DocWard

Later variants had heat. The P-38 was one of the first aircraft fast enough to experience compressibility, and it was a little understood phenomenon at first. Many assumed it was the odd design to be the problem, not the physics involved. In later models, dive flaps rendered it less of a problem. The P-38 was a fighter; fighter-bomber with a 4000 pound bomb load; ground support aircraft with 4, .50 machine guns and one 20mm cannon centrally mounted, coupled with rockets; high altitude, long range photo reconnaissance aircraft ; and night fighter. There are reasons it's my favorite aircraft.

It's relatively easy to become a Ham, and these days you can go as easy or as deep as you want. For weather spotting, all you really need is your Technician's license and a hand held radio capable of hitting local repeaters. They can be relatively inexpensive. If you want to do a slightly deeper dive, the General license isn't that much harder, just more information. If you test and pass your Tech, most places will offer the General test for no additional cost. Same for Extra. I've known people to get all three on one day.

Took the class last year. Was going to go again this year but too many conflicts. I've been through a couple of weather net activations now, and it can be interesting. I will admit sleeping through one because I never heard the phone alert and thunder doesn't tend to wake me. On our club net this past Monday we were talking about emergency power, who has it, who doesn't. I was on shore power but just purchased a LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery. Shut everything down, hooked up to the battery and was back on in about two minutes, with no loss of clarity to the repeater.

With grip tape: New rear sight:

So, I pulled the stock off. No evidence that wood was the issue. In fact, not much at all to be noticed. I cleaned it, paying particular attention to the area the pins go, and snugged everything down. When I grip the foregrip like I am trying to open it, it remains tight and both triggers appear to work. Hold it tight, same thing. I'll look at the ammo later. I had a busy day.

I have some other ammunition I can take to try. High brass, but worth it to eliminate that as an issue. I will also look at the ammo that I had the light strikes on to see if there is a noticeable difference in depth. It probably won't hurt to give it a good cleaning though.

I was using Winchester factory ammo. There were noticeably light primer strikes, compared to the ones that fired.

Thanks! And thanks for clarifying.

It seemed to be but I will double check this evening.

By "nuts" are you referring to the firing pin collars that screw into the breech face? I don't think I can go any tighter without risking damage, to the gun, the wrench, and / or myself.

I was somewhat surprised myself when the original broke. I think the tape works well. It is actually grippy enough that it is going to take a little getting used to. Almost like coarse sandpaper. I appreciate all the positive feedback.

After stripping it with citrus based stripper, I used a steam iron and cotton cloth to get as much stain as possible out, before sanding with 280 grit sandpaper. I then used Minwax wood conditioner before I refinished with Minwax "Gunstock" stain. I then put seven or eight (I lost count) coats of Tru-Oil on it. The first couple of coats I tried buffing with 0000 steel wool, but didn't like the results, so turned to wet sanding with 600 grit sandpaper. I know I have some 400 somewhere, but I couldn't find it and the 600 seemed to do just fine. The last coat was just barely touched with 1000 grit wet. Basically looking for any bumps, dust, etc... that might have gotten into it. A keen eye like yours could probably find the imperfections, but I am extremely happy with it.

Whereas yours is metal, mine is actually plastic. I didn't realize that until the stock slipped out of my hand sometime back as I was removing it from the action and the buttplate broke. Otherwise, I would have considered that. On the positive side, Ruger sent me a new one free of charge. As it is, I got the sheet of Talon grip tape today and cut a piece to size, followed the directions, and it seems to adhere nicely, and definitely non-slip! I had left my phone upstairs, so pics for @Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770 will have to wait for tomorrow. I also replaced the fold down rear sight with at military style sight as well.

That makes two of us. Where do I find him? If No One can do it better, then that's who I'm going to!

I will do just that tomorrow. I've had it for a number of years, now, but it hasn't seen the shooting that many see over the course of that time. I was finishing another project this evening, so tomorrow will be the day for that.