Back on April 12th I wrote Sporty spice defends Springfield Armory’s legacy. For those who aren’t familiar with Springfield Armory’s new brand image, Springfield is identifying itself as the feminist defender of tradition. The google description of defendyourlegacy.com reads:
Since 1794, we’ve built our legacy by making firearms for the independent and the free.
If you go to the site, you will see looped footage of what happened when Springfield Armory handed AR 15s to six kick ass gals in spandex. If I’m interpreting the video correctly, originally the women were confused by the rifles, mistaking them for workout equipment. Eventually a man was able to explain that these were not barbells, but firearms, and was able to teach them how to load and fire them. The video ends with all six kick ass gals bravely standing guard over Springfield’s legacy. The text below the looped video reads:
LEGACY DEFENDED
The willing and capable who refuse to give into the growing plague of believing “somebody else is going to do it for me.”
This is where I left it on April 12th, with Springfield’s 223 year legacy* safely guarded by a band of kickass gals in spandex. Only recently did I learn that just two weeks later something went terribly wrong. Springfield’s lobbying arm was accused of colluding with anti-gun legislators in their home state of Illinois. The Truth About Guns April 27th headline read: Springfield Armory, Rock River Arms Trade Opposition to Illinois FFL Licensing Scheme for Carve-Out
It turns out that just months after Springfield Armory put sporty spice in charge of guarding their legacy, someone snuck up on them and tarnished it:
TTAG exposed the carve-out, unleashing a firestorm of criticism. Days after the news broke, Springfield and Rock River issued public statements denying any knowledge of the deal. By implication, they were saying that their lobbyist, Jay Keller, had gone rogue.
*Peasant pointed out that Springfield Armory Inc. was founded in 1974.
I am shocked, shocked I say!
Good thing my Christmas gun this year is a Smith & Wesson.
I’m very sorry to hear that. SA makes very good weapons.
Oh those strong and empowered wimminz…they like feeling and saying that, but their actions scream ‘Daddy (Uncle) Sam will do it for me’.
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Thought this was somewhat relevant, though not entirely on topic to this particular post.
I have a female acquaintance who is in the Army. Once I received a photo from her showing her in some field during a military exercise of some kind, dressed in full camo and combat helmet with her rifle in her lap, even though she works in communications – obviously a thoroughly non-combat role. In the photo she gave that moxie look of “I know how to take care of herself.”
I visited her recently, and when we went to go shooting she did not have a very strong grasp of firearms, starting with trying to put the wrong type of ammo in her pistol magazine. I then asked her how often she cleaned her gun, and she said she didn’t have any cleaning equipment and had never cleaned a gun before. (I’m thinking, “they don’t teach this during basic training?”)
Before I left, I took her to a sporting goods store, showed her around the gun section, and purchased for her cleaning kits for her .22 LR rifle and pistol. I didn’t have time to teach her how to properly clean, so I directed her to YouTube videos.
At the same time, I just became friends with an elderly couple who were both national marksmen or sharpshooting champions in another country they lived in for a while – the husband’s “man cave” is littered with the handful of their trophies they were willing to bring over here with them. However, the wife is very feminine and sweet, so you would never know she was that into guns or shooting. Turns out, she grew up in the Yukon in a cabin with no running water or electricity, so she definitely knows how to take care of herself.
So my point, in case anyone is missing it, is that women can certainly shoot as well as men if they actually want to, but the ones that can don’t feel the need to prove they’re “one of the guys.” Those who are the latter lack the ability, but think an abundance of moxie will make up for it.
What we’re seeing aren’t efforts by these women to be good at something. It’s an attempt to be “one of the guys,” and as many of us who shoot frequently know, being a guy doesn’t necessarily mean you can shoot the broad side of a barn with buckshot.
Spicy goodness! Mmmm!
Incidentally, Springfield Armory doesn’t have a 223 year legacy. They’re a private firm founded less than fifty years ago that bought some drawings and tooling from the government when the actual Springfield Arsenal was shut down.
[D: Good point.]
@Poke Salad
I’m a fan of the striker fired XD lines. I haven’t handled the new XDE, but it would seem the bad PR from their lobbying arm was perfectly timed to hurt the rollout of the new pistol. This came on top of the drop in gun sales when Trump was elected.
I won’t swear off buying from Springfield in the future, but first their feminist branding and then their lobbying snafu certainly lower my impression of the corporation overall. It wasn’t that long ago that Ruger supported banning high capacity magazines, and SW installed the cheesy “Hillary Hole” on their revolvers (which amazingly are still on new SW revolvers). I’ve purchased multiple SW and Ruger firearms in the last few years.
Question: Was Sporty Spice your friend in the army?
https://wordpress.com/read/blogs/109833994/posts/1976
I always thought Sporty Spice lost it after her break up with Robbie Williams.
@The Question
A few years back I made the mistake of going to the range on a weekend. While checking in I ended up behind a woman who was incensed at being asked if she had hearing and eye protection. She was in the Army and didn’t need these things! She clearly thought she would impress everyone around her, but all she was doing was proclaiming that she had never shot at a public range. I’ve shot at public ranges in four different states, going back 40 years. Every single time they confirmed that we had hearing and eye protection as part of the check in process.
How do you guys feel about Sig Sauer? Have they done anything politically foolish?
As a new Americano I bought one a couple of years ago. I think it was somewhat overpriced, but it has been very reliable and a pleasure to shoot at the range. I’m determined to smuggle it back in to Alberta when your president deports me (as he has promised to do – we all have to go back!)
If I were to buy another handgun, I’d certainly stick with this brand.
I like my S&W Shield.
And I’ve divested from American Outdoors Brands after the greatest gun salesmen in the history of the world left office.
I have several Sigs in .45ACP, they have proven well-made and reliable. I can’t think of anything adverse about them except, as you mention, the pricetag….a feature they share with HK.
I don’t know Sig’s political leanings…I’m guessing the Sig here is an offshoot of the parent company (Swiss?)
@ Kentucky Headhunter
luzlzlz.
@Dalrock
Incidentally, I’m going shooting tomorrow with my friend at a range at a member–only club, so basically everyone is expected to follow the rules without being treated like a five year old. I prefer those to the ranges where an amateur can show up and accidentally misfire.
It was the same at the previous range I went to with a friend – a nonprofit club, and the rules were enforced collectively. The club had been there prior to a lot of development, so the county basically grandfathered it in, though some idiot shooting the wrong way or doing something stupid could cause them to change that. Nobody wants to give the gun grabbers any excuses.
@ Boxer (Secret King of All Gamma Males)
I’m somewhat partial to the Rugers. They built the toughest revolver around – security six – that saved my life when a poorly-reloaded cartridge misfired inside the barrel and the proceeding two shots jammed behind it. The gunsmith said any other revolver would have blown up and likely killed me.
The Ruger 10/22 Takedown is without question the best compact small-caliber rifle you can find, and for a great price. If you like plinking, it’s the best.
@Boxer
I’m not aware of any political controversy around Sig. I don’t have any personal experience with them, but their owners seem to love them. The only complaint I’ve ever seen (and someone is always complaining on the internet) is some grumbling that quality went down after their current CEO (Ron Cohen) moved from Kimber.
@Boxer, Sig makes a good gun though some prefer the ones made in Europe over the ones made in the US. For myself, they all feel like I’m holding a pipe, or a 2×4. The handles are too round.
However, the triggers on the SA/DA guns are supposed to be superb. For myself, I’m a hipster of long standing with an addiction to CZ pistols. I was very saddened to see them knuckle under to the siren song of striker fired guns, but Porsche started selling SUVs too, what’s the world coming to?
Last time I looked Sporty was English. About as daft as having Madonna as the face of the British Monarchy – now there’s a thought.
So Springfield fielded Nancy Harts Militia against the Gun Grabbers only to surrender to them. Well, whodoyouelbow?
Change of plans: Springfield won’t get a dime from me.
@Gunner Q
According to the linked article, S&W and Ruger did the same thing, and was repaid with poor sales.
Dalrock quoting The Truth About Guns – Wow! Overlap from two of my regular reads.
The Question – I also love my Ruger Security Six. It is a great revolver. I also like my Ruger AR556 and SR22 pistols, though I’m more of a Marlin 60 guy than than a 10/22 one. Of course I also like my Glock, S&W, CZ, Savage, Henry, H&R, Norinco, and Mosin firearms.
I like the XD pistol but don’t have one, and won’t likely but one. Shame on Springfield.
Is that the same sporty spice who’s been all over the papers for the last year over a very bitter divorce and allegations of group sex with hubby and the nanny?
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@ Boxer (Secret King of All Gamma Males) says:
December 19, 2017 at 12:34 pm
“How do you guys feel about Sig Sauer?”
Their older designs are better. The P220 and P229 are expensive, but worth the price.
@ Cane Caldo says:
December 19, 2017 at 2:35 pm
“Change of plans: Springfield won’t get a dime from me.”
It’s a good thing that I can’t afford the M1A I’ve been drooling over!
@The Question:
I am shocked she’s a Soldier and doesn’t know how to clean a gun. In USAF basic training we were taught how to disassemble, clean, and reassemble M-16s. And they issue you a field manual that among other things shows you how to do it step by step.
Now in all fairness, I’ve been out for 5 years and I don’t currently own firearms, so I would have to relearn how to clean and maintain one, but still, that’s inexcusable that she doesn’t know. My best guess is she wasn’t paying attention when the classes were being taught.
You all make me feel old fashioned now. My latest gun purchase is a Leech & Rigdon.
@ rocko
I think the training for female noncombatants is very different than for combat infantrymen. I think she mentioned that the quartermaster was in charge of cleaning and maintaining all the weapons, which would explain that part.
Another thing that I suddenly remembered is that she was having trouble carrying her pack during their hikes in basic training. She then found the Army manual or regulations, and one of them said a soldier can’t be required to carry more than a certain percentage of their own weight on their backs, so she was able to reduce the load in the pack. It didn’t really mean anything to me at the time, but then it occurred to me that this regulation has no application in combat.
You all make me feel old fashioned now. My latest gun purchase is a Leech & Rigdon.
Poke hides his Brown Bess…
She then found the Army manual or regulations, and one of them said a soldier can’t be required to carry more than a certain percentage of their own weight on their backs, so she was able to reduce the load in the pack. It didn’t really mean anything to me at the time, but then it occurred to me that this regulation has no application in combat.
Female soldiers, should they care to, typically have no trouble getting White Knighting male soldiers to carry part/all of their load for them.
I “second” The Question’s two suggestions. The Security Six is legendary, for a reason. You can literally disassemble it with a dime. Beautifully built. Unbelievable reliability. I love my Security Six and use it for bedroom defense (Shockwave for home defense).
The 1022 is the most modifiable rifle you can get for that price. A relative novice can swap barrels, drop in a new trigger, swap stocks, etc. I reworked several with Kidd parts. Pricey, but unmistakable quality.
You may also look into .22LR and shotgun combos. Swap barrels fairly easily and double your utility. Great for bugout bags.
How do you guys feel about Sig Sauer?
SEALs use em.
Anchorman – It seems like the accessories and ability to be modified are the main things that everybody loves about 10/22s (and ARs too).
Maybe that is why I like my Marlin 60 and 795. I am a cheapskate who doesn’t care much about modifying my guns. Marlins are cheaper and run well enough for me straight out of the box (pre-Freedom Group buyout of course). With the model 60, you don’t even have buy spare magazines.
I’ll probably pick up a 10/22 one of these days. I like their magazine system better than that of the Marlin 795.
An XD was my first firearm purchase in the summer of 2016 after years of shooting friends’ and families’ guns at the range and on camping trips. Irony is, the laws passed by Jerry Brown and Sacramento inspired the purchase and only a year later SA was part of doing the same kind of thing in Illinois. If CZ and Sig Sauer will be so kind as to not make the same mistake, it would be greatly appreciated. I’d hate to ever regret those purchases.
Boxer… I like the base (nitron) model of the p226 I picked up last winter. (I figured I wanted a gun for me, and another for anyone friend who wanted to join me at the range). Even as I was figuring out how to best grip the gun, it was still shooting under a 2″ diameter group at 15 yards the first trip to the range. I suspect that once I’ve improved my side of the equation it’ll shoot 1/2″ groups. Right now, I’m at about a 1 1/2″ group.
Springfield’s lobbying arm was accused of colluding with anti-gun legislators in their home state of Illinois.
A gun manufacturer headquartered in Illinois. That makes about as much sense as a distillery being based in Utah.
Feeriker,
Springfield and Rock River Arms colluded to pass those laws with the caveat that they would be excluded. Basically throwing small shops to the wolves while preserving their spot at the trough.
“I’m a hipster of long standing with an addiction to CZ pistols. I was very saddened to see them knuckle under to the siren song of striker fired guns…”
I cam to strongly prefer hammer fired weapons once I investigated how striker fired weapons actually worked.
I prefer to carry with the pistol decocked, but a striker, by definition, is always cocked (Glock is an exception to this rule due to its design, but it’s a long story).
Springfield pistols are especially strange. The backstrap safety is a sear block (blocks the striker from moving forward). This performs the same function as the safety in a 1911 (which holds the sear in place, blocking he hammer from moving forward). Carrying a Springfield is the same as carrying a 1911 in “cocked and locked” condition.
What is strange about the Springfield is there are times when the backstrap safety can act as the trigger. With the backstrap safety NOT depressed, pull the trigger (the gun will not fire); while still holding the trigger, depress the backstrap safety; the gun will fire.
Female soldiers, should they care to, typically have no trouble getting White Knighting male soldiers to carry part/all of their load for them.
In real, actual, front-line combat units, such as 101st Airborne, you still don’t find any women. A high-ranking NCO I am more than passingly acquainted with is dreading the day when he has to lug a woman along.
@ Otto Lamp says:
December 20, 2017 at 8:00 am
“I cam to strongly prefer hammer fired weapons once I investigated how striker fired weapons actually worked.”
I also prefer hammer fired pistols. I understand the arguments in favor of striker fire pistols, and they’re logical. Striker fired pistols have only one trigger pull to learn. Hammer fired pistols have two trigger pulls to learn. It’s preferable to learn only one trigger pull, rather than two. I get it.
However, the initial double action trigger pull of a hammer fired pistols is itself a safety feature. And I like that safety feature. It comes down to which of those advantages and disadvantages are more important to the shooter.
One of those girls has a full-arm tattoo! That’s certainly reassuring.
Old news. This story made the rounds months ago, the legislation didn’t pass, Springfield and RRA backed down and apologized. Near as I can tell they thought the legislation was a slam dunk and tried to get an exemption. That’s what companies do. Not defending it, just saying. Not sure why you are bringing it up now.
@Heresolong
I didn’t see the controversy back in the Spring. I only came across it while looking for reviews on their new external hammer version of the XD line (XDE). The review was middling, but the comments were very harsh toward Springfield as a company. So I went looking for the backstory. Since I had written about Springfield’s marketing push to defend the legacy, I decided to write up a short update.
I took proper weapon handling and training through the NRA and the BSA more recently (which the BSA will no longer do…….because you know…..guns are dangerous, and a boy could get hurt…..same with hiking, backpacking………….the BSA is becoming a social justice organization only…just like the Girl Scouts)
Sporty Spice was the “lesbian” in The Spice Girls right? The one who did back flips on stage????
Whatever. I’m a little ticked at the NRA right now. I have been a life member since 1992 and all they do is hound me for “money” constantly. Since 2008:
“We need to have control of the Congress and Senate, so your rights will be protected, send X amount now.”
“We need the state governorships….to stand up to the liberals who want to take your guns away, send in X amount”
“We need the state assembly’s to protect your rights, send in X amount”
“We need the presidency to protect your rights, send in X amount”
“Trump has won! We need money now to defend your rights on the Supreme Court, send X amount in now”
Not counting every state election, local election and some other fund drive…………ask them about “standing up for gun rights in California?”
“California is a lost cause”
Thanks NRA. Thanks!
I wrote the NRA off years ago. I was cooking an anniversary dinner (I know) and the solicitor wouldn’t take no for an answer. I told them that I would send them something with the next mailing. Finally I understood that my time and life wasn’t important to them, hung up and stopped participating. If they weren’t such money whores it would be easier to donate, I don’t mind prompting but I can’t abide hounding and guilt-tripping.
XD line are designed and made in Croatia, not the U.S.
Why would I support them at all? The M&P, Ruger, all local. Then of course If you’d like to go foreign, then there’s plenty but at least they are not re-branded.
@Dalrock
http://voxday.blogspot.com/2017/12/mailvox-t-shirt-review.html
I’ve shot at public ranges in four different states, going back 40 years. Every single time they confirmed that we had hearing and eye protection as part of the check in process.
Every range I’ve ever been to won’t just “confirm” you have them, they’ll kick your ass out if you don’t use them.
Fuel for the handgun discussion:
https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2017/12/20/5_best_handguns_in_the_world_112812.html
Tarl, the ranges I go to here in California, and when the Boy Scouts had a range at the Council Camp……they won’t let you in if you don’t have the protective equipment, and if you suddenly decided your “too cool” to wear them. Out you go.
Off topic…..http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2017/12/20/bell-ringer-beaten-merry-christmas/
Only in California, and Walmart has video cameras that can see the TAGS clearly on items….but of course…..can’t identify this guy.
Jason, I donated to Salvation Army because of your story about hacking off feminists. First time I gave to charity in three years.
Hey…..thank you…and may God bless you this season!