By Brandon Robinson
The recent closure of the 150 year old Doe Run lead smelting plant in Herculaneum, Missouri caused quite a stir. Conspiracy theories continue to abound in a community used to finding new gun control schemes under every rock from D.C. and San Francisco. For many, this closure was, at best, an example of the heavy-handedness of the EPA, again wreaking havoc on a beleaguered manufacturing sector. At worst, the closure was a malicious attempt by the Obama administration to use the EPA’s thugs to further squeeze the civilian market for ammunition. In this case, however . . .
a little digging reveals that the Doe Run plant – built close to the Lake City Ammunition facility on which a large portion of the military supply chain depends – has developed a cheaper, cleaner and safer alternative to traditional lead smelting. An article published in February 2011 at mining.com, (“your source for global mining news”) describes the new “hydrometallurgical lead smelting process” which occurs when “a proprietary lead-bearing solution exposed to an electric current, which ‘electrowins’ the lead metal to cathode sheets.”
In layman’s terms, acid is used to dissolve lead ore, which is then separated by negatively charging the lead ions and attracting them to a positively charged plate. According the plant’s management, the necessary infrastructure for the new process will cost only $30 million as opposed the $150 million that would have been needed to upgrade the existing smelting facility to meet new EPA standards. Likewise, the new process will be cheaper, have a far diminished environmental impact and offer greater efficiency at a “99 percent versus 95 percent” extraction rate.
With world demand estimated to almost double over the next decade, it appears that U.S. lead manufacturing is in for a bright future. Conspiracy theories or not.
I haven’t read the whole post yet, but Herculaneum has got to be the coolest name for a town I think I’ve ever heard.
We also forget that most lead is recycled. As of 1998, 63% of lead was recycled. I’d bet that the percentage is higher now.
The vast majority of the lead that ammo companies used is recycled, too, as opposed to virgin lead ingots. I heard on the grapevine that it was on the order of 90 – 95%, but don’t quote me.
Obama is the modern day Neville Chamberlain of foreign policy, and the world is in a great deal of danger as a result. He’s cutting military spending at a time that Russia and China have beefing theirs up for 8 – 10 years. You can either believe Obama and his cabinet is actually this stupid, or realize he’s been setting our country up for a fall since day one.
Since the last American lead smelter is in fact now closed and the new process will need permits, studies, permissions, etc. from the same agency that caused that closure I still see this as reach around gun control. The seeds for this were started when the EPA reclassified lead as an environmental toxin 20 some years ago.
THEY SHOULDN;T HAVE BULLETS LIKE THAT !!!!!!
Agreed w/ JR on HOAs. The worst part is like what Jase from Duck Dynasty said. I’m paying them so that they can tell me what I can and can’t do on my own property. But of course HOAs didn’t come out of thin air. They evolved because everybody got sick of having that bad neighbor and looked to restrict them. But I do hate keeping my garbage can inside the garage, the whole garage smells of garbage. The next time I buy a house, I’m gonna try to pull a fast one on the HOA form and remain unenforceable. We’ll see how that works.
I don’t agree with the pre-emption argument. A local municpality or a subdivions of the state isn’t trying to institute this legislation. It would be the state that is applying the legislation to the city, so as much as I hate this legislation, I don’t think the pre-emption argument works.
I’ll believe it when I see it on the lead smelting plants, but at least there’s hope. But (tin foil) maybe hope is exactly what they want us to have. “Don’t stock up, we’ll have a new plant opened up after we close the old one. Promise.” Get a reasonable amount of ammo and hang on to it. One day you may have too much which just means you get to shoot more. One day you may not be able to afford to buy much. One day you may not be able find any. Etc, etc, etc.
The Keystone pipeline has study after study showing its safe and ready, with years of research. It’s been approved in nearly all the states (save NE and by our beloved president), yet how much oil has Canada transmitted to Texas through this pipeline to date? The government/administration is slow playing the Canadians until they just get fed-up and ship the oil to China. I think this is similar situation. Just because its “approved” doesn’t mean it’s not declined, under review or slow-played for a decade.
The same with hydraulic fracturing.
Now how can you say there are Russians in the Ukraine? Shirley, they’d be carrying AKs if they were Russians:
http://news.yahoo.com/ukraine-soldiers-allowed-arms-following-first-death-175641630.html;_ylt=AwrBJSCoiihTnigAMMnQtDMD
There is another issue that isn’t mentioned and this is, if the lowers were indeed manufactured in accordance with law and regulation, the next question is are they beyond 80% complete? Are these lowers readily convertible into a firearm? I see that they sell jigs and tools to finish the lowers. How long does the process take? It’s my understanding that if they can be finished to fire a single shot in less than 8 hours, they would be considered to be readily convertible and thus firearms.
I came across two R51s yesterday and bought them both on the spot. Contrary to the thoughts shared in the TTAG review, I am *very, very* pleased with the guns. As important, my wife is quite taken with the R51 as well. I’m a former active duty military member, former LEO, and lifelong firearms enthusiast and I’ve owned at least one (or many!) example/s of just about every major firearms producer out there. I’ve held a carry permit for 15 years now and have carried concealed just about every day of that time – from revolvers, to full framed semis, to sub-compacts. I would also consider myself deeply experienced (use, maintenance, & modification) with the 1911 and Glock platforms, having carried them professionally and used them in competition – spanning arenas from bullseye, to pins, to IDPA. I also carried a Berretta M92 professional for a number of years.
So, my thoughts on the R51 are as follows. (Please bear in mind I have not had the opportunity to shoot the guns yet, so I will follow up with reliability report)
– Excellent fit and finish – no “tooling” marks inside. Very nicely machined and finished outside
– Very, very flat – will be very easy to carry(especially in a “in the waistband” holster) – very “snag-less” on sides – even mag release is flush
– Good sized – not too big, not too small. My wife loves the size. She (small framed) feels she’ll be able to carry one concealed without much trouble at all
– (subjective) an attractive looking gun and very well sculpted for carry – very “snag-less”
– Slide is *very* easy to rack – wife REALLY likes this. Her first attempt at manipulating it and a big smile spread across her face!
– I like the aluminum frame. Frankly (and I own several polymer pistols) I’m a little sick of the plastic trend…
– Single action = awesome trigger vs. the long, creepy triggers of striker fired guns. I admit, the lack of a “positive” reset is a little “weird” – but being that the gun IS single action and has a MUCH better OOB trigger pull than any striker fired gun, and I don’t get the criticism – there are always tradeoffs in life.
– Grip safety = awesome! I love grip safeties! It requires ZERO thought disengage and being “upside down” (in comparison to 1911) it seems IMPOSSIBLE to me that someone could EVER fail to deactivate it when holding the gun with the intention of shooting it. Frankly, to suggest otherwise is just dumb in my opinion. Now, as to the presence of a grip safety – I wouldn’t own a single action gun without one. Very few people (or maybe I should say very few competent people) gripe about the 1911 grip safety, which IMHO (if you really want to be honest about it) is a horrible design compared to this one. It there is one criticism I have about the “plastic fantastics” is the thought that a tiny tab on the trigger serves to make a gun “safe.” Further, while they might be “striker fired” and not fully “cocked” until the trigger is pulled, a grip safety is mandatory on a gun carried “locked and cocked” such as the R51 for it to be safe. Anyhow, I feel the grip safety on the R51 is a GREAT addition and a much BETTER design than the gold standard of the 1911.
– My one concern/gripe – the mags, specifically the base plates do not seem as durable/robust as they should be. The mag design does need to prove its self – but would likely be any easy, cheap “fix” it they do show to be problematic.
Regarding comments about the “gritty” slide – come on people… The gun uses a completely different operating system from pretty much EVERY other gun in the world – it is going to “feel” a bit different. I don’t see this as a reason to disparage the firearm! It is much lighter than any slide I’ve worked – certainly in the subcompact 380/9mm arena. It does feel “different” as you are using the slide to essentially move an internal “bolt” or breach block. So, having said that, Berretta 92 slide = glass on rails. 1911 = well, depends on quality of gun, but while smooth, not as good as Beretta. Glock, seriously? It’s like a tiny train wreck of creaks, groans, squeaks and “sprongs” and NO ONE could describe it as anything but gritty! In short, I feel the “gritty” R51 observations are uneducated (in consideration as to what is going on inside the gun – something TOTALLY different than virtually all other semi-autos) and just do not hold up comparatively speaking. To me, they seem to be an attempt to unfairly cast further mud on the R51.
In short, I am extremely pleased with what I’ve purchased. This gun is pretty interesting in how it is being received – Jeff Quinn (Gun Blast) has given it a couple of positive reviews now, exactly along the lines of what I observe about the gun – others, not so much. I think that there is a blurring of the lines between the producer (Freedom Group) and the product. While I was no fan to see Marlin get moved, let’s be honest, after Sandy Hook, the plant would probably have been moved regardless. I’m not trying to excuse what happened and I believe that the Marlins produced today are not what they once were – but that’s life. It seems to me like gun folks are an unforgiving lot. Considering that the *product* is about the first new breath of air in the industry in decades – and I’m shocked and taken aback about all of the criticism – ESPECIALLY AT THE PRICE POINT! I’m not suggesting that there aren’t or won’t be some of the typical “bugs” that need to be worked out but this is a fact with any gun new to the market. Very few people would carry a 1911 for defensive purposes for DECADES without $1000s of custom gunsmith modifications (now standard in the day of CNC) to make them run reliably first. The Glock? Anyone know anything about that company? There’s a book out there if you’re interested you can form your own opinion… And talking about Glock, boy were they originally received with skepticism! Did they have issues? You bet… Anyone wonder where the terms “fully metal lined” and “drop free” came from and why?
The R51 uses a locking system designed by the individual who John Moses Browning stated “was the greatest gun designer in the world.” (John Pedersen) By virtue of this system, it has a lower bore axis (reduced felt recoil, liner recoil impulse, quicker follow up shots), possesses inherent accuracy not found on other guns in its class (due to fixed barrel), and arguable is more durable than it’s polymer competitors. (It is certainly thinner!) Also, its trigger is much nicer than typical offerings in its class – and let’s touch on that class. To my eye (I did not hold them up to compare) it is a bit bigger than a LCP (380) and smaller than the LC9. This would make it about the smallest 9mm out there. I’ve heard comparisons to the Glock (26/27), but TOTAL apples to oranges! The Glock is much beefier width wise compared to the R51. While there are going to be plenty of people who state that they carry a 26/27 IWB comfortably, there is no question the R51 gun will carry MORE comfortably.
I commend Remington for thinking outside the box and INOVATING vs doing the same ol’ same old. It’s just really surprising to me to see all the people intent on trying to tear down their efforts instead of supporting the industry doing something beyond rehashing the same stuff year after year. It takes a LOT of guts to pour the kind of money into something totally new and Remington should be supported for their efforts –not taken to task over them. And again, for the price! We’re not talking about $6-900 gun – we’re discussing one at $450 out the door if paying MSRP.
PS. I read the original TTAG review, then the “updated” (changed) one, then the explanation for the update/changes. All I can say is, good, bad or indifferent; one should NEVER change what they’ve written after it’s been posted. The original review (in my opinion) did smack of hurt feelings and seemed to contain bias because of this. Removing portions (right, wrong or otherwise) only solidified that perception for me. Also, the assembly/disassembly instructions are very clear. While it is a valid observation that if the firearm is reassembled in correctly it will not function, I feel there was WAY too much hay made about that in the original review, then again in the comments, then yet again in the posting of the youtube video – all of which raise further concerns of bias in my mind. Seriously? A gun is put back together wrong, then videos posted of it malfunctioning? There is a SIMPLE function check that shows that problem and I personal have a hard time even believing that BEFORE shooting the gun (in the video) there wasn’t awareness something was already wrong. Speaking to this, some of the first videos were made outside, the malfunction video indoors. So presumably the gun was running fine, was taken apart and reassembled. Then it didn’t work anymore (makes sense) but a video of this needed to be posted? The content (audio) of the video seems to blame the gun. I think this is unfair. If a public service video is to be posted of what can happen if you assemble the gun incorrectly, why not speak to this during the video?
Not being familiar with air rifles, how loud is it? And can you charge it from a standard air compressor? That might be a good “garden varmint defense tool.”
HOAs are another layer of government, but it’s even worse than that. To buy the house you have to sign an agreement to abide by their decisions. You basically sign away your property rights.
HOAs create more problems than they solve.
If I receive one of these it goes right in the round file.
Dear Flock-member. Thank you for putting your life on the line. We’re sure those trips to the rifle range were fun and educational. The sad fact is, we just don’t trust you with firearms and if you own one, have we got a deal for you! Just let us know that you have one and where you live and as a token of our appreciation, we’ll send you at least one $7 prize.
Of course, your privacy is important. That’s why we may…or may not share your information with our affiliates (including ATF and local low enforcement). Trust us…we’re the government!
Sincerely,
Uncle Sam
No doubt in my mind.
The cop behind the snow is in a pretty precarious position. One slip and he hits the guy in the tree service bucket.
If the old adage is true “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire”, this is not an “innocent” dude who is unjustly maligned. Decent people of the gun don’t run around with nipple piercings, 3rd Reich tattoos, and a skull tattooo on his left arm. This isn’t your take-home-to-mama type. I would bet he has prior involvement with the local men in blue. Betcha he couldn’t truthfully fill out a 4473 in regards to drug use. Call me a square, but I’m with the tree removal workers on this one.
We are taught from an early age, at least most of us were, that wishing bad things on someone, or otherwise wishing someone to fail is not a constructive thought and is mostly negative. We learn in school sports that it is not about winning or losing, but rather how we play the game.
It’s hard to remember all that when the cops always say everything is a game, until you are talking to them and they say “this isn’t a game” After they raid someone for having a plant in their house and the person is heading off to jail, the cops are standing around giving each other high fives while someones life is over.
With all this in mind, it will be pure joy to watch the hens of MDA sink into forgotten obscurity. It’s inevitable.
MDA days are numbered, mark my words. High fives!
Legal question for anyone familiar with the technicalities of the Connecticut civilian disarmament law –
The BATFE says that the serialized lower receiver IS the firearm. If that is the case, can people in CT with ARs strip all the parts out of the lower and turn in ONLY that piece and a handful of mags and be within the requirements of CT law?
If that is the case they could even sell the stripped lowers out of state, use that money for a non-polymer 80% lower without a serial number, build a new lower and add a 10-round magazine. In theory their new rifle should be both legal and unregistered as well as not requiring registration, since it is not a serialable firearm according to BATFE.
Or is that solution not workable?
read the book. very interesting…
Big guy can move!
Buy this man a beer. Better yet, buy this man a bar.