hot diggity
04-08-2010, 04:46 PM
Let's assume that the lights have gone out, commercial airliners are falling from the sky, and most electronic devices have ceased operation.
Lots of scenario's that could play out after an EMP event, or any number of other SHTF situations, but all may require the use of firearms
in darkness.
Plan as we may, not everybody will be able to have a thermal imaging sight on their rifle, or even a tritium night sight. So your ability to make accurate shots at reasonable distances will be hampered. Can't go on-line and order a new tritium sight set, even if there was one available for the rifle in your hands. Luminous paint would do the trick, but the nearest craft store that might stock it is 150 miles away. What we need is a solution that'll work as well in the big city as it will in rural areas. A source of luminous material that's available within walking distance from anywhere.
Which brings us to this:
FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard) as a new standard No. 401 that came in force as from October 20, 2000.
This new standard requires:
Each passenger car with a trunk compartment must have an automatic or manual release mechanism inside the trunk compartment that unlatches the trunk lid.
Each manual release mechanism installed pursuant to the above must include a feature like lighting or phosphorescence, that allows the release mechanism to be easily seen inside the closed trunk.
Thus, as of September 01, 2001, it becomes compulsory that all new passenger cars with trunks must be equipped with a release latch inside the trunk compartment.
More specifications on the luminous handles can be found here:
http://www.nemoto.co.jp/en/column/08_trunklever.html
So we locate an abandoned 2001 or newer sedan, which will be most all of them, since their electronics will not survive the EMP event. In the trunk you'll find the phosphorescent release handle. I've tested the stuff, and it glows brighter than any of the old but serviceable MilSurp tritium rifle sights I've tested. It'll maintain a visible glow without any light exposure for much longer than I hope I'll ever need. The plastic material is easily cut to shape with a knife, or punched out into cylinders. You can shave off and shape pieces and have front and rear luminous night sights for any firearm. Each handle has enough material to fabricate sights for a squad size unit.
But now I need glue to attach them. Probably some glue available in most stores, but it could be risky to go scrounging around in a dark store looking for it. We have to work with what we have on hand. That same 2001 and newer sedan is gonna have a soft seam sealer somewhere that makes an excellent glue to attach the luminous material. It can be found in the trunk seams, under the carpet, or under the door panels. Resembling black bubble gum, this is terribly sticky stuff (with lots of other uses), it's reusable, and leaves little residue when removed. Perfect for attaching pieces of phosphorescent plastic to any sort of firearm sight, and blacking out any portion that could possibly be seen by anyone but the shooter.
Given more time and money you could certainly do better. When you have no time, and no amount of money will get a set of new tritium sights delivered to your door, this is a solution.
HD
Lots of scenario's that could play out after an EMP event, or any number of other SHTF situations, but all may require the use of firearms
in darkness.
Plan as we may, not everybody will be able to have a thermal imaging sight on their rifle, or even a tritium night sight. So your ability to make accurate shots at reasonable distances will be hampered. Can't go on-line and order a new tritium sight set, even if there was one available for the rifle in your hands. Luminous paint would do the trick, but the nearest craft store that might stock it is 150 miles away. What we need is a solution that'll work as well in the big city as it will in rural areas. A source of luminous material that's available within walking distance from anywhere.
Which brings us to this:
FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard) as a new standard No. 401 that came in force as from October 20, 2000.
This new standard requires:
Each passenger car with a trunk compartment must have an automatic or manual release mechanism inside the trunk compartment that unlatches the trunk lid.
Each manual release mechanism installed pursuant to the above must include a feature like lighting or phosphorescence, that allows the release mechanism to be easily seen inside the closed trunk.
Thus, as of September 01, 2001, it becomes compulsory that all new passenger cars with trunks must be equipped with a release latch inside the trunk compartment.
More specifications on the luminous handles can be found here:
http://www.nemoto.co.jp/en/column/08_trunklever.html
So we locate an abandoned 2001 or newer sedan, which will be most all of them, since their electronics will not survive the EMP event. In the trunk you'll find the phosphorescent release handle. I've tested the stuff, and it glows brighter than any of the old but serviceable MilSurp tritium rifle sights I've tested. It'll maintain a visible glow without any light exposure for much longer than I hope I'll ever need. The plastic material is easily cut to shape with a knife, or punched out into cylinders. You can shave off and shape pieces and have front and rear luminous night sights for any firearm. Each handle has enough material to fabricate sights for a squad size unit.
But now I need glue to attach them. Probably some glue available in most stores, but it could be risky to go scrounging around in a dark store looking for it. We have to work with what we have on hand. That same 2001 and newer sedan is gonna have a soft seam sealer somewhere that makes an excellent glue to attach the luminous material. It can be found in the trunk seams, under the carpet, or under the door panels. Resembling black bubble gum, this is terribly sticky stuff (with lots of other uses), it's reusable, and leaves little residue when removed. Perfect for attaching pieces of phosphorescent plastic to any sort of firearm sight, and blacking out any portion that could possibly be seen by anyone but the shooter.
Given more time and money you could certainly do better. When you have no time, and no amount of money will get a set of new tritium sights delivered to your door, this is a solution.
HD