Greetings and Salutations!
Got hemmed up last night on a project for The Boat.
Hence my absence.
Back when I decided to go ‘Full Contractor’ with The Boat, during one of the “Prime Days” a month and a half ago or so, I found a a rooftop rack for the truck that had a pretty decent price, as well as a coupon that saved me some additional shekels. The problem was when to do the installation as there’s two types of weather here in Tampa…
Too hot or too wet.
As of late it’s been a combo of both.
However we did have some rain the other day that allowed the night (last night in particular) to cool off enough that I was able to finally do the assembly and installation of the rack.
It was thankfully a pretty straightforward job in its assembly.
It’s ALSO large enough and from what I can tell sturdy enough for my liking. It has a 250 pound cargo rating, so that’s another bonus.
My rationale is that like in Iraq, I want to make sure I can stash an extra full size tire and rim, plus be able to externally haul ammo cans/water cans/cases of rations what have you like I did back in the day in Iraq:
Maaaaaaaaaaan I miss that truck…
My 2006 Semi-uparmored ‘Burban.
I got it in trade from a maintenance Company that needed a lo-boy trailer. I was going to have it shipped home on the down-low (in a 20 foot container, sent to McDill) but ‘things happened’ and I didn’t get a chance to pull it off unfortunately.
The Boat is also going to be sporting a Hajji-Squisher like Godzilla (that was it’s name BTW) had in a paycheck or two down the road as well. I mean why the Hell not? Considering that the way things are going? I mean I did get home a lot of the Kevlar door panels that have now been installed on The Boat as I think it’s prudent to get into “Mad Max Mode” sooner, rather than later Aye?
Better to have a ‘battle wagon’ than not amiright?
I also just realized something…
The Boat and Godzilla share that same gold-ish/tan color.
Neat!
I also sanded the hood and front bumper a wee bit as the paint is DOA and the fiberglass of the hood itself was starting to get messed up and had a little bit of delamination due to the UV damage. By sanding it, and eventually (probably tomorrow) priming it, and ‘rattle canning’ it with a couple of layers of clearcoat gloss, it’ll look a LOT better than what it currently is.
I also was busy making sauce
The last ‘bottomless bucket of sauce’ finally ran out, and we’d been without any sketties for a week or two, so I started off cooking up 5 pounds of ground beef (80/20 mix for those who want to know):
I seasoned the Hell out of it, then drained it.
While that was cooking I used the Air Fryer on “Grill” and did up a dozen Mild Italian Sausages, which I then diced into rounds, and added to the pot:
For grins and giggles, I then cooked up a package of pepperoni in the same pan I’d done the beef in. Mind you, I lightly pan-fried it up, and then drained the excess oil off as well. Once done, it too went into the pot:
Sausage, Ground Beef and ‘Ronis?
Check, check annnnnd Check.
Three large cans of plain tomater sauce, 2 smol cans of diced tomatoes (I like some textured ‘maters in my sauce) and then seasoned it alllllll over again to make sure it’s got the right flavor and then hey!
A pretty decent meat heavy sauce.
Damned near an “Italian Chili” to be honest…
Thick as all git oot and GREAT on sketties…
So that was last night…
Oh and I forgot… there was also Weapon Maintenance as well.
On the new piece:
Damn Palmetto State and Zezzle
An Italian made Beretta ‘Cheetah’ 84BB in .380
For $299 on clearance.
I carried the same piece in Iraq back in the day as a ‘backup piece’… ammo was rare and hard to come by but it was a nice lil peashooter… easily concealable, a large grip and a 13 round magazine. The one I had in Iraq had the smooth wooden grips (which I’m keeping an eye open for to add to this ‘un)… The reason for this purchase (besides the outstanding price-point) is that it gets added to my “Guns of Iraq” theme where eventually I own a model of ALL the firearms I had over there…
The bitch is going to be sourcing my Dragunov…
Looking it over, it hardly has ANY ‘wear and tear’ for a former police weapon. It’s truly in remarkably great shape as you can see…
The springs are tight, the slide is actually really hard to pull back as the mainspring in ‘like new’ and overall?
Like I said, NO ‘real’ wear and tear…
The barrel is pristine:
And tomorrow, Sapper and I are going out to Cowboy’s place to bust some caps we hope, weather depending. I’ll then know if it shoots worth a damn, as well as the Glock .45 which needs to be tested as well…
So that’s the beginning of the weekend.
Hope y’alls goes nice and smoothly as well as mine currently appears to be doing!
More Later
Big Country
My wife is so petite that a Ruger LCP is a bit of a challenge for her to conceal. Regular fmj for practice, Hornady Critical Defense in the working mags. It’s a few grains lighter than 9 mm and a bit slower but…
Sure wouldn’t want to get hit by it. Supposedly decent penetration followed by very good expansion
If she can hide it on 4’11” and 98 lbs you should be really able to disappear that Beretta.
The Glock in .45 is a great combo.
Have fun!
IIRC, Tony Montana carried a brace of 84s in SCARFACE so I reckon it’s only fitting that you found one for an EDC since you’re both based out of FL.
Aside from a 1980s era 92 that was my EDC, my personal experience with Berettas have been extremely limited. But the few 1960s Made In Italy Berettas I have handled displayed some peerless craftsmanship i.e. strong springs, perfect fit, gorgeous finish, etc. Enough to make me forgive that goofy Euro tradition of placing the mag release on the bottom left of the stock.
In spite of their minor oddities, Berretas rock. Had a 21A Bobcat, son has it now. Got an 8000 Cougar, most accurate 9mm I’ve ever shot.
Got a 92 XI that lives under the pillow next to me with a scalding Surefire on it. 17 and 30 round mags that have all been tested. Frame mounted safety, cocked and locked.
That Cheetah looks sweet, I’d have bought that in a heartbeat, it’s in excellent condition. BC got a really good deal.
Berretas tend to be stupid reliable and that’s what it all comes down to after all. Add in cheap factory mags (from MecGar) and what’s not to like? Berreta mag, high cap, 30 bucks. Sig mag, 10 round for P365, 55 bucks.
Shooter
I’m replacing the door latch in my 96 diesel
I have a Fallout with gangster gear and Chicago typewriter Thompson.
Happy 9mm day even if it is Kurz or short.
Make helicopter rides great again.
Ok at the risk of sounding like my dad, be wary of zezzle and getting into debt, no matter how small. If you can be 100% sure you can make the payments without incurring interest then maybe. Been there, been screwed, and now I am very very opposed to buying anything I can pay for in cash. (My home being an exception.) just lookin out for you, no judging.
I’ve been looking at those on PSA. A lot of the earlier reviews aren’t too good but it seems this bunch are in much better shape having been gone over by Berretta.
I can do some more pics but lemmee tell you, this thing is NRA Grade “EXCELLENT” no exaggeration. Pristine is the way to call it… hardly ANY wear marks… bare minimal scratches on the plastic grips… All in All I stole this fucker for the price… Jes’ Sayin’ I’ll let y’all know how it shoots tomorrow.
I really like your vehicle project. And the guns of Iraq hobby. You’re alright, I don’t care what they say down here at FBI headquarters.
Appreciate it! Let Kash know I need some more of that CI $$$ if he wants me to keep bringing in folks here… the cupboard is getting bare, and guns and ammo cost $$$ yannow?
Fuuuck. I thought Tree Mike was watching you, he’s your handler! (wonders if now was a good time to join BCE’s Merry Men).
Shooter
Bought one off a Warrent Officer on deck in ’92. Great shooter. MecGar is where I sourced extra mags. They made them for Beretta and are perfect fit, finish, n feed.
I hope you enjoy your new toy!
Nice! Been wanting one of those Beretta .380s. Seems everyone has them for sale in the same general price range. Not sure why I want one, just do. My battle wagon just shit the heater core. It is not a do-it-yourself job, either. Local fixit shop says they can do it for half the cost of the dealer, but it is still going to be over $1,000. This one requires the dash being pulled completely off as well as the steering wheel. Clear coat is coming off it, as well. I’m interested in how you bring yours back.
I have a very good friend in Wyoming. Former Group guy, very into primitive living, very knowledgeable, all around awesome dude. Probably the most squared-away guy I know for any end-of-civilization event.
Except he’s so squared away that he doesn’t have extra cash on hand to pay for vehicle repairs. I hope you’re putting money away so you don’t have to scramble like a raped ape when a daily disaster happens.
While we all prep for the Dawn of the Dead, a far more likely event is the truck needing a new tranny.
^^^ THIS. My last 3 Ford trucks (2x F-150, and a E-350 before those) had auto trans that made 187,000-198,000 miles. Granted, these were work trucks that got a lot of city miles doing service calls. But, you typically won’t see much more than that out of an AT mated to a big 8 on the Ford trucks, unless you get really lucky. And we all know Big Country isn’t exactly renowned for his excellent lucky streaks.
I had a ’97 F-250 4×4 Super Duty work truck that shit the tranny every 25,000 miles like clockwork (as soon as the warranty was expired). I swear that thing was off by a couple degrees or something causing excessive wear on things due to poor alignment. Last time it shit the tranny, I put it in the corner of my yard with a For Sale sign on it. Other than that, it was an awesome truck – regular cab, 8 ft. bed, vinyl floor, nothing you didn’t need. Some kid bought it from me for $1,500 cash.
The tranny’s get to hot, got to add a transmission cooler & problem solved.
ditto on my 2001 E-350 V-8 motor with shitty transmission…
had mine rebuilt before 100k and 20k later it needs another. i hardly ever used that Super Duty extended cargo van and still have it. looks great minus the michigan rust.
Picked up one of those a while back from palmetto arms. Seem to go bang. Was shooting today a used some shooting glasses. Tightened my groups up a bit.
Guess I need to see an eye quack. Oh well.
Older guy I knew was a real car/truck guy. Had a couple of high end body shops up in Massatucky. Fanatic for changing the tranny fluid in vehicles with automatic transmissions. I’ve followed his advice and had 250k+\- on a F250 with the power stroke diesel and no problems. 160 with my present F150 with a fairly hopped up Ecoboost. New fluid and a filter is cheap insurance.
One of the guys I hunt with bought a winch and push bumper for his F250. Unfinished kit, he had to fit it and weld it together. Bolted to the frame. Came out great for about $900.00 iirc
I have a 2000 Chev C-3500 with 292,756 miles on with the original 5.7 L and the big 40L80 Tranny in it and every 50,000 miles gets new synthetic fluid and filter and the fluid drained, not recycled and it is strong runner and I routinely pull a 4400 pond travel trailer with it. Oil change at 5000 miles. You take care of it, it takes care of you.
Hey Cederq You get your truck finished after the wreck?? MattB from Texas.I sent you the headlight adjuster plastic pieces!!
MattB, yup I did and with the extra claim money I got new brakes all around and a tune up and bought two of the four new 265/75/16 10 ply tires so my truck is sitting high and tight!
If you send me your contact info, we could discuss my possibly sourcing you some real door armor inserts for the boat. Not promising just saying I can try.
“Looking it over, it hardly has ANY ‘wear and tear’ for a former police weapon.”
That’s because it’s probably only been fired during requal sessions, so maybe a handful of rounds have gone through that piece in a given year for as many years as it was in service. Just looking at it, I’d be surprised if the barrel has seen more than a couple thousand rounds.
I have a unfired sniper dragunov with all accessories that my brother in law bought many years ago which I inherited after he passed. It still has everything wrapped in the original Kraft paper.
https://www.movebumpers.com/
The Cheetah is indeed the King of the .380’s. If I ever bought a .380 again, it’d be a Cheetah. is
$299 is an amazing price and definitely worth boasting over.
Enjoy.
Big:
You missed an easy lay up on the rack. You should paint over the makers label and put “Rakkasan” in its place. Got to know where you been and those who know know.
Like the pea shooter too. As to the sauce, it’s a little dry (I’m half Italian and half Sicilian so hear me out). A green pepper or two for some roughage and an onion and fresh garlic for flavor, and add another two cans of fire roasted diced tomatoes and a can of water. Hold out the meat till that cooks together for an hour and then using a stick blender give it a quick wiz to finely chop the tomatoes, add the meats and cook for 4 hours. Something happens at the 4 hour mark to the flavors and the sauce goes sublime. Cooking is Chemistry and some reactions have steps and temperatures to complete.
Good luck with the bug hunt and please out the bastard when you find him/her/it.
Spin