Some unusual uses for firearms

[labgrade]

Colorado winter backpacking can get somewhat frustrating at times. I've used pretty stout hard cast .357 loads to do the "power auger" bit to break through ice, getting to unfrozen water - creeks 'n such.

Melting snow is rediculous & ice isn't much better. Free-flowing water can be hard to get at under several inches of ice.

& Cos, rather than smokin' the tree w/a slug & maybe trashing it, why not a birdshot load into the snow-bearing area up high? Just wondering out loud.

 

[HadEmAll]

This pales by comparison to some of the other stories here, and it was more fun than "work", but ...

I was at my range one morning around 6 AM. I'd made coffee with my single burner propane stove. I took the burner off the cylinder, and continued to smell propane. The cylinder valve had a slow leak, and I couldn't get the valve to seal up. Banged it on the wooden bench a few times, just wouldn't stop leaking. Didn't want to throw it in the trash, as other members occasionally burn the trash in the cans. Didn't want to carry it around in my truck. So I put it out at 25 yards and drilled it with a .357. Since I had no clear idea what the ramifications of shooting a nearly full cylinder of propane might be, did all this from behind a decent sized oak tree. Just a large white cloud for a little while. I'd always kind of wondered, now I know. Reading this over, it sure sounds boring for so many words.

 

[labgrade]

Done the same thing, HadEmAll, with a full 16 oz propane canister - & that sitting over a campfire.

Kinda gives lie to the "Bic lighter is equal to 7 sticks of dynamite," huh?

Gotta mention this though, that during some CO rifle hunting seasons, a 3-shot "signal for distress" may only be met with the thought that "you didn't git 'em - with the first shot." It's certainly no ideal for a quick rescue. After hearing several shots - granted from different rifles - but too, from a close series, I've yet to see anybody beating feet to "rescue" anyone from a series of a "3-shot."

FWIW, & BTW, my own party has another specific method for a "rescue" firearms report. It has proven its own validity.

Best use I've ever seen far as a firearm goes is for its purposefully intended design = that of firing a projectile to do a specific task.

We get to choose.

 

[tex_n_cal]

I have occasionally shot propane cans, but mainly just to ensure they were empty - then safe to throw in the recycle.

Come to think of it, if you live in the mountains, you could probably clear avalanches with a .416 Rigby?

 

[Smoke]

Job shooting trees huh? I could do that. Of course it took several thousand rounds to reduce the tree to the point in the picture.....but then, I wasn't aimin' at the tree.

When hurting for tragets as a kid we used to try to sever mesquite limbs with a .22. Seems I have a history of tree shooting.

Think I'll go work on my resume.

Smoke

 

[jaysouth]

1911 with slide locked to rear has TWO beer bottle openers.

My son-in-law made a hood orniment out of a gold plated Lorcin for his 89 Lincoln town car(still being driven today)

Had an elderly uncle who swears he drove a mis-behavin Model 12 Win into the ground and tied a milk cow to it.

 

[mrmeangenes]

Now I'm really gonna show my age !!

1. I can remember a small firing squad sooting the damaged-and dangling steeple off a church in my (childhood) home town. They fired one volley from their rifles - a 30.06,some sort of Savage lever action,and a couple of good ol' 30-30's... and down it came.

2. In olden days ( before they had those sissy twist off caps) some folks would use a Colt 1911A1. Unload,lock slide open,and use the ejection port to pop those caps.

 

[labgrade]

Whilst I was just a mere lad, Dad & I harvested a couple Christmas trees with 1-2 properly placed 12 gauge loads low to the trunk .... much quicker than any bow saw.