8 pounds, 5 ounces. 21.5 inches in length. Female. Mother and baby doing well.

Since my post about the MP5/10 got me thinking about the Pro Arms clone, I hit google to see if there was any update. Well, the update is that H&K filed an Intellectual Property / Trademark suit against Pro Arms last month. Further research revealed that H&K has filed suit against most of the makers of clone guns, including those that make Airsoft versions.

Dear H&K,
If I could buy a new, reasonably priced, civilian legal semi-auto MP5 (or MP5/10) from you, I would.

My post about buying some 10mm ammo got a reply post from Hermit showing off a nice two-tone Colt Delta Elite. I thought I'd reply with an old picture of my lovely stainless Delta Gold Cup.

This is definitely a shooter grade gun. I only spent $400 for it, which for a Gold Cup is a damn good deal. You can see several small holes in the dust shield where the previous owner had it tapped for a scope mount. The finish is well scratched. So, I have no concerns about taking it out and shooting it (short of insufficient ammo). Someday I'll see about sending it to a 'smith for a round hammer and beavertail, because despite the weight of this gun, the recoil is stout, and the spur hammer bites me every time - I've got a permanent scar to prove it. But, it functions flawlessly, so I have no major complaints.

The 10mm round is indeed a kick-ass round, putting out a lot more energy at the muzzle then it's decendent, the .40 Smith & Wesson. It terms of power, it exceeds the .357 magnum, is comparable to the .41 magnum, and comes close to the .44 magnum in some loadings. All this in an autoloading pistol that carries 8+1 rounds. The Glock 20, also chambered in 10mm, loads to 15+1 rounds, and is the same size frame as the Glock 21 in .45 ACP.

Another fun fact: When the FBI adopted this round in the late '80s, they convinced H & K to do a special run of MP5 submachine guns, chambered in 10mm and designated the MP5/10. If I could have any gun in the world, that would likely be the winner. That's why I was so excited about the Professional Arms mk5 - it was going to be available in 10mm.

That's the weight of the packages left on my doorstep by UPS this afternoon. 2000 rounds of 9mm on backorder since March 3; 500 rounds of 10mm on backorder since 4/18. All Georgia Arms Canned Heat!

I snuck out of the office at lunch today to pay a visit to a gun pimp or two, since my plans to do so yesterday got interrupted. My favorite gun store was a little better stocked than the last time I visited, even having three Kel-tec P3ATs in stock at a good price (one of the guns I'm considering). No Glock 20, and as usual, no PTR-91. They actually only had 3 glocks, all in .40S&W - a 22, 23, and 35C. Still about a dozen AR style guns, in the $900-1200 range. One Armalite .50 single-shot for $3K. They still had a bunch of XDs, a handful of SIGs, a bunch of S&W snub revolvers, and a bunch of 1911s.

The second store was much better stocked across the board, about 10 assorted glocks (no G20s), and maybe 2 dozen black rifles. They also had a .50 sitting out on the counter, also in the $3K range - this one with a "short" barrel - probably about 36-40" OAL. But, I've never gotten a particularly good feel from the folks who run this store, so I have yet to do business with them.

Came home today to find my autographed copy of Matthew Bracken's new book Foreign Enemies and Traitors sitting on my doorstep. This rounds out the trilogy, and I'm greatly looking forward to reading it.

Click the book to go to the website!

We're in a holding pattern, all is well.

All is well on the homefront... Headed south of the Mason-Dixon this weekend to see my kid sister graduate from college. My wife is still about 2 weeks from delivery. It's a nice day out, so I'm going to see about cutting the lawn and maybe starting the garden. The blueberry plants finally took off this year, they're just laden with berry blooms!