The Biden Maladministration has placed some new sanctions on Russia that, apparently, will result in a ban on imports of firearms and ammunition from that country. The latter is a particularly big deal, because steel-cased cartridges in 7.62x39 (the round used in the very popular AK-47 and SKS rifles) were previously imported in huge quantities into the U.S., and have always been fairly cheap. Now, other companies will need to pick up the slack, and this inevitably means shortages and likely price increases. In fact, I went online today, and it looks like many retail outlets have already sold out of the Russian-made ammo (primarily Tula and Wolf). Fortunately, a friend of mine - whom I love as I love myself - has been stocking up on the 7.62x39 for years, and I'm sure he'd be glad to let me have some - if I owned an AK-47 or an SKS, which, of course, I don't.
As a Ruger fan, I've been disappointed to see that the New Model Blackhawks have pretty much completely disappeared from online firearms sellers. Two years ago, you could find them in a dizzying range of calibers and configurations: .357 Magnum, .41 Magnum, .44 Special, .45 colt, .30 Carbine, grips made of walnut, faux ivory, checkered black hard rubber, standard, bird's head and Bisley grips, barrel lengths ranging from 3.75" to 10", blued and stainless steel, some special editions with case-hardened frames, and so on and so on. I suppose it has to do with COVID and supply chain problems, I don't really know. I do happen to have a Super Blackhawk in .44 Magnum that Old Paco handed down to me (one of the originals, pre-transfer-bar), and a New Model .41 Magnum. Both are built like tanks. I've never fired the .44 Magnum, but I have to wear a glove when I shoot the .41 Magnum (for most loads, not all). I love 'em, and would be in the market for more - if they ever return.
That sucks about ak ammo. I'm not a fan of steel case but it works fine in aks.
ReplyDeleteI have a New Model Blackhawk in .45lc. It is a tank but it's the smoothest action. It almost feels liquid.
I have one in .30 carbine. It's fun to shoot. It burns probably less than half the powder in the barrel so it shoots a jet of flame. If they're 5 feet away the bullet would be superfluous.
I'd particularly like to have one in .45 colt. The .30 carbine sure does sound fun!
ReplyDeleteNote that firearms and ammo are embargoed.
ReplyDeleteRussian petroleum is not.