Three long gun projects

I have three long guns that I have been eyeing for some upgrades. The first is a Marlin 60. It has been needing a scope for sometime (bifocals make using the iron sights difficult). I just ordered a BSA rimfire scope and rings. I should have pics of this up soon. I've always believed an accurate .22 rimfire rifle is a must in anyone's collection. From plinking and small, having an inexpensive means of maintaining your shooting skills is terrific. For those who plan on WTSHTF, an accurate .22 rimfire loaded with subsonic ammunition gives you a means of shooting without attracting undue attention.

The next two projects are going to be more expensive. First up, I have a Remington 870 that previously was in the Nebraska State Patrol in the 1980s. It still has the old school metal folding stock, hard plastic pistol grip and magazine extension. Curiously, they left the wooden forend grip on this gun. It is still a fine tactical weapon but I want to update it a bit.

First, the folding stock and old style pistol grip have to go. I'm thinking about a stock with a recoil reduction system. There are many tactical forends and I'm leaning towards one with a picatinny rail. I could then attach a tactical light (if I want to go mall ninja). It only has a bead sight so that has to be upgraded. Originally I wanted to go with ghost rings but there are some reflex sights now that are small enough to be an option. Of course that's after I decide if it gets a new, shorter barrel. I'd like an accurate barrel to deliver slugs in a nice tight group. While its primary role will still he home defense, it may need to fill other roles on short notice. Case in point, back in the early 90s an African lion got loose from its pen on a farm about 20 miles from here. There are all kinds of idiots owning exotic animals. The Remington, armed with slugs and 00 buckshot, would be my first choice to deal with wild animals on the lose.

Once all of the physical upgrades are made, I then want to get it coat in something more durable than its current blue. I'm hoping to think my way through this over the fall and maybe have this ready for prime time in the spring.

Once the 870 completes its transformation, my money and time will focus on the final long gun project. I have a Springfield M1A1 that has been sitting idol in the gun closet. It can shoot further than my eyes can see so some type of optical sight is a must. Originally I was going to put a scope on it and let it do with .308s do well; shot long and straight. But in exploring sighting options for the Remington, I've decided that a reflex sight may be an option. It would turn the M1A1 into more of an urban warfare type weapon but isn't that where I live?

Fix our Schools

Congresswoman Shakowsky is trying to create more jobs by introducing a $227 billion jobs bill. On one of the cable talk shows, she commented that we (the US) needs to fix our schools.

It was a through a comment much like saying, we need to eat more fiber. It is just a sound byte comment that gets head nodding without thinking through the real problem. If schools were to only reason we have unemployed workers, then the money already injected into schools would have produced more qualified workers.

The problem with getting more people into the workplace is more complicated. Our secondary education system does not produce qualified workers except for service industry (unless the student attended a vocational or career center). Students with diplomas have to go one for further academic training in order to get a job.

The curriculum at high schools is more about appeasing the state education controlling authority than producing a workforce. If the curriculum fails to meet state requirements, the school district does not qualify for state subsidies. The curriculum is controlled by teachers without regard to the requirements of the workplace. If it were, we would see high school diplomas as the entry point into the workforce. At least in the Buckeye State, you will need a minimum of an associate's degree or certification (such as fire, EMT, police, welder, etc).

The other problem is fewer and fewer students get the support for academic studies at home. There a many reasons for this but it comes down to the student receiving little support or encouragement for their studies. Students aren't held back because this would cause the district to lose funding. Graduates then have to go for additional training and education to qualify for jobs.

I hope the Congresswoman's plan works but remain skeptical to injecting money into schools without regard to changing the curriculums will result in much a change.