fergusons gun

FERGUSONS GUN


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I loved the book “Every Insult And Indignity” by Brown and Roberts ( printed by Create Space, so you go through Amazon ). It is a specialty book, not mass marketed. First, it is expensive. Second, it is so specialized it isn’t all that long even with the personal aspects of the inventor and his military battles ( for those who simply refuse to pay attention, this is the book on the Ferguson breech loading rifle I told you about already ). Now, normally I used to squawk about books much past $20. I automatically advised against them. Now, I see more and more merit in investing in arcane areas. I bought the $33 version of the book. I don’t know if the authors get too much more when I did that, but I had bothered them a few times by email and so I felt I needed to “give to the cause”. You can buy the $20 version, black and white rather than color with some pictures missing, or the $10 Kindle version. I’ll admit, this book isn’t for everyone, but to those interested, you don’t get a better reference book.

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The authors have thousands of dollars invested ( each reproduction rifle cost two grand ) in this research project, and who knows how much time. The expense of this book probably doesn’t even begin to go towards paying back their investment. So, sure, $20-$33 for a small book might seem like a lot, but it is well worth what they have to say. They’ve done the heavy and expensive lifting for you. Over the years, Ferguson users have complained about the breech screw fouling after a few shots, about how the rifle fouled quickly. The authors show you how to use the correct bullet and screw lube and what the correct ball size is, and the kind of powder to use and they were able to duplicate the original royal demonstration when over forty shots were accurately fired without problem by the inventor. In comparison, a Kentucky rifle and the like usually need cleaning after not too much more than a dozen firings. The Brown Bess, a smooth bore, doesn’t get much more than two dozen or so. And, contrary to what I thought, the accuracy of the Ferguson isn’t bad at all. With very good range. The authors show how superior the rifle was to almost all others ( within its intended and designed uses ). Other than the weak wooden stock where the breech plug was, the design was near perfect and far ahead of its time.

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Now, I know you are scratching your head and wondering why you need to research a Ferguson rifle. You have your super deluxe plastic carbine with a case of ammo, so you are sure you can be the new Humongus Of The Wasteland. Silly rabbit, you need guns and ammo you can use with much lower technology. Individual rifles and hoarded ammunition stocks will work fine on an individual sniper basis in limited engagements, but to wage war after the apocalypse you need to reinvent your logistics. After a very short time, modern smokeless powder and primers will be gone. Think of it this way. If you have a ton of wheat, it can feed you for years. If you use it to feed a squad, it is gone in months. You might have enough modern rifle ammo to last you forever, but if you arm a squad it is gone half way through the first war. If, and I stress the word IF, you are actually planning on doing something other than surviving alone in your bunker ( such as actually participating in going on the offensive and driving invaders out of your area ), you might want to consider the feasibility of rearming your troops with Ferguson rifles. I’m not saying you will see your wet dream of becoming a dictator come true. It might just be you have no control over events and are “demoted” to a low rank overseeing the slaves building the armaments your crazed king demands for global domination. But regardless, this knowledge will be far superior to, say, organic gardening. You will be the only one with the foresight to invest in this, the perfect post-apocalypse infantry weapon.

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Not that this is a cheap or easy option. Not only are you going to have to invest in buying a prototype rifle, you will have to know how to duplicate the parts ( one of those machinist deals that can work wood and metal? I think a CNC machine- I’m not sure. There has got to be a minion proficient in this area ). You would need to have barrel blanks, perhaps. Lead ingots. And know how to make the specialized black powder. So, this is for the survivalist that already has everything. Instead of buying an ounce of gold or three, invest in your future arms manufacturing plant. Also, you are going to have to be able to modify the original wood stock, making it stronger ( two piece rather than one? All steel receiver? This is way outside my experience ). Myself, I can envision the strategies the rifle demands, as well as the logistics, but in the manufacturing realm I haven’t a clue. What is the alternative? Figuring out how to duplicate metal cases, modern powder and modern primers ( all these are usually the province of high tech manufacturing with complicated supply chains ). Which one do you think is cheaper and easier?

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Of course, you could just plan on a lone survival strategy with a rifle that does away with expensive modern ammunition. I cringe at the price tag, but it would be a “forever” gun, useable long after the other idiots out there ran out of ammo. The only thing to be cautioned with, is that to work properly ( ie, not foul up and freeze up after three shots or so ) you can’t use crap blackpowder you manufactured out of chicken droppings. The gun is designed to work with high quality powder. But if you pass that hurdle, you have a rifle that is equal if not superior in accuracy and can go at least three times longer before it stops working due to excessive fouling. And reloads much quicker and easier. With a Ferguson available, I’d hate to settle for any other black powder rifle.
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If you want to buy the book, also consider going through this link:
http://www.everyinsultandindignity.com/sales.html
It doesn't bother me that you don't buy it through Amazon, since the authors get a bit more commission if you do it this way.  They deserve it ( there is so little after printing costs that the authors usually get squat- so please use this link or buy Kindle so they get a decent return on their efforts )
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