Tagged With: entertainment, military, movies, tactical

Miranda Lambert Shoots Wedding Deer

May 14, 2011 By Tom Leave a Comment

Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton - Venison Lovers

Continuing with her down-home demeanor and laid-back style, country star Miranda Lambert has gone huntin’ to stock the banquet tables at her upcoming wedding. Prior to tying the knot with country sensation Blake Shelton, Lambert decided it was Time To Get A Gun and fetch her wedding reception vittles.

While Miranda is clearly made of Gunpowder & Lead, the deer in question did not appear to be as ruggedly built, as it was quickly turned into the main wedding feast entre.

Inside sources with Ms. Lambert’s catering company hinted that in addition to the venison main course, other local delicacies would be served including:

Cream of Cooter
Mixed Kudzu Greens with Muscadine Vinaigrette
Coon Seviche
Armadillo Tartare
Twinkie Flambe
And last but not least for the city folk, Braised Squab with Creme Fraiche Foam

Things could get out of hand as there will be an open bar featuring moonshine on the rocks, Mad Dog 20/20 Appletinis, and of course PBR.

Filed Under: Have You Heard?, Life Tagged With: country music, food, funny, hunting, satire

My Gun Culture Mothers Day Gift Guide

April 26, 2011 By Tom 1 Comment

My Gun Culture Mothers Day Gift Guide (img: dennisperrin.blogspot.com)

Hey fellas – it’s almost Mother’s Day!

As a public service announcement, the My Gun Culture staff would like to share a few tips for surviving this holiday with (your) hide intact. When you’ve tattooed these tips onto a convenient and visible body part, feel free to proceed to our helpful Mother’s Day Gift Guide below.

Life Saving Tips (this means pay attention closely):

If you have lilliputian like people scampering around your household, then your wife is a mother. Even though she’s not your mother, you are still expected to provide gifts. Trust us on this one.
If your mini-humans are extra small, you’re expected to provide cute gifts on behalf of them and maintain a facade that they picked them out themselves. Man up and roll with it.
In addition to selecting awesome gifts from the list below, you’re expected to make breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you need directions to your kitchen, ask the little people mentioned in step 1. They will know the way.
If you still can’t find your kitchen, take mom out to brunch or dinner. You cannot just show up at a restaurant and expect to be seated within the next 72 hours. You need to make reservations well in advance. This requires use of a telephone. Call now for 2017 reservations. If you have not made reservations yet for this year, please refer to step 3.

Follow those tips and you should remain safely above the dirt for at least another couple of days. Now, on to the gift ideas. For fair and balanced recommendations, we’re offering male and female perspectives from father and daughter – both experienced Mother’s Day veterans. Lesson’s learned the hard way are lessons learned best after all.


What better way to commemorate the sweet and precious joy of motherhood than with a set of K-2152 Tactical Goggles from Voodoo Tactical?	Ummm, tactical goggles? Put yourself in her place and think about getting a piano key necktie for Father’s day. Enough said. But if you’re dead set on accessories, definitely go for some elegant jewelry from Hot Caliber. Maybe one of their ‘hand shot, one-of-a-kind’ Five Shot Diamond Pendants? Diamonds you ask? Those are really expensive rocks that mom’s appreciate and deserve! Oh, and daughters.
Lyman Turbo Sonic UltraSonic Case Cleaner: What woman in her right mind would not want one of these? Guaranteed to make the mom in your family happy for years to come as it will get her brass squeaky clean! Perfect for spring cleaning!	I suppose it would be great for cleaning jewelry. But you should know by now that you never get mom anything that plugs in for Mothers Day! Maybe instead surf on over to Gun Tote’n Mamas and get her a Raven Shoulder Pouch Concealed Carry bag? With slash-resistant straps it’s both tactical and cute.
When she feels that her cubs may be threatened from greater than handgun distance, the mom in your family way want a Barrett MRAD bolt-action repeater in .338 Lapua. The folding stock makes it ideal for purse carry while the 10 round magazine offers extra insurance for more difficult situations.	So I have to give you props on this choice, dad. You know I have a thing for giant rifles like the Hakim. But considering this holiday is all about, you know, moms…how about something actually concealable like the new Kimber Solo 9mm semi-automatic? It’s got very respectable 9mm power for self defense and size and curved contours that make it very friendly for a variety of concealment options.
Sure to please any discerning woman, the Forster Original Case Trimmer makes pesky reloading chores fun and easy for most calibers with bullet diameters between .171″ to .459″	Is this supposed to be a gift that keeps on giving? I’d suggest some cute custom earplugs like Radians Do-It-Yourself Molded Ear Plugs to drown out the sound of you singing old Arrowsmith songs while you’re in the man cave reloading. They come in all different colors and they guarantee a perfect fit for dainty, lady-sized ears.
Cold Steel Spike Tanto: This is for you and her! A tactical neck knife that will slice through heavy rope will make both of you feel way more Rambo-like.	Now here’s a practical gift idea. These knives are nice and small, so they can easily be concealed under a little black dress and the neck chain could totally pass for a funky necklace. Useful and just a little bit bad@ss. Now what girl doesn’t want that?
The Gun Tool: Heck, mom’s have plenty of leftover room in their purse to carry the most versatile and portable gun tool ever right? Torx wrenches, pin punches, windage / elevation tools, and more – all in one!	How thick are you anyway? Unless it has a manicure set built in, forget it. Stick with something more traditional like a bouquet of flowers.
US Armament 1877 Bulldog Gatling Gun: Not only an outstanding domestic defense tool, this beauty will spice up any home. She can even sparkle up the huge piles of .45-70 Government used brass in her Lyman Turbo Sonic Case Cleaner. This will make her giddy for sure! Just tell her the piano will have to go in order to make room.	Since I get my magnificent (yeah right) musical ability from you, I vote yes. But mom actually plays that piano and I have a feeling she’d be less than thrilled to see it go. But if you’re going for historical intrigue and perimeter defense, how about a moat around the house filled with Tea Olives?
Velocity Bullets 140 grain Lead .40 S&W bullets: You can’t go wrong with the traditional mother’s day gift – bullets for reloading! Hey, don’t let the fact that your gun, not hers, is a .40 S&W slow you down on this one. She’ll just love to reload for you! Trust us…	That’s a negative, ghost rider. I suggest getting her a pretty little holster for HER .32 from Diva Sleeves. They have tons of cute patterns, colors, and are even bedazzled! You can’t go wrong with bedazzling. I saw it on an infomercial.
Every mom needs a break from household noise. Kids, pets, whining husbands/fathers… What better gift than an Advanced Armament ECO-9 Suppressor for her favorite 9mm?	Ummm. No. Dad, I love you and all, but sometimes you’re a complete idiot. If you really want to give mom a break, get her plenty of coupons for spa treatments and manicures. Now that is silence and relaxation that no suppressor can beat.

This Mothers Day gift guide has been a public service announcement from My Gun Culture. You can thank us later guys. And no, you cannot date my daughter.

Filed Under: Life, Viewpoint Tagged With: gifts, holidays, ladies

Super Moon Causes Super Werewolves Panic

March 19, 2011 By Tom Leave a Comment

Super Moon Means Super Werewolves

Shelves of specialty ammunition retailers were bare today in anticipation of tonight’s “Super Moon” event. March 19, 2011 marks an event that occurs only once every twenty years when the moon passes over 30,000 miles closer to the earth than usual. And that has some people hot and bothered.

“Super moons only mean one thing – and that’s Super Werewolves” swooned high school student and werewolf aficionado Bella Swan. “You ought to see Jacob when this happens. His 6 pack turns into a case – it’s awesome if you’re into hot abs like I am.”

Silver bullet ammunition remains in short supply. “We’ve had a run on all of our Silver-jacketed ammunition” observed Mike McNett, Owner of Doubletap Ammunition. “Especially the .44 Magnum semi-wadcutter loads. They’re the most effective on wild lycanthropes you know.”

Filed Under: Have You Heard?, Life, Past & Peculiar Tagged With: ammunition, werewolves

Cupid Upgrades To Kel-Tec KSG Shotgun

February 13, 2011 By Tom 1 Comment

Cupid (Image: funny-potato.com)

Recent reports from the Island of Mythical Fairytale Characters indicate that Cupid has decided to make a major equipment change after nearly a thousand years of bow and arrow use.

Numerous sources have recently reported sightings of Cupid at the 2011 SHOT Show in Las Vegas. “I saw him in several different booths” claimed SHOT Show attendee Romeo. “First I saw him in the Barrett booth checking out the M107A1 .50 BMG. next thing you know, I see him at U.S. Armament checking out an 1877 Bulldog Gatling Gun. I asked my fiancee, what’s up with that? Isn’t he supposed to be cute and adorable?”

Those close to Cupid claim that he has expressed frustration with the lack of performance of his bow and arrows on today’s more difficult love connection challenges. “I think his quiver only holds about six arrows” said close friend and confidant, The Tooth Fairy. He has to do two or three reloads just on Snooki and she still hasn’t been able to find true love.”

Kel-Tec KSG Shotgun

When we caught up with Cupid, he was more than happy to explain the recent sightings. “Yeah, I went to the SHOT Show” he admitted. “But then again, I spend a lot of time in Vegas, although nothing I do there seems to last more than a couple of hours.”

“It was about time that I caught up with current times” lamented Cupid. “My good friend The Leprechaun recently started carrying the Ruger LCBM for protection and he couldn’t be happier with it. So I figured I ought to check out the latest in equipment. I need something new, preferably made of composite materials for light weight. These wings aren’t designed for full combat load out you know.”

After an exhaustive search of the latest gear at SHOT, Cupid elected to go with the Kel-Tec KSG Shotgun. “Who can argue with the innovative dual tube magazine?” wondered Cupid. “That gives me 14+1 12 gauge love slugs without a reload. That might even help me out with challenging people like Paris Hilton without a time consuming run back to the Island for more ammo.”

Sources claim that Cupid has also been working a private label deal with Extreme Shock Ammunition and Safariland Body Armor to address the growing problem of commitment issues.

Filed Under: Have You Heard?, Life, Past & Peculiar Tagged With: barrett, boady armor, body armor, cupid, extreme shock, kel-tec, paris hilton, Ruger, safariland, SHOT Show, snooki

Smokin’ Hot Caliber – Welcome to MyGunCulture.com!

February 11, 2011 By Tom 2 Comments

Hot Caliber 5 Shot Diamond Pendant

One of the more fun events of SHOT Show 2011 for us was a cocktail meeting with Manos P. of Hot Caliber. Over a 2+ hour ‘business meeting‘ at the AquaKnox restaurant in the Venetian, we discussed the history and future strategy of the fresh and innovative company. You know, most people think going to the SHOT Show is all fun and games. Let me tell you, it’s strenuous work – the cocktail meetings, the casinos, the guns, the toys, and did I mention the cocktail meetings?

Hot Caliber was founded from a rare combination of interests – professional jewelry manufacturing and lots and lots of pistol shooting. The basic idea is custom and high end jewelry for men and women made from flattened bullets. You know, the really cool ones left over when you shoot at a heavy piece of steel just right. It’s kind of like when you throw Silly Putty against a wall really, really hard. Each properly executed shot leaves a one-of-a-kind and nicely textured lead disc. From this, Hot Caliber fashions pendants, cufflinks, key chains, and more. The smashed bullets are accentuated with silver settings and diamonds. It’s definitely a conversation piece – as is the intent of Hot Caliber.

As mailing toxic lead around is generally only done by cheap overseas toymakers, Hot Caliber has taken a different approach that avoids the toxicity issue and brings the jewelry up several notches in the excellent blingage department. Using a 12,392 year old secret lost wax casting technique, the actual lead bullets fired by the Hot Caliber staff are recreated in either silver or gold. Pieces are available in polished silver/gold or oxidized silver with a dark and very cool patina.

Hot Caliber Cufflinks

As the cocktails, flowed, we learned more about the inspiration for Hot Caliber jewelry. The generally accepted story is that the idea came from a spent, flattened bullet from a steel target shoot – inadvertently brought home in a pocket. As the ‘story’ goes, Mrs. Hot Caliber happened to see this and suggested that it might make a really cool centerpiece for jewelry. Being the crack investigative reporters that we are, we elected to have several more ‘one more rounds’ in a selfless effort to learn the real story. And we did. Apparently, after living in Santa Carla, California for years, Mr. and Mrs. Hot Caliber got completely fed-up with the out-of-control vampire problem and decided to take matters into their own hands. While owning a few Sig Sauer handguns provided adequate protection against local hoodlums, they were decidedly ineffective against The Lost Boys. Hence, silver bullet jewelry.

So, thanks to our dogged determination to learn the truth, you now know that Hot Caliber jewelry is 100% guaranteed to repel vampires in addition to looking simply hot. You can thank us later.

We would like to extend a warm My Gun Culture welcome to our newest partner – Hot Caliber!

Filed Under: Life, SHOT Show Tagged With: jewelry, SHOT Show, vampires

Groundhog Day Canceled Due To Hunting Accident

February 2, 2011 By Tom Leave a Comment

Punxsutawney Phil's Last Known Sighting

Gobbler’s Knob, Punxsutawney, PA – Stunned officials from the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club announced the end of 122 years of American tradition today. In a somber press conference, Groundhog Club President Vladimir Putin announced that Groundhog Day has been permanently canceled as Punxsutawney Phil was plugged stone-cold dead by an overly enthusiastic snipe hunter.

“We’re just shocked” mumbled Putin. “Club members have been keeping Phil alive for well over 100 years with unicorn blood. That’s not easy to get you know. Especially with the hunting laws in Pennsylvania.”

Master Key Shotgun / Rifle (Photo: texasguntalk.com)

Early forensic reports that Punxsutawney Phil was finally done in by a new weapon called a Master Key. Produced on an episode of Discovery Channel’s new reality series Sons of Guns, the Master Key is a combination 12 gauge shotgun and AR-15 semi-automatic rifle. “Apparently the guy blew Phil’s hole wide open with a breaching load, then nailed him good with the AR” observed Pennsylvania forensic crime scene investigator David Caruso. “That can wreck any Groundhog Day for sure. The hunter claims he thought Phil was an angry emu and it was self defense.”

“Now what are we supposed to do?” asked Groundhog Club Social Director Bill Murray. “Start an Elk’s Club Chapter or something?”

Filed Under: Have You Heard?, Life, Past & Peculiar Tagged With: groundhog day, holidays

Happy Thanksgiving from My Gun Culture!

November 25, 2010 By Tom 3 Comments

Filed Under: Life

Gargoyles Plan To Form Shooting Team

November 9, 2010 By Tom Leave a Comment

Gargoyles Competition Shooting Team Captain Grog Photo: thecelticcroft.com

According to recent reports from AmmoLand.com, the Gargoyles intend to form a new competitive shooting team. Traditionally known for their fearsome appearance, Gargoyles have not historically been recognized for their agility and speed. According to industry insiders, that reputation is about to change.

“People generally think of rock sculptures as slow and inflexible” comments Don Draper, Vice President of Marketing for Gargoyles Eyewear. “Just because they’re evil and mean looking doesn’t mean that they can’t shake and bake on the course of fire. Plus they have the added benefit of scaring away evil spirits. But the thing that really attracted us to the whole competitive Gargoyle concept was that most Gargoyles have wings and we expect them to literally fly through complex courses in major USPSA competitions.”

Gargoyles Eyewear Shooting Team

Rumors have been circulating for some time that the Gargoyles have been training in more sedentary shooting sports such as Benchrest and NRA Bullseye to prepare for their entre into the action shooting arena. “We’ve been really impressed by the stability and resulting accuracy that these Gargoyles have been able to achieve.” stated Wayne LaPierre, Executive Director of the National Rifle Association. “They just sit there and don’t flinch – like they were made of stone or something.”

Gargoyles Eyewear will be equipping the new team with proven eye protection designs including the Classic and Veil Series but will also leverage the teams exposure in the shooting community to launch the all-new ‘Rock Solid’ series. According to unnamed sources, the Rock Solid line will feature 325% UV protection and unsurpassed durability. “These things will last an eternity” bragged Draper.